Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1877)
THE NORMAL SCHOOL. ED1TOHS. Aftwinto Kdltnr; L. A. IIatkh, Kl.l.A 1.0(1 AS, I.ocnl. ' VIS liEEN TinXKlNG. Tliu lny lins boon beautiful one of tlioso glorious Indian summer days which make us 'vish they could lust forever. Hut " Now tlio tliiv in dom Anil tlio (tnrkiii'HB lull IVom the wings of iiltfht, Ak 11 li'iuliur Ik wnfti'il downwind Kkiiii iiii 1'itnlo In hie lllht." All (his afternoon I have been sitting at inv window, thinking; my tlioughts Imvo been of tlio past. I Imvo allowed my thoughts to turn backward back to that spring morning so long ago, ah! tlurly , clcphunl, mid tho likeness was rendered mo of the llrst symptoms of waning alloc, lion. He promised compliance, said "Good-bye, don't forget to write, Sis," and was gone. Then I heard tho train whistle, and, giuing from the car window, saw the depot with Bert standing on the steps gliding away faster and faster until I could bear the sight no longer, .and boldly resolved to look my fato full in the face. I turned around, and looked straight in the face of an old man, his head was monstrous, something the shape of an years ago, when I stood on tho vino wreathed porch of my little farmhouse home, looking the sad good-byes to par cuts and sisters that 1 could not speak. Again, in memory, have my little sisters come and kissed me good-bye, whispering sollly, Ohl we shall miss you so;" and " Will you surely stay away the whole yoarY" 1 feel again my father's earnest gaze, and hoar the words In tones of deep emo tion, "God help yon, my daughter, to fight the battle of HIV, and don't lorget to pray." Again 1 see mv dear mother try ing so hard to appear cheerful for my sake, fool her arms about my waist, hear her whisper, " Do right, and leave the rest to Him who doeth all things well." Then 1 go away, down tho gravel walk out to the buggy, climb into it beside cousin Hurt. T remember distinctly that tho tears would not longer bo stayed. I leaned my head on mv hands and cried bitterly, until I hoard Bert say, " Why, sis, I did not know you could cry. He brave, or you'll never do for a scboolma'am." Then I dried my tears, put sorrow away, and listened, or tried to listen, to Beit's sago advice, until wo readied the station, whole he purchased my ticket, and took me into the car. There I bade him goml-byo, gai ly telling him to keep close watch of a certain farmer boy for me, and to nppri&o pittance almost perfect by a pair of huge ears, sleepy eye-i, and such a nose, For a mo ment I looked to convince myself that I was not dreaming, then leaned lesignedly back In my seat, and wondered if ho were " my fate." Presently I was greatly relieved by see. ing'a grand looking old lady turn to him and ask, " Husband, are we not nearly to M V" Alter that I had a very pleas ant chat with the two, and found litem agreeable traveling companions, and that the elephantine head carried its own por tion of good sense, and that the owner was a minister in our church. After they It-It I bought a novel for company, and tried to be interested in the tips and downs ol its heroine, until the conductor shouted "Helena;" then I snatched up my basket and hurried out on.llie pliitfoim, where I was met by the school d'reclor, a lino looking old gontlo. man who took 111c to his home where 1 was to board, " If we could agree," he said, with a merry twinkle in his eyes. I soon felt that there might bo other places that were pleasant besides my home, for everything about tho house of this old gentleman was so quaintly old-fashioned. My wants were all supplied as though I were some royal guest, instead of a girl of sixteen, who was to make her fortune by teaching the village school for a small