The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-08-27

trleu 10 40 my uuty, anu WON Wor-
ry;" 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 big bridge over the hill to
the mill owners residence.
81 shall not back down in anything
where my clear duty and self-respect
are involved" thought she. 81 have
set up a certain ideal as to what a
teacher of these little common schools
ought to be, and l will, God and my
mind, good courage and health not
forsaking me. bring myself as near to
it 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 a 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 l said in my note to
you, heard to-day of some rather un-
common proceedings on your part. l
saw, ma am, little Tommy Howe in
new pair of boots this morning Do
you know how he came by them?"
81 bought them for him, Mr.. Whit
tier 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
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 L get my
supply for my store
1T will not be necessary, sir" re-
piled the teacher, with dignity. 81
thank you for your kind offer, how
ever"
"Why did you furnish boots in this
particular case, if may inquirer"
"The lad is very poor. His mother
las her hands full with the smaller
children. Tommy is learning rapidly;
! see marks of rare intelligence in him.
1t would be pity to have him taken
out of school at this time when he is
so much engaged. Should he contin-
ue coming clad as he was in such
weather as this he would be ill soon.
| could not take the risk in either
case"
"Are you able to let your heart get
the better of you in this way?"
81 have my wages only" replied the
young woman, with dignity.
"Then you probably will have to
retrench not little in your own ex-
penses."
"If do it will harm no ones purse
or pride but my own. In this instance
it may be the matter of a pair OF
gloves or an ostrich tip with me
With him the little act may make :
difference that shall be lasting through
time and eternity
"You have been attending that
school over to South IIadley, hear ?
"Yes, SIR
"Have you been through it, or grad
uated, as they call it?"
"Oh, no; have attended but two
terms. But l am fully determined t.
complete the course
MIum-all right. Miss Wait, yor
seem to be doing some good worl
among the children over the rive
there. am going to think it al
over; but look here-if any more o
those little rascals need boots, let mi
know. shall consider it privilege
to provide them. You know | car
obtain them at wholesale hal hap
and the now greatly relieved teacher
interview with the mill-owner ended
eff she goes on teaching on and off
and then taking term on and off a
Mount Holyoke, she can't graduate
for years." ruminated Old Sam Whit
tier, as he watched her tripping o1
over the hill: "it's ridiculous"
And so it came to pass, when Mis-
Wait was paid her small salary at tn
end of the term, she found in the Ell
velope containing the order on tn
town treasurer check with slip @
paper pinned to it, reading thus:
"Ths may be an uncommon pro
ceeding, but ] thought it over an
have concluded that you had better g
r right along in your studies at Sout
Hadley until you graduate. Alte
that. with your pluck and principle
you will be able TO invest in boots G
> books, or in any way you see fl
Very truly yours,
= SAMUEL WHITTIER"
/ leave this true little sketch with
Q out comment. 1t carries its own les
son, both to struggling young teacher
: with hearts and brains, and to pro,
q perous men of affairs, who may lend
e helping hand to deserving ones.