The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-01-13
BEFORE AND AFTER.


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I. BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
The girls had never liked Hetty. 1t
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
hair at all than such sozzly looking stuff
as Hetty Northam's."
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' or Gerry Smiths.
When Hetty's father purchased the
great mills at Cotton Hollow. and took
his wife and Hetty and Baby Dimple to
live in the house vacated by the former
mill-owner, it was decided that Hetty
should attend the small school in the
village. Across the ravine 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
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 satin her seat
musing over her spelling-book, SO I'M
usual . proceeding was at once attrib-
uted to pride and haughtiness, and an
unfavorable impression was created that
was not easily effaced. This impression
was deepcned three days later, when
Hetty answered correctly a 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 fire 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 sscome 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
not said yes; but nobody asked her again.
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-office. 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 thingr' she ex-
claimed, angrily. ssCatch me bowling
down to herladyship! l don't see what
she's got to be so proud over, for my
part.
why, Mr.. Northam is awful rich,
Sarah"
''What If he is? Money amt every
thing, and Hetty Northam amt any
smarter than other folks. She can't
parse sentence right to save her life;
and she has no business to dress as she
does, wearing fur cloak to school!
should be thankful to get anything to
keep me warm. There is pa working
for almost nothing, and he heard that
all the mill hands were to have their
wages cut down next month. I say Mr..
Northam hasn't any right to screw us
down so as to buy fine clothes for Miss
Hetty. and hate herr
The girls were used to Sarah's haran-
CUES, and soon tired of them, so Emma
Porter hastenedto say in a softer voice:
swell. never mind; let's sit down here
in the sun and tell what we'd like for