The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-23

and adjusting her spectacles, for better
sight. Speak out now"
"Nothin," again said Cornelia, but
with gasp she came up again. Il didn't
mean ter; r
{" / can't help what you meant to do"
replied Miss Prim severely, and she
opened draw under the old desk. "Now
| then
She brought what looked to be wad
of paper, but when unrolled, it proved to
be huge cap, which she proceeded, with
great elaboration, to fit on Cornelias
head
I've had trouble enough" she said,
"all this morning, so that can hardly
hear myself think Now, I'll see if can
stop it.. Wait bit; you must get the
corn-cob in
"Oh, l don't want that, cried Cornelia,
under her fool's-cap, which Miss Prim
had damned, like an extinguisher, over
her countenance; and watching timidly
the teachers movements. ooh no, I
don'tl"
But it's Just what you're going to
have, said Miss Prim, with nod, $50
open your mouth" And she held up
big corn-cob, ready to pop in, the mo-
ment she saw the two rows of little white
teeth.
So Cornelia had the mouthful slipped
in, and then, in obedience to Miss Prim S
command, she mounted little cricket in
front of the teachers desk, and turned
comlcal face of distress to the other
scholars, who, one and all, set up laugh
at her appearance.
She couldn't cry, because the corn-cob
wouldn't let her; nor yet could she beg
the teacher to take it out, and give her
any other punishment under the sun, than
to make her the laughing-stoc of the
whole school.
All she could do was to stand there in
utter misery, rolling her eyes at the clock
to watch its slow hands point out her re-
lease
Nov" exclaimed Miss Prim, having
fixed her as a public warming for all
other naughty children, AZ shall see 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 came to Cornelias little old
desk Without seconds pause, she
flung back the lid and exposed to view
1Uhat?
A little heart-shaped pincushion of red
silk, sewed with painstaking care, and
stuck with pins that formed crooked lit
tie letters, but each one set by loving
fingers. And the letters were "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 corn-cob at
the same moment" what is this for?"
she asked, holding it up.
You said" mumbled Cornelia, rub
bing her mouth with her fat little hand,
that twas your birthday tomorrow; l
heard you tell Aunt johnson so-an' 1
wanted to s'prise .you-I did"
Well, you hazel" cried Miss Prim,
throwing her thin arms around her, and
giving her dozen or more kisses, that
nearly knocked the breath out of her.
Don't you ever forget that; I've had
the biggest surprise I've ever had in my
life, and lesson, too !" she added, with
an humble little droop to her voice.
Children, and she tore off the FOOLS
cap from the little brown head before her,
then turned, and faced them all, al
ought to wear this myself-only," and a
smile quivered over her thin lips, II sup
pose it wouldn't look very well for your
teacher to be SO punished for her care
lessness"
"But," and she held as high as she
could reach the little red pincushion for
them all to see, this will always say to
me, Be sure, before you find fault p
Youths Companion.