The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-22

all day; but what you learn may be Of
more use to you. We care most for the
things that cost us trouble"
There were few simple mathematical
problems, and then q reading, and the
words spelled out with difficulty by some
were Bible words.
Charity suffereth long and is kind"
~vaunteth not ITSELF" "seeketh not her
own, believeth all things, hopeth all
things"
1t was easily understood. Mrs. Will
kin leaned forward little, and could
peep into the room. Fifteen or twenty
boys and girls from the mill gathered
into night school. Then those won
derful words, read so slowly and en-
phatically, seemed to suddenly assume a
new and deeper meaning than Mrs. Will
kin had ever thought of their possessing
some things show 80 much more clear
ly in the dark than in the Light.
Asthe timid little wornan-who would
have been frightened at her own voice
in any other audience as large--explained
in her simple, gentle way the pas
sage read, it occurred to the listener
outside that some one was keeping q
sharp watch on these mill people, after
all, and that this might be better way
of doing it than would be practiced by
any police force. It was q very informal
school. One girl had brought her best
dress that the teacher might show her
how to mend rent in it, and another
was trying to knit pair of mitteps for
her brother. Every wintev has its thaws.
Mrs. Wilkin had heart down under
all the crust of opinions that she had
christened duty; she became interested
despite her uncomfortable situation.
The position was unpleasant. She
did not like playing eaves-dropper to
this innocent gathering, but there seemed
no help for it. She could not escape
through the locked door; and boldly re-
vealing herself, and explaining her alb
surd suspicious and the remarkable way
in which she came there, was more than
even her thoughts could endure. So she
kept her place, hoping that when the
pupils were dismissed she might slip
out among them unnoticed. But when
the lesson hour ended they departed
slowly, by twos and threes, the open door
finging food of light out into the hall
At last only one fingered, and Mrs.
Wilkin listened intently as she caught
his voice.
"Now, Tim" said the little knitting
woman, Il like to have you come, you
know that, and I'll help you all can,
but you really must tell your aunt about
it."
"WeH, you see, L don't know what
she'll say" began Tim, irresolutely.
But that shouldn't hinder you from
doing your duty"
Don't know about that" said Tim,
still doubtfully. you see Aunt Liz
beth's got an awful mount of duty of
her own, and it's such a particular kind
that other folks can't get much chance
to do theirs only when hers is nap
pin. Why, Uncle Reub gives my
mother lots of eggs and chickens, but
he just slips EN- off, and don't tell.
well, if you don't know what is
right for you, do know what is right
for me-" said the little teacher. with a
quiet laugh; "and l can't let you come
again until you tell your aunt how you
spend your evenings"
Mrs. Wilkin nodded n vigorous APP
prevail, but it was evident that Tim de-
parted in n state of dissatisfaction.
There was a sound of a crutch tap
ping on the floor, and Mrs. Wilkin re-
membered that little lame brother had
sometimes gone about with the knitting
woman. They two were left alone in
the room, and went around shaking out
the fire and putting up looks and pa
pers.
"Only 10 cents week for each one
that's so little" said the boyish tones,
musingly.
Eyes; but it isn't so very much that L
can teach them" answered the little
woman, humbly. And then it is all
they can afford to pay, poor things.
And, you know, we began more for their
sake than our own, though we do need
money. Courage, though, Johnny! 1t
all counts, and you shall have your over
coat pretty soon now. Beside, this is
work that blesses both ways-in what
we give as well as what we get"
If she could only pass that open door
Mrs. Wilkin was growing benumbed by
standing so long in the cold. Finally
the lights were extinguished, and the
two came out. Just then, fortunately,
Johnny remembered that they had left
a book behind them, and, as the uncon-
scious jailers turned back, the prisoner
seized her opportunity and escaped.
She was sitting alone by the fire
when Tim, who had made his homeward
route sufficiently circuitous to include a
call on his mother, returned. He sat
down near her, twisted his fingers un-
easily, and Mrs. Wilkin guessed what
was coming
There's been an evenin' school start
ed here, Aunt Iiz'beth.
so understand" responded Mrs.
Wilkin, coolly.
why, I thought Tim, with
wide-open eyes of surprise, and then
checked himself with the sudden re-
Election that it might not be wise to re-
call the conversation of the morning.
I'd like to go to it-that is, have been
once or twice." he said Fact is, Aunt
Jiz'beth, when we lived down the river,
before You took me, there wasn't any
school for me to go to, and so I'm be-
hind other fellers. Miss Kelly she
makes 'rithmetic so plain, and helps me