Gilpin observer., 1902-04-17


"And hecatombs of doves were slain
upon the altars Of Aphrodite. for the
Greeks admired this goddess Of love
greatly and made daily sacrifices to
her."
The student leaned back and closed
her book unwillingly, her fingers ca
ressing its covers while her eyes wan
dered to the sunset beginning to glow
among the pines. AS she gazed an
odd smile twisted her lips.
"In these later days we sacrifice
not only doves, but eagles she muir
INJURED dreamily. Then with sudden
passion: "Oh, love. what monstrous
murders are committed daily in your
name-murder of mind and moral!
Life after life broken and bruised at
your breast" Her brows knitted slowly
and again that odd smile crept to her
lips.
Two years ago Helen Nord had
found herself alone in the world. That
she was penniless had not troubled
her. She knew of a place where she
could live on ten dollars month and
save money. Moreover. she fancied
that she could go to that place and
make the ten dollars. 1t was in the
Pine Barrens of south Mississippi.
There. were a couple Of small public
schools there, lying few miles apart.
one of which was taught in summer
and one in winter, each having term
of four months and paying about
hundred dollars per term. When she
applied to the county superintendent
for information. he gave her besides a
bit of advice three bits-"Teach the
schools honestly; keep your mouth
shut; don't fiirt with the girls sweet
hearts" She thanked him. feeling the
advice to be sound, and went away to
follow it.
AS teachers go. she had been sue
cessful She held her schools against
all rivals and had hundred dollars
aid of chart. diagram. or blackboard.
were steadily acquiring a sound Eng
lish education.
For two years she had boarded at
six dollars per month, dressed plain.
worked hard. and studied. She had
gratified her hearts desire and was a
happy woman. Books banked up steadi-
ly in her little room, books that she had
yearned all her life to possess. and she
read them over and over in the long.
delicious hours after her days work
was done.
Two years of Eden and. 10. the SER
pent.
She had paid small attention when
he first entered her garden. Only by
degrees had it dawned upon her that
he was. like young David. strong of
body and with a ruddy countenance
good to look upon. Later on she not
ed that he neither drank nor swore;
that he kept his nails in order and
was always neat. He lived at the
house where she boarded. and brought
her mail from the far-away post Of
fee. He was always polite. was this
Cajan-born Donician. yet his presence
troubled the fair young teacher. Vague
ly he interfered with her studies. and
she resented the interference.
But the sunset glow was fading
while she dreamed of Aphrodite and
her doves. What was Aphrodite to
her? Or the doves? Dreadful. melan-
choly birds that made even the glad
pine woods mournful with their plant
i've cooling. Helen laughed a. little as
she put away her much-loved books
and went out into the bold fresh air
for that delightful half hour between
the lights.
She threw back her tired shoulders
and drank in deep breaths Of vigor.
Glorying in the reckless pride OF
youth. Standing between the fading
sunset glow and the Frightening
glcam of the rising moon. Appropriate
ing the grandeur and understanding
nothing. Seeing in the light-tipped
pines only glorified pride. blind TO
the serenity that is born of suffering:
deaf to the note of sadness that thrilled
through their melodious chanting-to
her only burst of deepthroated tri-
umph.
Oddly enough. in the midst Of these
shaken vibrations of her soul came the
practical reflection:
II can live on ten dollars month
and save money; and | can make the