The Path of Duty, and Other StoriesCaswell, Harriet S. (Harriet Sophia)
General
The Path of Duty, and Other Stories
Caswell, Harriet S. (Harriet Sophia)
Country life -- Fiction; Family -- Fiction; Friendship -- Fiction; Pastoral fiction; Short stories
Although quite happy in my uncle's home, I still wished to carry out my
former design of teaching, and as the season advanced, I again spoke to
my uncle and aunt upon the subject. They were at first very unwilling to
yield their consent; but, as they perceived that I was really anxious
about the matter, they yielded their assent to my wishes.
About five miles west of my uncle's farm was the small village of Mill
Town, so called from the number of different mills erected on the fine
water-privilege it contained. As the village was small, it contained but
two schools; one a public school, and the other a select school, which
had for three years been taught by a young lady from the State of Maine,
who had relatives residing at Mill Town. But Miss Landon, for such was
the lady's name, intended returning to her home in Maine in the month of
June. I had formed a very pleasant acquaintance with this young lady
during the winter, and she strongly advised me to secure her pupils, if
I wished to teach, promising to use her influence to aid me in obtaining
pupils; and, owing to her kindness, I had no difficulty in obtaining a
sufficient number of pupils for opening a school. I was very glad to
obtain a situation so near my home, that I might be able to visit my
uncle and aunt at least once every week, and spend my Sabbaths with
them.
"After all," said my uncle, "I don't know but you are right in wishing
to teach, and I dare say, will be happier thus employed than otherwise."
Accordingly, I opened my school about the middle of June, with
twenty-five pupils. I had made arrangements to board in the house of the
minister, who resided in the village. His name was Mr. Northwood, or
Parson Northwood, as he was usually called by the villagers. He was very
much respected on account of his many excellent qualities both as pastor
and friend. His family consisted of himself, his wife, and two little
girls, who attended my school.
I was highly pleased with my school at Mill Town. My pupils were mostly
girls between the ages of ten and fifteen years. I had one class of
quite young boys, whose parents preferred a select to a public school.
Many years have passed since I was wont to summon those loved pupils
around me in that little school-room. Since that period, when far
removed from those scenes, and surrounded by circumstances widely
different, memory oft recalled those pupils in that New England village.
About this time I received a letter from Aunt Patience. The letter
informed me that her health was somewhat impaired, and that she sensibly
felt the approaching infirmities of age. I knew not her exact age, but I
was certain that she must be considerably advanced in years. She stated
that she was quite happy in her home, but added,--
"My Dear Clara, I had thought to have ended my days with your dear
mother; and when the thought comes home to my mind, that she is now no
more, it makes me very sad."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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