The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-11-26
ADELINA.

1t was cold, clear morning-that
disconsolately wended my way to school
wishing that holidays came oftener and
staid longer, and regretting that out OF
the tifty-two there was only one week OF
uninterrupted pleasure.
The old red school house stood at the
junction OF three roads, and, as | raised
the little hill just before reaching it,
saw, coming from the opposite direction,
little black-cl figure that looked like
moving blot on the unbroken white
ness Of the snow covered landscape.
never could tell what actuated me to
linger on her movements as l did, or
why she so strongly attracted me, but
from the first l think must have loved
the child, ev(n before | was old enough
to rightly understand the meaning OF
the word
We reached the worn old door-stone
together, and, being a boy not at all
afraid to speak to any one, much less
timid little girl, very coolly asked her
if this was her first day at school.
Yes; and / dread it so much"
1t was the sweetest voice had ever
heard, or have ever heard since. The
peculiar rising infection on the last
word was like the short, clear low notes
of a bird, and rs purely natural.
"Do you come every dayP"
Haven't missed a day this winter"
80, I'm so gladm
"Why are you so gladP"
Because you are good boy. Won't
you please tell me your nameP"
Edward Durand."
81 like the name," she said, sweetly,
and boy as / was, / wondered how any
mortal ever came by such an angel
smile All this time she had been try
ing to unite the round worsted strings
OF her hood, but had only succeeded in
drawing them into a harder knot.
Wont you please unite it for me,
EddieP"
She held up her little cold chin, and
without a moments hesitation ] bent
down and did as she requested. 1t was
such tender, confding little face who
could help loving it'll patted encour-
agingly the ROSY red cheek turned to-
ward me in gentle truthfulness, and
bade her not to be afraid, for she had as
good right to come to school as any
one.
"Halloo! where did that little black.
bird come froms" cried kind-hearteC
Ben Phillips, as we entered. Come
along, little girl, and get warm, for yol
look half frozen"
A general tittering and nudging fol
lowed Ben's energetic seating of the new
scholar, and one saucy mink, not under
standing its significance, asked, pertly:
"What are you looking so like GROW
forP hate black dressm
"Hushw reproved an older girl, VIII
overheard the remark. Hush, Sue
don't you see she is in mourningP"
The voice that had so charmed me i
the entry answered the question in
strangely quiet way.
my father is dead
A hush as of death fell upon the nois
group gathered around the old crdcke
stove. The unwonted silence was broke
by the entrance of the teacher, who in
mediately raped us to order, aftC
which he briskly called up the ne
scholar.
"What is your nameP"
"Adelina."
Mr.. Pike looked wise.
"Adelina Lagrange, / suppose; an
you are the daughter of the lady wi
has recently taken the Baldwin co
tagep"
"Yes. sir"
"Well, you may take this seat" poin
ing to bench not far from where l w
sitting; and without further questio
ing Adelina had passed through the tt
ing ordeal of first day" and was du
counted one of us.
Her mother, it was rumored, was
lady of refinement and culture, but We
proud and reserved in her demeanor {
a person who was obliged to teach mus
for a living. Mrs. Lagrange, at a
rate, was young, handsome, and