Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-02-10

",S' Oaiitoh uiu not disdaln to reason
with her child
That would be worse than wasted, dear.
1t would be cruel 10 give another what |
refuse to you on account of It's unwhole-
someness.
But Harriet had now been for a long
time out Of the spinsier's books-as the saw
ing ls-and this misfortune occurred as
follows
One morning when she was about six
years Old, the child came into her mothers
room from her %aunt's, where she had been
alternately pelted, scolded, and teased, ill
she was weary, and, seating herself in n
corner, remained for some time absorbed
IN thought. She had been reading 10 her
mother that morning, and one sentence.
oil which she asked an explanation, had
made a deep impression upon her. 1t was
thls-God sends US trials and troubles to
strengthen and purify our hearts She
now sat in her corner, without speaking
or stirring, until her mothers voice star
tied her from her %reverie.
'Of what are you thinking Harriet
Mother, did God send Aunt Eloise TO
strengthen and purify my hearth
What do YOU mean my child!'
Why the book says he sends trials for
that, and she is the greatest trial | have,
You know
The indignant maiden was just entering
the room as this dialogue began, and hear
ing her own name, she stopped, unseen, TO
listen. SPECIFICS with rage, she returned
to her chamber, and was never heard TO
call Harriet an angel child again.
Nut we have tvaefob n ....o - ~.
iair Elolse's follies than they deserve. Let
US return TO Harriet's all important compost
ton.
The maiden lady, selfish and indolent
as she was, took il into her head 10 be ex-
ceedIDgly inquisitive, and o~ficious too, par
u%cularly where she thought her literary
talents could come into play. She walked
up to Harriet and looked over her shout
der. .
What's this, hey' oh! a story. That's
right, Harriet. l am glad to see you taking
TO literary pursuits. Come, child, give me
he pen, and | will improve that sentence
you
Thank you, aunt-but / don't want il
improved
NO want IT improved! There's vanity
Indeed, aunt, ! am not vain about il.
and | would like you to help me. if il were
not to be shown as mine. 1t wouldn't be
arr you know, TO pass off anoiher's as my
'wn. am writing for a prize
For a prize! So much more reason that
'ou should be assisted. There, dear. run
way TO your play, and | will write it all for
'ou. You'll be sure to win the prize
With every word thus uttered, Harriet's
yes had grown larger and darker, and at
he close, she turned them, full of astonish-
nent, from her aunt's face to her mothers.
by the expression, she replied.
But aunt Eloise, that would be a false
Iood, you know
"A falsehood, missl' cried the maiden
1t is a very common thing, | assure
ou.'
But not the less false for being COM
non, Eloise,' said Mrs. CARTONS: pray let
Harriet have her W way about it. II
'ould be far better to lose the prize. than
gain 1t thus dishonesty
Aunt Eloise, as usual, secretly deter
'lned to have her own way; but she said
o more then, and Harriet pursued her en-
without further interruption.
CHAPTER III.
THE PRIZE.
The exhibition day had arrived. Har-
ct had finished her story several days be-
IRE, and read it to her mother.
II was a simple, graceful, child-like efIl-
on, with less pretension and ornament, than
lie compositions of most children of the
lme age contain.
Mrs, Carlton seemed much pleased; but
ant Eloise had criticised it without mer-
1t the same time she was observed
smile frequently with a cunning, sly,
lumphant expression, peculiar TO herself
expression, which she always wore when
'e mad a secret, and secrets she had. i'm
,undance-a new one almost every day
wal, petty secrets, which no one cared
out but herself but which she guarded
jealousy as if they had been apples of
I'D.
Good bye, mother; good bye, aunty,' said
arriet. glancing for a moment into the
eakiast room, on the morning of the day
exhibition.
She was looking very pretty in a simple,
'teiul dress, made for the OCCASION,
le held the story in her hand, neatl, en-
osed in an envelope, and her eyes were
j OF hope-the cloudless hope of child
cd.
Don't be surprised, Harriet said her
Mt, at any thing that may happen to-day.
ny be thankful if the prize is yours, that's
If Kate Sumner don't win it, | do hope
hall > replied the eager child, and away
e tripped to school.
AT twelve o'clock, Mrs. Carlton and her
ter tool their seats among the audience
the exhibition room. The usual exer-
were completed and it only remained