Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1840-01-18
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MONEY NOT RICHES.

~h'N hSupIJ iiNAl iA4 NtuINA VI hNbit'
ooh, mother, dear MOTHER" cried Mary
Cleveland, entering the room much excit.
ed; "if we we're only ricb--"
erich, my dear!" returned Mrs Cleve-
land, quietly, 81 thought we acre rcy
rich"
awe rich! mother. Now don't fun;
for really wish | was as rich as Virginia
Mason" Aud Mary looked half sur.
prised and half frerflI, either at what her
mother said, or something else.
81 was not funning. to use your word,
Mary, for | think We are rich"
Mary did not speak, but she looked
around on the plain noor, and with the
old oak chairs and table, almost with con-
tempt.
"Are they not very comfortable, my
child, and all quite cleon?'
"Oh! yes, mother butt"
"Well, then, we arc rich in cleanliness"
Mary laughed. 81 dont call thai
riches"
81 do, Mary-it is king | think Vir-
ginia Mason is rather poor in. And look
at The fine geranium you are handling so
roughly; is ii not very leautl!ul; and
those delicate shells your uncle brought
from sea; observe The grace of their forms
and the peri ctness Of their colours, and
then think how beauty is lavished on ev.
cry side o(rs, if we have but power TO
perceive it. Did YOU ever see Virginia
pause to admire flower, an insect or q
sheI?n
"Oh, no, mother; why should she,
when she has things so much richerP
81 don't quite agree with you Mary.
Suppose you should have pearls and dia-
monds, and gold and silver as plentilillly
as if Won bad Aladdln's lamps; woul3 You
be willing TO be So placed that you could
never see the green earh, the bright flow
ers, or hear the music Of birds, but only
behold the glitter o. Jewels while vou livem
ooh, no, indeed, mother; | should be
very, very wretched;" and the tears star
ted to the eyes of The little gill.
"Then YOU thinh tho frees. flowers and
birds would Yield lol the nest pleasure.
They are then the most valuable; and
vet they cost us nothing. They are to
be found in every green grove, and hy
every way side, filing the air with music
and perfume, and the hearts Of intelligent
creatures with happiness. Virginia has
no eyes OF heart for these things; and ]
think my own l'tle girl is richer in that
respect, for she has taste to eni Y all
the beautiful things that our Heavenly
Father has made; aud HAT is part Of
her riches. Virginia appears like well
disposed little miss, il she were properly
Instructed"
Mary put her arms about her mothers
neck, and whispered gently" am rich,
too, in such a mother"
Mrs. Cleveland knew the tears were in
Mary's eyes, and she kissed her tcnderIy,
but did not speak. At this moment the
babe in the cradle pulled down lhe.muslin
screen with quick motion and lifted up
his head, his eyes bright with health and
hair curling with moisture; and George
came in from the fields with his hands full
wild flowers.
The children proceeded to place them
in a glass of water, while Mrs. Cleveland
instructed them as to their names and
properties, and taught them to observe the
minutest shade OF grace and loneliness.
Mary selected some Of the delicate bios
sons of the blue-eyed grass to amuse the
infant with, till her mother could finish
coat she was mending for her husband.
When it was done, The baby was duly
caressed, to the great delight of George
and Mary.
"Niarv, there is another kind of wealth
of which | would speak. Your father is
intelligent, vlrtuous and aAectionate; are
we not rich in him?"
The children leaned their heads upon
her shoulder, and she put her arms around
them and drew them 10 heart.
"You, my dears, are treasures richer
than all the gold and silver and Jewels OF
the earth. feel that am rich, very rich
while you are spared TO me. And we are
all rich in love for each other"
"But MOTHER" said Mary, "when L
spoke of riches, | was thinking of the
beautiful dresses of Virginia Mason, and
the grand party she told me she was going
10 give. She is 20 have new satin frock,
with lace and sash, on purpose TO wear;
and VINE and cakes and nuts; and George
and ! ale to be invited. When wished
we we're rich, Twas thinking would stay
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