National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-20

those qualities of mind aud heart whose
happy combination marks the man of
genius, and he was at some pains to EN-
courage him in the introduction of now
methods OF teaching.
Autocratic rule, enforcing slavish
discipline, rigid routine, reduction of all
individuality to dull conformity, these
were the characteristics most notable in
an inspection of tho schools of this period, |
and, like many another institution with
no better title to existence, they were |
strongly entrenched in the prejudices of .
that class of good conservative people |
who look upon the spirit of innovation |
with suspicion. Mark, however, was no |
friend to this ancient system, and he had
early introduced a method which had
gradually effected an entire revolution.
He had endeavored to put his religion
into his teaching, and as the cornerstone
of his faith was belief in the infinite
worth and capabilities of the human soul,
he could not, without doing violence to
| his convictions, pursue the old methods,
| which were based upon doctrine the
reverse of his own, and which practically
treated the pupil as machine.
Enthusiasm is infectious, and the youth
in Marks care were quick to feel its
power. Each individual scholar, know
| ing that the success and good name of
|
upon his own behavior. was spurred on
by every incentive of honor and omula-
ton to yield loyal and loving obedience
TO the wishes of his teacher.
OF course all these changes were
watched with great interest by the
village people, and many were the dismal
prophecies Of ultimate failure with which
Mark was met. But he, strong in the
belief that his methods were grounded on
sound principles, laughed good naturedly
at his critics. and kept bravely on his
way. In tho end ,the entire wisdom Of
his plans was acknowledged by tho whole
community, aud those whose fears had
been aroused at first were loudest in his
praise.
A year passed by. The Northbrook
school had secured prominent place
among the seats of learning in the
vicinity, and the fame of its young prin-
cipal was becoming noised abroad. 1t
was by no means q strange thing under
the circumstances that Mark should re-
ccive an invitation to wider field of
labor. One bright spring day he had
been out with his scholars enjoying the
May walk" pleasant custom still an.
nually observed by some of tho rural
schools in Massachusetts,. Teacher and
, pupils had roamed over the hills and
threaded the forest paths together, re-
, turning laden with baskets of the sweet
scented trailing arbutus, the beautiful
, MAY flower of New England whose chaste
! loneliness inspired Longiellow's quaint
comparison:
"Childrcn lost in the woods,
4 And covered with leaves in their slumber"
, As Mark entered his study he found
5 lying on the table letter from distant
q city, inviting him to take charge of n
q large and hourishing academy. The
A salary offered was, for those days, very
o liberal one, and greatly in advance of the
amount he WIS at present receiving. 1t
I would enable him to increase his little
a store of books by the addition of many
/, works which he had long wanted, but
!, which his means had not permitted his
t purchasing. Then the larger intercourse
I among men, and the facilities for study
= and research which access to great
= libraries would give him, were advan-
IS tages that he could not fail to consider
9 with delight. Such were Marks first
ideas upon reading the letter, but
: they were succeeded by second
O thoughts of more serious nature. II
]. he accepted this offer-and he felt q
n little glow of honest pride ut its coming
n to him thus ,unsought-he would be
: Obliged to leave Patience Ware; and how
II could he ever bring himself to this point?
a 1t was no small thing for man to break
;, away from the thousand endcaring tie:
II that bind him to his native place and
b start out into the great world alone. But
y Mark could have braved all this, although
r he felt personal attachment to the very
elms that shaded Northbrook street
i, while tho true friends who had beer
20 faithful to him from his youth up, ant
Ia the school in which his first success hat
10 been won, were all enshrined in his heart
d But leaving Patience was quite diff
a. ferent matter. The sweet face ant
"a charming ways Of the minister's daugh
az ter came up before his mental vision
- with startling distinctness, and be
10 fore this picture, the allurement
q. of worldly advantage, even of advance
~ ment In the field of his choice, fade,
- away into nothingness. He felt as neve
% before. because never before had tn
40 thought of leaving her been aught but
is far oil dream, how little the world was I
ne him without her; how thoroughly inter
v, woven with his very life were the thought
Us and the love of her.
IA The scent of the May flowers arouse
ho him from his reverie. He arose, an
of singing out from tho tangled mass upo
an the table the brightest and sweetest h
in arranged them into q tasteful nosegaN
placed the letter in his pocket. and set on
nv for the parsonage.
cd The house in which Mr.. Ware live
tie stood little beyond tho village street
to and its rear looked out upon the river
m. Many and many happy hour had Mar
zee spent with Patience roaming by the rive
at bank or rowing in his skif upon its smoot
on surface All these recollections can
on thronging back upon him now as he note
ms, one by one the familiar features in Il
ia. Landscape, and then at the thought
m. going away from her whose personali'
ira had wreathed itself around everythir
il. upon which his eye rested, and his hea
bic grow sick with sense of utter desolatio
or. When he walked up the path to til
re. door of the parsonage the shadows
is. evening had begun to fall. In answer
ssh his knock Patience herself appeared
ar. admit him. How beautiful she locke
and how sweet in Marks eyes was 81
Nd unaffected pleasure with which 81
he welcomed him. Receiving his simr
.an Offering Of May flowers with smile
20 gratitude, she led the way to tho parlc
. W where a cheerful wood fire cleaned in t
- open fire place, for the chills of the Nc
w England winter lingering in the air ma
'ro q fire at the close of the day We
in acceptable.
,n M They sat down, and after few inquiri
10 from Patience about his holiday MAJ
,s a handed her his letter. She opened a.
tho read 1t carefully, and then with just
de shade of sadness in her voice, which
led evidently tried to conceal, said, you W
as 20, MARX, 0i Sou5Sei no I;ra ~ I;
as creased usefulness and honor"
the "Ah, Patience" no replied, II shou
ber purchase it all at too dear price. ha
no. thought it all over and / find l cam
, "a leave the dear old home and the frien
mi. whose love / value more than the prai
i'm of strangers Besides" he said with
i've smile, were to accept this offer thu
and would be no elder brother TO watch o'
art you"