The National tribune., 1880-10-01
The Little Red Cushion.
"Cornelia Eyarts Y

"Cornelia Evarts p
Little Miss Prm snapped out the words with as much
of air if she had hundred scholars instead
of a small district school small that you could almost
put the whole thing under good-sze umbrella and walk
Yes M, came back meek little voice from the other
end of the
s'Tm not going to hear this noise any longer No |
am Y declared Miss Prim $50 do you Just walk ,lp
here the desk this very minute l''
Two small feet stumbled out into the passage between
the welworn wooden benches and the little girl walked
slowly up the big desk till she stood exactly front of
the sharp little eyes OF the teacher, who looked her all
over keenly from head 70 foot
'sWhat have you been doing to make all the children
laugh? ?' at last she said.
'SNohn,' said Cornelia, dragging her welworn shoe
back and forth the old schooroom floor And then
with small stop, that just saved her from fasehood
added, Only
Only sohat' said Miss Prm sharply, and adjusting
her spectacles, for better sight. Speak out now -
Nothn',' again said Cornea, but with q gasp she
came up again. 81 didn tmean ter I-''
II can't help what you meant to dc" replied Miss
Prm, severely and opened drawer under the old desk
Now then
she brought out what looked like wad of paner but
when unrolled proved be huge cap which she pro-
ceeded with great deliberations to fit Corneas head
''Ive had trouble enough she said, all this morn
ing, that can't hardly hear myself think. Now I'll
see if can't stop it. Wait bit you must get the
cob IN
'oh, I don't want Aat cried oornelia, under her
fool soap which Miss Prim had jammed, like extin
gusher her countenance and watching tmidy the
teachers movements "Oh, no, DON'T T.
But it Is just what you're going to hare" said Miss
Prim, with nod, sopen your MOUTH And she held
up big corncob ready to pop IN the moment she
the two rows of little white teeth.
So Cornelia had the mouthful slipped in and then in
obedience to Miss PrimS command she mounted little
cricket in front of the teachers desk and turned com
cal face of distress TO the other scholars who and
ALL set up laugh at her appearance.
She couldn't because the corncob wouldn't let her
yet could she beg the teacher take it and give
her any other punishment under the than to make
her the langhing-sto of the whole school
All she could do To stand there in utter misery
rolling her eyes at the clock to watch it's slow hands
point out her release.
I" Now exclaimed Miss Prm, having fixed her ms q
public warning for all other naughty children shall
what you have been hiding in your desk that has
made such disturbance among the scholars. shall see
for myself!
So she walked down between the two rows of benches
having all eyes upon her, till she to Conelas little
old desk Without seconds pause she flung back the
lid and exposed to view--what?
little heart-shaped pin-cushion Of red silk sewed
with panstaking and stuck with pins that formed
crooked little etters but each by loving fingers
And the letters Miss Prim -
The little, thin, stern teacher staggered back, and
rubbed her eyes.
Then she picked up the little cushion and started with
rapid footsteps for her desk
"Cornelia"-out came the corncob at the same
g You said, mumbled Cornelia rubbing her mouth
with her fat little hand, "that twas your birthday to-
heard you tell Aunt Johnson so-an wanted
to sprise you'll did,
swell, you hare Z" cried Miss Prim throwing her thin
arms around her. and giving her dozen kisses
that nearly Rocked the breath out of her.