An Old-fashioned Girl by Louisa M. Alcott

brains took in the new facts, ideas, and plans that grew out of the

true stories, the sensible hints, the successful efforts which Polly

told them, fresh from the lips of Miss Mills; for, of late, Polly had

talked much with the good lady, and learned quickly the lessons

her unselfish life conveyed. The girls found this more interesting

than gossip, partly owing to its novelty, doubtless; but the

enthusiasm was sincere while it lasted, and did them good. Many

of them forgot all about it in a week, but Polly’s effort was not lost,

for Emma, Belle, and Fanny remained firm friends to Jane, so

kindly helping her that the poor child felt as if she had indeed been

born again, into a new and happy world.

Not till long afterward did Polly see how much good this little

effort had done her, for the first small sacrifice of this sort leads

the way to others, and a single hand’s turn given heartily to the

world’s great work helps one amazingly with one’s own small

tasks. Polly found this out as her life slowly grew easier and

brighter, and the beautiful law of compensation gave her better

purposes and pleasures than any she had lost. The parents of some

of her pupils were persons of real refinement, and such are always

quick to perceive the marks of culture in others, no matter where

they find them. These, attracted first by Polly’s cheerful face,

modest manners, and faithful work, soon found in her something

more than a good teacher; they found a real talent for music, an

eager desire for helpful opportunities, and a heart grateful for the

kindly sympathy that makes rough places smooth. Fortunately

those who have the skill to detect these traits also possess the spirit

to appreciate and often the power to serve and develop them. In

ways so delicate that the most sensitive pride could not resent the

favor, these true gentlefolk showed Polly their respect and regard,

put many pleasures in her way, and when they paid her for her

work, gave her also the hearty thanks that takes away all sense of

degradation even from the humblest service, for money so earned

and paid sweetens the daily bread it buys, and makes the mutual

obligation a mutual benefit and pleasure.

A few such patrons did much for Polly, and the music she gave

them had an undertone of gratitude that left blithe echoes in those

great houses, which money could not buy.

Then, as her butterfly acquaintances deserted her, she found her

way into a hive of friendly bees, who welcomed her, and showed

her how to find the honey that keeps life sweet and wholesome.

Through Miss Mills, who was the counsellor and comforter of

several, Polly came to know a little sisterhood of busy, happy,

independent girls, who each had a purpose to execute, a talent to

develop, an ambition to achieve, and brought to the work patience

and perseverance, hope and courage. Here Polly found her place at

once, for in this little world love and liberty prevailed; talent,

energy, and character took the first rank; money, fashion, and

position were literally nowhere; for here, as in the big world

outside, genius seemed to blossom best when poverty was head

gardener. Young teachers, doing much work for little pay; young

artists, trying to pencil, paint, or carve their way to Rome; young

writers, burning to distinguish themselves; young singers,

dreaming of triumphs, great as those of Jenny Lind; and some who

tried to conquer independence, armed only with a needle, like poor

Jane. All these helped Polly as unconsciously as she helped them,

for purpose and principle are the best teachers we can have, and

the want of them makes half the women of America what they are,

restless, aimless, frivolous, and sick.

To outsiders that was a very hard-working and uneventful winter

to Polly. She thought so herself; but as spring came on, the seed of

new virtues, planted in the winter time, and ripened by the

sunshine of endeavor, began to bud in Polly’s nature, betraying

their presence to others by the added strength and sweetness of her

character, long before she herself discovered these May flowers

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