Consider the Poor

“Oh, girls! I shall just die, I know I shall!” exclaimed Betty, going off into a hysterical fit of laughter, which she vainly tried to smother behind her handkerchief.

“What is it? Why don’t you tell us so we can laugh too?”
“Well – you – see,” she gasped out at last, “We’ve got a new student — the strangest looking person you ever saw. I happened to be hi the Head Teacher’s room when she arrived. She came on the train and had a very old-fashioned suitcase. She came into the teacher’s room with a funny little basket in her hand, and sat down as if she had come to stay forever. She said, ‘Are you Mrs. Gazin?’ ‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘that is my name.’ ‘Well, I’ve come to stay a year at your school.’ Then she pulled a handkerchief out of her basket, and unrolled it until she found an old leather wallet, and actually took out $250.00 and laid it hi the teacher’s hand saying, “That is just the amount, I believe; will you please give me a receipt for it?’ You never saw the teacher look so surprised. She actually didn’t know what to say for a minute, but she gave her the receipt, asked a few questions, and had her taken to Dormitory room No. 10, and there she is now, this very minute.”

“Well, what is so funny about all that?”
“Why this: she has read hair, tucked into a black net, and looks just like a fright hi every way. She had on a brown dress that looks like a potato sack. No ruffles or trimmings on it. And then she had the shabbiest looking hat and shawl that you ever saw. You will laugh also, when you see her.”

Betty was an only child, and her wealthy father pleased to gratify her every whim. So, besides being far too elegantly dressed for a schoolgirl, she was supplied with plenty of pocket-money, and being very generous, and full of life and fun, she was acknowledged the leader among the students. She now attended one of the finest boarding schools in the city.

When the tea-bell rang, the newcomer was escorted to the dining room, and introduced to her schoolmates as Miss Fannie Comstock. She had exchanged her brown dress for a plain calico one, with a bit of white edging around the neck. She did look rather odd, with her small, thin freckled face, and her red hair brushed straight back from her face, and hidden as much as possible under a large black net. If it wasn’t for the presence of the teacher, her first reception by the other students would have been quite unpleasant. She was shy and awkward, and uncomfortable among so many strangers. As soon as possible she hurried back to the privacy of her own room.

The next day she was examined, and assigned to her place in the different classes, and to the surprise of all she was far hi advance of those her age. But this did not awaken the respect of her schoolmates, as it should have done. On the contrary, Betty and her special friends were highly incensed about it, and at once began to do small things to annoy Fannie, whenever it was safe to do so. This kept poor Fannie miserable, indeed, although she seemed to take no notice of it.

A few weeks passed by. Her lessons were always perfectly recited. She made no complaint of the slights and sneers of her companions, but kept out of their way as much as possible. Her thin face grew paler, however, and there were dark rings about her eyes. A watchful friend would have seen that all these things were wearing heavily upon her young life.

One Sunday the very spirit of wickedness seemed let loose among them. The Head Teacher was away, and the other teachers were busy in their rooms. Fannie had been out for a walk and was near the door of her room when a dozen or more of the girls surrounded her, clasping hands together so she was a prisoner in their midst. For a moment she begged piteously to be released, but they only laughed the more, and began going around, singing something which Betty had composed – cruel, miserable, insulting words. She stood for an instant pale and still, then, with a piercing cry, she burst through the ring, and rushed into her room closed and locked the door. Through their wild peals of laughter the girls heard a strange moan and a heavy fall.

“I believe she has fainted,” said Betty.
“What shall we do?” asked another.
For a moment they stood there too frightened to think clearly; then one of them ran for the matron and told her that Fannie Comstock has fainted in her room and the door was locked.

She had a long ladder put to the window, and sent the janitor up to see if it was true. Fortunately the window was open, and in a few moments he had unlocked the door from the inside. The girls were huddled together in a frightened group, while Fannie lifted up and laid her upon her bed. She was having violent spasms. The doctor was sent for, but when the spasms ceased, other alarming symptoms set in, and he pronounced it a serous case of brain fever. It is impossible to tell the shame and remorse of the conscience stricken girls. They were not brave enough to confess their guilt, but hung around the sick room, offering their services vainly wishing that they might atone for it some way. But their presence only excited the poor sufferer, so that they were all sent away.

Day after day passed and she still raved in violent delirium. The little suitcase was searched to find some clue about who her friends and family were, but only the plainest, clothing was seen inside.
Day after day the doctor came, looking serious and anxious, and at last the crisis came. For many hours she lay as if dead, and not a noise was permitted to disturb the awful silence while they waited to see if she would live or die. At last she opened her eyes; and the suspense was relieved by an assuring word from the doctor, that with careful nursing she would soon be well again. But her recuperation was slow and tedious.

The other students dared not say anything about what they had done, but they sent her small bouquets of flowers every day as well as small portions of her favourite foods to try and tempt her appetite to return. Her eyes would light up with surprise and pleasure at the little gifts. Not once did she utter a complaint about the ill treatment she had received.

One day the Head Teacher was sitting by her side, and as Fannie seemed to be much stronger, she decided to ask her about her family and friends.
“I have no friends,” she said, “only Cousin John, who has a large family of his own, and has never cared for me. Mother died when I was born. I had a step-mother, but father died five years after, and I’ve taken care of myself ever since.”
“And you are only, fifteen now?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How did you get money enough to pay for a year’s board and tuition here?”
“I earned it all, Madam, every cent of it. As soon as I was big enough I went to a factory, and earned two dollars a week at first, and finally $3.50; and I worked for my board nights and mornings.”
“Poor child!”
“Oh no, ma’am, I was very glad to do it.”
“But how did you keep along so well with your studies?”

“I used to fix a book open on my loom, where I could catch a sentence now and then, and the overseer did not object, because I always did my work well. You see, Madam, I wanted to be a teacher some time, and I knew I would have a better chance to learn here than anywhere else, so I determined to do it.”
“What are your plans for the summer holidays?”
“I must go back to the factory and earn enough to get some warmer clothes for the next winter. You see, Madam, why I can’t afford to dress better?”

The Head Teacher’s heart was full. She bent over the white, thin little face, and kissed it reverently.
That evening, when the girls gathered in the chapel for evening worship, she told the other girls Fannie’s story. There was not a dry eye in the room. The moment she finished, Betty sprang up with the tears pouring down her cheeks and said:
“Oh, Madam!” We have been awfully cruel and wicked to that poor girl. We have made fun of her from the first, and she would not have been sick as she was if we had not tormented her almost to death. I was the most to blame. It was I that led on the rest, and we have suffered terribly all these weeks, fearing she might die. You may expel me, or punish me in any way you please; for I deserve it; and I shall go down on my knees to ask her forgiveness, as soon as you will let me see her.”

“My child, I am shocked to hear this. I can scarcely believe that any of my students would ill-treat another person because she was so unfortunate as to be plain and poor. But you have made a noble confession, and I forgive you as freely as I believe she will, when she knows how truly you have repented of your unkindness.”

Little by little, as she was able to bear it, one after another of the students went to Fannie and begged her forgiveness, which was freely granted. She said, “I don’t wonder you made fun of me. I know I was poorly dressed and plain. I would have pulled every hair out of my head long ago, only I knew it would grow back as red as ever. But, oh! If I could have felt that I had just one friend among you all, I could have borne it; but somehow it just broke my heart to have you all turn against me.”

After this she gained her strength rapidly, and one fine morning the doctor said she was well enough to join the other students in the students’ lounge. There had been a great deal of whispering and hurrying to and fro lately, among the girls, of which Fannie knew nothing about while she was quietly in her room.
At the appointed time, the Head Teacher came to help her, and leaning upon her strong arms, the young girl walked feebly through the long hall and down the stairs.
“My dear, the girls have planned a little surprise for you, to make the hour as pleasant as possible.

She opened the door and seated Fannie in an easy chair, and the girls came gliding in, with smiling faces, singing a beautiful song of welcome. At the end of the song, Betty came up to Fannie and placed a beautiful wreath of flowers upon her head, saying, “Dear Fannie, we crown you our queen today, knowing well how far above us all you are in His sight, who looketh upon the heart instead of the outward appearance. You have taught us a lesson we shall never forget, and we beg you to accept a token of sincere love and repentance for out treatment of you in the past, which you will find in your room on your return.”

Fannie’s eyes were full of tears, and she tried to say a word in reply, but the Head Teacher spoke for her, and after another song they followed their newly crowned queen to the dining room, where a most tempting feast was laid in honour of the occasion. Fannie was quietly, tearfully happy through it all, yet so wearied with the unusual excitement that the teacher said she must not see the girls’ “peace-offering” that night. The first thing she saw the next morning was a fine large suitcase with a card on top that said, “For Miss Fannie Comstock from her teacher and schoolmates.” Having opened it, she saw it was packed full of newly folded clothing, but she had no time to examine the contents, until after breakfast, when they left her alone with her wonderful gifts. There were pretty dresses and scarves; a new umbrella, gloves and ribbons; everything that a young schoolgirl could possibly need. Every one of the teacher’s two hundred and ten students had contributed from their best, to furnish a complete outfit for their less Favoured fellow student. At the bottom was an album containing all their pictures and a pretty purse containing five dollars, and the following note from the teacher.

“My dear child: this shall be a receipt in full for all expenses, during whatever time you may choose to remain in the school, which 1 present to you as a sincere token of my love and respect.” Jeannette Gazin.

They found her at dinnertime on the floor, surrounded by her new treasures, crying like a baby; but it did her good. She was soon able to resume her studies, and was ever afterward treated with kindness and consideration, even though all her hair came out and left her head bald as her face, so she had to wear a wig for many weeks.

When the summer holidays arrived, Betty took her to her beautiful home, where for the first time she was surrounded with beauty and luxury on every side, and was treated as a loved and honoured guest. It was not long before the hateful wig was cast aside, and Fannie’s head was covered with a profusion of dark auburn curls, which were indeed a crown of glory that made her plain face beautiful.

Gentle, loving, and beloved by all, she remained in the school until she graduated with honours, after which the Head Teacher offered her a teaching job that had come open, with a generous salary, which Fannie accepted gratefully.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger,

and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:34-40.