The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-10-03
MABEL NORTH.
CTl 9 Sunny South

Helen Hope, a handsome brunette,
slipped from the trunk on which she
sat and stepped to the center of the
group. Striking a tragic attitude she
said in a high shrill voice:
Girls, we must never submit to such
an insult! Just think of that miser-
able charity pupil who cannot even
afford a new dress being queen at this
fashionable seminary. How people
will ridicule to see us bending the knee
to such a girl as Esther Lynn!"
This burst of eIoquence was received
with applause. Sallie Jones, whose
fine clothes and boast of vast wealth
alone rendered her popular, next "took
the floor" Sallie had studied elocu-
ton and addressed her audience in such
a melo dramatic strain that several of
the less serious girls giggled where
upon the offended Sallie exclaimed:
"You may laugh if you want, but
l have had good enough raising to re-
fuse to knuckle down to any of your
poor-half-d dressed beggars, and shall
not do SO now-so I shan't!"
Imagine a May queen in an old faded,
blue dress which looks more like the
discarded uniform of some Yankee
officer than anything elser
Here Sallie forgot her offended dig
nifty and resumed her elocution.
Girls of Saybrook, I appeal to you
all! Shall we tamely submit to a
teachers biased judgment, or shall we
choose a queen from among our
equals9"
A chorus of voices replied:
"WeIl choose our own queen. Hur-
rah for Sallie! Three cheers for Sallie!
etc.
Sallie's voice was drowned and for a
moment it seemed as if everybody was
talking and nobody listening. Order
having been restored by the pounding
of Jennie Lees slipper heel on a tin
trunk, that young lady next arose to
speak.
Girls, it is evident that something
must be done.
Esther has already been chosen queen
and it will be our duty to ask her to
resign. We must bell the cat" but
who is willing to do itg"
A profound silence ensued during
which the girls looked questioninglYat
each other. Helen was the first to
speak:
For my part, I don't see why we
should mind telling her she is not
wanted, and if Sallie and Jennie will go
with me, I will tell her this very even
ing"
The two readily agreed and the meet
ing was about to adjourn, when a
hitherto silent listener stepped to the
front. The girls glanced doubtfulIy at
each other.
Mabel North was not generally liked
by her school-mates-a girl with too
much conscience seldom is. She had
no claims whatever to beauty, but her
face was strong, noble and full of
character.
Friends" she began, 81 came to
this meeting ignorant al to its cruel
object. I have listened in silence to
your remarks until common justice
bids me speak. The basest cowardice
is heaping abuse upon an absent COM
rade, especially when every word ut
tered has been prompted by a spirit of
jealousy. Ny words may have little
effect, but let me beg you to think
more kindly of Esther Lynn. The
queenship was bestowed upon her by
a teacher capable of knowing the de-
serving from the undeserving-do not
request her to resign"
Helen sprang to her feet with flash
ing eyes. 1--WE might have known
what you would say, Miss Self-Right-
e~ousness! Some people can never speak
without preaching a sermon and carry
all the religion they possess around on
their tongues ends, P~harisee-like, to
attract attention! Tattler! Go tell
your. dear, wronged friend all we have
said about her."
1t would be impossible to describe
the whitening scorn of Helen's words,
but with an inward prayer and a
mighty effort, Mabel stiled back the
angry retort which to her lips,
saying simply am not a ~tattler,
and could find nc pleasure IN repeating
your remarks to Esther, but one more
I would interce de in her behalf. Pow
erty is the girls misfortune, and if she
is mentally capable, which none of you
will deny, do not take into considera-
ton her faded dress" 1t was now