knew every eye would be directed to me. Composing myself 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