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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...when our attention was drawn to a whispering group of girls. Just then the door opened, and Susie passed down the open space, until she reached the girls, who, on opposing seats, leaning across, sat with heads together. Back they shrank, gazing intently into her face as she drew near, making no return to her pleasant greeting, beyond a cold stare, beneath which the smile on Susie's face disappeared. She was only a child, but j no words were necessary to tell the story carried by those unfeeling eyes and shrinking forms. With downcast face she passed along, her satchel of books hanging upon her arm. From her cheeks the blood had fled; I saw those roses fade as I have sometimes seen a beautiful evening-tinted cloud deaden and turn to leaden hue. Toward her own desk passed the child, while on either side, peering at her as can girls who have the devil in their hearts, sat those Stringtown girls. But Susie looked neither to the right nor to the left, although it could be seen that she felt the touch of their hateful eyes. Her desk-mate sat in her place; but as Susie approached she too drew away as though the touch of her garment might be unclean. The child stopped short, the satchel slipped from her nerveless arm and fell upon the floor. Pleadingly she raised her clasped hands, then dropped into her seat and imploringly turned her pallid face upward. Her words were low and tremulous, but I caught them. my hand. "Let me be with you and Susie," I said, "we three together. Let us be friends." "Tell me, Jennie! tell me what it is!" For reply the girl again drew back. Then came whispers from about; the busy tongues of Stringtown girls were loosed. Slowly the child arose, and turned toward the door; she did not stop to pick up the fallen...