Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-12

priety when once they found themselves in her
hands, and went the contrary way to that
which they were designed to 60 She was SO
0Uer-careful, SO anxious to please me- that she |
was perpetually keeping her eyes on my face
when she was with me. Her fingers seemed to |
twitch all the time, as if they were just ready
to try some new blunder for my benefit
sat thinking for few moments, and then
got up to go to my room. AS had anticipa-
ted, found Martha on the stairs, behind the
door, with her apron over her head, crying 1t
was some time before could coax her to come
out; and when she finally did come she
held her finger in her mouth, hung her head,
and looked as though she would be very glad
of a hole in the floor through which she might
sink, and take herself out of my sight
What is the matter, my dear!" | asked
as she still hung back, when | wished to lead
her into my chamber. " You know am not
gong to 'Scold you"
"Oh, Miss Mary, woul.ln't care if you
did ~ she exclaimed eagerly, putting up her
apron again, as far as her mouth, into which
she thrust the burnt corner Of it II know YOU
won't like me any more, Pm such Il blundering
| thing ~
! The tears began to come again,
"Not like you, Martha, dear? That will
depend upon yourself and not upon the blum
ders you make, or upon the faults you have, if
you try to correct them. dare say you would
make yourself moro agreeable little girl, if
you knew how"
"Oh, yes indeed | would Please, dear
Miss Mary, don't think meant to !"
Will you let me ask you one or two ques-
tons Martha, and talk to you very plainly
Remember, am not reproulng you--only Gd-
| UiSng you; and you can follow my advice or
not, as you please"
"Oh yes, Miss Mary, will will do just
as you say
"Wait sill you have heard ME" | said, smil-
ing at her earnestness Well, to begin-you
are very anxious to please people, arc you not' !"
"Oh, yes, ma'am !"
You would do almost anything that you
thought would oblige your friends T"
"Oh, please, Miss Mary, try me, and sec if
wouldn't" said She frightening up
AL in'good time dear. Now have one
more question: When you do anything to
please any one-to please me, for instance-do
you think most of the pleasure l am going to
ing little girl-'li like you,' as you say ~
Martha colored to the top of her sun-burnt
forehead as she dropped her eyes, and began
confusedly playing with my apron-strings
saw that she understood me- and did not wish
to embarrass her so did not insist on an an.
swer. 4
'Now, Martha" added, smoothing her
tumbled hair with my hand - you will not be
offended when | tell you that this lastmen-
toned thought which is generally uppermost
in your mind, is the key to all your mshaps
awkwardnesses, and 'blunders,' as you call
them, which so often distress you and your
dearest friends. 1t is because you are so uery
anxious to have them like YOU that you some
times even make them dislike you"
Martha lifted her black eyes in surprise.
"Why, isn't it right to want to have people
like me 2" she asked family
Surely my darling You would be very
unamiable if you did not wish to be pleasing.
But you know the common saying Too much
of good thing is good for nothing2' So it is
with you dear child your failings grow ont of
the loveliest trait of your character"
Martha looked sadly puzzled
How shall do, then > she asked
a. will give you u golden rule which dear
| aunt once gave me Think less Of yourself and
more Of otheySt For instance, when q stran
ger comes to visit your mother do not deter
mine beforehand that she shall like you at all
hazards. Do not be too eager to attract her
attention between the gate and the front door.
Martha blushed againl STAND quietly aside,
until she chooses to notice you then behave
When she asks you n question, think for a sec
ond what is proper to say in reply, aud try to
say it without stammering or repeating. It is
very proper for you to try to do all in your
power to help her. But when you are on the
point Of Offering to do anything for her, just
stop, and ask yourself the question, Can do
this thing in a way that will really help the
lady = If you have the slightest doubt whether
you can, it is better to keep your hands folded
and to let her think you obliglng or disoblig
ing, as she pleases She will soon find you out
if she is u lady whose love is worth your hay.
ing. Finally, when you do undertake any little
service, give your Whote attention to IT Don't
be looking over your shoulder to see whether
you are being roticed or not. Bet ne! take
care of ITSELF while yom attend to the business
in hand Now, Martha. II you will do your
best to follow this advice, will warrant you a
careful, trustworthy little girl in a years
! time
Martha glanced up gratefully though few
tears were lingering in her eyes. She shook
them Of and was going to throw her arms
around my neck and kiss me, rs she had done
twenty times day But rccolcctiug Just
then. what had been saving She coiorod and
| dropped her hands could scarcely keep
from laughing, as stopped to give her the de-
sired kiss saying
That is right Martha you have saved my
crimpcd ruffIe this Gmc,
| "Oh, did use to crush it, Miss Mary I'm
50 sorry! | never thought
" 1t was no great matter to me, but Il might
be to somebody else Martha 50 it is always
we'll to think
left Martha's home Two days after this
and did not sec her again for a year and
half Ii was in the summer season that went
again to visit her mother Martha was IN the