The Angel of the Gila: A Tale of ArizonaMarsland, Cora
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The Angel of the Gila: A Tale of Arizona
Marsland, Cora
Arizona -- Fiction; Love stories; Women teachers -- Fiction
Mary had a more modest way. "I hardly know what I dae want. I think ye
could plan for us better nor we could plan for oursels. An' we'd a' be
gratefu'."
"Sure," said one.
"That's right," added another. They all nodded their heads in
approval. Then up spoke Bridget Flinn:
"Shure, an' she's on the right thrack. When we can do housework, we
can command a high wage, an' git on. My cousin gits five dollars a
week in New York, an' she says she has mere nothin' ter do, an'
dthresses as good as her misthress. Oi'd loike ter learn ter write
letthers, so as ter wroite ter Pat, an' Oi'd loike ter learn
housekapin', so's I could go out ter sarvice."
Then a pretty Mexican girl, with a soft voice, spoke:
"Martha Castello is my name. I want to learn to read an' write an'
sing."
The teacher stepped to the blackboard, and wrote the following:
Reading Arithmetic Sewing
Writing Singing Housekeeping
The girls watched her intently.
"An' letthers," suggested Bridget.
"To be sure--letters," said Esther, writing the word.
Then followed the organization of the girls' club, resulting in the
election of Jessie Roth as president. It was agreed that for the
present the girls should enter school, and occasionally meet with the
teacher outside of school hours.
That day proved a red-letter day for them. They had come in touch with
an inspiring personality, and their education had begun.
Years have come and gone since that day; but the people of Gila still
tell how a young girl, the sweetest soul that ever lived, came and
dwelt among them, and brought God into their lives. Even the roughest
old men will pause, and say with reverence:
"The Angel of the Gila! God bless her!"
The afternoon session of the school passed quickly. Then followed a
bit of kindly talk with the seven new pupils. Then Esther Bright
walked homeward. She was overtaken by Brigham Murphy and Wathemah.
Something mysterious seemed in the air.
"Miss Bright," blurted out Brigham, "Maw says as will yer come home
with us ter-morrer, ter visit. We're goin' ter have chicken an' lots
o' good things ter eat, ain't we, Wathemah? An' he's comin', too,
ain't yer, Wathemah?"
The Indian child gave an affirmative grunt, and trudged along close to
his teacher. It was a way he had of doing since she had promised to be
his mother.
"Will yer come?" eagerly questioned the representative of the Mormon
household.
"I shall be happy to if you will show me the way."
"Oh, we'll 'scort yer!" And Brigham turned several somersaults, and
ran like a deer along the road leading to the Murphy ranch.
Such a flutter of excitement as the prospective visit brought to the
Murphy household!
"Maw," said Brigham in the midst of his mother's volley of directions
on household arrangements, "Ain't yer goin' ter ask schoolma'am ter
stay all night?" He seemed suddenly interested in social amenities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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