Connecticut western news., 1885-09-02


 keep order. We'll. dear me, I have tried to do my duty, and I won't wor- ry;" and Miss Wait resolutely went back to ''seven times nine," and 50 proceeded in the usual routine.
 But she ate no dinner that noon, and had decided headache as she crossed the big bridge over the hill to the mill owners residence.
 q shall not back down in anything where my clear duty and self-respect are involved" thought she. "I have set up certain ideal as to what teacher of these little common schools ought to be, and@kawill, God and~nny mind, good courage and health not forsaking me, bring myself as near to it as possible Moreover, l 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, we'll 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 to-day of some rather un- common proceedings on your part. I saw, ma'am, little Tommy Howe in a new pair of boots this morning. Do you. know how he came by themY
 "I bought them for him, MT. Whit tier," wondering whether the local magnate suspected the poor child of stealing.
 "Oh, you didl Are you in the habit of furnishing your scholars with such articlesP 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 I get my supply for my store"
 "It will not be necessary, sir," re- piled the teacher, with dignity. "I thank you for your kind offer, how ever."
 "Why did you furnish boots in this particular case. if may inquire?"
 "The lad is very poor. His mother has her hands full with the smaller children. Tommy is learning rapidly; I see marks of rare intelligence in him, It would be pity to have him taken out of school at this time when he is so much engaged Should ha conttn- ue coming clad as he was in such weather as this he would be i'll soon. I could not take the risk in eithe. case"
 "Are you able to let your heart gel the better of you in this wayP"
 q have my wages only," replied tht young woman, with dignity.
 "Then you probably will have t retrench not little in your own ex penses."
 | "If do it will harm no ones pnrs, or pride but my own. In this instanc it may be the matter of pair o gloves or an ostrich tip with me With him the little act may make difference that shall be lasting througl time and eternity"
 "You have been attending ths school over to South Hadley, hear ?
 "Yes, sir"
 "Have you been through 1t, or grad ua.ed, as they call it?"
 "Oh, no; have attended but tw terms. But I am fully determined t complete the course"
 "Hum-all right. Miss Wait, yo seem to be doing some good wor among the children over the rive there. I am going to think it a over; but look here-if any more ( those little rascals need boots, let m know. I shall consider it privileg to provide them. You know ca obtain them at wholesale-hal hal and the now greatly relieved teacher interview with the mill-owner ended "If she goes on teaching on and of and then taking term on and off { Mount Holyoke, she can't graduat for years," ruminated Old Sam Whit tier, as he watched her tripping c
 over the hill; tits ridiculous" And so it came to pass, when Mi Wait was paid her small salary at u end of the term, she found in the el velope containing the order on tt : town treasurer a check with a slip paper pinned to it. reading thus: "This may be an uncommon pr l ceeding, but l thought it over ar have concluded that you had better { r right along in your studies at Sou
 Hadley until you graduate. Alt : that, with your pluck and principl you will be able to invest in boots books, or in any way you see f Very truly yours,
 - SAMUEL WHITTIER"
 I leave this true little sketch wit 6 out comment. It carries it's own le T son, both to struggling young teache j. with hearts and brains, and to pro o porous men of affairs, who may lend e helping hand to deserving ones.