The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-11-06
ADELINA.

1t was the day after New Years -a
cold, clear Tuesday morning-tha |
disconsolately wendell my way to school,
wishing that holidays came oftener and
stayed longer, and regretting that out
of iifty-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-clad figure that looked like
Il moving blot on the unbroken white
ness of the snow-covered landscape. I
never could tell what actuated me to
linger on her movements as did, or
why she so strangely attracted me, but
from the first, think must have loved
the child, even before was old enough
to slightly 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 a
timid little girl, very coolly asked her
if this was her first day at school.
Yes; and dread it so much.n
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 as purely natural
" Do you come every day?''
" Haven't missed u day this winter. :"
"Oh, am so glad!n
Why are you SO glad?'
Because you are good boy. Won't
you please tell me your name?''
:" Edward Durand.''
&c like the name," she said sweetlv.
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.
Won't you please unite it for me,
Eddie?''
She held up her little cold chin, and
without a moments hesitation | bent
down and did as she requested. 1t was
such q tender, confiding little face-who
could help loving it? I patted encour-
agingly the rose-red cheek turned to-
ward me in gentle truthfulness, and
babe her not to be afraid, for she had as
good right to come TO school as any
one.
"Hallo! where did that little black
bird come from?n cried kind-hearted
Ben Phillips rs we entered. "Come
along, little girl, and get warm, for you
look half frozen"
A general tittering and nudging fol-
lowed Ben's energetic seating of the new
scholar, and one saucy little mink. not
its significance, asked |
pertly:
"What are you looking so like crow
forP | hate black dress"
Hush!n reproved an older girl, who
overheard the remark. "Hush, Sue; I
don't You see she is in mourningp''
The voice that had so charmed me in t
the entry answered the question in a
quiet way.
"My father is iead!"
A hush as of death fell upon the noisy /
group gathered around the old cracked
stove. The unwonted silence was
broken by the entrance of the teacher,
who Immediately raped us to order,
ifter which he briskly called up the new
scholar. -
" w nat Is your name?''
"Adelina"
Mr.. Pike looked wise.
:" Adellna Lagrange, suppose; and
Tou are the daughter of the lady who has
ecently taken the Baldwin cottage?''
eyes, sir.''
Wen, you may take this seat, - point
ne to bench not far from where | was
lifting, and without further questioning
Idelina had passed through the trying
rdeal of first day." and was duly
ounted one of us.
Her mother, it was rumored. was a
ldy of refinement and culture, but very
roud and reserved in her demeanor for
person who was obliged to teach mu-
c for living Mrs. Lagrange, at any :