Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-04-02

NAMED at school teaching when a
teacher was absent, and studying be-
yond the requirements of the course
The March after Edith graduated,
the teacher of one of the lower grades
was taken sick, and Edith was placed
in charge of the class. She did we'll
by it, and VIXEN the absent teacher
sent in her resignation, Miss Roberts
advised her pupil to apply for the po-
sition.
Then followed a season of doubt
and expectation. Edith pictured to
herself all that forty dollars month
would buy, and then feeling OF des-
pair would come over her as she
thought Of the difficulties in her way.
Miss Roberts had told the eager girl
the necessity of having friends, and
Edith had none on the Board of Ed
ucation.
The girl grew pale and thin, and
might have become really i'll, but for
the calming effect of the Lenten SER
vices. She rose early and took her
place among the few who attended
the seven o'clock prayers.
She tried to forget her own trouble,
during the sad closing week of Lent,
and partly succeeded. On Good Fri
day the schools were closed, and the
young girl spent part of the day on
her knees, and part in attendance on
her grandmother, who was ailing more
than usual.
Again the picture of the comforts
she could provide haunted the girl,
and made her tremble for fear she
should be disappointed. Oh if the
committee knew how she needed the
position, she was sure they would give
it to her.
On Saturday, she was out for some
time in the morning, and when she
come home she was busy cooking,
sweeping, and busting, all the time
thinking of her application, and won
dering when she should hear about it.
AT night she sat down by the parlor
table to put few stitches in her many
times mended dress. Her eyes fell on
note addressed to Edith Bonnie
vile"
when did this come ?" she said in
surprise. Nobody knew, and Edith
opened the envelope wondering how
the note came there. The contents
made her cover her face, cry, and then
imp up and hug her mother and
grandmother. The note was from
Miss Roberts, and read
my dear child-Your application
is successful, and the committee take
pleasure in assigning to your care the
class you have instructed 80 we'll dur
ing the past month. Enclosed you
will find forty dollars for your ser.
vices, as you have been in charge since
Miss Fullmor's resignation"
How delighted Edith was with her
first earnings She and her mother
went out that night to make some
purchases. But first she put Mis-
Roberts note away in her drawer.
ut is my Easter present." she said.
"The very present was longing for.
How happy it makes me"
What wonderful change Edith 9
salary made in the comfort Of the lit
tie family. To have lady working
for money was a hard blow to the pride
of the Dumollands and Bonnevilles, a
decided mark of disrespect to the an
cestors who we're Wondering in their
graves, but the living descendants
managed to survive the shock.
Inez, too, forgot the combined dig
nifty of the Dumollsnds and Bonnie
villes, and learned to color photo.
graphs. Edith took lessons on Sat-
urdays and taught Inez. Inez was
able to earn little and the work oc-
cupied her mind and made her forget
her affection.
Edith's work is hard but she en-
joysit. She has boen advanced several
times, and now receives salary which
enables her to make home very COM
Portable. She often thinks Of the time
when she longed to learn arithmetic,
and of the night when she found her
Easter present on the parlor-t table,
and is more and more thankful for the
blessedness of an occupation which
has brought happiness to herself and
sunshine into the lives Of those she
loves.