Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-27
HoxEsry.
BIZ AUGUSTA nooHr.

Jenny wanted 10 ouy as many books at the 9
s. Unon az her cousin Maria did
Now M.ria's father was very udulgent, amp he
kept his little gIl's pockets pretty well supplied
with six3ences, sbilngs, and so foath. d.
Jenny's father on the contrary, did not think
it best to allow children much spending-money,
and Jenny never had more than few pennies
given her at time. ~
Jenny and Maria each had tin bank, into
whose chimney they dropped their riches, for
certain length of time, and then they opened the
band and counted their treasures.
Both these little girls were very fond Of read
ing-"book-worms" they were called by their
friends-and most of their money went for books,
which they always purchased at the S. S. Union
When they had visited the Union in May Ma
ria had $500 10 lay out in books, while Jenny
had but just one-half of one. 1t seemed a hard
case to Jenny, and when the store-keeper came
and patted Maria on the head, and called her
good girl for saving her money SO well, and then,
casting side-long glance at her, sad-"I guess
the other little Miss loves candy better than
books" she could with great difficulty restrain
her tears.
Maria, pleased at the praise she had received,
plumed herself considerably, and remarked, some
what reprovingly-
ayes, Jenny does love candy" Jenny was
highly indignant. "Love candy!' thought she,
81 love candy, and she means to make him think
/ love it better than she does, when she spends
more for it, and eats more Of it, in week, than
in FIVE weeks"
The kind gentleman who waited on these little
girls, little guessed what trouble his words had
! made.
Jenny resolved that she, too, would receive
praise the next time they visited his store II nav
ing good supply of money would obtain II.
There was silver spoon at home which had
bad crack in the handle. That spoon came into
Jenny's mind, and staid there long time. Can
any of my little readers think what she thought
about it,
at is good for nothing" thought Jenny i've
great mind to break it in two and sell 1t for old
| silver"
"But that would be wrong" whispered Con
science.
BESIDE, mother would punish you il she found
it OUT said Fear. 1
"Never mind,' answered the little, tempted
girl; 81 will hide it under the carpet this very
day, aud see if any one misses it: II no one does
| will sell it before We come 20 buy any more
books, and see if can't have as much money as
| Miss Maria. Mama said, the spoon was given
me when was baby, and 50 it is not stealing.
| And naughty Jenny acted this resolution;
and, finding the spoon was not inquired Tor, she,
after waiting several weeks, crept into the parior
and took it from its hiding place under the cage oil
| the carpet, behind the piano, and snapped 1t IN
two. She then went and sold it for old silser;
but great was her disappointment at obtaining but
fifty cents for her i'll gotten booty. She placed
the money in her pocket and went home. But
she felt so unhappy about what she had done,
thst her mother noticed it.
-"Jenny my child you do not look we'll; what is
| the matter, dear, come tell mamma"
| The wicked little heart, which had listened to
conscience. swelled at the kind tones OF the dear
mother, and tears gushed from Jenny's eyes.
| Her mother was alarmed, and, drawing her it
tie daughter to her, questioned her till she learned
that her ehild's trouble of the mind rather
than the body. 1t was hard struggle for Jenny
to own the truth; but she would not tell be,
and when her mother asked her if il was because
she knew she had been doing wrong, that she
was unhappy, she answered, Eyes" and at last,
with many tears, she confessed all, and gave tie
| half dollar into her mothers hand.
81 thought the spoon was mine, mamma, and |
did not mean to steal; but, after had sold it, il;
seemed to me just as If was thief and was
miserable"
"The spoon was yours, my child; but you and
all you have are mine; just as and all have be-
long TO God; and it was a violation of the princi-
pies of honesty and honor, for you to DO slyly a
thing, with your own property, which you believe
should disapproye; just as it would be wrong
and dishonest in me to use, for my own selfsh
qualification, the things God has given me, VIXEN
know he desired me TO put them to some better
use. Remember this lesson, my chid-remember
the pain your error has cost you; ask forgiveness
of your Father in Heaven for the sin; and in fu-
ture let your most secret action be always govern
ed by the noble spirit of Honesty Independent