Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-23
THE LITTLE WHTTACRES,

tiekttNA N'tuJ ~ ~ Jul
Course, mamma. Why, we've live
here a month. could go anywhere in tn
Town" replied Fanny. the self-confiden
adding: I've seen the school lots of time
It's a big house mark d School wit
steps up to it."
The description was not definite, but ii
ahil seemed so sure that Der mother W.
satisfied there could be no mistake. an
cent the two children off with a kiss, an
an injunction to be good girls.
When they had gone she turned to tn
sick man lying on the bed with the words
The children have already imbbed tn
spirit Of the place Henry. Thy are ju:
tching 10 d. and care"
Her husband smiled intly, saying only
hope they'll come to no harm wis
you could have taken them, Nell"
They II get along well enough, and
couldn't think of leaving you when YOUR
suffering so. They looked quite respect
ab!e, didn't they? I'm sure they We're a
well dressed IS the majority of the children
who 90 past here to the public schools
You know I made those little cloaks out o
your OyerCOat, and their shoes are still
good; but their dresses are certainly yer,
shabby. All, well better times must b.
n store for usn
Henry was about to say. They couIdnr
well be worse" bat he had not the heart tC
put an e1tinguiSher over such sunbeam
as Nell, and so lay quiet The two chill
1ren, III the meantime, were walking
orayely ont of their own poor but respect.
able neiGi,borhood into one bordering on
the fashionable residence part of the CITY.
Tall houses, with brightly polished rail
Ings, high stone steps and shining plate
glass windows lined the street. Before
some of them carriages were standing, and
from the doors OF these portly, we'll dressed
gentlemen issued, buttoning their gloves
and giving last directions TO some invisible
sgent within the door before they entered
their carriages to be driven down town to
business
At last the spirit of doubt began to vex
the mind Of little Katy, and she looked up
st her sister with inquiring eyes, asking.
isn't you forgot it, Fanny? You mustn't
get US lost. mamma said.
No, indeed it's only q little bit farther
Do You see that white sign} Well, that's
IT,"
And there it was, to be sure. Miss
Barnard's Private School," but the last
word was al Fanny knew. The two eagerly
mounted the steps, Katy clinging tightly
to Fannys hand, and rang the bell. A
aeat-lookins girl appeared and ushered
them INTO . small room, furnished with
chairs, pictures, a clock and writing-desk.
as soon as the door opened Fanny had
begun her little speech
We're Mrs. WhitaCre's little girls. and
&c want to 20 TO school here
But the girl only smiled and said. Wait
4 minute" and went out
This don't look bit like a school, does
il p said Fanny and Katy replied
Don'tiJ! l never was IN q school
house p
"Oh, so you weren't-what was think
ing off, exclaimed Fanny. We'll, il don't
not at all l don't see any black boards,
nor any desks nor books and l don't see
any scholars, but us, nor any teacher
Just then the last lack was supplied, for
i teacher entered-Mis, Barnard herself.
She was rather tall, well built woman of
50, or thcrcabout, with keen eyes and a
3rm mouth. She looked at the children
but with smile.
" Do YOU wish to see me- she asked.
Yes, please. We're Mrs. Whiteacre's
little girls, and we want to come 10 school
here. Mamma would have come with Us.
but papa sick, and there wouldn't be any
oody't all to stay with him"
Do you know what kind of a school
this is ?' was the lady's next question.
All sorts of surmiscs presented them
selves to Fanny at this Could they have
gotten into boys school by mistake? Was
t q boarding-school where the scholars
we're all grown? Either Of these suppose
ions was dreadful, and it was with heart
hat sank for the first time that morning
hat she asked timidly: " What kind is it?r
10 -
md as Fanny said oh in tone intended
o sound relieved, Katy said OH" too,
md then they both looked is puzzled as
,efore. Miss Barnard looked ont Of the
window q moment, and seemed TO be
linking. Then she said Come and see
be school. children. then YOU viii under
tand about II better than II | should tell
'ou."
They followed her with tiptoeing steps
own a long, carpeted and papered hall /
nd into a large room, also carpcted and !
epeIed. The walls were hung with pic /
Ires, hauging-baske.s full Of vines, and !
ages containing cauarics were in the win /
ows: little wicker chairs were scattered /
beat the room, and a long, low desk ran /
round two sides Of it. On platform near /
ne door stood piano, and in front of it .
At young lady ready to play.
But, best of all, the room was filed with
tile girls from 3 years Of age to 9, all
landing in rows. their bright faces turned
)ward the piano. Such curls. such dainty
prons of muslin and lace, such beautiful
Land dresses and shining shoes, and such
Thite little hands sparkling with rings
he children thought they had entered
airyiand, and were sure of il n moment
ater, when the music struck up and the
oWs OF girls began 10 march They
'neeled and wheeled again. formed them
elves INTO a hollow square, and performed
IL sorts OF Oewlideriug cyoiutiOns. Then
4 gwen signal they filed each 10 her own
hair and sat down taking up tho. first
FORK OF the day. This happened 10 be
laking tiny baskets out of manv-colored
phnts. and the little Whiteac-cs watched
with delighted eyes. Bat in few min
ties Miss Barnard thought She heard
that sounded like a sob and
loking down, she saw that the yo1Iu-cr
hid was crying on her sisters shoulder.
ating Katy by the hand, she led the way
ut of the room.
What is the matter, my dear" she
sked kindly, STOPPING down to wipe away
re tears, and Fanny. with the quick in
ght OF q child into gnotLers feelings. an
Tercd:
" / think she's crying for gladress. cause
g so pretty and she wants to do it.
link this school is the best ever saw"
This sage and complacently-dclivered
pinion made Miss Barnard smile. They
ere not the pair Of worldly-wise children
lie had suspected, and her design was COM
letely frustrated by their simplicity. They
ad evidently no suspicion that the school
az not open to them as were the public
,hools, and she shrank from enlightcning
lem.
DO you think it would take US long TO
arm to march and make baskets ?" asked
amy, while Katy wiped her eyes, and lis
ned with interest to the reply.
mo; it will not take you more than a
ay or two" and with that answer Miss
arnard felt that she had committed her
If and could not go back. Come to-