The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-03-12

| all Cnc business OF inc mouse upon
your shoulders
sBut shall never have finished my
slippers, mamma
'That is your own fault, my love.
[ told you what would be the consc-'
qucncc of your pcrsisting in your
working at that couvrcttc.'
Louisa went discontcdly back again
to her slippers, muttcring to herself
as she did SO. | wish mamma would
not be so neat. She might let nc
alone just till | had finished my pre-
sent. How do / hate ncatncss and
order.
The Monday morning arrived,
a joyful time to the little Crawforls,
for every other occupation was laid
aside that they might deck the
Christmas Tree. A young fir tree
had been cut down for the purpose,
and placed in Saily painted tub half
filed with earth. Among the
branches were numerous tiny tapcrs
fastened there ready for lighting at
the time of exhibition. The children
now, under the direction of their
mamma, proceeded to hang oranges
and apples by strings to some of the
bonghs, and to tastcn among them
bonbons, gildcd crackers, figs, bunch.
cs of raisins, and other such trifles.
Then came the disposition Of presents,
chiefly their own handiwork, in CON
spicuous parts Of the tree; and at this
period of the proceedings mamma was
requested to retire.
Where is Louisa?' said little
Emmelinc. I'VE want her present to
hang up
& will 90 and look for her. said
James. i am afraid she is in trouble.
She was crying this morning; and
when asked her what was the matter,
she could not speak to nc
Poor Louisa was sitting in a corner
of the library, laborins at The ground,
inc Of The unfortunate us s.rs. the
canvas e,ssla9lEl s,sSses AlARyorlsing
| pelNSSa ny
the utmost cXttezasss.s ~ ss,aee more
than one square in an hour. The
tears were running down her face,
dropping on the gay colors of the
Berlin wood, and obstrucling her
gaze, SO that she could scarcely see
the stitches she wished to form.
Dear Loo exclaimed her brother,
running up to her. and throwing his
arms round her neck, 'what is the
matter? Are YOU i'll: Is any one
angry with you!'
Louisa wept more bitterly than
before, turned away from her would
be consolcr. But James took her
face gently between both his hands,
and made her turn it towards hinl
again, and dron the covering pocket
handkerchief.
Come, dear Louisa, tell nc, and |
shall perhaps be able to help yon.'
No, my dear James, sobbcd the
distressed child, 'you cannot help me.
1t is quite hopeless. | wish. wish
had attended to what mamma said
what is it, dear? is it this work?
You have only a little bit of this toe
to finish.
That little bit, dear james, will
take-oh, SO long! l shall not be
in time with it, if | work every
minute Of the day. Their. will be no
present Of mine on the Christmas
Tree
Is that all, Louisa? We will soon
manage that said James chccrtully.
Say nothing about it. Wait until |
come back, and / will soon supply
you with present or two for the
Christmas Tree
lie was fastening away, but Louisa
stopped him No, brother, she said
firmly; will not be so mean as to
take the credit of any present that is
not really my own. 1t is my own
fault delaying 50 long, and | will
patiently bear the modification l
deserve
James demonstrated, but it was Of
no use. Louisa dried her tears.
Come SAID she, 'thc rest Will be
waiting for us.
They were all very sorry when
they heard the state Of the case, and
would have given up any thing to
console their sister. The Christmas
Tree was at length complete, and the
schoolroom in which it was placed was
locked up until the morning.
Now, dear papa, said Harriet
who was year older than Louisa.
after great many mods and signs had
been exchanged between the children
after tea, and James and Emmeline
had been quietly in and out of tho
room several times now, papa,
come, if you please
Mr. Crawford good humorcdly
allowed himself to be half dragged,
half r,ns',,l Ia, 80 ,x,,I,.,.. 4