The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-16
THE UNSUCCESS-
Full PUPIL.
A Girl Who Couldn't Win d.
plona. bot Got a Husband By
Her Failures
From the French.

that they VIII beCoine ho'hcOooies "ho'
,hey grow up. Az a matter Of TACT, she
should have grown up to be good worker
a, the wife Of some honest artisan. but
her mother was full Of the idea OF future
tor her For these plans school certificate
wa. necessary. The mother was oon-
,inually telling her friends
on. Gabrielle will he able TO obtain her
certificate without trouble"
Accordingly, at 10 Gabrielle presented
herself for examination and failed. Her
mother consoled herself
IT was the fault OF the subject. a quite
uninlportant one, which had no oonneo-
ton with The exam matte abe said
Al the second and third examinations
Gabrielle succeeded no better In spite
Of her r.others continual prediction, the
inflated Gabrielle was perennial candi-
date aking examination year after year.
NJ Aigu)t had been for many years
head master Of the school and to him the
naAes Of the candidates were given. He
WAS a modal teacher. a man Of quiet habits
and a bachelor who. If lie did not aspire
to a high destiny. at least enjoyed the
genera, esteem. of his friends and neigh
Oor-
lie cane to recognize Gabrielle as a oon-
tlnua candidate, and remarked her pleas
ing face and form and her air OF gentle
sadness, He spoke to her one day.
What, Unsuccessful! again? But you
will pass the next time. ! assure you, said
he You fail with the same question each
tive 40" let ne help you, and above
all be ~ good courage. 1t will be all right
another time, ! al. quite certain
With much kindness, he explained the
tan,,lc to her But il Was Of no use. Ga
brice failed on one question as easily
As another and the time for success never
oa,ue.
ore ia: i'll autumn she appeared again.
this I'M very sad
=. is necessary now that | pass, she
explained Things are different with us.
Motacr can no longer support US and
must 90 t. work. am offered situation
which will help us live, il cat show :ny
schcol certificate,
Her tears overcane her. NJ. Mignot
was troubled. being one Of the very good
nea whC caanot sea a woman weep with
out sadness.
The great day arrived. You could not
have told which was more anxious, NJ.
MiCnot or Gabrielle.
He told the young lady to meet him In the
hall whe.l the names Of the lucky candi-
date.i ere 10 he posted. A real joy. which
m ade him feel younger by fifteen years.
came irto his humble life as he wrote her
name Gabrielle had passed the written
examination, but the oral was yet to come.
Hang the oral!" said NJ. Mignot.
This came on the following day. Gabri-
ellie was almost staggered to find herself
ted in front Of those gray e. decorous
men, bald for the most part, gathered TO
pass the frightful verdicts;
The .irst examiner. little figure In a
skull ap with piercing eye, and white, I'M
kernpt lair and wniskers, spoke In voice
q TIE sane tin tine pleasant and foroiddins'
Il have for my first question, simple,
almost childish, one, in history for you.
mademoiselle. Who was the successor to
Henry w.
While he was speaking Gabrielle was
NJ. Alignot; Tai Ike courage do not fear
speak quickly" Without hesitation she
answered:
Henry ""
There was still laughing all around the
room.
Perhaps you spoke before you thought
said the examiner. Now think. Henry V:
was only an unhappy pretender and he did
not come 10 the throne. Now who WIS
IT,"
Poor Gabrielle heard no more. She could
neither answer thiS question nor any other,
and Monsieur, persuaded Of her complete
ignorance, marked her zero on bis lat,
and Ia-ssd TO the next candidate.
TIE examination in grammar came next:
This man was younger, wore glasses anc
had slightly persuasive voice.
Please said he. write out and analyze
for us these two lines:
/ A form more fair. a face more sweet.
Ne'er hath it been my lot to meet"
and he paused, while an eager, half sus-
piciolls look seized all in the room. Again
the tears rose to the eyes OF poor Gabrielle.
Che seemed to be asking with an air Of sad
surprise Why do you, all laugh?'
lmpatiently. almost harsLly. the e1-
aHlner spoke:
If you please, madernoiselle. We are
waiting. Write, at once
Now the laugh became general, as the
examiners, Unable to contain Themselves,
passed the writing from one to another
'Mademoiselle. this Is inconceivablel
Do you see nothing wrong here'" asked the
examiner in grammar.
Nothing, monsieur
A long finger pointed to one OF the words
on her tablet. See there"
Then she saw her error. She bad written:
4 form more fair. face more sweet.
. Nervousy. she corrected the writing.
Did Won think We were in the kitchen?'
esFeG The examiner. Then he spoke
little louder; This ts most extraor-
dinary candidate, gentlemen. II you agree
We will pass on
The remainder Of the morning was dis
uessing. The different gentlemen, con-
vrced beforehand that she knew nothing,
asked her a few questions for forms sake.
She bfundared through them and they
did nor Insist on reply.
When she went out OF the room, NJ Mig
not, as pale as Gabrielle, was awaiting her.
oh, nv poor grill" he said.
Gabrielle wept afresh.
II Is all over" groaned she. My poor
nnama. What vii! become OF TIA nowf
Oh. shall diet
M,gnot was deeply moved. He
pressed her hand softly, speaking some
eonso atory phrases, to which she only
What will become Of US? What will
become Of ui?r
NJ, Mguot vas not OF the kind that moves
quickly Vet he had prepared himself
lor lust such an emergency, and now TINS
vas the opportune time.
NILE. Gabrielle" he continued you
WWuHt give up trying for that certifcate.
Iou seq you We're not born for that. 1t
would be better-much better. for you to
I'VE quietly with a good husband in your
oSr nome than to try longer