The Penn's Grove record., 1882-06-17
LOLA;
Or,
THE SONG BIRD OF GLEN ELDER.

Perched high upon a hillside stood
a brown school house overlooking
Geln Elder, n deep, dark gorge, where
ran sparkling and singing through
sunshine and shade q noisy brook.
| Away to the right were mills that sent
up by night and day u busy whirr,
and clustered about were the humble
homes Of the village of Tuscarora, and
looking as though they had struggled
away from its school house; or that
building had itself played truant and
gone up the hill for the purpose of
sliding down, to gather w%intergreen
berries, or catch a view of the un-
equaled panorama. What it really
| did accomplish was the appropriating
all Of the sweet summer breexes. IS
well as the iercest of the snow.laden
blasts during the long winter months.
From one Of the Eastern colleges
had wandered thither 3 young gentle
man named Leslie, as master Of
the pupils Of Tuscarora. He was .
tall, muscular fellow, with grave, blue
eyes and q wholesome color In his face
like that Of winter apples. He had
arrived in early autumn, and had
stood In the doorway Of the school
house, drinking in beautiful draughts
Of nature when In her most poetic
mood. And every day a. he climed
to this eyrie toward cloudland he
paused and gained inspiration from
the pictures around him, while au-
tumn drifted away with all the gor-
geous treasures of dead leaves, and the
rigors Of winter shut down upon the
little village, locking with icy fetters
the brook, turning the hills into a
melancholy white waste, and render
ing the path to the school house a toll
some one.
One day in February, ~ the sun was
beginning to melt away the snow in
little patches, the master, as usual, sat
At his desk and began calling the roll.
Name after name was responded TO
until he came to that OF Lola Danforth.
Here" was answered in . clear
voice.
Robert Danforth 2"
There was no response, and he
glanced over to the orne where bent
q little dark face over her book.
"Where is your brother, Lola?"
and receiving no response, he CON
tinued: "Playing trusnt, IS usual, ]
presume, which is one of the vices n
is compelled to thresh- out OF a fellow"
The face was lifted from the book
burning red, while the great flashing
black eyes were fastened upon the face
Of the master rs he finished the roll
call and took up the lessons.
Presently . lAnk, r~ed-headed,
watery-eyed youth skunk into the
school room and his usual seat. But
he did not accomplish it so slyly as TO
escape the watchful eyes Of the master,
who commanded him to come forth
and give an account of himfslf.
The poor, half-witted youth coald
only reply by s~nivslipg excuses.
They were not In the least respected
by Leslie, who, taking q stout birch
rod from its place on the wall WA
about to administer punishment,
when he was ~suAIenly confronted by
the dark aud wrathful face Of Lola,
who exclaimed with almost hissing
utterAnce:
"You must not strike Rob. Indeed
yeu must not"
$50 to your seat" commanded the
master.
He raised the rod and the heavy
blow descended, but not upon the
thinly clad form ofthe boy. Itfellupon
the pretty, round, plump shoulders Of
Lola, for ut the downward stroke Of
the whip, she had encircled her
brother with her arms. Her eyes were
flashing through tears the bio v had
| deepened the scarlet on her cheeks
and lips, and she quietly confronted
the chagrined teacher. who exclaimed:
"wilI you 60 to your seat, Lola,
and leave this boy to the well-merited
punishmsht7 Or, aimee your heart is
too tender to witness it, you may go
home"
"Neyeri" answered the girl,
fercely. IT tell you he shall not be
whipped" Then, a. IL fearing his
greater strength, she continued plead
irgly: 40, sir, do not punish him.
He is not just right. you know. and
when mother died she told me to
always care for and protect him."
The latter portion Of her speech wa
uttered through sobs, and after q
pause, she resumed: II sent him for
something, and dear Robby could
never guess at the time, 20 I am the
only n to blame"
Araiu abe lifted those wonderful