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The next day, Sabbath afternoon, they
took mo out to take a peep at the house in
which I wns so soon to hold universal
sway. It was a little stone house, with
four windows in eaoli side, and in the
tinst end a large double door. There it
was, nestled down among tuo trees, now
arrayed in their most brilliant apparel
In their brandies tins squirrels were play,
ing hide-and-seek. Everything was quiet
and peaceful, and I thought, " I shall be
happy here."
The next morning I went to my school,
house where I found a group of children
nil eager to see the new "schoolmiss."
Some returned my morning greeting,
others shyly looked at me without speak
ing. I went in and rang the bell; the chil
dren came in quietly and walked to their
seats. I did not know what to do, but to
become acquainted -I asked their mimes,
and wrote them down. Then I asked
how many knew the song, " I want to be
an angel." A score of little hands eamo
up, and I said, " We will sing it." My
powers over self were tried to the utmost
during the singing which followed, to
maintain my dignity as became a teacher,
that is, to refrain from laughing out.
right at six-year old Dan. He evidently
knew the words, but where, I thought,
is li is time or tune?
My llrst day passed away quickly. I
walked homo that night witli two child
ish hands clinging to mine; while others
of my charge ran on bolVro with merry
shouts and gleeful antics. One by orie
my companions bade me "Good night,
teacher!" and I was left to linish my walk
alone. Then, for the llrst time did the re
sponsibility of my position, as a leader of
these young minds, rush over me. Then
I sent a silent prayer upward that the
great Teacher might be my teacher.
The successive days Hew by rapidly, and
the little ones grew dearer every day To.
day, in imagination, they have been with
me again. I saw them all as the little
ones I loved so much. I saw again my '
little Katie as she came to me and whis
pered, " I love you, teacher! Let me kiS
you." Sweet brown-cyed darling! I loved
her too. I have taught again my classes;
my spelling class has stood before me,
with arms folded behind them, their bare
toes all on the same straight line, eager
eyes turning to watch each successive
speller. Charlie, standing at the head,
missed. With a face, the very picture of
sorrow, he listened to Katie spell the
word correctly. "Take your place
Katie," I said, as she hesitated. Then
she threw her arms impulsively around
his neck, and hissed him; then she took
her place. Ah I Charlie,
" You'vu Ihotl to k-nrii In lll'o's Imrtl ediool,
How few Unit imK itliino you
ItuKrut their tiiiunpli and your lo,
I.lku liur, Iiltuuhu tlmy lovu you."
What odd speeches this childicu made!
I remember that one day, while hearing
my infant class read from a large card, I
asked wee Nellie what that dot was that I
was pointing to. She answered, a period.
Then I asked what do we do when wo
come to a period. She drew a long 1)' ealli,
clasped her hands, and said, " We go to
heaven!" Her reply caused a burst of
laughter to ring through the school-room.
Nellie came to me and laid her head in
my lap, and snbblngly said, " No, we let
our voice fall." Shortly after this, Iter
seat was vacant, and one day tlicy said,
Nellie is dead.
I talked to my little flock of Nellie's
new home. There were sobs in the room
when I llnished talking; little hearts were
almost broken, for .Nellie would never
comeback again. After I dismissed tliein,
I sal for a long time thinking, and I am
sure that my thoughts were akin to the
thoughts of my pupils. When I came
out of the schoolhouse, I found Mikio
sitting out by (he gate, waiting for mo.
When I came along, he took my hand,
and walked along with that subdued air
that characterizes all children now. Wo
spoke- again of Nellie, and then were
silent. Suddenly my little companion
looked up and said, "Miss , I should
