Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-10-01
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Selfish Ella.

ELLA Russell is little girl with soft, fake,
hair, blue eyes, and complexion fair and transpar
ent. She is neat and orderly in her habits, and i
very gentle and mild in her manners. Her musica
laugh sometimes rings through the house like
sweet melody. 1t is so contagious that you would
laugh yourself to hear it.
| Ella is Obedent, and as little care as any chic
| ever knew. Her father is living, but she has nc
mother, and Ella lives with Mrs Lindsey, who
has three daughters, two of them older and one
younger than herself She is much attached to
this lady, and feels perfectly at home in her house
ELIAS mother was in feeble health several years
before her death. Ella was her constant compan-
ION, and nothing gave her more pleasure than to
walt ON her and do all in her power to relieve her
suferings and make her more comfortable Mrs.
Russell said her daughter was an excellent nurse.
although she was not more than seven or eight
years old 1t shows how much even small children
can do for the comfort of their invalid friends if
they really try. 1t is very gratifying to mother
TO have child so careful and thoughtful and Ella
and her mother loved each other more and more
every day. Mrs. Russell's disease was consump-
tlon' and she could not be restored to health
foor Ella, how lonly she felt when her mother died
She was young to know so much sorrow.
Elias home is not far from New York. Her
father often goes to the city, and frequently sends
her some delieacy which he knows she would relish
"a box OF early Strawberries or basket of plums.
or peaches or whatever fiuit may be in season
Mr.. Russell is exceedingly generous. and he ex-
dam 70 I,,,.l Al
the family where she has found so excellent home.
Ella, good child as she is in most respects has one
sad fault She is selfish. When she receives a
rarity she would prefer to eat it herself just as the
chickens do when they have found nice tit-bit-
1t is really trial to her that she cannot eat
whole basket of peaches, before they would spoil
Indeed, one day. after receiving such present, she
said to person in the family, Il wish my father
would not send so many; 1 like it better when l
have only small basket, and can keep it in my
own room"
Sometimes Mr.. Russell sends box of guava or
fgpaste writing to her to use it at the table. He
intends it for the family but her selfish nature does
not so understand it, and day ae. day she will take
little from the box and put it in a small preserve
plate, and eat it at tea, without offering it to 9th
ers.
AT one time Mr.. Russell sent basket of peach
es to Mrs. Lindsey. Ella was not at home She
had gone out to make call on some of her friends.
She heard this basket had been sent and FASTENED
back so soon as she could. 81 hope they haven't
eaten up all my peaches, was her first exclamation
She was quite indignant to find the basket had
been opened. Mrs. Lindsey gave her all she con-
sdered it safe for her to eat; but Ella was not hap
py. She felt as if they all ought to be hers. and
she really cried about it. A day or two after, Ell
la saw her father, and he told her the peaches we're
designed for the family. Ella was somewhat NOR
tliied' and afterward told Mrs. Lindsey what her
father said about the basket of fruit,
1t seems very strange that Ella should be so sell
fish, for her father is not at all so. and know II
must grleve him to have child of his so forgetfuI
of the enjoyment of others. This selfshness does
not make her happy. 1t occasions her much trou-
bic, and it always will.
know little boy, six years old, who is very
fond OF fruit, and who is much delighted when his
father brings him an apple; yet have seen him,
when he had but one, divide it between his brothers
and sisters and reserve no part of it for himself
he seemed entirely happy in doing so.
One day he heard his mother say, "I have not
even penny in my purse" He went up stairs to
his money-box, and brought down handful of
penies, and gave them to her. His mother kissed
his plump, brown cheek, and thanked him for his
gift
Which should you prefer to be like-selfsh Ell
la or this generous little boy?
The selfish person is always willing to receive
faYors, but to the generous sit is more blessed to
give than to receive Independent