The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-17
W Outh's Departnm e mt.
LAURA AND HER SISTER ELLEN


simmer breeze was string the leaves OF the tall
old elms that shaded piazza where two little girls
were standing. They seemed to be enjoying the
pleasant evening, and they both looked bright and
happy.
You would have known them 10 be sisters, so
much were they alike IN features, though they diff
fered in expression Laura's dark, thoughtful look
ing eyes gave TO her face pensve cast while
Ellen's play Gl, sunny look, seemed beaming with
JOY. She was nearly two years younger than her
sister Laura, yet they always played, and walked,
and sung, and studied together, and were rarely
seen apart Strangers called them the happy sis
ers, but strangers cannot always Judge of children
at home.
Ellen jumped off the pazzu, for she rarely walk
ed, and said. .'Come, Laura.le 60 TO the garden:
there is no to burn us now"
81 had rather stay here,' said Laura, sitting
down on the doorstep. "Let watch the sun go
down how large and red it is. 1t will soon
touch the horizon
"That is the way you always do, 'replied Ellen,
with pouting lip; 'tyou go where wish
you to go"
"And you try 10 please me in any way ELL
len, said Laura.
go, Laura how unkind You know that is not
true; but you are SO soIfsh'' And Ellen walked
alone to the garden, but pleasant thoughts went
with her Her flowers were blooming about her,
the sky was glorious above. her, nature spoke of
peace and beauty, but for Ellen. there were no
pleasant voices, for she thinking of her sisters
selfshness. ..
Laura sat and looked at the sun--it went own
but she not thinking Of it, and she said aloud,
-"How unkind in Ellen to accuse me Of selfish
ness!''
And thus beautiful scene, and calm and pleas
ant thoughts destroyed, because love was alb
sent--that love whch"suffereth long and is kind"
Yet Laura and Ellen were fond Of each other
But few days before this scene, Ellen Ill
Laura sat by her, read TO her, and would not leave
he, for the day, doing every thing to relieve and
muse her sister; but mere triAe would lead to
dispute, and call up angry thoughts and unkind
words.
Night has come. Laura and Ellen occupied
pleasant room called the blue chamber because the
paper and the walls were the color Of the sky
Their windows looked out on the garden, and the
river and wood beyond. Here they often sat and
played with their dolls, studied their lessons to-
sether They were gay talking they prepared
go 10 and seemed TO have forgotten all about
their i'll humor at sunset.
"Why, here is our Kitten" exclaimed Ellen,
"fast asleep on this cushion Dear Nlnna,' said
she patting her gently, 'you shall sleep hero all
night by my bed side, and play with in the
morning;'and she hastily shut the door ,es, Minna
should escape.
81 shall not sleep in the with her." said
Laura, in decided tone; $50 Miss Minna, awake
you please, and walk down stairs"
500 let her stay" said Ellen, pleadngy
'.No, no, she will awake soon as we sleep, &
4
on the bed, and awaking US, and she shall not
stay" s....-. q..-
sa, ing this, Laura caught up the kitten and was
out of the room in an instant. Ellen angrly put
out the light, and threw herself into bed. Laura
was back again, wondering at the darkness,
and eAcaiming, "Ellen where your" All was
silent "Ellen, do speak; are you here?" And
she sat down on the side of the bed bewdered.
Often, after they had gone rest, their mother
came and said, good night, and kissed them When
she night, there sat Laura, half undressed,
and Ellen Ray shrouded in the bed clothes.
"My dear children, what does This meani' said
the mother. They both spoke at once, and each
accused the other Of unkindness. Their mother
told them TO be silent, and then asked Laura il she
remembered the passage Of scripture she had COM
mtted to memory that morning.
= L Is, nduIud, " Was, OleSSeu are Tie peaCena
kers, for they shall &c called the children of
God
HNow tell me yours, Ellen
"'Therefoe al! things whatsoever, ye would
that should do to you, do you to them "
"And how have you practced these golden
W ords?" said the mother. III have selected them
because with pain have noticed this unfortunate
and sinful propensity to disoblige each other, in
creasng daily. instead of loving TO please and
make each other happy, each chooses to please
herself. And you both unhappy No blessing
rests on you as peace makers. No sweet peace,
that ever dwel's with those who do unto others as
they would have others do to them, enters your
boAoms. l pity you, my little girls. God has CIV
en- you great capacities for loving and enjoying
each other. He loves you, disobedient and sinful
as you are. lie loves you, and is ready TO
give you hearts that will overflow with love. Go
to him, my children, and ask his forgiveness and
his blessing. "Good night" And she kissed and
left them. b.