The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-12-22

[IBEFoRE cHRISrNAs.

began with her first day of school, that
cool, October morning, when she ap-
peared in her pretty dress of blue cash
mere, which formed so lovely contrast
with her fair skin and yellow curls.
None of the Cotton Hollow girls had
curly hair except Hetty Jones, whose
black locks kinked up funnily all over
her head, and although one or two of
the younger children secretly admired
the golden floss that tumbled itself into
such fluffy heaps over the white fore
head or strayed down to play with its
owners apron strings, nobody had the
courage to say so after Sarah Grant had
declared that she would rather have no
hairat all than such sozzly looking stuff
as Hetty Northam' 5. -
Then Hetty wore dainty white aprons
unlike the gingham and calico the school
had always known, and the new schol-
ar's boots and stockings were altogether
of a different order from Susan Cum
mings' OF Gerty Smiths ;.
When Hettv's father purchased the
great mills at Cotton Hollow, and took
his wife and Hety and Baby Dimple to
live in the house vacated by the former
mill-owner. il was decided that Hetty
should attend the small school in the
village. Across the ravine a mile or
more was large school, To which the
foreign portion OF the mill-workers sent
their children; but the little school by
the side of the church was made up of a
dozen or more girls, and half as many
boys, mostly Americans, but all children
of poor parents.
So when shy, sensitive Hetty took her
place with the others, and at recess did
not speak to anybody, but sat in her seat
musiug over her spelling-book, so un-
usual proceeding was at once attrib
uted to pride and haughtiness. and an
unfavorablc impression was created that
was not easily eifaced. This impression
was deepcned three DAYS later, when
Hetty answered correctly question
which the others in her class missed,
and in consequence gained the first place
which for months had belonged to Sarah
Grant, the best scholar in school. This
event reused All the tire in Sarah nature,
and although she regained her position
aweek after she was not easily forgiven
During the weeks before Christmas
Hetty made almost no progress in ac-
Quaintanceship with her companions.
She surmised from their actions that they
did not care for her company, and being
an exceedingly bashful little Girl, she
drew more within herself. and watched
their games from her silent corner on
the window which overlooked the play
ground, often wondering why nobody
seemed TO like her better. Once, shortly
after her entrance into school, Gerty
Smith had asked her to ''cOme and play
tag but Hetty. confused and abashed
by the number of curious eyes bent upon
her, had abruptly declined the invitation.
The next moment she was sorry she had
4 acl-
One day at recess, when it wanted
but a week of the happy Christmas
time, Hetty was alone in the school
room. The last scholar had disappeared
down the stairway. and Mr.. Bacon the
teacher, had gone down the street on his
daily visit to the post-oifice. Hetty
crossed the room, and threw open the
window. The air inside was hot and
close, and she stood for a moment
breathing in the freshness, and watch
ing the cloud-shadows on the opposite
hills. now white with their sparkling
mantle of newly-fallen snow. Outside
on the steps below were huddled to-
gether group of girls. As usual sarah
Grant was the speaker:
Proud, stuck-up thizg! she ex-
claimed, angrily. .-cateh me oowIng
down to her ladvshfpl | don't see what
she's got to 10 so proud over, for my
part"
..Vay, Mr.. Northam is awful rich,
Ssfab-"
''What if he is? Money amt every
thing, and Hetty Northam amt any
smarter than other folks She can't
parse a sentence right TO save her life;
and she has no business to dress as she
does. wearing a fur cloak to schooll l
should be thankful to get anything to
keep me warm. There is pa working
for almost nothing, and he heard that
al the mill hands were to have their
n6es cut down next month. say Mr..
hasn't any right to screw us
sn SO as to buy fine clothes for Miss
Hetty, and hate her''
The girls were used to Sarah's haran-
CUES, and soon tired of them, so Emma
Porter hastened to say in softer voice.
well, never mind let's sit down here
in the sun and tell what we'd like for
Christmas. /. for one, want a new pair
OF skates. What do you want, SarahP''
II don't know of anything 1 should
like better than lots and lots of books,
unless it was a good, warm shawl.
almost freeze in mine. Yes, / do know
what | want most, though--a book with
that piece of poetry in it that Hetty
~'OA~httAAA otOhC 4hcS WCCh- W. IL was
beautiful
On the Friday before Hetty in her
turn, according to the custom of the
school, had recited Poe's "Bells,' and
their strange music had charmed Sarah
Grant, who. Notwithstanding her blunt,
sometimes coarse speech and hasty
temper. loved poetry, and she longed to
read for herself the words which had SO
pleased her.
20, you are crazy about those sBells.'"
said Gerty Smith. at was splendid,
but there are other things L rather have
for Christmas / wish I could have
pounds and pounds of candy, Just as
much as l could eat for once, and new
doll. Beatrice is all worn out and
mother says she shall not get me
another" she concluded, mournfully,
thinking of the forlorn darling with the
torn dress and shoeless feet.
'.Humphl you may have all the dolls.
/ want a sled so / can slide down hill |
with the boys, put in Katie Cohn.
so do | want a sled. and book full (
Of pictures, and bird, and new dress, |
and--oh,, ever so many things.r said /
Hstle Hattie Morris. drawing a long
breath ''What dc you want. MaryP''
The quiet, gentle girl addressed an
Bwered slowly;