Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-07-21
THE SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.
How a Little Girl Delivered Her Reeita-
tion.

How a Little Girl Delivered Her Reeita-
tion.
Last day was near at hand, and prep
arations for it filled our minds. Even
those of us who were 10 be spectators
only looked on with delighted interest
at the daily drill taking place before
and between and after the regular les
sons. Echoes of it reached the outside
world. moreover, although the school
house was buried deep in the woods, far
from the nearest house, and back from
the road This little brown house was
the theater; the stage-the masters
platform cleared of desk and chair-the
actors, all who were scholarly or
smart, or especially gifted in oratory.
Deep in my own heart lay the pride
of a new accomplishment, poem, long
for seven years old. that could say
without the book. 1t was charming
little story of two robins, told by them
selves TO certain pleasant old gentle
man to be imagined. The story was full
of the tender details Of bome-making
and housekeeping in a tall elm-tree.
The master smiled when asked him
II / might speak piece" on last day
so shy was always, fearing the sound
Of my own voice in the daily primer
but he did not refuse.
To surprise those at home with the
performance was part of the plan, so |
had to watch my chance to practice I'M
observed in the little kitchen bedroom.
A small looking-glass, hung high
against the wall. served my purpose,
for fitting 1t forward with a chip
could see almost down 10 my feet |
practiced my bow before it, in all the
little moments alone that could steal.
Indeed. tried many kinds of bows be-
fore ! hit upon one to suit-the one
when / poised robin-wise. with head
tipped sideways, and a winsome, con-
fiding look on my face, BETTING the opep
ng lines
I'm little robin -redbreast, sir,
My nest is IN tree;
II Won look up IN yonder elm
Nv pleasant home you1l see.
The bow once perfected, I could go on
easily with the other seven verses to the
perfect satisfaction of the audience be-
hind the loolSing-glass.
BY happy chance my mother dressed
me for "last day" in my best blue me
rino frock, with peaked jet buttons all
down the back II is true they We're
hard to lean back against but the effect
would be pretty as | stepped up on to
the stage.
The exercises went forward smoothly,
and lost in delighted satisfaction in my
little friends. listening and looking and
wondering, forgot my own part till
the master smiled towards me and beck
oned. went forward in a dizzy shy
ness. turned round to see before me rows
of faces. eager children gazing, the
neighhors' wives looking frankly aston
ished, and among them my mother
flushed and troubled.
Far less gracefully bowed to them
than to the loolSing-glass, and began to
speak, my heart beating so loudly from
fears of my own so real that the robins
little story was sadly jumbled up. Not
a confidential robin was speaking now
but a frightened little girl instead,
hurrying whisperingly through the
dainty particulars of the elm-tree nest.
bowed again-this time to Mrs. Reu-
ben Dydge, who sat directly in front;
then fed 10 my seat.
There was a murmur of applause
everyone smiled pleasantly Just then
a shabby little girl. my seat-mate,
never very dear to me, gave into my
hand. out of the close clutch of her hot
little fingers. a grimy penny. thrust
it back eoldly. / trust she was glad
| did. With the sweet breath of APP
proval round me. and in the flush of
delicious success, l needed no material
gift and pledge of affection. My cup
was full.-Louise Lyndon, in Men and
Things.