Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-09-04

keep order. Well. dear me, l have
tried to do my duty. and won't wor-
Y.' 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 Zig bridge over the hill to
the mill-owner's residence
Il 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
teacher of these little common schools
ought to he, and | will, God and my
cd good courage and health not
io'Sahlhg me, bring myself as near to
il 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 we'll as clean,
we'll l-dressed, attractive children"
Good evening, good evening,
na'am," said "Old sam" Whittier, in
Dis gruff way, meeting the teacher at
The door CAS- | said in my note to
you, ! heard to-day of some rather I'M
Common proceedings on your part. |
saw, ma'am, little Tommy Howe in
new pair Of boots this morning. Do
you know how he came by them?"
IL bought them for him, Mr.. Whit
ter 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
apart 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
at will not be necessary, sir" re
Piled the teacher, with dignity. 81
tank you for your kind offer, how
eyer."
"Why did you furnish boots in this
Particular case, if | may inquire" :"
The lad is very poor His mother
las her hands full with the smaller
children. Tommy is learning rapidly;
lsee marks Of rare intelligence in him.
lSwould be a pity to have him taken
d. of school at this time when he is
50 much engaged. Should he eontin-
ue coming clad as he was in such
wather as this he would be i'll soon.
l,ould not take the risk in either
cise."
Are you able to let your heart get
the better Of you in this way?"
81 have my wages only" replied the
!oung woman, with dignity.
Then you probably will have to
!etrench not a little in your own ex-
penses.'
"lf l do it will harm no ones purse
or pride but my own. In this instance
it may be the matter of pair of
gloves or an ostrich tip with me.
With him the little act may make a
difference that shall be lasting through
time and eternity"
"You have been attending that
school over to South Hadley, l hear y
"Yes, sir.
"IIaye you been through it, or grad
uated, as they call r"
"Oh, no; | have attended but two
terms. But | am fully determined to
complete the course"
"IIum-all right. Miss Wait, you
seem to be doing some good work
among the children over the river
there. l 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 privilege
to provide them. You know ] can
obtain them at wholesale-hal hal'
and the now greatly relieved teachers S
interview with the mill-owner ended.
"If 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; tits 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 en-
velope containing the order on the
town treasurer a 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
Hadley 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
.s..r..,,s men or affairs. who may lend a
helping hand to deserving ones.
Maviean poIicaman