The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-20
MISCELL A N EO u S.
HOW TO BE HAPPY.

"OH am so hnpry!" exclaimed a little
bright-eyed girl, one pleasant afternoon in
early summer, as she came bounding towards
ire with all the irankness Of childhood.
For some time had been frequent visi-
tor at her house, and had always considered
her as remarkable, light-heurted, happy
child. But her face was 50 radiant with Joy
at this time. concluded the acquisition of
some new toy must have been the cause. So,
playfully stroking the golden tresses that
tloated like so many sunbeams about her
dimpled shoulders, | enquired: "And pray my
child, what is it that makes you SO happy!"
Her laughing eyes danced with joy us she
answered, Il have tried to be good to day, q
practice scf-dcnial; and mamma suys, doing
that will always make me happy
"But," said I, almost doubling that one so
young could understand the meaning of the
word, "what is sef-denial! do you know its
meanng!"
"Oh, yes; mamma tells me it is giving
up something which we want to do or have,
because it is for the best, and will peae 9TH
ers."
Sand have you been doing some act of
Kindness or sel-denial that makes you so hap
py now!'' inquired
"Yes think have" she said "but you
must not think am a vain little girl for tel
ling you; for have heard mamma say good
people never go about telling every pleasant
act they do"
"Oh, no." | said; 81 have asked you to tell
me, and hope my little friend is too sensible
to feel vain at all, because she has performed
only her duty perhaps"
"Wel, the other day, when mamma took
little Willie out to ride with her, to see our
little cousins, she promised me when she
went again, she would takb me. And this
afternoon was so bright and pleasant, she
said she would give me my promised ride;
but friend of hers was going too; little bro
ther must stay at home. was all ready TO go
and dressed so nice in my new hat you trim
med SO prettily; but going down the garden
walk, met Willie crying bitterly because he
was to be left. ran to mamma, and begged
her to let him go in my stead. She said he
might if wished it, and kissed me SO sweet
ly, and looked a. me SO kindly, knew she
was pleased with me-"
sand do you think you have enjoyed your
self as well as though you had taken the ride
with your ircnds!' asked
"Oh, yes; have had a nice play in the
garden, aud helped the gardener to water
some of the pretty flowers; and have been
so happy all the while, thinking how delight
ed little Willie will be when he gets home, |
telling what he has sesn, and how much bet |
he will love me for letting him go."
Just then the sound of wheels announced |
the approach of the carriage, the happy child
bounded AWAY to meet those whom she loved.
could not help thinking to myself, il this
little one, just upon the threshold Of life,
could gain SO much real enjoyment from the
performance Of ono good act, how great a
store of happiness We might gather for our
selves, who are mingling in lle's busy scenes,
and have 50 many opportunities for practising
sei-denial and doing good to others! Oh, ye
whose plastic hearts are receiving impressions
for life, beware how you allow the demon
Selfshness to rule over your young spirits,
For in after life you will learn, by bitter ex-
perience, that he who lives only for self, lives
in vain. But rather initiate the example of
this little girl, and learn from her how to be
happy Olive Branch.