Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-12

your first day at school, and
~ it's almost s o'clock now.
Come. open your blue eyes
wide and don't let that old monster. Lazl-
ness, get nip at you
1t was little Marie's mamma who was
calling her from her mornings sleep. And
Marie. rubbing her eyes. remembered that
the day just begun was to be one full OF
interest for her, for she was to start to
school that morning. And Marie had
never been in any sort of school before.
Her parents had thought it best to keep
her out of the kindergarten, as she was
not very rugged, and they wished her to
be out of doors as much as possible,
where she'd grow strong and healthy.
But during the summer Marie had had
a birthday, and she was now six years
old. But she was a very little miss for
her years, and as there were no other
children In her home she was still her
mammals baby and her papa's only pet.
And so they moved from the country
into town, where Marie might have the
advantages of schooling due little miss
of six. And such lovely books she had,
too, and a slate and long, sharp pencil.
Oh, Marie had gone into ecstasy the Sat
urday before when her mamma had
brought to her the fine book and slate
satchel SO filled with all necessary school
things. There was sponge, too. with
which to wash her slate. And dear lit
the box which held her slate pencil and lead
pencil. and another to hold her two writ
ing pens. Marie was to become a great
scholar so papa declared. And Marie
was determined not to dsa ppoint him:
AS soon as breakfast was over Marie s
mamma took her TO the schoolhouse.
which was several blocks away. And
when mamma led her into the room where
the primary grade was kept, Marie was
so glad to see ii was flied with little boys
and girls like herself. Some were bit
taller and a bit older perhaps. and some
were even younger than Marie. But not
one was so small, so Marie was to be the
baby of the grade. So said the pretty
fair-haired teacher who came down the
aisle to greet Marie's mamma and make
MareS acquaintance.
What little dear" exclaimed teacher,
STOPPING to put her arm about the little
stranger. And we'll become the greatest
friends, won't We. dear?" And Marie, so
happy. smiled and said: Yes m, We'll be
very good frien's, indeed" tAlthouGh Ma
words she could not pronounce very east
ly. And friends was one of them)
X
Then the teacher and the mamma had a
little private talk while Marie arranged
her books and slate and pencils and
sponge and writing pens in the dearest
little desk that had been assigned her by
teacher Oh, what joy to have desk
for her very own-to remain hers till she
should learn SO much that she would be
promoted to another room, where the
desks were bigger Marie was very proud
that morning, too. and extremely happy.
Then mamma kissed Marie goodbye and
went home. telling Marie that she must
not stop to play when school was dis
missed for the noon hour. but to hurry
home for her luncheon. And again Marie
felt very proud to think that her mamma
was going to allow her to so to and
from the big schoolhouse alone. She was.
indeed. becoming a big girl to be allowed
so much liberty.
Then the school was called to order
and teacher talked so sweetly to the lit
tie ones assembled about her. And what
a lovely lot of girls and hoys they were.
Marie thought as she looked all about the
room. When teacher said they'd sing
a song Marie was glad, for she loved to
sing and her clear voice rang out louder
than any of the others when a song was
sung that she liked.
well. Marie. you have fine voice
and sing very we'll" said teacher.
"And / can sing lots of songs de-