Spirit of the age., 1853-06-22
CHAPTER III.
" The only amaranthine flower on earth

Is vrtuo-the only lasting treasure truth"
"Ou fine day early in spring." continued
nv narrator, "the scholars assembled at
noon to thisspot as usual to pnrtake Of their
dinners and enjoy themselves either in play
or conversation-and though the boys and
girls mover played promiscuously together,
6Ctettk. II6nry KuisseI having hard problem
to solve, preferred his slate and books to play,
and sat apart from either company but near
enough to be aspeetator to what was passing.
The girls were arranged in small groups,
and commenced braiding either their own or
their companions hair. Lucy sat alono and
her fingers appeared busy for few moments
nmong some shrubbery close by.
"What arc you doing, Lucy ?" enquired
ono Of the girls.
Braidng"-was the simple reply.
Braidng what?"
" You shall see presently" as with pen
knife which she carried in her pocket she
dexterously stripped the bark from a neigh
boring hickory bush, with which she made
wisp, and crossed it over and wrapped it
round each particular twig on which her fin
gers had been so busy. And now." she
asked with little triumph in her manner,
" have not made out of these three little
mulberry bushes almost rs nice braid as
any of yours 2"
The girls drew towards her and admired
her work. There was one exception howev
or Ellen Sinclair's lip curled with disdair
ne sho exclaimed Ii a mulberry braid /: die
my one ever hear Of such nonsense?'
well, girls" Lucy replied, :" had NJ
other employment just then, and as examplt
is so contagious, you, must blame yourselves
If thore is any wrong DONE"
"Oh, wrong 20 retOrted Ellen" you ART
-
you acted less childsly, you would hav
been braiding your own hair instead of waste
ingyour time on few stunted bushes ant
braids, rs | tell you, would so become you.
" / do not know that" Lucy answered
besides mother would be so hurt to see m,
hair disordered."
should try to please myselfin that mat
ter-but could you not. take tho braid out be
fore you went home ?" said Ellen.
"My hair" replied Lucy, would still b
disordored, and likely mother would wish t
know its cause"
Poor littlo ninny, sneered Ellen, coul
you not tell her you done it running an
playing 2"
The blood rushed to Lucy's forehead, no
for the contemptuous appellation, but in dis
may ut the girls lack of integrity, and sh
answered with more than usual warmth :
" That would not be truth, and | would nc
tell story for every hair in my head and
crown Of gold to cover'it besides"
"Oiyou little hypocrite retOrted Eller
for my part pretend tono such sanctity, an
think it must be vastly inconvenient to b
tnllinS the truth to pryiag mothers, when
does not suit one." =.
" And l." replied Lucy, g should think
inconvenient to tell my mother an untruth
for certainly would be found out"
"Oh as to that" replied the heartle;
girl, with q loud laugh, Pdtell another fib
cover the first" Her gaiety was soon owe
for on turning round she saw the clear haz,
eyes of Henry Russell riveted on her! Fl
nmomont she was abashed-but it was onl
for moment. Assuming one of her Ease
mating smiles she beckoned to him. He lai
down his slate, came forward and demande
her wish. " We were talking about braids,
aha said now do yeu ..nOt think Luc
would look lovely with ler>hair braided il
stea1 Of those everlasting eurls 2"
Henry spoke, and his voice though CALI
vas husky -" Ellen, your straight blao
hair, whom braided, is very beautiful. Curl
imagine, become Lucy most, because the
are nItural--but truth becomes you bot
sill better"
Ellcn's chack blanched Ind che cast NJ Ii,
:Ta glanos Of hatred, butte Harry she duA
rot raise her eyes."