Miss Chapin's Experiment.
By Mrs. C. E. Cheney
"Neenah, are you ready to come out?"
No answer.
"Neenah, Neenah, do you hear?"
A rustling noise as of some one moving about was the only sound.
Sadly Miss Chapin turned away from the closed door and returned to her own room. Here she sat down, and tried to think of some way to soften the girl's heart. Failing to choose any plan, she rose and went slowly to the study; for Mr. Allen was the principal of this school, and here was his presence chamber.
Once admitted, she said dismally:— "I have come to see you about Neenah. She still refuses to yield, and there is but one penalty left." "Well, well," Mr. Allen replied, a little impatiently, "I can't see why that should not be resorted to, if she remains surly and disobedient." "This is her second day of confinement in her own room without communication, and she is as hard as ever," Miss Chapin went on. "If the poor girl were not an Indian, having had no mother's teaching to help her, I should not feel so badly." "But you would have her obey, surely? I see no way left now, but the 'solitary confinement' with bread and water diet and the hard bed—yes, Miss Chapin, that above all," Mr. Allen urged. "Did you ever notice that the Indians are especially fond of a soft bed?" "Yes; no doubt that is because they have none at all in their wigwams," she answered. "Bread and water are no more to Neenah's taste than to that of any white girl, I fancy," continued the principal. "And I think a wholesome use of both will be beneficial to Miss Neenah Crow Wing. At all events we'll try it." Seeing that all discussion was useless, the teacher again returned to her willful pupil. This time she entered without the permission which she had asked in vain. Seating herself beside the girl, she took one of Neenah's tawny hands in her own, and tried to win her to a right mind by gentle argument. Now and then the dull red of the Indian girl's cheek grew a shade more bright, but by neither word nor sign did she reply. After half an hour spent so fruitlessly, Miss Chapin left her. With a light step she hastened once more to the study.
"Mr. Allen, at the risk of being unwelcome, I have to trouble you again upon the same business." The formal bow of one who has already made up his mind, and does not mean to change it, would have silenced a less brave woman; but Miss Chapin began resolutely: "Will you let me try an experiment in Neenah's case?" Mr. Allen hesitated. "You must not let that girl off scot free," he said at length. "But may I not choose her punishment?" "Well, if you will really inflict a punishment,—yes. I think I can trust your discretion. Will you tell me what it is?" "If you insist, certainly; but I would rather not. Will you not wait to see the result?" "I would like to know beforehand." "Very well then," and the bright flush rose to Miss Chapin's cheek, but she spoke very quietly: "I am going to bear Neenah's penalty for her." "You will do no such thing, madam," he exclaimed excitedly. "The person who commits an offense, in this school, must bear the consequences." "That was not our Lord's way in dealing with us," she answered softly. "It surely must be safe to follow his example. I beg you to permit me to stand in this poor girl's place this once," she pleaded. "That nothing else can conquer her, I am sure; this may not, but let me try." The principal was all out of patience.
"Fiddle-de-dee!" he exclaimed. "Have we returned to the times of knight-errantry?" Then, seeing Miss Chapin's disappointment in her face, he added, pleasantly, "but do as you please. Send for me in time to make your will, however, for you are sure to end your days in the 'dark chamber' if you wait for Neenah's repentance." Radiant with success, away sped Miss Chapin, straight to the culprit.
"Neenah," she said kindly, "Mr. Allen has sentenced you to the 'dark chamber' until you are willing to do what is right, and you know only too well, poor girl! what that means." Neenah's face only grew the more dogged. "I grieve to think of you, dear, shut up in that lonely room so dark and bare, with such a hard bed to lie upon, and only your own naughty heart for companionship. So I have asked Mr. Allen to forgive you freely, on his part, and I am going to bear your punishment for you." The girl started and looked at Miss Chapin, then fell into her state of dull indifference again.
"When you wish my forgiveness, Neenah, come to me and I will give it to you. I shall not see you again till you come to seek me." So saying the teacher closed the door after her, and immediately gave herself up, a prisoner in the "dark chamber."
Neenah could hear the key distinctly, as it turned upon her friend, but she also felt a keen sense of her own freedom. In her stolid way she tried to enjoy her liberty.
It was Saturday, the day so welcome to teacher and pupil alike, so that in the general bustle of a holiday Miss Chapin was scarcely missed.
The affair was known only to a few, and no explanations were necessary.
Sunday evening found her still a prisoner. That night the chapel was crowded, for a stranger addressed the students, and the singing was especially attractive.
During the services, Mr. Allen received the urgent message that Miss Chapin desired to see him immediately.
She had been conscious for an hour that some one was stealthily moving outside her door, and at last a paper had been thrust under it. She had sent for Mr. Allen to ask that this paper might be examined as soon as possible, as she had no light.
It was from Neenah. In rude, ill-formed letters the poor child told how she had lain awake all the long night thinking of her teacher, and what she was suffering for her sake. She could bear it no longer, and she humbly begged to be forgiven, promising to be a good girl always. Even Mr. Allen's heart was touched, and Miss Chapin wept for joy. They went together to Neenah's little room, and found her crying bitterly. Nor was she ashamed of her tears. She repeated her promise of obedience most gladly.
Ignorant and unreasoning, Neenah faithfully kept her word. And in this, as well as in her tender-love for her teacher, this Indian girl put many a follower of the blessed Jesus to shame; for we often forget who bore our punishment because he first loved us.—Mrs. C. E. Cheney.