St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-10-25
Marqie's Charm.

What l. it that makes everybody love
Margie Fitch so2' said Jennie Howard,
half petu lan'lg, as she turned away from
the window after having seen tue elegant
Mrs DAYTON, with her little daughter by
her side, gracefully rein in her horse, take
Margle in her handsome carriage end dash
off again down the street. ''Sho ism
pretty nor stylish, Now what. Is il, dc
you supposef
II think | know the charm. Perhaps
YOU would better Set Yourself tbs "a: k
this week to discover ii, answered her
mother, Dusily putting the sitting room to
rights.
The next dav at school J4hfie followed
her like detective. The first thing she
noticed vas Margie's Kindness to Alice
Ross & shy new scholar, who stood quite
alone, looking wistfully at the others at
their gay sports. Margie went over and
made her acquaintance, and after little
urging the girl Joined the merry group
and was soon running like deer, and
laughing with the rest.
When school was called, Margie laid q
rose on the teachers desk as she passed,
and smiled CHEEKY Good morning, and
received an apprecistive smile in return.
About al hour later, while busilY study
ing, smothefed sob cacght her ear
Looking about, she saw the new scholar
sitting with lead bent forward regarding
her slate with hopeless expression. Up
went Margie's hand for permission to
leave her seat, which was granted, as were
all like requests, for they were rare, and
the teacher knew they were Lu!er of a
triting nature.
"What is the matter, Alice?' asked
Marge, sitting down beside her.
Il can't do one Of these examples" she
repl ed, dAshing away Il tear.
Margie took the slate, read over an ex-
ample and soon had it down correctly.
With little help at the right place, the
others were conquered, and the girl lifted
q grateful face to hers as she thanked her.
On their way home, troop of girls
were working off their animal spirits in a
wild game of tag. Margie 10 whirling
suddenly came in collision with gentle
man, knocking his cane from his hand.
oh, beg your pardon, sir, y said Mar
gle, covered with confusion, as she re-
turned the cane to him. I'm afraid |
have hunt you, sir and she looked up
with frank solicitude in her eyes.
Not at all, my dear" he res pended
heartily, pleased by her courteous manner
go on with your play and be happy.
am proud to dotf nv hat to so polite a
young lady" which he did with a stately
bow, and passed on.
"How did you dare? ! should have
been too much frightened to have said
thing" exclaimed one of the girls.
80 should l." chorused the others.
There wss a social in the church parlCrs
that week. Jennie still lowered near
Margie, learning sweet lesson every day
from her AS they sat turning the leaves
of hymn book, finding tier favorite
songs lady paused to speak to them.
Margie instantly rose and sproffered her
chair, which was accepted with a pleased
smile after Margie had insisted upon it.
The two girls started for ths other
room, where the young people were pre-
pairing fer games. Just tEen Margie
espied solitary figure sitting in corner.
This was the deacon's wife, who was
somewhat deaf After hsndshake and a
sentence through the ear-tIumpet, people
usually le it her to herself, as the Ma ority
of people humble or speak too rspidly to
be readily understood through the trum-
pet
Margia crossed the room to her, and
taking the trumpet in her hand, being
careful to articulate so ss Net to make her
stfiic:ion more conspicuous, she sat aud
chatted half an hour away, amusing the
dear old lady by repeating the plea=ant-
ries and jokes that were flying from lip to
lip of those around them.
"You have been great comfort to me,
my bonnie lass" said the old lady, pattng
the hand that held the trumpet. Now
90 and play with the rest. thank you,
my dear, for your thoughtfulness to an
old woman like me-" and Margie went
away quite happy. AS soon as she ap-
peared several voices exclaimed:
ooh, here comes Margie Fitch! Let
her be Ruth. Come, Margie, and be
blindtolded."
Margie laughingly consented, and a
moment later was giving Jacob lively
chase around the ring. She always put
her whole heart into everything she did.
Il think l have found out Margie's
CHARM" said Jennie to her mother the
next morning. cit is because she is SO
good to every body
Eyes, that is it, answered her mother.
s'She is thoughtful, kind, polite and
obliging. | think she must carry the Col
den Rule very near to her heart. euro
inc Hustler, IN Ad0ance