The Pearl Box
by
A Pastor
Part 1 out of 2
THE PEARL BOX
Containing One Hundred Beautiful Stories for Young People.
BY A PASTOR.
1851.
[Illustration]
PREFACE.
In preparing this volume of stories for young readers, the writer has
had in view their instruction, by presenting to them the duties of their
station in a familiar and instructive story. Each story contains a
moral, and teaches principles by which the youth should be governed in
their private, social and public relations in life. In the perusal of
these stories, we hope to accomplish our great object, of aiding young
persons to pursue the peaceful and pleasant path of duty--to render them
more useful in the world, and to grow wiser and happier in the path of
life.
THE DYING BOY.
A little boy, by the name of Bertie, was taken very ill, and for
sometime continued to grow weaker until he died. A few hours before his
death he revived up, and his first request was, to be bathed in the
river; but his mother persuaded him to be sponged only, as the river
water would be too cold for his weak frame. After his mother had sponged
him with water, he desired to be dressed; when his mother dressed him in
his green coat and white collar, and seated him at the table with all
his books and worldly treasures around him. As he sat there, one would
have thought that he was about to commence a course of study; and yet in
the marble paleness of his features, and in the listless and languid
eye, there was evidence that life in the boy was like an expiring taper,
flickering in the socket. He soon asked to go out in his little
carriage. His grandfather, whom he very much loved, placed him in it,
and carefully avoiding every stone, drew him to a spot commanding the
entire landscape. The tide was up, and the sun was shining on the deep
blue waters, and bathing the distant mountains and the green meadows in
liquid gold. The gardens and orchards around were gay in the rich
crimson blossoms of the apple tree; the air was filled with the sweet
fragrance of flowers, and the birds were singing beautifully, when
little Bertie looked for the last time on the scenes of earth. He could
not remain long, and was soon taken back to the little parlor, where he
sat on the sofa, resting his elbows on the table. It was not long before
the little boy died. But he was very happy. Among his last words were
these, addressed to his little sister three years old: "Well, Emmie,
very ill--me going to Jesus." "Oh, mamma, Emmie loves her Saviour."
THE BOY AND THE GOLD ROBIN.
A bright eyed boy was sleeping upon a bank of blossoming clover. The
cool breeze lifted the curls from his brow, and fanned with downy wings
his quiet slumbers, while he lay under the refreshing shade of a large
maple tree. The birds sang to him during his happy hours of sleep. By
and by he awoke, and a beautiful gold robin sat on the spray, and sung
a song of joy. The boy reached out his hands to secure the prize, but
the robin spread his golden wings and soared away. He looked after it
with a longing gaze, and when it disappeared from his sight, he wept
aloud. At this moment, a form of light approached, and took the hands of
the child and pointed upwards; and he saw the bird soaring in freedom
and the sun shining upon its burnished plumes. Then the shining one
said; "Do you love that beautiful bird?" In the midst of his tears the
child replied, "Oh, yes." "Then," said the angel, "shall it not wing its
flight from flower to flower and be happy, rather than to dwell in a
prison with thee?" Then the streams and flowering vales of Elysium, that
breathe the pure air of freedom, spake: "Wouldst thou bring her back to
thee, and make her a prisoner? Dry up thy tears, and let thy song be,
'Stay not here, but speed thy flight, O bright one, and snuff the
mellow air of freedom.' God made the birds to be happy in their short
existence, and ought we to deprive them of their own elements of
happiness, and take from them the freedom which they enjoy?"
THE WAY TO OVERCOME EVIL.
A little girl, by the name of Sarah Dean, was taught the precepts of the
Bible by her mother. One day she came to her mother very much delighted,
to show her some plums that a friend had given her. The mother said to
her: "Your friend was very kind, and has given you a great many." "Yes,"
replied Sarah, "she was, and she gave me more than these, but I have
given some away." The mother asked to whom she had given them; when the
child replied: "I gave them to a girl that pushes me off the path, and
makes faces at me." Upon being asked why she gave them to her, she
answered: "Because I thought that would make her know that I wished to
be kind to her, and perhaps she will not be unkind and rude to me
again." This was true. The rude girl was afterwards very good to Sarah,
and felt very sorry that she had treated her unkindly. How truly did the
little girl obey the command, "_overcome evil with good_."
HARRIET AND HER SQUIRREL.
It was on a Sabbath eve, when at a friend's house, we were all sitting
in the piazza, conversing about the efforts which were being made for
the poor heathen, and the number of Testaments which were being sent to
them.
"Father," said little Harriet, "do the little heathen children wish to
learn to read the New Testament?"
"O yes, my child, many of them do," said the father. "But have they all
got Testaments if they did know how to read?" "No, my love; few of them
have ever heard about the Testament, about God, or about Jesus Christ."
"Will half a dollar buy one?" said Harriet. "O yes, my child."
"Then," said Harriet, "may I sell anything I have, if I can get the
money?" Her father told her she might.
Now, every child has some favorite toy. Harriet's was a beautiful tame
_gray_ squirrel. It would eat from her hands, attend her in her rambles,
and sleep on her pillow. She called its name Jenny. It was taken sick,
and the little girl nursed it with care, but it at last died in her lap.
Little Harriet wept sadly about it, and her father tried to console
her, and told her not to feel so.
"Ah," said she, "you know, father, you told me that I might sell
anything I had to buy a Testament for the heathen children, and I was
going to sell my pretty squirrel to Mr. Smith, who said he would give me
half a dollar for it; but now my Jenny is dead." The Father then put a
silver dollar into Harriet's hand, and she dried her tears, rejoicing
that Jenny's death would be the means of his little daughter having two
or three Testaments instead of one.
THE REWARD.
A teacher in a Sabbath School promised to supply all the children in his
class with a catechism, who had none.
One of the little girls went home from the school after the books were
given out and said:--
"Mamma, if I had told a lie to-day, I would have got a catechism."
"I think that very strange, Eliza; for the Sabbath School is no place
for lies, and if you could be so wicked, I know your teacher would not
have rewarded you for it."
"Mother," said Eliza, "I tell nothing but the truth; and now I will
explain it.
"You know I went to school this morning with the other girls. They told
me on the way how their mother had bought each of them a new catechism
on last market day, and they said, if I once saw how pretty their books
were I would not look at my old one any more. Our teacher asked us all,
when we went in, if we had any catechisms, and those who said they had
not, received one from the teacher as a present. Jane, after all she
told me, by the way, denied that she had any, and Lizzy did the same.
But when he asked me, I told him I had one at home; but if I had said
no, I would have got a new one."
Her mother then told her that she should be rewarded for not telling a
lie by giving her a new book and a new Bible.
ANECDOTES.
A poor Arabian of the desert was one day asked, how he came to be
assured that there was a God.
"In the same way," he replied, "that I am enabled to tell by a print
impressed on the sand, whether it was a man or beast that passed that
way."
* * * * *
THANKFULNESS.--Walking along Bishopgate street one morning, I saw two
men standing as if amazed at something that had happened.
"Pray, gentlemen," said I, "what is the matter?"
One of them informed me that a genteelly dressed man had hastily come up
to him, and tapping him on the shoulder, had said:
"Sir, did you ever thank God for your reason?"
"No," said I, "not particularly."
"Well," said he, "do it now, for I have lost mine;" when he marched off
with great speed.
* * * * *
HONESTY.--An honest boy, whose sister was sick and the family in want,
found a wallet containing fifty dollars. The temptation was great to use
the money; but he resolved to find the owner. He did so; when the owner,
learning the circumstances of the family, gave the fifty dollars for
their comfort. He took the boy to live with him. That boy is a
prosperous merchant in Ohio.
* * * * *
THE BOY AND HIS MARBLES.--One Sunday a lady called to her little boy,
who was shooting marbles on the pavement, to come into the house.
"Don't you know you shouldn't be out there, my son? Go into the back
yard, if you want to play marbles; it is Sunday."
"Yes, mother; but aint it Sunday in the back yard?"
THE BOY AND THE DEW DROPS.
A little boy who had been out early in the morning playing on the lawn
before his father's house, while the dew drops lay on the grass, was
soon after seen returning to the spot, and finding them all gone, he sat
down to weep. His father asked him why he wept.
"Because," said he, "the beautiful dew drops are gone."
His father tried to soothe him, but he continued weeping. Just then a
cloud passed ever, and on the cloud the beautiful rainbow had cast its
arch.
"There, see, my son," said the father, "there are all your dew drops;
the sun has taken them up only to set them forth in greater brightness
in the sky."
"O father, dear father, why pass they away,
The dew drops that sparkled at dawning of day,
That glittered like stars in the light of the moon;
Oh, why are the dew drops dissolving so soon?
Does the sun in his wrath chase their brightness away,
As if nothing that's lovely might live for a day?
The moonlight is faded, the flowers still remain,
But the dew drops have shrunk to their petals again."
"My child," said the father, "look up to the skies,
Behold that bright rainbow, those beautiful dyes,
There, there are the dew drops in glory reset,
Mid the jewels of heaven, they are glittering yet.
Oh, are we not taught by each beautiful ray
To mourn not earth's fair things, though passing away;
For though youth of its beauty and brightness be riven,
All that withers on earth blooms more sweetly in heaven.
Look up," said the father, "look up to the skies,
Hope sits on the wings of those beautiful dyes."
LETTICE AND MYRA.
A SCENE IN LONDON.
My young readers may have heard about the poor people in London. The
following story is a specimen of the hardships of many young girls in
that famous city.
"Two young women occupied one small room of about ten feet by eight.
They were left orphans, and were obliged to take care of themselves.
Many of the articles of furniture left them had been disposed of to
supply the calls of urgent want. In the room was an old four post
bedstead, with curtains almost worn out, one mattress with two small
pillows, a bolster that was almost flat, three old blankets and cotton
sheets, of coarse description, three rush-bottom chairs, an old claw
table, a chest of draws with a few battered band-boxes on the top of it,
a miserable bit of carpet before the fire-place, a wooden box for coals,
a little tin fender and an old poker. What there was, however, was kept
clean, the floor and yellow paint was clean, and the washing tub which
sat in one corner of the room.
"It was a bitter cold night, the wind blew and shook the window, when a
young girl of about eighteen sat by the tallow candle, which burned in a
tin candlestick, at 12 o'clock at night, finishing a piece of work with
the needle which she was to return next morning. Her name was Lettice
Arnold. She was naturally of a cheerful, hopeful temper, and though
work and disappointment had faded the bright colors of hope, still hope
buoyed up her spirits.
"Her sister Myra was delicate, and lay on the mattress on that night,
tossing about with suffering, unable to rest. At last Lettice says to
her:--
"'Poor Myra, can't you get to sleep?'
"'It is so cold,' was the reply; 'and when will you have done and come
to bed?'
"'One quarter of an hour more, Myra, and I shall have finished my work,
and then I will throw my clothes over your feet, and I hope you will be
a little warmer.'
"Myra sighed, and lifted up her head, and leaning upon her arm watched
the progress of her sister as she plied the needle to her work.
"'How slowly,' said Myra, 'you do get along. It is one o'clock, and you
have not finished yet.'
"'I cannot work fast, Myra, and neatly too; my hands are not so delicate
and nimble as yours.' and smiling a little, she added: 'Such swelled
clumsy things, I cannot get over the ground nimbly and well at the same
time. You are a fine race horse, and I a drudging pony. But I shall soon
be through.'
"Myra once more uttered a sigh and cried:
"'Oh, my feet are dreadful cold.'
"'Take this bit of flannel,' said Lettice, 'and let me wrap them up.'
"'Nay, you will want it,' she replied.
"'Oh, I have only five minutes to sit up, and I can wrap this piece of
carpet round mine,' said Lettice.
"And she laid down her work and went to the bed, and wrapped her
sister's icy feet in the flannel, and then sat down and finished her
task. How glad was Lettice to creep to the mattress and to lay her
aching limbs upon it. A hard bed and scanty covering in a cold night are
keenly felt. She soon fell asleep, while her sister tossed and murmured
on account of the cold.
"Lettice awoke and drew her own little pillow from under her head, and
put it under her sister's, and tried every way to make her sister
comfortable, and she partly succeeded; and at last Myra, the delicate
suffering creature, fell asleep, and Lettice slumbered like a child."
How thankful ought we to be for kind parents, a comfortable home, and a
good fire in a cold night. I will tell you in the next story what
Lettice did with her work.
LETTICE TAKING HOME THE WORK.
Early in the morning, before it was light, and while the twilight
gleamed through the curtainless windows, Lettice was up, dressing
herself by the aid of the light which gleamed from the street lamp into
the window. She combed her hair with modest neatness, then opened the
draw with much precaution, lest she should disturb poor Myra, who still
slumbered on the hard mattress--drew out a shawl and began to fold it as
if to put it on.
"Alas!" said Lettice, "this will not do--it is threadbare, timeworn, and
has given way in two places." She turned it, and unfolded it, but it
would not do. It was so shabby that she was actually ashamed to be seen
with it in the street. She put it aside, and took the liberty of
borrowing Myra's, who was now asleep. She knew Myra would be awful cold
when she got up, and would need it. But she must go with the work that
morning. She thought first of preparing the fire, so that Myra, when she
arose, would only have to light the match; but as she went to the box
for coal she saw, with terror, how low the little store of fuel was, and
she said to herself, "we must have a bushel of coal to-day--better do
without meat than fire such weather as this." But she was cheered with
the reflection that she should receive a little more for her work that
day than what she had from other places. It had been ordered by a
benevolent lady who had been to some trouble in getting the poor women
supplied with needle work so that they should receive the full price.
She had worked for private customers before, and always received more
pay from them than from the shops in London, where they would beat down
the poor to the last penny.
Poor Lettice went to the old band-box and took out a shabby old
bonnet--she looked at it, and sighed, when she thought of the appearance
she must make; for she was going to Mrs. Danvers, and her work was some
very nice linen for a young lady about to be married.
Just at this moment she thought of the contrast, between all the fine
things which that young lady was to have, and her own destitution. But
her disposition was such as not to cause her to think hard of others who
had plenty while she was poor. She was contented to receive her pay from
the wealthy, for her daily needle work. She felt that what they had, was
not taken from her, and if she could gain in her little way by
receiving her just earnings from the general prosperity of others, she
would not complain. And as the thought of the increased pay came into
her mind, which she was to receive that day, she brightened up, shook
the bonnet, pulled out the ribbons and made it look as tidy as possible,
thinking to herself that after buying some fuel she might possibly buy a
bit of ribbon and make it look a little more spruce, when she got her
money.
Lettice now put on her bonnet, and Myra's shawl, and looking into the
little three-penny glass which hung on the wall she thought she might
look quite tidy after all. The young lady for whom she made the linen
lived about twenty miles from town, but she had come in about this time,
and was to set off home at nine o'clock that very morning. The linen was
to have been sent in the night before, but Lettice had found it
impossible to finish it. This was why she was obliged to start so early
in the morning. She now goes to the bed to tell Myra about the fire, and
that she had borrowed her shawl, but Myra was sound asleep, so she did
not disturb her, but stepped lightly over the floor and down stairs, for
it was getting late and she must be gone. Read the next story and you
will be deeply interested in the result.
LETTICE AND CATHERINE,
OR THE UNEXPECTED MEETING.
I must tell you who were Lettice and Myra. They were the daughters of a
clergyman, who held the little vicarage of Castle Rising. But
misfortune, which sometimes meets the wise and good, reduced the family
to poor circumstances. After the parents' decease, Lettice and Myra
located in London, for the purpose of doing needlework for a living.
We said in the last story, that Lettice had entered the street and was
on her way with the work she had finished for the young lady. It was a
cold morning, the snow blew, and the street was slippery. She could
scarcely stand--her face was cold, and her hands so numbed that she
could scarcely hold the parcel she carried. The snow beat upon her poor
bonnet, but she comforted herself with the idea that she might be
supposed to have a better bonnet at home. She cheerfully trudged along,
and at last entered Grosvenor Square, where the lamps were just dying
away before the splendid houses, while the wind rushed down the Park
colder than ever. A few boys were about the only people yet to be seen
about, and they laughed at her as she held her bonnet down with one
hand, to prevent its giving way before the wind, while she carried her
bundle and kept her shawl from flying up with the other.
At last she entered Green street, and came to the house of the kind lady
who had furnished her and many others with work; raised the knocker, and
gave one humble knock at the door. She had never been at the house
before, but she had sometimes had to go to other genteel houses where
she had been met with incivility by the domestics.
But "like master, like man," is a stale old proverb and full of truth.
The servant came to the door. He was a grave old man about fifty. His
countenance was full of kind meaning, and his manners so gentle, that
before hearing her errand, observing how cold she looked, bade her come
in and warm herself at the hall stove.
"I have come," said Lettice, "with the young lady's work--I had not time
to come last night, but I hope I have not put her to any
inconvenience--I started before light this morning."
"Well, my dear, I hope not," said the servant, "but it was a pity you
could not get it done last night. Mrs. Danvers likes to have people
exact to the moment. However, I dare say it will be all right."
As Reynolds, the servant-man, entered the drawing room, Lettice heard a
voice, "Is it come at last!" And the young lady, who thus inquired, was
Catherine Melvin, who was then making an early breakfast before a noble
blazing fire.
"Has the woman brought her bill," asked Mrs. Danvers.
"I will go and ask," said the servant. "Stay, ask her to come up. I
should like to inquire how she is getting along this cold weather."
Reynolds obeyed, and soon Lettice found herself in a warm, comfortable
breakfast room.
"Good morning," said Mrs. Danvers. "I am sorry you have had such a cold
walk this morning. I am sorry you could not come last night. This young
lady is just leaving, and there is barely time to put up the things."
Catherine (for this was the young lady's name,) had her back turned to
the door quietly continuing her breakfast, but when the gentle voice of
Lettice replied:
"Indeed, madam, I beg your pardon, I did my very best"--Catherine
started, looked up, and rose hastily from her chair--Lettice, advancing
a few steps, exclaimed "Catherine."
And Catherine exclaimed--"It is--it is you!" and coming forward and
taking her by the hand, she gazed with astonishment at the wan face and
the miserable attire of the work-woman. "You," she kept repeating.
"Lettice! Lettice Arnold! Good Heavens! Where is your father? your
mother? your sister?"
"Gone," said the poor girl, "all gone but poor Myra!"
"And where is she? And you, dear Lettice, how have you come to this?"
Such was the unexpected meeting of these two persons, who were once
children of the same village of Castle Rising. Lettice had been working
for her school-mate, Catherine Melvin. The result was a happy one, and
it was not long before, by the kindness of Catherine, that the two
orphan girls were situated pleasantly in life. But as you will wish to
know how all this came about, I will give you the circumstances in
another story.
THE EXPLANATION.
Lettice's father was a man of education, a scholar, a gentleman, and had
much power in preaching. He received one hundred and ten pounds per year
for his services. Her father's illness was long and painful, and the
family were dependant on others for assistance.
"We at last closed his eyes," said Lettice, "in deep sorrow." He used to
say to himself, "It is a rough road, but it leads to a good place."
After his funeral, the expenses exhausted all that was left of their
money--only a few pounds were left when the furniture was sold, and "we
were obliged," said Lettice, "to give up the dear little parsonage. It
was a sweet little place. The house was covered all over with
honeysuckles and jessamines; and there was the flower garden in which I
used to work, and which made me so hale and strong, and aunt Montague
used to say I was worth a whole bundle of fine ladies.
"It was a sad day when we parted from it. My poor mother! How she kept
looking back, striving not to cry, and poor Myra was drowned in tears.
"Then we afterwards came to London. A person whom we knew in the village
had a son who was employed in one of the great linen warehouses, and he
promised to try to get us needlework. So we came to London, took a small
lodging, and furnished it with the remnant of our furniture. Here we
worked fourteen hours a day apiece, and we could only gain between three
and four shillings each. At last mother died, and then all went; she
died, and had a pauper's funeral."
From this room the orphan girls removed soon after their mother's
decease, and located among the poor of Marylebone street, where Mrs.
Danvers accidentally met with the two sisters, in one of her visits
among the poor, and for whom she obtained the work which led to the
unexpected meeting related in the previous story.
[Illustration]
JONAS AND HIS HORSE.
A horse is a noble animal, and is made for the service of man. No one
who has tender feelings can bear to see the horse abused. It is wicked
for any one to do so. A horse has a good memory, and he will never
forget a kind master. Jonas Carter is one of those boys who likes to
take care of a horse. His father gave Jonas the whole care of an
excellent animal which he purchased for his own use. Every morning he
would go into the stable to feed and water him. As all the horses in
the neighborhood had names, Jonas gave one to his, and called him Major.
Every time he went into the stable to take care of him, Major would
whine and paw, as if his best friend was coming to see him. Jonas kept
him very clean and nice, so that he was always ready for use at any time
of day. At night he made up his bed of straw, and kept the stable warm
in winter and cool in summer. Major soon found that he was in the hands
of a kind master, and being well fed, and well cleansed, he would often
show how proud and nice he was, by playing with Jonas in the yard. His
young master would often let him loose in the yard, and when Jonas
started to go in, the horse, Major, would follow him to the door, and
when he turned him into the pasture, no one could so well catch him as
Jonas; for every time he took him from the pasture, Jonas would give
him some oats; so when he saw his master coming for him, he remembered
the oats, and would come directly to him. Some horses are very difficult
to bridle, but it was not so with Major. When Jonas came with the
bridle, Major would hold his head down, and take in his bitts, and
appear as docile as a lamb. He well knew that Jonas never drove him
hard, but always used him kindly. Jonas was not a selfish boy; he was
willing to let his friends ride a short distance; and in the picture,
you will see him talking with one of his young friends about his horse.
Now, children, you may be sure that a dumb animal will remember his kind
master; and if ever you own a horse, or drive one which belongs to
another, be sure and treat him kindly. And you will find this rule to
work well among yourselves. Be kind to each other, and to all whom you
meet with, and it will help you along the pleasant path of life, and
secure to you many friends.
EDWARD AND ELLEN.
Edward Ford owned a snug little cottage with a small farm situated about
a mile from the village. When he was married to Ellen G----, who was
said to be one of the best girls in the village, he took her to his nice
little home, where he had every thing around very pleasant and
comfortable. Ellen was very industrious and remarkable for her prudence
and neatness. She spun and churned, and tended her poultry, and would
often carry her butter and eggs herself to market, which greatly added
to their comfort. She had a beautiful-little girl, and they gave her
the name of Lily. Things glided smoothly on until Lily was sixteen.
Edward was very fond of the violin and of reading books that were not
very useful, and as he was very fond of music, he spent a great deal
more time in making music and playing the violin than what his wife
thought profitable. Ellen loved music, and was willing to have him read
profitable books, but all this while she thought he might be patching up
the fences and improving the shed for the better comfort of the cattle.
Still she would not complain, hoping all the time that he would see the
necessity of being a little more industrious. The winter came, and all
through its dreary months he was unable to work, as he was sick. And
although Ellen worked hard, yet her husband required so much of her
attention, that all her efforts availed not much to keep poverty out of
their cottage. When the spring came, Ellen's husband was able to be
about again, and she began to hope that Edward would be more
industrious, and they would be able by strict economy to repair the loss
occasioned by his winter's illness, which had put them so far
behindhand. Edward had become lazy or disheartened. Affairs about house
continued to grow worse; his farm was ill worked or neglected, and by
the fall, his horse and oxen had to go for necessary expenses. Ellen
still kept her cows, but it was now very little help she received from
her husband. He had been formerly one of the most temperate of men, but
now he spent his days from home; and here lay Ellen's deepest sorrow. He
was often at the village tavern, wasting in senseless riot the time,
health and means that God had given him for other purposes. Ellen felt
sad, and in the next story you will see a painful scene in the life of
LILY FORD.
It was now in the latter part of December--two days more and comes the
season of "Merry Christmas." Ellen thought of the dreary prospect before
her. As she was thinking over her condition, and how she should manage
affairs so as to make home comfortable, the door opened, and in came
Edward earlier than usual, a sober man. With a grateful heart Ellen sat
about preparing the supper, and made all the evening as pleasant as she
could for him.
The next morning earlier than usual Edward was preparing to go out. The
weather was bitter cold, and the wood pile was very low. She did not
like to ask Edward to split some wood the evening before, as she did
not wish to vex him. Of late he had harshly refused her simple requests.
She, however, ventured this morning to ask him to split a few logs, and
he replied:
"Why did you not ask me when you saw me doing nothing all last evening?
You must get along the best way you can until night. I have engaged to
work for Squire Davis, and I shall be late unless I go at once."
"To work! Have you?" said Ellen, in a pleased and grateful tone.
"Yes; so don't detain me. I am to have a dollar and a half a day as long
as I choose to work."
"How very fortunate!" said Ellen.
After he was gone, Ellen busied herself in making things comfortable for
the children. It was market day, and she must carry her heavy basket to
the village for the different families who depended upon her for their
supply of fresh butter and eggs. A year ago she had a neat little-wagon
and a good horse to drive. There was something in the mind of Ellen,
what it was she could not tell, a kind of sad presentiment of something,
as she was preparing to go to market. I shall tell you in the next story
what it was. You will see that Ellen was very kind to her husband, and
tried every way to make him happy.
THE MARKET DAY.
Mrs. Ford had three little children, Lily, Hetty, and a dear little
babe. As she was now going to market, she told Lily, her oldest
daughter, to take good care of the baby. Lily promised to do so. It was
a very cold day. For a time the children got along very well; but soon
the wood was all burned, not a stick or chip remained; as their father
had gone away in the morning without splitting any, so they were obliged
to do the best they could. The baby began to look as if it was cold, and
Lily said:
"Come, Hetty, we will go out and see if together we cannot roll in one
of those great logs."
Hetty was eleven years old. Lily put the baby in the cradle and then
went out with Hetty to roll in the log. They rolled it up to the step,
and got it part way into the door, but, alas! they could not get it
further. There it stuck in the doorway, and the door was wide open; the
wind and snow beat in from without, and the fire gradually settled away
in its embers.
Something must now be done. Hetty put on her cloak and hood and set out
for her mother; for she told them if anything happened to be sure and
come for her. Hetty soon found her mother at the village store, and
without stopping to warm herself, she said:
"O mother, come home, for little Eddy is sick, and Lily says it is the
croup, and that he is dying. The fire is all out, and the room is full
of snow, because the big log we tried to roll in stuck fast in the
doorway."
Hetty and her mother hastened home: and as they were crossing the
street, there was her husband just entering the tavern. She told him
about little Eddy, and he promised to go for a physician, and to come
home immediately; and by the time they had gone half way home, Edward,
her husband, joined them.
They hurried along, and as they came near the cottage there stood two of
the cows, and under the shed was the third, the old "spotted cow," which
Hetty thought was in the pond when she left home. To their surprise the
log was rolled away from the door, and as Mrs. Ford opened the door with
a trembling hand, fearing her baby was dead, there was a young man
sitting by a good fire, which he had made while Hetty was gone, with
little Eddy folded in his arms. The anxious mother bent over her baby as
he lay in the stranger's arms, and seeing his eyes closed, she
whispered:
"Is he dead?"
"He is not, he only sleeps," replied the stranger.
This young man came into the house in time to save the baby from the
cold chills of death. He was ever after a friend to the family--a means
of Edward's reformation, so that with some assistance the mortgage on
the farm was paid off, and the farm re-stocked. This stranger became the
husband of Lily, the eldest daughter.
THE TWO MAMMAS.
FOR HENRY AND EDWARD.
'Tis strange to talk of two mammas!
Well, come and sit by me,
And I will try to tell you how
So strange a thing can be.
Years since you had a dear mamma,
So gentle, good and mild,
Her Father God looked down from heaven,
And loved his humble child.
Thy first mamma died on board of the vessel which took her from Burmah.
At parting--
----She kissed her little boys
With white and quivering lip;
And while the tears were falling fast,
They bore her to the ship.
And Abby, Pwen, and Enna went--
Oh! it was sad to be
Thus parted--three upon the land,
And three upon the sea.
Thy first mamma was buried on a distant rocky isle, where none but
strangers rest. The vessel passed on her voyage, and--
At length they reached a distant shore,
A beautiful bright land,
And crowds of pitying strangers came,
And took them by the hand.
And Abby found a pleasant home,
And Pwen and Enna too;
But poor papa's sad thoughts turned back
To Burmah and to you.
He told me of his darling boys,
Poor orphans far away,
With no mamma to kiss their lips,
Or teach them how to pray.
And would I be their new mamma,
And join the little band
Of those who, for the Saviour's sake,
Dwell in a heathen land?
Much do I love my darling boys,
And much do they love me;
Our Heavenly Father sent me here,
Your new mamma to be.
And if I closely follow Him,
And hold your little hands,
I hope to lead you up to heaven,
To join the angel bands.
Then with papa and both mammas,
And her who went before,
And Christ, who loves you more than all,
Ye'll dwell for ever more.
MRS. JUDSON.
[Illustration]
MELLY, ANNA AND SUSY.
There is nothing more pleasant than to see brothers and sisters, lovely
in their lives, and in all their plays kind and obliging to each other.
Mrs. Jones' three little children were always noted for their good
behavior by all the people in the village, and the school teacher said
they were the prettiest behaved children she ever saw, and this was
saying much in their praise, for her scholars were noted for very good
behavior and promptness in their recitations. Mrs. Jones kept her
children under a good discipline, but she always gave them time and
opportunities for their pleasant plays. She would not allow them to
associate with vicious children, because "evil communications corrupt
good manners," and she knew her children were as liable to fall into bad
habits as any others. There were a few vicious boys in the village where
she lived who always took delight in teasing and vexing the other
children, and sometimes these boys would try some method to break up the
children's play.
One afternoon, there being no school, Mrs. Jones gave her little
children permission to go into the lower back-room and spend awhile in
play. Away they jumped and skipped along down stairs to the play room,
with merry hearts and smiling faces. They had not been there a long
time before they heard a very singular noise, which they did not know
what to make of. But they soon forgot it, and continued playing with the
same cheerfulness; very soon again they heard the same noise, which
sounded like somebody's voice. The children began to be a little
frightened, and you will see them in the picture standing "stock still,"
while little Susy stretches her hand out to take hold of the post, and
is in the act of running away. Molly and Anna put their fingers to their
lips, and listened again to know what the noise could mean. Soon the
noise was repeated, and away they flew to their mother's arms in such a
tremor that she felt at the moment alarmed herself. They told their
mother what had happened, and all that night the children could not
sleep.
It was ascertained the next day that one of the bad boys crept along in
the back part of the yard where the children were playing, and by an
unnatural sound of his voice made the noise that so alarmed the three
little children. Susy, who was the youngest, did not forget it for
sometime; and all of them were afraid to go alone into the lower room
for many weeks.
This was very wrong in the bad boy; he might have injured the children
at play so they would never have recovered from it. I have known young
children to be so frightened as never to forget the impression all their
life-time. How much better for the boy to have been like these good
children, and joined with them in their pleasant pastimes. Never do any
thing that will give sorrow and pain to others, but live and act towards
each other while in youth, so as to enable you to review your life with
pleasure, and to meet with the approbation of your Heavenly Father.
ARTHUR AND HIS APPLE TREE.
One summer day little William was sitting in the garden chair beside his
mother, under the shade of a large cherry tree which stood on the grass
plot in front of the house. He was reading in a little book. After he
had been reading sometime, he looked up to his mother, and said:
"Mother, will you tell me what is the meaning of 'you must return good
for evil?'"
His mother replied: "I will tell you a story that will explain it.
"I knew a little boy," she said, "whose name was Arthur Scott; he lived
with his grandmamma, who loved him very much, and who wished that he
might grow up to be a good man. Little Arthur had a garden of his own,
and in it grew an apple tree, which was then very small, but to his
great joy had upon it two fine rosy-cheeked apples, the first ones it
had produced. Arthur wished to taste of them very much to know if they
were sweet or sour; but he was not a selfish boy, and he says to his
grandmother one morning:
"'I think I shall leave my apples on the tree till my birthday, then
papa and mamma and sister Fanny will come and see me, and we will eat
them together.'
"'A very good thought,' said his grandmother; 'and you shall gather them
yourself.'
"It seemed a long time for him to wait; but the birthday came at last,
and in the morning as soon as he was dressed he ran into his garden to
gather his apples; but lo! they were gone. A naughty boy who saw them
hanging on the tree, had climbed over the garden wall and stolen them.
"Arthur felt very sorry about losing his apples, and he began to cry,
but he soon wiped his eyes, and said to his grandmother:
"'It is hard to lose my nice apples, but it was much worse for that
naughty boy to commit so great a sin as to steal them. I am sure God
must be very angry with him; and I will go and kneel down and ask God to
forgive him.'
"So he went and prayed for the boy who had stolen his apples. Now,
William, do you not think that was returning good for evil?"
"O, yes," said William; "and I thank you, mother, for your pretty story.
I now understand what my new book means." Little Arthur grew to be a
man, and always bore a good name.
[Illustration]
THE MOTHERLESS BIRDS.
There were two men who were neighbors to each other, living in a distant
country where they had to labor hard for the support of their families.
One of them was greatly troubled to know who would take care of his
children if he should die. But the other man was not so troubled, and
was always very cheerful, saying to his neighbor: "Never distrust
Providence."
One day as the sorrowful man was laboring in the fields, sad and cast
down, he saw some little birds enter a bush, go out and then return
again. He went towards the bush, and saw two nests side by side, and in
both nests some little birds, newly hatched and still without feathers.
He saw the old birds go in a number of times, and they carried in their
bills food to give their little ones.
At one time, as one of the mothers returned with her beak full, a large
vulture seized her and carried her away; and the poor mother, struggling
vainly under its talons, uttered piercing cries. He thought the little
young birds must certainly die, as they had now no mother to take care
of them. He felt so bad about them that he did not sleep any that night.
The next day, on returning to the fields, he said to himself: "I will
see the little ones of this poor mother, some without doubt have already
perished."
He went up to the bush, and saw that the little ones in both nests were
all alive and well. He was very much surprised at this, and he hid
himself behind the bush to see what would happen. After a little time he
heard a crying of the birds, and soon the second mother came flying into
the bush with her beak full of food, and distributed it all among the
little birds in both nests. He now saw that the orphan birds were as
well provided for as when their own mother was living.
In the evening he related the whole story to his neighbor, and said to
him:
"I will never distress myself again about who will take care of my
children, if I should die before them."
His neighbor replied: "Let us always believe, hope, love, and pursue our
course in peace. If you die before me, I take care of your children,
and if I die before you, you will be a father to mine; and if we are
both taken away before our children are able to provide for themselves,
there is a Father in heaven."
STORY ABOUT A ROBBER.
I will tell you a true story about a robber. A gentleman was once
travelling through a very unfrequented road, alone in a chaise, in the
latter part of the day. There was no house nor a sign of a human being
there. It was a very lonely road. Presently at a sudden turn in the
road, directly towards his horse's head, a man came out of the woods.
The gentleman was convinced by his appearance that he came for no good
purpose. He immediately stopped his horse, and asked the stranger to
get in and ride. The man hesitated a moment, and then stepped into the
chaise. The gentleman commenced talking with him about the loneliness of
the road, and observed that it would be an admirable place for a robbery
if any one was so disposed. He proceeded to speak of robbery and
criminals, and how he thought they should be sought out and instructed,
and if possible reformed; and that we ought to try to convert and reform
them; and then he began to tell him what course he should take with a
man who should attempt to rob him. He told him that he should give him
all his money first, and then begin to talk kindly to him, and show the
evil consequences of his course of life. He then said:
"Yes, I would die on the spot rather than to injure a hair of his head."
They soon came to another road, when the man, who had silently listened
to all the gentleman had said, desired to get out, saying that his home
lay in that direction. The gentleman stopped his horse, and the man got
out, took his adviser by the hand, saying:
"I thank you, sir, for this ride and for all you have said to me; I
shall never forget any part of it. When I met you, it was my intention
to rob you. I could easily have done so, but your kind act and your kind
words put better thoughts into my heart. I think I never shall be guilty
of the crime you have saved me from committing this afternoon. I thank
God for having met you; you have made me a better man."
GOOD COMPANIONS.
One day, says a Persian poet, I saw a bunch of roses, and in the midst
of them grew a tuft of grass.
"How," I cried to the grass, "does a poor plant like you dare to be
found in the company of roses?"
And I ran to tear away the tuft, when the grass replied:
"Spare me! It is true, I am not a rose; but you will perceive from my
perfume that I have been among the roses."
This is a very pretty fable for young people. It makes us recollect one
of the proverbs of Solomon: "He that walketh with wise men shall be
wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Young people like to
have companions, and it is proper that they should have them. If we had
no one to associate with, we should be unhappy. We need friends that we
may confide in, and that we may tell them what we feel and what we
think. But we must take care as to the choice of friends; for just as
the grass in the fable imbibed the scent of the roses, so we become like
those with whom we associate.
BERTIE'S BOX.
A very little boy by the name of "Bertie," kept a box in which he
deposited his little treasures. After he died his mother took the key
and opened it. It was full of all sorts of things. There were specimens
of stones, and shells, and moss, and grass, and dried flowers. There
were, also, curious flies, found dead; but they were not destroyed by
him, as he would never sacrifice a short sunny existence for self
gratification. There were a number of books and small ornamental toys
which had been given him--a drawing slate with pencils, colored chalks,
a small box of colors, some little plates which he had colored in his
own untaught style--a commenced copy of the hymn, "I know that my
Redeemer liveth"--an unfinished letter to his grandpapa, and some torn
leaves which he had found with passages of scripture upon them--a copy
of the "lines on the death of an only son." Also a number of sketches of
missionary stations, chapels and schools, which he had cut out and
colored. His mother once asked him why he cut them out, saying, that
there might be some reading on the back of the pieces worth saving. "Oh
no, mamma," he replied, "I looked carefully at the backs first." In the
box was a purse containing three shillings.
Such were the treasures which this little lamb had left when he died.
And as you will be pleased to know what was done with the box of
treasures, I will tell you. "The thought struck me," says his mother,
"that after he was gone, I should not know what to do with Bertie's Box
of treasures; I therefore asked him what I should do with them." He
replied, "Oh, give half to God and half to the children, and be sure to
divide them fairly." The money in the box was devoted to the purchase of
the Bible--and a collecting box made in the form of a Bible; for, said
he, "when my friends come and give money to the children, then hold
Bertie's box for Bertie's share." This is a good example for all
children. Your little treasures may serve a good purpose when you die.
THE CHILD AND FLOWER.
The Atheist in his garden stood,
At twilight's pensive hour,
His little daughter by his side,
Was gazing on a flower.
"Oh, pick that little blossom, Pa,"
The little prattler said,
"It is the fairest one that blooms
Within that lowly bed."
The father plucked the chosen flower,
And gave it to his child;
With parted lips and sparkling eye,
She seized the gift and smiled.
"O Pa--who made this pretty flower,
This little violet blue;
Who gave it such a fragrant smell,
And such a lovely hue?"
A change came o'er the father's brow,
His eye grew strangely wild,
New thoughts within him had been stirred
By that sweet artless child.
The truth flashed on the father's mind,
The truth in all its power,
"There is a God, my child," said he,
"Who made that little flower."
ANNE CLEAVELAND.
Anne was the daughter of a wealthy farmer. She had a good New England
school education, and was well bred and well taught at home in the
virtues and manners that constitute domestic social life. Her father
died a year before her marriage. He left a will dividing his property
equally between his son and daughter, giving to the son the homestead
with all its accumulated riches, and to the daughter the largest share
of the personal property, amounting to 6 or 7000 dollars. This little
fortune became at Anne's marriage the property of her husband. It would
seem that the property of a woman received from her father should be
her's. But the laws of a barbarous age fix it otherwise.
Anne married John Warren, who was the youngest child, daintily bred by
his parents. He opened a dry goods store in a small town in the vicinity
of B----, where he invested Anne's property. He was a farmer, and did
not think of the qualifications necessary to a successful merchant. For
five or six years he went on tolerably, living _genteelly_ and
_recklessly_, expecting that every year's gain would make up the excess
of the past. When sixteen years of their married life had passed, they
were living in a single room in the crowded street of R----. Every penny
of the inheritance was gone--three children had died--three survived; a
girl of fifteen years, whom the mother was educating to be a
teacher--boy of twelve who was living at home, and Jessy, a pale,
delicate, little struggler for life, three years old.
Mrs. W---- was much changed in these sixteen years. Her round blooming
cheek was pale and sunken, her dark chestnut hair had become thin and
gray, her bright eyes, over-tasked by use and watching, were faded, and
her whole person shrunken. Yet she had gained a great victory. Yes, it
was a precious pearl. And you will wish to know what it was. It was a
gentle submission and resignation--a patience under all her afflictions.
But learn a lesson. Take care to whom you give your hand in marriage.
THE ORPHAN'S VOYAGE.
Two little orphan boys, whose parents died in a foreign land, were put
on board a vessel to be taken home to their relatives and friends. On a
bitter cold night, when the north-east winds sang through the shrouds of
the vessel, the little boys were crouched on deck behind a bale of
goods, to sleep for the night. The eldest boy wrapt around his younger
brother his little cloak, to shield him from the surf and sleet, and
then drew him close to his side and said to him, "the night will not be
long, and as the wind blows we shall the sooner reach our home and see
the peet fire glow." So he tried to cheer his little brother, and told
him to go to sleep and forget the cold night and think about the morning
that would come. They both soon sank to sleep on the cold deck, huddled
close to each other, and locked close in each other's arms. The steerage
passengers were all down below, snugly stowed away in their warm berths,
and forgot all about the cold wind and the frost. When the morning came
the land appeared, and the passengers began to pace the deck, and as the
vessel moved along they tried some well known spot to trace.
Only the orphans do not stir,
Of all this bustling train;
They reached _their home_, this very night,
They will not stir again!
The winter's breath proved kind to them,
And ended all their pain.
But in their deep and freezing sleep,
Clasped rigid to each other,
In dreams they cried, "the bright morn breaks,
Home! home! is here, my brother.
The angel death, has been our friend,
We come! dear father, mother!"
LOOK UP.
A little boy went to sea with his father to learn to be a sailor. One
day, his father said to him, "Come, my boy, you will never be a sailor
if you don't learn to climb."
The boy was very ambitious, and soon scrambled up to the top of the
rigging; but when he saw at what a height he was he began to be
frightened, and called out, "Oh, father, I shall fall, what shall I do?"
"Look up--look up, my son," said his father; "if you look down you will
be giddy; but if you keep looking up to the flag at the top of the mast
you will descend safely." The boy followed his father's advice, and soon
came down to the deck of the vessel in safety. You may learn from this
story, to look up to Jesus, as the highest example, and as the Saviour
of mankind.
[Illustration]
THE FLOWER THAT LOOKS UP.
"What beautiful things flowers are," said one of the party of little
girls who were arranging the flowers they had gathered in the pleasant
fields. "Which flower would you rather be like, Helen?"
"Just as if there would be any choice," said Laura. "I like the Rose. I
should like to be queen of flowers, or none." Laura was naturally very
proud.
For my part, observed Helen, I should like to resemble the
_Rhododendron_; when any one touches it, or shakes it roughly, it
scatters a shower of honey dew from its roseate cups, teaching us to
shower blessings upon our enemies. Oh, who does not wish to be as meek
as this flower? It is very difficult, I know, said Helen; but we are
taught to possess a meek and lowly spirit.
"It is difficult, I know," said Lucy, "if we trust to our own strength.
It is only when my father looks at me in his kind manner, that I have
any control of myself. What a pity it is that we cannot always remember
that the eye of our Heavenly Father is upon us." "I wish I could," said
Helen.
"Now, Clara, we are waiting for you," said Laura. Clara smiled; and
immediately chose the pale woodbine, or convolvulus, which so carelessly
winds in and out among the bushes--this is an emblem of loving
tenderness.
"Now what says Lucy?" exclaimed Helen.
"I think I can guess," said Clara; "either a violet, or a heart's ease.
Am I right?"
"Not quite," said Lucy, "although both the flowers you have mentioned,
are great favorites of mine. But I think I should like to resemble the
daisy, most, because it is always looking upward."
Certainly Lucy made a wise choice. What more do we require for
happiness, than to be able, let the cloud be ever so dark, to look
upward with trusting faith in God.
[Illustration]
THE WAYSIDE FLOWER.
There's a moral, my child,
In the wayside flower;
There's an emblem of life
In its short-lived hour.
It smiles in the sunshine
And weeps in the shower,
And the footstep falls
On the wayside flower.
Now see, my dear child,
In the wayside flower,
The joys and the sorrows
Of life's passing hour.
The footsteps of Time
Hasten on in its power;
And soon we must fall
Like the wayside flower.
Yet know, my dear child,
That the wayside flower
Will revive in its season
And bloom its brief hour;
That again we shall blossom
In beauty and power,
Where the foot never falls
On the wayside flower.
[Illustration]
THE FARMER.
The Farmer ploughs and sows his seed,
'Tis all that he can do;
He cannot make the dry seed grow,
Nor give it rain and dew.
God sends the sunshine, dew and rain,
And covers it with snow;
Then let us thank Him for the gift,--
To Him our bread we owe.
Whene'er we view the waving grain,
Or eat our daily food,
Let grateful thoughts to God arise,
Praise Him, for He is good.
The youthful mind is like a field;
Our teachers sow the seed;
But when instruction's work is done,
There's something more we need.
Then let us pray that God may add
His blessing to their toil;
Then our young minds and hearts will prove
A rich, productive soil.
[Illustration]
MAY-DAY.
All hail the bright, the rosy morn,
The first of blushing May,
While fragrant flowers the fields adorn.
And Nature smiles so gay.
Oh, what a joyous festival
To all the young and fair,
Who love to rove through verdant fields
And breathe the balmy air.
With rosy checks, and laughing eyes,
They hie to Nature's bowers,
While birds trill forth their sweetest lay,
To pluck the fairest flowers.
Now some have strayed to sit beneath
A grove of maples grey,
To twine their flowers into a wreath,
Or cull a sweet bouquet.
While one small group is seated round
A florid, mossy knoll,
And laughing lisp that they have found
The sweetest flowers of all.
With bouquets sweet, and garlands gay,
They homeward then repair,
In haste to join without delay
The pic-nic or the fair.
For times are not as they were wont
To be in years gone by,
When on the rural village green
They reared the May-pole high;
While gathered round a merry group
Of youths and maidens gay,
To crown some rosy rustic maid
The smiling Queen of May.
THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD.
MATT. VI. 28.
Behold the lilies of the field,
In thousand colors drest;
They toil not, neither do they spin,
Yet God the flowers hath blest.
Then toil not for the things of earth,
But seek your God to please;
For Solomon, in all his pride,
Was not arrayed like these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass
And flowers, that fade and die,
Will he not much more care for you,
And all your wants supply?
Why will ye, O ye faithless ones,
Distrust your Father's care?
Are ye not better than the flowers?
Will he not hear your prayer?
Your Father knoweth what ye need;
Fear not, but watch and pray;
And let your light shine more and more
Unto the perfect day.
MY EARLY DAYS.
(SEE FRONTISPIECE.)
My father's house was indeed a pleasant home; and father was the supreme
guide of his own household. He was gentle, but he could be firm and
resolute when the case demanded. Mother was the sunshine of our little
garden of love; her talents and energy gave her influence; and united to
a man like father, she was all that is lovable in the character of
woman.
But the dear old home, where I grew from infancy to boyhood, and from
boyhood to youth, I shall never forget. It was a large house on the
slope of a hill, just high enough to overlook several miles of our level
country, and smooth enough with its soft grassy carpet for us to roll
down from the summit to the foot of the hill. At the back of the house
was another hill, where we used to roll under the shade of the old elm,
and where Miles and I would sit whole afternoons and fly the kite, each
taking turns in holding the string. This was a happy place for us, and
especially in the spring time, when the happy looking cows grazed along
the pathway which winds around the elm to the stream where Kate and I
used to sail my little boat. All summer long this place was vocal with
the songs of birds, which built their nests in safety among the tall
trees of the grove in the rear of the farm. We had also the music of the
running brook, and the pleasant hum of my father's cotton mill, which
brought us in our daily bread. Haying time was always a happy season for
us boys. Father's two horses, "_Dick_" and "_Bony_" would take off the
farm as large a load of hay as any in the village.
Years past on, and we were a happy band of brothers and sisters. After
Kate, came the twins, Margaret and Herbert, and last of all came the
youngest darling, blue eyed Dora. We had a happy childhood. Our station
in the world was high enough to enable us to have all the harmless
pleasures and studies that were useful and actually necessary to boys
and girls of our station. Father always thought that it was better in
early youth not to force the boys to too hard study, and mother loved
best to see Kate and Margaret using the fingers in fabricating garments,
than in playing the harp. We were free, happy, roving children on
father's farm, unchained by the forms of fashionable life. We had no
costly dresses to spoil, and were permitted to play in the green fields
without a servant's eye, and to bathe in the clear shallow stream
without fear of drowning. As I have said before, these were happy days;
and when I think of them gone, I often express my regret that we did not
improve them more for the cultivation of the mind and the affections. In
the next story you will see that there were some passing clouds in our
early summer days.
MARGARET AND HERBERT.
In a large family there are often diversity of character and varieties
of mood and temper, which bring some clouds of sorrow. In our little
Eden of innocence there were storms now and then. Miles was a little
wild and headstrong from his babyhood, and Margaret, though very
beautiful, was often wilful and vain. For five years the twins had grown
up together the same in beauty and health. One day an accident befell
Herbert, and the dear child rose from his bed of sickness a pale and
crippled boy. His twin sister grew up tall and blooming. The twins loved
each other very much, and it was a pleasant sight to see how the
deformed boy was cherished and protected by his sister Margaret. She
would often leave us in the midst of our plays to go and sit by
Herbert, who could not share with us in them.
We had our yearly festivals, our cowslip gatherings, our blackberry
huntings, our hay makings, and all the delights so pleasant to country
children. Our five birthdays were each signalized by simple presents and
evening parties, in the garden or the house, as the season permitted.
Herbert and Margaret's birthdays came in the sunny time of May, when
there were double rejoicings to be made. They were always set up in
their chairs in the bower, decorated with flowers and crowned with
wreaths. I now think of Margaret smiling under her brilliant garland,
while poor Herbert looked up to her with his pale sweet face. I heard
him once say to her when we had all gone away to pluck flowers:
"How beautiful you are to-day, Margaret, with your rosy cheeks and
brown hair."
"But that does not make me any better or prettier than you, because I am
strong and you are not, or that my cheeks are red and yours are pale."
Miles was just carrying little Dora over the steeping stones at the
brook, when Herbert cried:
"O, if I could only run and leap like Miles; but I am very helpless."
To which Margaret replied: "Never mind, brother; I will love you and
take care of you all your life," and she said these words with a
sister's love, as she put her arms around the neck of her helpless
brother. She loved him the more, and aimed to please him by reading
books to him which were his delight. This was a pleasant sight, and the
brothers always admired Margaret for her attention to their helpless
brother.
THE BIT OF GARDEN.
Young children like to have a small piece of land for a garden which
they can call their own. And it is very pleasant to dig the ground, sow
the seed, and watch the little green plants which peep out of the earth,
and to see the beautiful buds and fresh blossoms.
Every boy and girl has a bit of garden, and we are told in the good book
to take good care of it, and see that the weeds of vice do not spread
over it, and to be sure and have it covered over with plants of
goodness. This garden is the HEART. Such things as anger, sloth, lying
and cheating, are noxious weeds. But if you are active and industrious,
and keep cultivating this little garden, and keep out all the bad weeds,
God will help you to make a good garden, full of pleasant plants, and
flowers of virtue. I have seen some gardens which look very bad,
covered with briars and weeds, the grass growing in the paths, and the
knotty weeds choking the few puny flowers that are drooping and dying
out. Every thing seems to say--"How idle the owner of this garden is."
But I have seen other gardens where there were scarcely any weeds. The
walks look tidy, the flowers in blossom, the trees are laden with fruit,
and every thing says, "How busy the owner is." Happy are you, dear
children, if you are working earnestly in the garden of your hearts.
Your garden will be clean, pleasant, and fruitful--a credit and comfort
to you all your days.
REMEMBER THE CAKE.
I will tell you an anecdote about Mrs. Hannah More, when she was eighty
years old. A widow and her little son paid a visit to Mrs. More, at
Barley Wood. When they were about to leave, Mrs. M. stooped to kiss the
little boy, not as a mere compliment, as old maidens usually kiss
children, but she took his smiling face between her two hands, and
looked upon it a moment as a mother would, then kissed it fondly more
than once. "Now when you are a man, my child, will you remember me?" The
little boy had just been eating some cake which she gave him, and he,
instead of giving her any answer, glanced his eyes on the remnants of
the cake which lay on the table. "Well," said Mrs. M., "you will
remember the cake at Barley Wood, wont you?" "Yes," said the boy, "It
was nice cake, and you are _so kind_ that I will remember both." "That
is right," she replied, "I like to have the young remember me for _being
kind_--then you will remember old Mrs. Hannah More?"
"Always, ma'am, I'll try to remember you always." "What a good child,"
said she, after his mother was gone, "and of good stock; that child will
be true as steel. It was so much more natural that the child should
remember the cake than an old woman, that I love his sincerity." She
died on the 7th of Sept., 1833, aged eighty-eight. She was buried in
Wrighton churchyard, beneath an old tree which is still flourishing.
BENNY'S FIRST DRAWING.
You have perhaps heard of Benjamin West, the celebrated artist. I will
tell you about his first effort in drawing.
One of his sisters, who had been married some time, came with her babe
to spend a few days at her father's. When the child was asleep in the
cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to gather flowers in the garden,
and told Benjamin to take care of the little child while they were gone;
and gave him a fan to flap away the flies from his little charge. After
some time the child appeared to smile in its sleep, and it attracted
young Benny's attention. He was so pleased with the smiling, sleeping,
babe that he thought he would see what he could do at drawing a portrait
of it. He was only in his seventh year; he got some paper, pens, and
some red and black ink, and commenced his work, and soon drew the
picture of the babe.
Hearing his mother and sister coming in from the garden, he hid his
picture; but his mother seeing he was confused, asked him what he was
about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed, and entreated
her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time, with much
pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare, he has made a likeness of
_little Sally_," and kissed him with evident satisfaction. This gave him
much encouragement, and he would often draw pictures of flowers which
she held in her hand. Here the instinct of his great genius was first
awakened. This circumstance occurred in the midst of a Pennsylvania
forest, a hundred and four years ago. At the age of eighteen he was
fairly established in the city of Philadelphia as an artist.
[Illustration]
THE GREY OLD COTTAGE.
In the valley between "Longbrigg" and "Highclose," in the fertile little
dale on the left, stands an old cottage, which is truly "a nest in a
green place." The sun shines on the diamond paned windows all through
the long afternoons of a summer's day. It is very large and roomy.
Around it is a trim little garden with pleasant flower borders under the
low windows. From the cottage is a bright lookout into a distant scene
of much variety.
Some years ago it was more desolate, as it was so isolated from the
world. Now the children's voices blend with the song of the wood birds,
and they have a garden there of dandelions, daisies, and flowers. The
roof and walls are now covered with stone crop and moss, and traveller's
joy, which gives it a variety of color. The currant bushes are pruned,
and the long rose branches are trimmed, and present a blooming
appearance. This house, with forty acres of land, some rocky and
sterile, and some rich meadow and peat, formed the possessions of the
Prestons in Westmoreland. For two hundred years this land had been
theirs. Mr. Preston and his wife were industrious and respectable
people. They had two children, Martha and John. The sister was eight
years older than her brother and acted a motherly part towards him. As
her mother had to go to market, to see to the cows and dairy, and to
look after the sheep on the fell, Martha took most of the care of little
Johnny.
It is said that a very active mother does not _always_ make a very
active daughter, and that is because she does things herself, and has
but little patience with the awkward and slow efforts of a learner. Mrs.
Preston said that Martha was too long in going to market with the
butter, and she made the bread too thick, and did not press all the
water out of the butter, and she folded up the fleeces the wrong way,
and therefore she did all herself. Hence Martha was left to take the
whole care of Johnny, and to roam about in the woods. When she was
about fifteen her mother died, so that Martha was left her mother's
place in the house, which she filled beyond the expectation of all the
neighbors. Her father died when Johnny was sixteen, and his last advice
to his daughter was, to take care of her brother, to look after his
worldly affairs, and above all to bear his soul in prayer to heaven,
where he hoped to meet the household once more. The share of her
father's property when he died, was eighty pounds. Here Martha spent her
days, frugal, industrious and benevolent. And it is said, there will not
be a grave in Grasmere churchyard, more decked with flowers, more
visited with respect, regret, and tears, and faithful trust, than that
of Martha Preston when she dies. In the next story you will be
interested in what happened at the Grey Cottage.
THE BOY FOUND IN THE SNOW.
One winter's night when the evening had shut in very early, owing to the
black snow clouds that hung close around the horizon, Martha sat looking
into the fire. Her old sheep dog, Fly, lay at her feet. The cows were
foddered for the night, and the sheep were penned up in the yard. Fly
was a faithful dog, and for some reason, this evening, he was very
restless. Why he pricked up his ears, and went snuffing to the door, and
pacing about the room, was more than Martha could tell.
"Lie down, Fly,--good dog--lie down," she said; but Fly would not mind
her, which was an unusual thing. She was certain something was the
matter, and she felt she must go up to the fell; and with the foresight
common to the Dale's people, who knew what mountain storms are, she took
under her cloak a small vial of gin, which was kept in case of any
accident, and set out with the dog Fly. The snow fell fast, the wind
blew, and the drifts lay thick. She had great confidence in Fly, that if
any thing was the matter he would find it out. He ran straight up the
little steep path which led through the woods. On she followed, her
cloak white with snow, until she came into the more open ground, where
she lost sight of Fly, and for a time stood bewildered, until he should
return and guide her. The birds and beasts had gone to rest, and the
stillness of the moors was awful. It was night, and dark. Suddenly she
heard a child's feeble voice, and in an instant she pressed on towards
the spot from which the sound came; soon she heard Fly's loud howl for
aid. At last she reached the spot, and found a little boy half asleep, a
kind of drowsiness which precedes death. He could not speak; he could
only moan. She moistened his lips with the gin, and poured a little down
his throat. She then raised him up and carried him a short distance down
the hill; then she stopped to rest awhile; and then she got as far as
the woods, where the winds were not so cold. Again she gave him a few
drops from her vial, and now he was able to walk a few steps; then
Martha put up a fervent prayer to God for assistance, as she dragged the
lost boy to her cottage. She now laid him down to the warm fire, while
Fly snuffed around him in great joy. She took off his wet clothes, and
wrapped him in her woollen cloak. He soon recovered and was able to tell
his story.
His father had sent him up to the fells for a sheep that was missing.
The dog left him, and night and snow came on, and he got lost on the
fells. The family had lately come to live near Rydal, and the lad did
not know all the landmarks. Martha took the best of care of the boy till
the morning, when his mother came, with a grateful heart towards God for
the means which had guided Martha to her lost boy.
THE BROTHER AND SISTER.
(_In three Stories._)
THE PARTING SCENE.
In one of our western cities was a poor woman, in the garret of a lonely
house, who was very sick, and near dying. She had two children, a
brother and sister, who knelt beside her bed to catch her dying words.
"Annie, my daughter," said the mother, "soon, and your young brother
will have no earthly friend but you; will you, my daughter, be to him a
faithful sister?"
"Yes, mother, _I will_" said the daughter, as she wiped away her tears.
And then she laid her hand upon the head of her son, and said, "Be a
good boy, Willy, and mind your sister; she is but three years older than
yourself, but as far as her knowledge goes, she will be a guide for you;
and she and you have a Father in Heaven who will never leave you. Will
you promise to do as she wishes?"
Willy raised his eyes to his mother, and bowed his head in token of
assent, and then burst into tears. The mother was a Christian, and
putting her arm around the neck of Willy, and with the other hand
clasping her daughter, she calmly said to them, "Weep not, dear
children, you will find friends; God is the father of the fatherless.
Keep in mind that his eye is upon you; be honest and virtuous, faithful
and believing, and all things will work together for your good."
The dying mother could say no more; her breath grew short, and
stretching out her arms, she cried, "My dear children, I must leave you:
let me kiss you--God bless and keep--"
Her arms fell from around them, the words died away on her lips, and her
weary soul departed.
After the funeral of this mother, the moon shone brightly into the
desolate chamber, and revealed a beautiful scene, that of a sister's
love.
Anna sat near the window, and little Willy lay his weary head in her
lap. They were now without father or mother. Sleep had stolen upon the
weary eyes of Willy. Anna smoothed back the dark hair which hung over
his brow, then carefully raised his slender frame in her arms and laid
him upon his bed. Then seating herself beside him she thought of her
mother's last request to take care of Willy.
"Yes," she exclaimed, "I must begin to-morrow. I will go out and try to
get some work, for poor Willy must remain at school. Dear boy," she
exclaimed, "I will never see him suffer." You will, in the next story,
find
ANNA SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.
It was a wearisome day to poor Anna, as she walked from square to
square, calling at the houses for employment. Some received her kindly,
and patronised her themselves, and promised to interest their friends
in her behalf, while others, alleging that she could not earn as much as
a woman, endeavored to beat her down a few shillings in her price. But
among all, Anna found means of subsistence for many months. But soon her
constitution began to grow weak, and her friends thought it best for
Willy to give up his school awhile, and to obtain some place as errand
boy, and for Anna to pursue a more active life.
Soon Anna found herself in a new home, doing the work of a family which
devolved on her. She kept a diary, and she would often go away in her
own little room, and scribble a few lines in her book. Here is an
extract from her writings:--
"To-day I am very tired, and yet but very little has been accomplished.
I know I could do well enough if I was allowed to regulate my work, or
if there was only order in the arrangement. There is certainly a great
want of system in this family; I am never allowed to finish one piece of
work before I am called off to another, and then blamed because I did
not do the first in time.
"One wants me to put the dough in the pans, and before I get my hands
clean, another calls me to go and get some wood; another tells me to go
to the store for some thread; another cries out, Anna! Anna! and away I
am sent to the third story after a book. Do they think a girl like me is
never tired? Ah, me! I must seek another place. I love little children,
and I think I should do for a child's nurse; I will advertise."
And she did advertise, and it was not long before she was answered by a
request to call at Number 4, Elm street, at three o'clock on Wednesday.
In the next story we shall find
ANNA WITH A PLEASANT HOME.
Anna, having obtained leave of her mistress, soon found herself at the
door of Mrs. West. The servant girl came to the door, and Anna followed
her into the sitting-room, where every thing was nicely arranged. Soon a
gentle looking lady came into the room, with a babe in her arms, and
asked her, in a pleasant voice, "if she was the girl who advertised? You
look hardly strong enough to handle such a boy as this," said she, as
she placed on her lap a plump, black-eyed little fellow of eight months
old. "Let me see if you can lift him easily."
Anna gave the little fellow a hug and a kiss, and then playfully tossed
him up a few times, but he was so heavy that she soon placed him on her
knee, saying, "I am not used to holding children, but think I shall soon
get accustomed to it." The lady agreed to have Anna come and enter upon
her duties the next week.
Weeks rolled away, and Anna's face looked joyous, for peace was in her
heart. She loved her mistress because she was so thoughtful and would
not even let her carry the babe half so much as she wished, but would
tell her to amuse him on the floor. Mrs. West would often bring her work
and sit with Anna in the nursery, and talk with her about her mother and
Willy. Oh, how Anna loved Mrs. West!
Willy was now learning a trade with an honest carpenter, who gave him
permission to visit his sister once a week, and many happy hours did
they pass together in the nursery with the little pet Charley.
As the summer months came on, Mrs. West prepared to visit her mother,
who lived a few miles in the country. Anna went with her. Charley was
now old enough to go into the woods and run about, while Anna gathered
flowers, chased butterflies, and amused him with infant stories. Little
Charley would often fall asleep to the sweet tones of Anna's voice, and
then she would take him up and bear him to the house.
Three years passed away, and Charley needed no other nurse than his
mother, and Anna's heart ached at the thought of leaving Mrs. West and
little Charley. She had been so happy there that she dreaded to go out
among strangers to look for a new place.
Mrs. West made arrangements for Anna to live with her parents, who in a
short time made her their adopted child. It was a beautiful country
home, and she became as a dear child to Mr. and Mrs. Warren.
THE GLOW WORM.
On a summer's evening, about half an hour after bed time, as three
little brothers lay talking together they heard a gentle footstep on the
stairs. It was their sister Lucy. "Are you asleep," she asked.
"No, we are not asleep," cried the boys.
"I have brought something to show you," said Lucy, and going into the
darkest corner of the room, she opened her hand and the boys saw
something sparkle like a diamond or a star.
"What is it," cried little Frank, jumping out of bed and running to
look. Lucy held out her hand, but told him not to touch it.
"Oh, it moves! It moves!" said he. "It must be something alive."
"Ah!" said John, "it is a glow worm. I saw one last summer on a bank in
Sand Lee."
"Take care," said Frank, "that it does not burn the counterpane." The
two elder brothers laughed; but Lucy reminded them that they would most
likely have fallen into the same mistake, if they had not been taught
that the glow worm's light, though it shines so brightly, does not burn.
To convince Frank she told him to hold out his hand. The little boy felt
afraid, but as he knew that Lucy never deceived him, he put out his
hand, and soon, to his great delight, the harmless glow worm lay in his
hand. Lucy promised to tell him something about the glow worm another
time. Frank went back to his bed, and Lucy bid her brothers good night,
promising to put the prize under a glass on the lawn.
So night after night, for weeks, the three boys saw the twinkling light
of the glow worm on the dewy grass. One evening they began to quarrel
about it, and none but little Frank was willing to give up his claim to
it. It grieved him to hear his brothers quarrelling and saying unkind
words to each other; and he also thought that the poor glow worm ought
not to be kept a prisoner under the glass, instead of flying over the
green turf or the mossy bank. But when he tried to bring John and Robert
to the same opinion, they would not hear to him. So Lucy, who was a kind
sister, when she found that the pleasure she had procured for them was
the occasion of their naughty conduct, sat down by the window and told
them to remember that God, who made the glow worm and caused its light
to shine, could see them in their chamber, and hear every sinful word.
John and Robert felt the force of their sister's words, and settled
their quarrel without delay, and they gave Frank permission to go early
in the morning and let the imprisoned glow worm creep away.
EMILY'S MORNING RAMBLE.
In the suburbs of the city of B. stands the beautiful residence of Mr.
James. It was a rural spot, as it was surrounded with all the beauties
of nature. There were rippling streams, and winding paths through the
green fields and woods, sunny hills and mossy rocks. Emily, the only
daughter of Mr. J., had all these pleasant scenes to enjoy, and every
thing to make her home happy. Her father owned a noble pair of grays and
a very fine carriage, and she had the pleasure of riding with her father
whenever she chose. But Emily did not live altogether for her own
happiness; she was accustomed to go and see the people in the
neighborhood of her home, and if any were poor or sick she would always
try to benefit them.
Her mother had to put up many a bundle of nice things for her to take to
some poor family in need. She was also fond of the works of nature, and
would frequently spend an hour in walking alone in the shady and rural
places in her town. One day, as the beautiful spring had just unfolded
its loveliness, Emily thought she would walk out and breathe the
delicious air. With a heart laden with good thoughts and with a quick
step she passed along the gravelled street and by the cultivated grounds
and fine houses, until she reached the green turf and wooded slopes, and
here paused awhile under the large old trees, and thought of the
wisdom, goodness, and love of God in giving us such a beautiful earth.
On her route, where the river curved around the foot of a gentle sloping
hill in the shadows of old forest trees, was made a rural cemetery; so
pleasant were its quiet paths and its cool shades in summer, that the
living loved to wander there. Friends came there to plant flowers upon
the graves of dear ones they had lost.
Through a low ivy covered gateway of stone, Emily entered the quiet
place. There were no massive railings, and lofty monuments, and no
costly devices, but God had made this place very beautiful--flowers were
blooming along the well trodden paths, and around the last resting
places of the dead. Here and there arose a simple shaft or a light
column, and the graves of the household were bordered by a green hedge
or surrounded by shadowing trees.
As Emily passed through the familiar walks, she came suddenly to a
grave in the remote corner of the cemetery, beside which sat a solitary
mourner. A small white slab lay upon the centre of the green mound and
at its head grew a rose bush in bloom, bending, till its weight of white
buds and blossoms touched the long bright grass upon the grave. Emily
was attracted by its simple beauty, and drawing near, she stooped down
and read upon the marble slab, "Dear Mina." Her young eyes filled
instantly with tears, for she knew that it was the darling child of a
lady who to her was a stranger. As she turned away from the spot she met
a lady approaching, who passed her and kneeled down beside the grave.
She thought she would speak to the lady, and with tender sympathy she
asked, "Was it your child?"
The lady, who was deep in thought, looked up at the sound of Emily's
earnest voice, and answered, softly, "Yes; 'Dear Mina' was my only
child." This interview led Emily to an acquaintance with the sorrowing
mother, which caused her never to forget her morning ramble. She was a
good woman, and at the decease of Emily's mother became her Christian
companion and instructor.
* * * * *
I doubt whether he will find the way to heaven who desires to go there
alone: all heavenly hearts are charitable: enlightened souls cannot but
diffuse their rays. I will, if I can, do something for others and for
heaven; not to merit by it, but to express my gratitude. Though I cannot
do what I would, I will labor to do what I can.--_Feltham_.
[Illustration]
FLYING THE KITE.
Flying the kite is a pleasant amusement for boys, and when we see the
kites flying high in the air, we are always reminded of a kite whose
history we heard when a little child, and which we give our readers.
Shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, there was a little boy
whose parents had left their home and friends in England on account of
their sympathy with the struggle of freedom for their rights in America.
Their first home was in Norfolk, Va.
This little boy was very much delighted with the American eagle, and he
determined to make a kite as much like his favorite bird as he could. He
had a friend who was a painter and gilder, and a person of great
ingenuity. Together they contrived a beautiful kite, representing an
eagle of gigantic size. It was painted and gilded in the most beautiful
manner, and a small but very brilliant lantern was attached to it just
below the breast.
They kept their secret very carefully, never suffering any one to enter
the room while it was making.
On a dark, cloudy, windy night, the kite was flown. Its mechanism was so
perfect that it sailed very beautifully. The lantern illuminated every
part, and it made a very brilliant appearance. Crowds of people thronged
the streets, wondering what the strange visitor was. Some were alarmed,
and thought it was an omen of fearful events.
Great was their admiration when they discovered that the wonderful bird
was the ingenious contrivance of a little boy; and they could scarcely
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