The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-02-27

Hhuniou W oH thN PhtieiHitrt huh ~
q not know the first word about them. Fo
d moment the idea came TO me of absent
7 lag myself from class aud taking my wa
e across the fields.
The weather vas 90 VAN, so Inviting
0ne heard the olackbirds twittering 10 ttl
Q borders OF the woods, aud 10 the Ripper
meadows the Prussians were practieiny
some military msnmnyres. All that at
, trscted me more than the rules for partiei
) pies; but bad the strength to resist. aut
ran very quickly toward the school.
In passing before the town hall, saw
some persons standing before the bill
board. Since two years il is from this
bill board we have learned all the bad
, news, the battles lost. the taxes levied, the
orders for enlistment, and | thought
"What can it be this timer"
Then crossed the place still running,
the blacksmith Wachter. who was there
with bis apprentice, reading the notice
called out to me:
You need not hurry so fast. little one,
you will get there soon enough, to your
school,
] believed he was making sport OF me,
and entered the front yard of NJ Ham.
mel's almost breathless.
Ordinarily at the commencement OF the
class great noise was made that one
heard even in the street the desks opened,
closed, the lessons repeated out loud all
together, while the ears were muffl4d with
the hands the better to learn, and the
| table.
Be more quiet
counted on all this noise and disturb
ance to reach my desk unseen, but just
this morning everything was as quiet as
Sunday morning. BY the open window |
saw my comrades ranged already 10 their
places, and NJ Hamel, who passed and re-
passed with the terrible iron ruler under
bis arm. II was necessary to open the
door aud euter IN the midst OF the great
calm. You think | bushed and was
afraid
Eh. bien, no. NJ Hamel looked at me
without anger. and SAID very gently Go
quickly to your place, my little Frantz;
We we're about to commence without you
| hurried to my place and seated myself
at once behind my desk. Then, only lit.
tie recovered from my fright, ! noticed
that our master had on his beautiful green
reddingote bis fine tucked shirt, his EN-
broidered cap OF black silk, that he pnt on
only for great days Of inspection or distri
button Of priz.s.
Over all the school there was something
extraordinary and solemn But what sur
prised me most was to see at the edge OF
the hall, on the benches that were usually |
empty, the people Of the village seated
and silent as were we There was the old
Hanser with his three cornered bat, the
mayor OF the village, the old postman and
several others Every one appeared sad,
old Hansen had brought spelling boob
we'll worn with bard usage. He held Il
open on his knees, with bis large specta
cles placed across the pages.
While was noticing all this, M Hamel
mounted the platform. aud in The same
sweet and grave voice with which he bad
received me, said:
My children, it is the last time shall
bear You recite The order has come from
Berlin to teach only German 10 the schools
Of Alsscs and Lorraine. The new master
ONES Tomorrow. To-day Is yonr last
French lesson pray yon be very atten
i've.
Such words as these overwhelmed me.
Ahl the unfortunate peopiel that was what
Ihey read 10 the notice on the town ball.
My last lesson 10 French. aud 1 hardly
knew how to write; would never learn,
aust stop taerel How would wish for
he lost TINA now. huutiug birds nests
and skating on the Saar. MY books, thai
had always before found so iiresome, so {
heavy, my grammar, my sacred history,
seemed to me now like old friends, and il
would give me pain to say good'by to
hem. As 10 NJ. Hsmel, the idea that be
vas going away, that would never see
lim again. made me forget sl his punish
nenis. sll the blows Of bis iron ruler.
Poor old maui
1t was in honor Of that class that lie ha :
,ut on his fine Sunday garments, and now
knew why all the old people Of the vii J
age bad come aud seated themselves on
be school benches This act seemed 10 Q
sy they regretted not having come often
r 10 the school IL was also thei. man .
Ter Of ih tukiug the master for bis 40 years
I good service, AID of rendering uty /
0 IT. cir loved eonutfy theirs n longer
| Tps Ia the midAt Of thvse reflections
hen heard NY nam called. Ii was my 9
lrn TO reciie. What w0u d / rot have
isen TO have be, ahle 10 giyt entire that q
.mous rule ier the pauieigiep, loud. cIea,
ad witheui nisiak,! Bai beosme mA
1 siih the very iifst words, a. msipea i
landing. l.aoibg against ny bench, m =
cart swelling sitb shsme, iih0nt dsriyp
raise my bead 1 heard M Hamei. shD y
poke 70 me-, say
1 will uot scald you, nv little EnDiz
ou are punished eaopgb. know bsw II b
l Every day one says 10 himself Bah
have plenty oi time viii learn tomor.
,w. and ycn see shst bappersi d
Alb that has been the greli misfortune d
| orr llsscs. slwags rnltifg of ils in-