The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-10

they will love me will not feel sad or
lonely"
Il think" replied mother, "if there are
any there that love flowers, they will love
my Little Blossom"
Il will like them" said the child. Il
will put my arms around them; and,
mamma. when must / go?
Tomorrow, little fairy"
$50 soon as that? Then l must get my
books ready" and Noami tripped
softly away. The next morning when
the bell rang new scholar came
softly into the room. Miss Langston
saw at glance that this was q star which
had strayed from it's sphere.
What is your name ?" she asked after
her school had quieted
Naomi Barker" said the child
timidly.
That is lovely name" but as she said
this she observed the look of displeasure
on every face. What was she to do? She
knew that she could not openly show
herself a friend to this little blossom. for
their jealousy would only make it worse
for the child. 1t was, indeed. with a
thoughtful face that Miss Langston COM
menced work that morning. She
found that Naomi was not far ad-
but that she had a remarkable memory.
Glass after class was called and soon re-
cess came. The scholars llocked around
Little Blossom, not to love her as Naomi
lad thought, but 10 torment her. This
was a Barker and time WAS precious;
so a large rough girl sided up 10 her and
asked In g loud, coarse voice:
what have you got them flowers fer?'
THEY help me TO study" was the timid
answer
Help YOU to study" laughed Kate with
a curl of her big lips.
Il think you need something 10 help
you study" said a strong masculine girl
Here you are older than L am and l am
way ahead OF you"
That's itw screached all the girls and
boys.
"Well." asid the delicate child, 81 have
never gone to school much because | am
not strong"
"Oh! then you are little weadie, are
you?"
Naomi shuddered. She could not under
stand it. What had she done that they
should treat her in that cruel manner?
Her little sensitive heart ached. but she
struggled bravely TO keep back the tears,
and when the bell rang she experienced a
sense of relief. Through all the long hours
che studied and when school was dis
missed for the night her face was sadder,
her heart more lonely than ever. Gloomy
were her thoughts as she wendell
her way homeward. Naomi knew
she must not meet mamma
with such a sorrowful look as was surely
on her face; so when she reached the
gate she went to her little garden. There
she wept and told the flowers her sor-
row. Then she gathered some choice
flowers to carry in to her mother. She
had only started with them when a kind
hand was laid on her shoulder.
The child knew by the touch that ii was
no other hand but her mothers. Had
mamma seen her crying? She hoped not.
Naomi felt it was necessary 10 speak at
once "See here" she said, quickly, 81
have gathered you some flowers" Mrs.
Barker took them with loving smile,
but did not know that the little
drops of water which tumbled
on the leaves were tears from her own
little daughters sad eyes.
81 will put them in water" she said.
"But now our tea is ready"
The meal was unusually quiet. Chase,
Helen and Oscar had gone and Naomi
was ALWAYS quiet.
Papa" she said. will Baby Ruth
ever have to 90 to school here?'
NO" replied father. by the time
Ruth is old enough to attend school we
will have moved" A patient smile passed
over Little Blossoms face 81 am
glad" she said.
Yes it is a relief to me-" added Mrs.
Barker Little Ruth will never know
what the rest have suffered. But, my
child, you had better not worry about
baby, Tor YOU look pale tonight"
Al am tired !; L had to rest twice while
walking home, and l believe will 20 to
bed"
Yes" said mother. kissing her atTec-
tionately. you had better GO"
Naomis heart felt like stone she had
never gone to her room feeling so sadly.
| "Oh. God, y she moRned, ARE the words OF
that cruel schooI-mate true? Am not
bright? l had Jar rather die than find
that this Is true. Why are they so I'M
kind TO me? Why do they not love me?"
So she wondered and thought until she
had wept herself to sleep.
The next morning she started to school
/ very early, and before she had reached
the steps she heard several of
the scholars shout, There comes
! little Weakie." Naomi tried not
to hear them, but walked quietly
/ up to one of the girls aud laid her hand
4 gently into his; but it was in vain, she
! pushed it roughly away. So day after day
1 passed in.this way until three years had
/ gone by. and Naomi. who had never been
j strong. had by this time become so weak
that going to school WAS rendered impos-
sibe. The physicians never understood
| her ailment. and the neighbors. instead of
| sympathizing with her, advised her to
take more exercise. Poor child she grew
more melancholy every day She would
sit for hours under the great shade trees,
watching the little warblers hop from bow
10 bow. At night, when the silvery moon
! sbone in it's splendor. Naomi would watch
the fleecy clouds sail over il.
She loved to write and often sent manu-
script to the household department of one
/ OF the leading papers. Ii always over
/ jOyed her to fno that her pieces were
+ published, but 1t was very difficult for
+ her TO get an article ready for publication
( on account of weakness. She often said /:
III l WAS only strong" But poor Little
/ Blossom, such was not ordained, for she
u r