The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-05-08
NoPA's LESSON.

NOPA'S LESSON
Z" give it up, girls exclaimed Nora
Campbell, throwing her chemistry on the
school-room table, and pushing her hair
back from her brow with an impatient
movement 1t is too warm to study, and
Professor Black has no right 10 give US
anything to suggest fires to-day, when
the north pole would be an earthly par
aiise. 1t is with the greatest effort we
can prevent some chemical change in
ourselves with the thermometer IS degs.,
in the shade"
feel as though l were being rapidly
changed from solid to liquid form, re-
piled one CT her school-m4tes.
Well, | am sure of one thing, Miss
Nora, said the Young teacher whose du-
/ ty it was 10 sit with the girls during the
study hour; "a chemical change must
have taken place if you are willing to
risk failure in your examination"
But why is It necessary TO learn the
Latin names?7 inquired Nora. | shall
never study either medicine or pharma-
cy, and it very greatly increases the
labor"
When you study metaphysics you will
understand the reason for what you deem
unnecessary studies" answered her in
strnetor "In reality, my dear, every bit
Of information which you store away for
the future is useful, either for its intrinsic
value, or because the effort of acquiring
it disciplines the mind and makes future
effort easier" After moments silence,
she continued
heard you run over the scales this
morning before you began TO practice
your sonuta. Was not that waste of
time this morning whan the concert is so
near?"
Not for me-" replied Nora, looking up
in surprise from the chemistry lesson
which she had resumed {" / can always
play better after practicing the scales it
limbers my fingers"
The smile on her teachers face which
greeted her matter of fact answer was a
revelation.
All / see now what you mean" she
exclaimed, in a significant tone.
Always remember that mental effort
is the exercise which prepares the mind
for difficult execution, and unnecessary
studies may be the scalee,r replied the
teacher.
Nora had been pupil at 3 Young La
dies Seminary in Ashville for three years
goingthere when twelve years Of age, ard
during that time had maintained her po-
si'ion rs leader among her schoolmates,
both in class and in the recreation
room.
cannot help learning, girls" she
exclaimed on one occasion when hers
was the only perfect examination paper,
dimpIing and smiling when the result
was read.
The following week Nora started with
her parents for the West, where they in
tended to pass the summer.
They went first TO visit Mr.. Campbell's
brother, who lived with his family in a
village in Illinois, situated on the out
skirts Of what was then vast prairie
Indeed. 50 scattered were the houses in
that year, 1885, that one could ride for
many miles without seeinga house while
fences, except in villages. were not
known
The journ ey was through 4 country
which they had never visited, and the
scene, as viewed from the car windows,
was constantly changing picture of
which they never wearied- The last two
days we're passed in stage-coach, and
when Nora was seated on top Of the lum-
bering vehicle beside her father, her de-
light knew no bounds.
Her uncle's house was large and COM
Portable, primitive in its simplicity, but
Iimitiess in hishospitality. His land ex-
tended for several miles along stream,
and this feature gave ii the name of Riv-
er ranch.
The family consisted of Mr.. and Mrs.
Campbell, and their two children. The
elder had just returned from medical
college, where he had taken his degree,
while the younger, Alice, Was about
Nora's age. and proved a companion az
ter her own heart"
Nora was delighted with what she saw
and nothing was esteemed greater treat
by the guests than to drive ~Dr Arthur
and listen 10 the stories of the Indians
who once roamed those plains with which
he entertained them. II seemed TO Nora
that she could hear the tranaping Of the
hoofs, as a herd of buffalo scudded over
the prairie, and that she expected to see
some gaily painted warriors appear in
pursuit.
One morning word came from 4 ranch |
about fifteen miles distant that the own
er's child was ILL., The regular physician
family physieian-for every one within |
a radius of thirty miles was confined to :
his bed, suffering from a sunstr5kc, and
Arthur consented to 20 as his substitute. !
He invited the girls 10 accompany him,
and with a jesting remark on the new
ness of his nledicine-case they started on
their drive.
The road followed the stream for few
miles. then turned into path which lay
over the prairie. The morning was de- /
lightfnl, but later in the day It promised 1
to be very warm. There had been no /
rain for several weeks, and the grass
which covered the ground. growing in !