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.