The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-08-06

Suddenly l sav lass Davis stsrt a
some object st the back Of me. looked
and there stood the pss scholar. She had
heard al ve had said. I knew this q the
ns, glance into her sild. angry face.
For moment she stood still. glaring d
US hereely; then shs .tastsd for The school
house. and - she hurried scroas the green.
and the sunbesms fell % her red dress.
she looked almost - II shs we're envsl-
oped 10 flames. And ths girls shouted
"Firebrsnd" more in thosghtlsas merri-
ment than In malice; but ] Was silent. for
felt had been doing wrong.
That night vent to deep with swollen
eyelids and . very hesvy. heavy heart.
The little golden head oi Charlie. my b.
by brother. lay Oh bed d sickness. which
before the next morning sAs one Of death.
One day be sported under the trees Of
Moss iarm--tLe next under the grsener
ones whose boughs vsvs in the winds Of
the eternal sumner. All mel What .
blank there Va In ~ house vhsa the
little curly heaj danced no moro through
the rooms. and The voice which was our
daily Joy vas learning the songs which
tho angels teach the little children 10 the
kingdom Of Heavsnl His death. however.
was to ny heart what Nay rain 10 TO the
harvest for the good seed osms up after.
ward.
The memory Of every unkind act Of
mine 10 Miranda Grant came back in that
time OF heart melting. which the bsreaved
alone understand, to reproach ne. IRE
solved TO make ample amends 70 the de-
spised child for all the wrong had done
her. Pity took the place Of my former
aversion-pity that almost grew to affec-
ton.
One night ! laid my head in my mothers
lap. and told her al that had transpired
between the now scholar and myself. She
did not reproach me; she only strengthen.
cd my resolution TO let the future atone
for the past. did not return to school
for nearly two weeks Aunt Lucy, my
mothers sister, and Cousin Leonard came
to visit us after Charley was dead. Dear
Cousin Leonardo He was almost IS. and
not my cousin after all. for he was the son
of Aunt Lucy's husband by former wife,
brt 7 1oyaJ h,,, mot .. ~oll
Thank Heaven, whatsoever may be the
defects Of my character, infrmity OF pur
pose is not one OF theml had resolved
TO conciliste Miranda Grant, and through
every obstacle was pretty certain 10
achieve il. found, on my return to
school, her position WAS BY no means i'm
proved; and II it were possible, the aver.
sion to her had deepened in her absence,
and she was now universally recognized
by the unfsttsring cognomen which | had
bestowed upon her.
at was "recess" again, and the girls
gathered under the cool shadows on the
green, for the day was very warm.
"There stands old Fifsbrsnd in that
same corner. said Jane Davis II should
think she'd get pretty good scorching in
this hot sun"
The girls laughed. but looked grave
and said: Don't Jane, don't make fun OF
the poor thingl
And when they looked up 10 surprise.
spoke further. Icannot remember what
l said. but ! know was very earnest. /
took most Of the blame TO myself in our
relations With Miranda Grant. Ipictured
her unfortunate circumstances. With no.
body to care for her but her old grand
mother, her coming stranger among MS,
only TO be met with scorn and unkindness
and concluded somewhat after this fash
ion:
snow. girls, I'm going TO ask Miranda
TO come here and cit with us. / hope you
will oil speak pleasantly TO her, and not
make fun Of her any more"
School girls prejudices are the hardest
in the world TO overcome. for they are the
result Of feeling. not cf reason; still my
remarks ware not without effect Harriet
Morse only curled her lips and said:
III low people would stick themselves
among their betters. they couldn't expect
very good treatment"
went to Miranda. and my schoolmstes
drew near the green railing to watch our
interview. The new scholar greeted me
with defiant glance, Of which l took no
notice.
Miranda" / said, gently as could,
"it's warm standing here in the sunshine;
won't you go and sit under the trees with
the girls
mo. ! WON'T" she answered Hercely.
know what you want me to go for; you
want 10 make fun Of me. Oh; hate you
/ do" And she struck me by no means
slight blow upon The arm. and then dis
appeared round the school house into the
field behind il.
The girls raised sn indignant shout. and
were about following the odsnder 10 in6ict
summary punishusnt. suppose, when !
eagerly stopped them.
Leave me 10 20 Alone." said; II can
manage It the best so.' And they com.
piled.
found that Miranda had taken shelter
under an oak tree. which grew in ! very
pleasant little lane Just beyond the held
behind the school house.
s,MirAnda." I said, coming suddenly
upon her, I'm sorry you're 80 angry With
me. but l want ms 10 be friends now.
What made you strike me sos"
She sprang mp quickly, for she had seat
herself on the srt~; and her large Wild
dark eyes besmsd like sparks Of Are
through tbs tangled heir she pushed from