The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-03-20
FORTHE BOYS g. GIRLS.
IN A MINUTE:
OR TnE LITTLE GIRL THAT WAS ALWAYS
TOO LATE.
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lpo Ia F.
Lucy T.athrop vas little girl of mild tenn
per and amiasle disposition. These quail
ties secured her many friends but she had
one fault which carsed herself and her
friends too much trouble. If ANYTHING was
10 be done she was always too late Her al
most invariatle reply was, I'm minute" but
it SO happened that her minutes were usually
much more than sixty seconds in length
This fault threw shade over all her good
qualities. 1t was not. it is true, the most Sc
rious fault Of which little girl might be
guilty, but it was serious enonch to occasion
much trouble. The shortest way, think. to
convince my youns readers Of this, will be to
give them history Of the trouble. which this
ono bad habit brought upon Lucy in single
day.
She was wedding in her garden, one morn
ing, when her mother called her to breakfast.
I'm minute, mother" said she, as she
continued her employment.
But, when at last she came in, and was rea-
dy for breakfast, the family had been seated
at the table some time. Her father told her
that she must wait until they had finished
their breakfast before she could sit down: for
this habit she had of coming to the table af-
ter the rest of the family were seated. must
be broken up. Lucy was much mortified a
bout this and one would think it would have
cured her, at least for that dav. of the habit
Of waiting minute. But habits, when firm
" fixed, are not so easily cured. For this
reason children should be careful not to form
such habits
When it was school time her brother called
ker to Know if she was ready.
I'm minute" said Lucy But Lucy's
brother knew something about the length Of
her minutes; and being somewhat of pune
tual boy he did not choose to wait for her
After time Lucy, too. was ready, and start
cd for school, The teacher had been much
ANNOYED by the tar'lincss Of some of his rn-
pills. The nj ght before he had told them he
was resolved to break up this habit, and the
next morning he should lock the school-room
door at precisely five minutes pastsnine. If
anv came after that they would be obliged to
return home again. Lucy knew this but she
thought as she ALWAYS did that she had time
enough. When, however. she arrived at the
school-TIousc, she found the door locked, and
was obliged to return.
In the afternoon Lucys mother placed her
little infant sister in the cradle. and left the
room. telling Lucy to sit beside the cradle
and watch her.
I'm minute" said Lucv who was sitting
bv the window reading. But, before Lucv's
minute expired. her little sister dropped her
rattle box over the si,le of the cradle. and AS
she reached after it the cradle rocked
over. The loud cries Of the babe. who was
somewhat hurt. and more frightened. soon
brought Lucv's mother back again. She was
much diSpcasel when she found how mat
tentive her daughter had been. She told
her that although she was naturally kind
hearted and afirctonatc vet she coi,l never
be- trusted because she was never ready to DO
anything at the proper time.
1t was long summers day: and. after tea
some Of Lucv'S companions called for her to
take a walk with them. Her mother cave
her permission to 20; and the party set off in
high spirits Their path Law through fields
aud meadows. At length thew came to lit
tie brook. 1t was so narrow that they could
almost, but not quite, jump over it. They
found board, which they laid across, and
all passed over but Lucy. She was busy
plucking some beautiful flowers which grew
by the side of the brook.
Come" said one of her companions. We
are all waiting for YOU"
well, will in one minute. as soon "a !
can get that flower yonder." said Lucy.
At last, when she was ready. as she came
toward the brook, one of the party playtnllv
took up the board. intending to make her in
turn, wait just one minute. and then place il
hack again. But Lucy was a sprightlv az.
tive girl, and seeing large stone a little wav
from where she stool. she stepped on to it.
thinking that from there she could lump over
TO the opposite side. But she failed in the
attempt, and fell into the brook. 1t was very
shallow. and she was soon out again. but she
was thoroughly wet and covered with mud
While the rest Of the party continued THEN
walk, Lucy was obliged to return.
As she bent her steps toward home, sh5
called to mind all the trouble she had br,,nch,
upon herself, during the day. hv this hahi,
OF never being ready to do thinr when il
should he done. Her friends had often rca-
soncd with her about it. but she had neve,
tried in earnest to break herself Of it. She
now resolved to do s., -eithout any del,v.
Ii any ofmv Young friends who read this
story have formed the same habit I hone
they will not lose a minute before they bcrin
TO break themselves of It.
YANKEE INQUISlTIVENESS.