Delia's Doctors

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8. Iron



"Work - for some good - be it ever so slowly!
Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly!
Labor! all labor is noble and holy:
Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy God." - Mrs. Osgood.

With a sigh of inexpressible relief, Charles dismissed his pupils, and remembered that the weekly half-holyday was before him. It appeared like a beautiful oasis in the desert. Although a lover of his profession, his mind had not this day been entirely occupied with his self-enjoined duties. lie had been in festival mood, earnestly longing for vacation. During the recess, the boys, in their obtuseness, had stared as they witnessed the confusion of their usually clear-headed teacher, while he indiscriminately marked scores of algebraic signs upon the blackboard, and intermingled with them rude delineations of moss roses, brown cottages, and luxuriant tresses. But the girls, with their keen discernment, and half-developed spirit of romance, whispered, " Mr. Thornton is thinking of his lady." Charles little thought that his pupils were watching his progress in crayon drawing, through the open window opposite the blackboard. The time for recitation, however, found him active, and wholly devoted to the instruction of the young republicans. But the hands, pointing to the jubilant hour of dismissal, had never been so joyfully welcomed. For, in common with all teachers, even the most enthusiastic, Charles did, now and then, feel the insupportable ennui attendant upon his labors. He had expatiated upon the same theorems, till he almost wished that they had never been demonstrated. He had carried his pupils to the sources of mighty rivers, till he began to regret that they had ever been discovered. He had given class after class descriptions relative to the ruins of the old world, until the startling idea was revolving in his mind, whether it would not have been well for him if the treasures of the buried cities had never been revealed. Leaving the school-room, he inhaled with delight the fragrant June air, and directed his steps toward the residence of his noble Adelaide. Before planning any excursion, he would see her who had promised to tread life's path by his side, to journey with him to that Elysium, where joy, labor, and rest are so harmoniously blended, that neither pain, weariness, nor alloy of any kind, is combined with the attempts of the inhabitants for advancement, perfection.

The attention of the Wilmots was so profoundly absorbed that they did not immediately notice the entrance of their friend. Adelaide was reading aloud from " The Vale of Cedars," that thrilling romance of the lamented Grace Aguilar. Rose had laudably resolved to sew while listening to the narrative, but so deep an interest had been excited, that the work lay neglected in her lap, the needle rusting in her fingers. The eyes of the susceptible girl were suffused with tears, as she heard one sketch after another. The attention of the aged man was concentrated upon his daughter as she read. Adelaide, who always had perfect control over her feelings, gave, with great beauty and effect, the various representations of the author. The trio, in their sympathy for the oppressed Jewess, almost forgot that they were Christians. With quivering lip, Rose asked -

"Are you quite sure, Adelaide, that Jesus was the Messiah?"

Adelaide raised her eyes, and regarded her young sister with a slight frown. Then, closing the book, she said, "If papa has no objection, I will defer the reading till another time."

"Oh, Adelaide," cried the half-frantic girl, "we can not leave Marie in the cells of the Inquisition. We must have the remainder of the story before dinner."

"My dear," began Adelaide, when she was suddenly interrupted by Charles, who now advanced, saying, "I am glad that 'The Vale of Cedars' affords you so much pleasure."

"Oh, Charles," exclaimed Rose, "it is most admirable!"

" What say you, Adelaide? "

"It is assuredly a novel of great power, but it belongs to a class that I sliould not often read."

"Why?"

"Because of the mental excitement produced. Novels of that description affect the mind as alcoholic stimulants do the body. I prefer those which more resemble life in its present phase. Instead of a series of exciting incidents, I choose the history of mind, and the effect of education and circumstances upon its development."

" Of course, my philosophic friend ; what opinion, however, shall we have from this little fluttering Rose?"

" I like those which excite my whole soul. I want one heart-stirring scene after another, till my heart throbs, and my cheek burns."

"And your head aches," interposed Adelaide, with significance. "I do not believe that unnatural excitement is healthful."

"I like both kinds," observed Captain Wilmot ; " I can not say which I should select."

" Fortunately," remarked Charles, " we have writers of great excellence in each department. Grace Aguilar herself has contributed to both classes. But, come, Adelaide, may I take you home with me for the remainder of the day ? Your father looks so well that we can safely trust him with Kose."

"Yes, indeed," said Rose, proudly, "I am now a year older than was Adelaide, when she first had the whole care of papa."

"Go, my child," rejoined the father, "if the visit will give you any pleasure. Rose and I will finish 'The Yale of Cedars;' but, no, we will reserve that till you can enjoy it with us, unless," continued he, with a smile, "Rose must have the sequel of the story."

"Oh, do not consider me as a child," entreated Eose; "we will leave 'The Vale of Cedars' till Adelaide can read it with us. This afternoon we can have " - here she repressed a yawn - ' Eollin's History.' "

Adelaide could not avoid noticing that, although Charles laughed merrily, there were serious indications of lassitude in his manner.

"You are fatigued," she said, reproachfully ; " you have been" toiling more than your strength would allow."

"I know it, but I am going to recreate this afternoon. When I entered upon the career of a teacher, I resolved to emulate the ecclesiastic, Henry Arnauld, who, when advised to take one day in the week for recreation, replied, ' I will readily do so, if you will point out any day on which I am not a bishop.' But I find that I can not labor the whole time."

"I revere those Arnaulds," replied Adelaide. "Was not that an admirable answer of Anthony to his opponent, 'Eest! will you not have all eternity to rest in ?' "

" You very much resemble those men of iron. I must confess my weakness. I need rest."

"So do we all, my friend. So does every part of our bodies. The heart itself, that indefatigable organ, rests in the intervals of its contractions, actually taking one fourth of the whole time for repose The Arnaulds, doubtless, fulfilled that law of nature which demands rest, otherwise they would not have lived to old age. It is also probable that they refreshed themselves by frequently varying their employments. Will it add to your fatigue to give me a lesson in Greek this afternoon ?"

Charles pretended to groan, as he said, " Oh, Adelaide, I have been teaching all the forenoon. I consent, but, being too much exhausted to trust my memory, I shall take the grammar into the woods. There, while the birds are singing, the grass waving, and the leaves fluttering with the zephyr's breath, you shall add to the music by repeating tutttw, tuwtsict, etc."

"I can not imagine," said Kose, "why my sister is learning Greek. I am content with French and Latin."

"The lore of childhood satisfies the child," quoted Adelaide.

Rose blushed painfully, and made no reply.

"Be not offended, Eosie," expostulated the elder sister; "at your age, I did not think of learning Greek, for the plain reason that it was seldom taught to girls. The same neglect still prevails. I will educate myself on the plan that I should prescribe for every individual, of either sex, who desires to have a cultivated intellect, and a large share of influence in the world."

"I suspect," remarked Captain Wilmot, "the true reason for Adelaide's Greek studies. She wishes to maintain philological discussions with the minister, in reference to certain obscure passages in the New Testament."

" You misjudge me, my dear father. I am not thinking of controversy. It is, however, my intention to read the New Testament for myself in the original, without depending on any man, or any body of men, for a translation. I must also read, in the language in which they were written, tho most valuable classics of antiquity."

"A very good defense," said Charles, "and one which ought to be satisfactory to every person of common intelligence. But, come, I am afraid that we shall be late for dinner. In that case, my mother's welcome will not be very cordial."

"How sorry I am to have you go!" murmured Rose, as she escorted the pair to the door.

"My dear," replied Charles, with mock gravity, ' how can you regret our departure ! You will not only have the society of your good papa, but that also of the very instructive Monsieur Rollin."

Rose contorted her pretty features, as she gayly bade him adieu, and replied, that he need not profess to be quite certain respecting the nature of her afternoon's employment.