Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-12-06
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Sammy ?" Lila March said. in her sweet
girlish voice. bending over a wretched
little object who lay flat on the tloel
with his face downward, in the desert ed
school-room. He held a book tightly
clasped in one hand, but he was crying
so vigorously that it did not look as il
he was likely to profit by its contents.
"She says-she says-ef l can't dc
them substractum sums by the time re-
cess is over, she'll-she'lI' and then d
fresh burst of tears checked further
speech.
Now, Sammy, Miss Dare never does
anything very hard" Lila said, "Sit
right up, and wipe your eyes and your
nose, if you've got such a thing as d
handkerchief Here, take mine Oh, ]
want you to keep it," with look of dis
gust as the boy, after obeying her, was
about to put the wet, sCiled cambric in
her hand. Now, show me that heart
breaking sum"
AS they sit together there, We can see
the contrast between them. Pretty Lii
la March, with every detail of her dain-
ty cambria dress showing wealth and
care, and Sammy Wilson, the son of a
drunken, worthless village loafer, un-
der strong protest. In fact, some of the
village aristocrats had taken away their
children from the "low, vulgar assCcia-
tions," and there was ii plan on foot to
secure for B a select private school,
where such nuisanceS us drunken Will
sons boy could be kept at a distance
Meantime, as Miss Dar5 was an ac-
cOmplished teacher, the b ariStOcra-
cy swallowed its disgust for time, and
allowed their children to attend her
classes. Lila March, with all her im-
periOuS ways, was tender-hearted girl,
who could never bear to see any one op-
pressed; and in time it come to be uu-
derstood that Sammy Wilson, whom ev-
cry one snubbed, was her protege.s
Now, Sammy" Lila said. before we
begin the sums, tell me what you were
crying about being kept in for. That
happens to you every other day, and
think you ought to be accustomed to it
by his time"
But my ma is awful sick, Miss Lila.
the boy answered, land there amt soul
to help her but me. l wanted to stay at
home to-day, but she wouldn't let me.
Oh, if Miss Dare keeps me in, what will
she do?"
"She shan't keep you in," Lila said,
decidedly. Take your slate and let me
show you the sums. But look herel
I'm not going to show you anything
with those dirty hands. Go out to the
pump and wash them; your face, too.
while you're about it. o Sammy Sam
my! how on earth will l ever get decent
notions in your head p
Can the leopard change bis spots, or
the EthiOp his skin p cried the gay voice
of Madge Darnell, back of them. Here
we've Deen looking everywhere for YOU,
and behold you with this dirty little beg
gar. moaning over his shortcomings
Let him alone, Lii, for goodness sake,
and come out. We want you for some
thing particular"
III come when We helped Sammy a
little. If he doesn't work his sums.
Miss Dare will keep him in"
hclly ID ul0 Ilule SO
His mother is i'll, and he's needed at
home. I'll ONE in few minutes,
Madge."
Madge ran off, singing at the top of
her voice
"She was lady of high degree,
But ragged and dirty imp was he"
Sammy colored painfully, used as he
W. tn T.h hnt n do u
somehow he felt these things more
acutely than usual.
You're awful good to me, Miss Lila, !"
the poor boy said, when the sums were
made out and his slow mind began to
comprehend the process. 81 can work
'em now like anything. But everybo-
dys so hard on me but you; and they
laugh at you cause you're good to me-.
l know they'll set you agin me after
awhile; and o Miss Lila! then, then"
and he buried his face in his hands and
burst into tears.
Don't be afraid, Sammy" Lila said
kindly. "NOthing will ever set me
against you, unless you get wicked.
Don't mind the others. They really
don't mean what they say; but all the
same, they shan't treat you in this
shameful way. No. they shan't" her
eyes flashing and her little hands clench-
ed, "Pll never I've friends with single
one who treats you badly. Here's a
piece of lemon pie for Sour lunch. Eat
it, and you'll feel ever SO much better.
Doubtless Sammy did feel better after
eating the pie. But think the kind
ness of his champion gave that pie a
flavor that no dainty ever had before to
his taste. He would have knelt at her
feet and kissed them if he had known
that such things were ever done; but as
it was, in his own imperfect fashion, he
silently vowed to be her slave if she ev-
er needed his services.
"She's jest as good as can be to me,
ma" Sammy said to his mother that
evening. She's DR.. March's daughter,
you know, and richer than any of the