登陆注册
5200800000051

第51章

Next appeared a dark-complexioned, black-eyed, black-haired young lady, who paused an impressive moment, assumed a tragic expression, and began to read in a measured, solemn tone:

"A VISION

"Dark and tempestuous was night.Around the throne on high not a single star quivered; but the deep intonations of the heavy thunder constantly vibrated upon the ear; whilst the terrific lightning revelled in angry mood through the cloudy chambers of heaven, seeming to scorn the power exerted over its terror by the illustrious Franklin! Even the boisterous winds unanimously came forth from their mystic homes, and blustered about as if to enhance by their aid the wildness of the scene.

"At such a time,so dark,so dreary, for human sympathy my very spirit sighed; but instead thereof,"'My dearest friend, my counsellor, my comforter and guideMy joy in grief, my second bliss in joy,' came to my side.

She moved like one of those bright beings pictured in the sunny walks of fancy's Eden by the romantic and young, a queen of beauty unadorned save by her own transcendent loveliness.So soft was her step, it failed to make even a sound, and but for the magical thrill imparted by her genial touch, as other unobtrusive beauties, she would have glided away un-perceived -- unsought.A strange sadness rested upon her features, like icy tears upon the robe of December, as she pointed to the contending elements without, and bade me contemplate the two beings presented."This nightmare occupied some ten pages of manuscript and wound up with a sermon so destructive of all hope to non-Presbyterians that it took the first prize.This composition was considered to be the very finest effort of the evening.The mayor of the village, in delivering the prize to the author of it, made a warm speech in which he said that it was by far the most "eloquent" thing he had ever listened to, and that Daniel Webster himself might well be proud of it.

It may be remarked, in passing, that the number of compositions in which the word "beauteous" was over-fondled, and human experience referred to as "life's page," was up to the usual average.

Now the master, mellow almost to the verge of geniality, put his chair aside, turned his back to the audience, and began to draw a map of America on the blackboard, to exercise the geography class upon.But he made a sad business of it with his unsteady hand, and a smothered titter rippled over the house.He knew what the matter was, and set himself to right it.He sponged out lines and remade them; but he only distorted them more than ever, and the tittering was more pronounced.He threw his entire attention upon his work, now, as if determined not to be put down by the mirth.He felt that all eyes were fastened upon him; he imagined he was succeeding, and yet the tittering continued; it even manifestly increased.And well it might.There was a garret above, pierced with a scuttle over his head; and down through this scuttle came a cat, suspended around the haunches by a string; she had a rag tied about her head and jaws to keep her from mewing; as she slowly descended she curved upward and clawed at the string, she swung downward and clawed at the intangible air.The tittering rose higher and higher -- the cat was within six inches of the absorbed teacher's head -- down, down, a little lower, and she grabbed his wig with her desperate claws, clung to it, and was snatched up into the garret in an instant with her trophy still in her possession! And how the light did blaze abroad from the master's bald pate -- for the sign-painter's boy had gilded it!

That broke up the meeting.The boys were avenged.Vacation had come.

[NOTE:-- The pretended "compositions" quoted in this chapter are taken without alteration from a volume entitled "Prose and Poetry, by a Western Lady" -- but they are exactly and precisely after the schoolgirl pattern, and hence are much happier than any mere imitations could be.]

同类推荐
  • 洞玄灵宝河图仰谢三十六天斋仪

    洞玄灵宝河图仰谢三十六天斋仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 算山

    算山

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 斥谬

    斥谬

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Pit

    The Pit

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 学言诗稿

    学言诗稿

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 我家老公是重生哒

    我家老公是重生哒

    “先生,太太今天逛珠宝店的时候被柜台小姐嘲笑了,说她是乡巴佬买不起。”第二天,那家珠宝店更名了,顾染成了老板。“boss,夫人今天参加舞会被人搭讪了,那人自称是W市的首富之子。”没过多久,W市的首富易主,换成了别人。他是Z国最年轻的权贵,声名显赫。他也是M国最传奇的伯爵,手握三大财团,财大气粗。他俊美无双的容貌,更是令所有女人为之疯狂。然而,这样的他,偏偏对一个名叫顾染的小女人爱不释手,宠溺入骨——
  • 樱花岸

    樱花岸

    她找寻他,他是她生命的誓言;他遗忘她,她是他记忆的盲点,结局是一辈子无法猜到的谜题,真相有永远不愿意参透的玄机,究竟是爱上记忆中的影子还是眼前人?到底是哪个他让她曾经心动、心痛得如此彻底,要以整个生命去寻找?
  • 青少年励志成长丛书:努力自觉的激励

    青少年励志成长丛书:努力自觉的激励

    本书内容包括:对挫折的感悟、对爱心的感悟、对友情的感悟、对做事的感悟、对智慧的感悟、对品格的感悟、对自信的感悟等。
  • 做一只正经统子

    做一只正经统子

    作为一个正经的系统,为了成为一个真正的人?你将会穿越大小世界,最终评级拥有从系统变成人的机会,你以为是甜甜的恋爱?错!这里只有一只不正经的统子..不正经.大型情感之路……
  • 萌学园之种族公主

    萌学园之种族公主

    『将此文,送给所有热爱萌粉的宝贝们,我与你们一样,始终如一。』 宇宙数千年大小的战役,造就了如今的种族内斗。种族介壮丽辉煌的外表下,那内在黑暗的一幕幕却令人作呕。她统治宇宙,手握大权,嗜血如麻,创造了一个又一个光辉奇迹,百年后,一度成为宇宙最伟大的神话。但亲情远去,欺骗利用,那短短的一刹那,却彻彻底底的毁了她的一生,在最艰苦的时光里,她能否打破命运之轮的转盘?又该如何拼搏?一段谎言赤心的纠结;一段头脑与能力的较量;一场阴谋中的阴谋,即将展开……读者群:574601847
  • 诸子人才观与现代人才学

    诸子人才观与现代人才学

    《诸子百家与现代文化》一书概括了诸子百家符合社会发展需要的哲学性认识,努力探索先秦诸子学说中规律性的见解,一分为二地评介其为人处世的原则,实事求是地介绍了诸子认识事物的方法和建功立业的方略。该书体现了中国传统文化的精华,集中反映了人生哲理与智慧的结晶,对于提高人们的精神文明和思想文化素质有重要意义。
  • 灵兽变

    灵兽变

    一个从小就孤单的人,当他遇到了灵兽和朋友的时候,他永远不抛弃不放弃。当强大的敌人站在他面前时,他无畏,因为身后还有伙伴。当伙伴们一个个开始变得不在需要自己的时候,他也会一直默默的支持,因为那还是朋友。
  • 重生后每天都在掐桃花

    重生后每天都在掐桃花

    某天,BK总裁毫无预兆地在发布会上高调宣布自己的婚讯。当记者问到结婚对象时,他轻轻丢下一句“江家小废物”就离开了会场,只留下全场的因那句话而带来的冲击。江·小废物·星眠:“……”???她是整个京都名流圈的笑话,也是江家最不受待见的“废物”。他是全京都最为矜贵的天之骄子,却也是玩世不恭,桀骜不驯的纨绔前世,她不敢认他,却害了他,这一世,她一定要主动出击,紧抱他的大腿,告诉他:“我江汉三又回来了!”(1v1,双洁。)
  • 暖婚蜜宠,傅少的闪婚妻

    暖婚蜜宠,傅少的闪婚妻

    亲眼撞破姐姐和相恋多年男友的奸情。姐姐满脸春意,对她耀武扬威:“你算什么东西,他爱的只有我一个,给我滚!”她滚了。原本她的订婚宴也莫名成了姐姐的订婚宴。宴席上。有的是冷眼嘲讽和谩骂。男人犹如天神一样降临,脚踩七彩祥云,他的大手包裹着她的,大声宣誓,“跟我走!我会给你所有想要的!”原以为一切都是玩笑。可是男人的承诺却全当了真。“嫁给我,你就是傅太太,他们赐予你的羞辱,你可以百倍千倍地还回去,这样的卖卖你稳赚不赔!”“可我不想结婚。”“我以为你足够了解我。”抬眸,男人幽深的黑眸里似有淡淡的忧伤。戚小小觉得自己挖了男人的痛处,一脸愧疚。
  • 你一定想知道 武器军事卷

    你一定想知道 武器军事卷

    阅读科学知识对提高学习兴趣,优化知识结构会产生积极而有益的作用,没有兴趣的强制性学习只会扼杀活泼的天性,抑制智力的发展。因此,必须在保护学习热情的基础上,扩大青少年学生的知识面,以便充分调动起他们探索求知的勇气和信心。