The Path of Duty | Page 4

name of the writer, were read by Miss
Edmonds. Each person present was at liberty to write down each name
as it was read by our teacher, annexing to it the numbers one, two or
three, according to their opinion of the merits of the composition, each
desk being furnished with paper, pens and ink for the purpose. When
the compositions had all been read, the slips of paper were collected
and handed to our pastor, who was to read aloud the fortunate name
with the greatest number of ones annexed. What then was my
amazement and that of all present when our pastor, after carefully
examining the papers, rose and said,--"Miss Clara Roscom will please
come forward, and receive from the hands of Miss Edmonds the reward
of so much merit." I remember I felt a nervous dread of crossing the
large school-room alone, when I knew every eye would be directed to
me. Composing myself by a strong effort, I rose and walked up to the
raised platform, where at her desk sat Miss Edmonds, with our pastor
and several other friends. As I bowed low in acknowledgement of the
gift, Miss Edmonds, with a few kind words, dismissed me to my seat. I
heard many flattering remarks among our assembled friends; but the
proudest moment of all, to me, was when I gained my mother's side and

she said to me in a low voice, "My dear Clara, this seems to me a token
that you will prove a blessing to your poor widowed mother."
Miss Edmonds often remarked that I made wonderful progress in my
studies, and these commendations, coming from my teacher, incited me
to still greater diligence. I take no credit to myself for superior talent,
but I certainly did my best, for, be it remembered, I was studying to
please my dear mother, who often said to me, "You must, my dear
Clara, make the best of your opportunities for improvement, as the time
may come when your education may be your only means of support."
My mother often regretted that we did not own a piano, for she was
very anxious that I should study music; but our means did not justify
the purchase of an instrument, and she thought that lessons without the
necessary practice would be useless. The parents of Miss Edmonds
resided in the city. They had once been wealthy, but owing to those
reverses to which all are liable they had become reduced in
circumstances, so much so that Miss Edmonds gladly turned to account
the superior education she had received in their prosperous days, and
she had for some time been a teacher when I became a member of her
school. My mother happened to mention to Miss Edmonds one day her
regret that I was unable to take music-lessons, for want of opportunity
for the needful practice, when she informed my mother that she still
retained her piano out of the wreck of their former affluence, and that,
if she wished me to take lessons, I was at liberty to practice daily upon
it. My mother accepted for me the kind offer, and I at once began
taking lessons. I remained four years under the instruction of Miss
Edmonds, with much profit to myself. At the end of this time, Mr.
Edmonds removed with his family to the city of New York, having
through the influence of friends, obtained the situation of cashier in one
of the banks in that city. It was a severe trial for Miss Edmonds to
resign the school where she was so much beloved by her pupils; but she
thought it her duty to accompany her parents to their new home.
CHAPTER III.
CLARA AT MRS. WENTWORTH'S BOARDING SCHOOL.

As it was my mother's intention to give me a thoroughly good
education, she began, after the departure of Miss Edmonds, to consider
the propriety of sending me to a noted seminary for young ladies, about
two hundred miles from Philadelphia, as she learned from various
sources of the excellence of the institution. There was but one difficulty
in the way, and that was the money needful for defraying my expenses.
At my father's death, he left us the owners of the house we occupied,
and a sum of money, though not a large one, in the Savings' Bank. Up
to the time of which I speak, we had only drawn the annual interest of
our money, while the principal remained untouched, my mother having
obtained needle-work to eke out our small income; but, in order that I
should finish my education according to the wishes of my mother, as
well as my own, a portion of the principal must be withdrawn. After
some reflection upon the subject, my mother decided that a good