MADDY'S TRIUMPH.
Late on Saturday evening, Mr. Hamilton arrived with a pale sad
looking lady, whom he introduced as Miss Prosser.
Aunt Matilda received her as a lady, but wilful little Madeline, with
a cunning glance of her eye, extended her hand reluctantly, and
saluted her as Miss Prosy.
"Prosser, my dear," corrected the father.
"Oh, yes, I forgot--Miss Prosser; do you give hard lessons, Miss
Prosy?" continued the child.
"I do not think that you will have any cause to complain, if you will
only be diligent and obedient."
"Those are two words which I have never been taught yet, Miss Prosy."
"Prosser, my dear, Prosser," interrupted the father. "I hope that
you will find Madeline all that you desire after awhile. She is a
wild little girl now; lessons will be hard at first, and you must not
keep her too close."
Monday morning arrived, and Madeline was summoned to the library,
where her studies were to be pursued.
Miss Prosser was one of the rigid school of disciplinarians; and
Madeline, with the quick instinct of a bright child, soon felt that
there would never be any bond of union between herself and the sad
lady, who appointed her daily tasks.
The first hour passed tolerably, the second wearily, but the third,
which introduced her wild imaginative mind to the severe discipline
of arithmetic, was insufferable; and throwing down her book
impatiently, she said, "I'm tired of this stuff; I can't do any more
this day; good-bye, Miss Prosy," and away started the wild child, ere
her governess could express her surprise.
Running to her father, who was just going out to ride, she begged so
bewitchingly to accompany him, that papa could not refuse her; and
Miss Prosser had the mortification of seeing her out of the library
window, galloping down the avenue on Selim, with her flat set
jauntily upon her bright young head, and she, poor lady, mourning
over her wilful scholar.
"Really, my dear, you must not do this again; Miss Prosser will be
offended."
"I was so tired, dear papa; I felt as if I would smother in that warm
room; and when she placed the multiplication table before me, I knew
it was of no use to try; I shall never learn the horrid old thing, I
know."
Day after day, Madeline wearied the patience of her teacher.
Sometimes, when it was her whim, she would apply herself most
earnestly to some favorite exercise, and surprise her at the
quickness with which she mastered even difficult lessons; but as to
regular, systematic study, it was out of the question.
Sometimes she would teaze Miss Prosser with endless questions.
"Miss Prosy, why did you not get married? you are very good-looking,"
inquired the teazing child.
"Miss Madeline, study that lesson, and don't spend your time in
asking such foolish questions."
"I'm not in the humor, Miss Prosy; I feel lazy; I'd much rather talk;
and papa says he don't like me forced to study."
"Don't you want to be an intelligent woman, Madeline?"
"I don't know, indeed; I am afraid I should be an old maid, if I
think too much of learning. I can gain a great deal by reading, and
that is what I like."
"Aren't you going to study this morning?" continued Miss Prosser.
"I don't think I shall; I don't feel very well; and if you have no
objection, I'll lie down on the sofa, and read the Lady of the Lake."
Miss Prosser knew that it was in vain to enforce obedience; for in
all cases, appeals to Mr. Hamilton ended in Madeline's victory, and
generally she had to wait upon the young lady's whims.
"Why, Miss Prosser, I do believe that you are growing gray; and you
always look as if you were going to cry."
Just then, perceiving that two large tears dropped upon the book
which she was using, Madeline, with all the impulsive warmth of her
nature, threw her arms around Miss Prosser, saying,
"I did not mean to hurt your feelings; I do so like a little bit of
fun."
"You should learn, my child, to restrain your impetuous nature, for
thoughtless words may wound as deeply as intended ones. I have known
much of sorrow, Madeline. Once I was the centre of a happy home,
where I was cherished as tenderly as you are now; but now I am all
alone in the world--an orphan, and penniless."
"Do forgive me, dear Miss Prosser," replied the child; "I will never
do so again," and she hid her face in her hands, bowed her head and
wept.
"I do forgive you, Madeline, heartily: but do, my dear child, try to
think always of the feelings of others."
Madeline was subdued all that day. At the table, she was careful to
see that Miss Prosser had the nicest little delicacies, and when she
went to her room at night, the warm-hearted child followed to see
that she was comfortable, and kissing her, bade her good night.
Matters progressed very well for a few days. Madeline seemed as if
she really meant to be a good child, and under the new impulse, the
governess was hopeful.
The mornings spent in the library were all that she could desire. It
was so pleasant to come into contact with such a fresh, original
mind, as that of her bright little pupil; and then Madeline really
appeared to be learning the art of self-control.
"There comes Hector!" she exclaimed one morning, as the sharp bark of
her dog was heard at the door. Formerly, she would have thrown down
her books, and rushed out to meet her favorite.
'Tis true that she did for one moment arise from her seat, but
quickly returning, she said, "There, Hector, go away this time,
that's a good dog;" and though he continued whining and scratching at
the door, she remained resolute, and refused him admittance.
This was quite a triumph for Madeline, and Miss Prosser repaid her
with a smile of encouragement, which impelled Madeline, with a
heightened color, to renewed efforts of diligent study.
Occasionally, there would be outbreaks of the old spirt of mischief,
but generally, the progress was onward.
One morning, Madeline, full of excitement, met her teacher. "Only
think Miss Prosser, my cousin is coming; Lavinia Raymond. Oh! what a
nice time we shall have; she's the girl for fun; when she's here, we
are out every day somewhere. I know papa will give me a holiday; I
mean to coax hard, and he never refuses his little Mad-cap."
"But, my dear child, you certainly don't expect to give up your
studies while Lavinia is here."
"Yes, indeed; I think I have learned enough now for the last month to
last me all the time that she stays with us."
Mad-cap's spirits were fully aroused; it was almost impossible to
bring her into any kind of composure, and Miss Prosser was compelled
to shorten the exercises for that day at least.
Lavinia was expected late in the afternoon. As soon as dinner was
over, Madeline commenced her visits to the window, the door, and even
to the gate, which led to the avenue, backward and forward, until she
was nearly tired out.
"Papa, I don't believe that she is coming at all," at length uttered
the impatient child.
"Do you know, my dear, that it is only six o'clock," replied Mr.
Hamilton, smiling, and taking out his watch; "they cannot possibly
reach here before seven, so you had better run in, and amuse yourself
at your piano."
Away ran Maddy--opening her instrument, she rattled away for about
ten minutes; then calling Hector, and throwing on her flat, down the
avenue, through the gate, and out into the open road she started at
full speed. At length, after sundry races of the same description,
she spied a distant carriage, but was bitterly disappointed when she
found that it only contained a party of strangers. Seven o'clock
came, but no cousin. Discouraged, she seated herself on the piazza,
and when at length she found that the carriage had entered the
avenue, standing tip-toe on the lower step, she awaited, with a
glowing cheek, the letting down of the carriage step. In another
minute, Lavinia was in her cousin's arms, and Mrs. Raymond warmly
welcomed by her brother-in-law and Aunt Matilda.
She was a woman of the world, devoted to fashion, and training her
daughter in all its follies. Lavinia was two years older than
Madeline, but completely a spoiled child of folly--the only bond of
sympathy between her and Madeline, was their mutual love of mischief.
"Take me to my room, Maddy, I want to make my toilet," was the first
request of Lavinia; and accompanied by her maid, Madeline led her to
her chamber.
Our natural little girl was greatly amused by the pains bestowed upon
a child's toilet; for the utmost time that Madeline could spare, was
to bathe thoroughly, twist her ringlets hastily around her fingers,
put on her simple dress, and without another thought, her toilet was
completed. But Lavinia, was washed and powdered, combed and
pomatummed, her head dressed like a woman's, and after the indulgence
of an hour's whims, Susette pronounced her "comme il faut." What a
contrast between the affectation of Lavina Raymond, and the natural
sportive grace of Madeline Hamilton!
At the table, Mrs. Raymond answered the polite bow of Miss Prosser
with a supercilious stare, and Lavinia, imitating her mother's
rudeness, scarcely noticed her presence.
After a few days of unrestrained license, Miss Prosser ventured to
remonstrate with Mr. Hamilton, but he could not think of interfering
with Mad-cap's pleasures; and all that he would consent to was, that
Lavinia and Madeline should spend two hours daily at their studies,
unless otherwise engaged. Two or three mornings of every week, they
were off on some excursion of pleasure; the remainder of the time was
broken in upon by every trivial excuse that could be invented.
Indeed, since Lavinia's arrival, Miss Prosser's influence was at an
end; lessons were to be excused, musical practice virtually had
closed.
Lavinia would not study, and even when Madeline was so disposed, she
would not allow her to do anything but play. Weary were the hours of
the sad governess, and once more the prospect of another change began
to loom up gloomily in the distant horizon. She had hoped that she
was at least for years at rest; but the orders to march rang daily in
her ears.
After many trials and disappointments, Miss Prosser, utterly
discouraged, was contemplating the perplexity of her situation.
Seated one morning in the library, waiting for her wayward pupils,
she was suddenly surprised by the entrance of Mr. Hamilton. Her sad
weary expression of countenance touched him for a moment, and he
said, "I am sorry, Miss Prosser, that my little girl is so wilful,
but I have not the heart to deny her anything, and when Lavinia has
gone, we shall return to the old order of things."
"I fear, by that time, my dear sir, that I shall find it impossible
to bring Madeline into any kind of subjection; I am greatly
perplexed, for I cannot bear to receive a salary for doing nothing."
"You need not mind, Miss Prosser, if I do not complain."
"I do object, sir, to receive a salary without giving the equivalent,
and seriously conclude that I cannot do so much longer."
"Do have a little patience, Miss Prosser; Lavinia will leave in about
a month, and then we shall be regular once more."
Poor Miss Prosser was still severely tried; practical jokes were
frequently played upon her, and although she was certain that
Madeline had not taken an active part in them, still it pained her to
see that even she could be amused at her expense. Matters grew worse
instead of better; Madeline was impatient, and Lavinia indifferent.
The month rolled on; Lavinia and her mother took their departure; and
Miss Prosser endeavored once more to regain her influence over her
pupil.
"Come, Madeline, aren't you tired of play?" asked the governess.
"No, indeed; I hate books and study, and long, sad faces; Lavinia
don't go to school but half the year, and I am going to coax papa to
let me stop until next winter."
"Just come, now, Madeline, and let us read a little together; you
have not said one lesson for three weeks."
"Well, I suppose I must, just to please you, Miss Prosser; but let it
be a short one."
Maddy soon commenced yawning, and as soon as the lesson was over,
brought out her favorite volume of Shakspeare, and really did manage
to spend another hour in searching for beauties in her pet author;
but one hour was sufficient, and, begging to be excused, she was
gone. And thus the patience of the poor lady was taxed daily, her
spirits sank, and too conscientious to hold such a position, she
fully made up her mind to resign. Accordingly, on the next day,
Madeline's father was summoned to the library.
"I have sent for you, Mr. Hamilton, to resign my charge; I have tried
it for six months, but in vain. Your child has the brightest
talents, but the system of indulgence pursued towards her, precludes
entirely the possibility of improvement. I must have my pupils
advance, or I cannot be happy. I have nothing else to complain of;
my quarter will expire next week, and then I feel that I ought to
leave."
"I am sorry, Miss Prosser; but I suppose that it cannot be helped."
The lady smiled at this acknowledgment of weakness; but her
resolution was taken.
The sad, pale teacher took her leave on the following Saturday, and
when Madeline found that she was really going, with the perverseness
of such wayward natures, she was actually sorry; she had learned to
respect her governess, and really liked her better than any who had
ever taught her before.
"Good-bye, Miss Prosser; I am sorry that I have been so naughty, but
I can't help it. Papa says so; and I know it is so. Here's a
breastpin, with some of Mad-cap's hair in it; will you show that you
forgive me by wearing it?"
"Thank you, my dear child; I shall always remember your warm little
heart; and if ever you change your ways, and desire to hear from your
friend, write to Messrs. Wood & Co., Boston. I think that you will,
Madeline; but some one else must be the teacher. I have tried my
utmost, and failed."
Strange to say, Madeline shed some natural tears as she saw the
carriage vanish with her governess; but in a few days, the feeling of
perfect liberty in which she revelled, obliterated all the regret,
and Hector and Selim were again her constant companions.
"Dear me, brother," said Aunt Matilda, "what shall we do with the
child; she is now nearly eleven, and scarcely any education."
"Time enough yet, Matilda; she'll be all right; don't be afraid of
Mad-cap, she is bright as a diamond."