Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-26

keep order. Well, dear me, / have
tried to do my duty, and l won't wor-
ry;;" and Miss Wait resolutely went
back to "seven times nine,' and so
proceeded in the usual routine
But she ate no dinner that noon,
and had a decided headache as she
crossed the big bridge over the hill to
the mill-owner's residence.
81 shall not back down in anything
where my clear duty and self-respect
are involved" thought she. al have
set up a certain ideal as to what a
teacher of these little common schools
ought to be, and | will, God and my
mind, good courage and health not
forsaking me, bring myself as near to
it as possible. Moreover, | will not
consider, in the premises, whether the
scholars are children of the rich or
learned, or Of the poor or ignorant.
For the time being God has placed in
my care ragged, dirty little wretches
of factory village, as well as clean,
well-dressed, attractive children
"Good evening, good evening,
ma am" said "Old Sam" Whittier, in
his gruff way, meeting the teacher at
the door. "As said in my note to
you, heard today of some rather un-
common proceedings on your part. |
saw, ma'am, little Tommy Howe in a
new pair of boots this morning Do
you know how he came by them?"
81 bought them for him, Mr.. Whit
tier" wondering whether the local
magnate suspected the poor child of
stealing.
"Oh, you did! Are you in the habit
of furnishing your scholars with such
articles? Was the providing of boots
a part of your business contract with
the committee? If it was, can put
you in the way of buying boots at
wholesale in Boston, where | get my
supply for my store
ut will not be necessary, sir" re-
piled the teacher, with dignity. 81
thank you for your kind offer, how
ever"
"Why did you furnish boots in this
particular case, if may inquire?'
"rhe lad is very poor. Ills mother
las her hands full with the smaller
children. Tommy is learning rapidly;
| see marks of rare intelligence in him.
1t would be pity to have him taken
out of school at this time when he is
so much engaged. Should he contn-
ne coming clad as he was in such
weather as this he would be i'll soon.
| could not take the risk in either
case"
"Are you able to let your heart get
the better of you in this way?"
81 have my wages only replied the
young woman, with dignity,
"Then you probably will have to
retrench not little in your own cx-
penses.'
"lf do it will harm no ones purse
or pride but my own. In this instance
it may be the matter of Il pair of
gloves or an ostrich tip with me-
With him the little act may make II
difference that shall be lasting through
time and eternity"
"Gou have been attending that
school over to South lladley, | hear 2"
ayes, sir"
"IIave you been through it, or grad
uated, as they call it?"
"Oh, no; have attended but two
terms. But | am fully determined to
complete the course"
"llum-all right Miss Wait, you
seem to be doing some good work
among the children over the river
there. | am going to think it all
over; but look here-if any more of
those little rascals need boots, let me
know. | shall consider it a privilege
to provide them. You know ! can
obtain them at wholesale hal hal"
and the now greatly relieved teachers
interview with the mill-owner ended.
"lf she goes on teaching on and off,
and then taking term on and off at
Mount Holyoke, she can't graduate
for years." ruminated Old Sam Whit
tier, as he watched her tripping on
over the hill; "its ridiculous"
And so it came to pass, when Miss
Wait was paid her small salary at the
end of the term, she found in the ell
velope containing the order on the
town treasurer check with a slip of
paper pinned to it, reading thus
"This may be an uncommon pro-
ceeding, but thought it over and
have concluded that you had better go
right along in your studies at South
Iladley until you graduate. Alter
that. with your pluck and principle,
you will be able to invest in boots or
books, or in any way you see fit.
Very truly yours,
SAMUEL WHITTIER"
leave this true little sketch with
out comment. 1t carries its own les
son, both to struggling young teachers
with hearts and brains, and to pros
perCus men of affairs, who may lend a
helping hand to deserving ones.