Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-26
HONESTY.
BY AUGUSTA MOORE.

BY AUGUSTA MOORE.
Jenny wanted to buy as many books at the S.
3. Union as her cousin Maria did.
Now Maria's father was very indulgent, amp he
kept bis little gIl's pockets pretty well supplied
with sixPences. shilings, and SO foath
Jenny's father, on the contrary, did not think
it best to allow children much spendng.mouey,
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. 5. Union
When they had visited the Union in May, Ma
ria had $500 TO lay out in books, while Jenny
had but Just one-hslf of one.g 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, said-"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-
"Yes, Jenny does love candy" Jenny was
highly indignant. "Love eandy!" thought she,
al love candy, and she means to make him think
I 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. -.. r--.-.
Jenny resolved that she, too. would receive
praise the next time they visited his store,D hav-
ing good supply of money would obtain it,.
There was silver spoon at home which had a
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,
ait is good for nothing thought Jenny, "I've
great mind to break it in two, and sell it for old
silver
"But that would be wrong" whispered Con-
science.
"Besde, mother would punish you if size found
it OUT said Fear. ..... ..-..-
"Never mind,r answered the little, tempted
girl; ST will hide it under the carpet this very
day, aud see if any misses it: il no one does,
viii sell it before we come 20 buy any more
books, and see il can't have much money as
Miss Maria. Mama said, the spoon was given
me when was a baby, and S, it is not steaiing.'
And naughty Jenny acted on this resolution;
| and, finding the spoon was not inquired for, she,
after waiting several weeks crePt into the paror,
and took it from its hiding place under the edge Of
| the careet, behind the piano, and snapped it in
two. She then went and sold it for old silver;
but great was her disappointment at obtaining but
fifty cents for her ill gotten bouty. She placed
| the money in her pocket and went home. But
she fel: so unhappy about what she had done,
| that her mother noticed it.
"Jenny my child. you do not look well; what is
the matter, dear! come tell mamma"
| The wicked little heart, which had listened to
the address of Inbred sin, more than to those of
conscience, swelled at the kind tones Of the dear
mother, and tears gushed from Jenny's eyes
Her mother was alarmed, and, drawing her lit
tie daughter to her, questioned her till she learned
| that her child's trouble was of the mind rather
| than the body. 1t was hard struggle for J my
| to own the truth; but she would not tell lie,
and when her mother asked her il it was because
she knew she had been doing wrong, that she
was unhappy, she answered, "Yes," 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, it
seemed to ne 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 violation of the Pnnci-
pies of honesty and honor, for you to do slyly a
thing, with your own property, which you believe
should disapprove; just as it would be wrong
and dishonest in me to use, for my own selfish
qualification, the things God has given ne, wien
know he desired me to put them to some better
use. Remember this lesson, my child-reme her
the pain your error has cost you; ask forgiveness
of your Father in Heaven for the sin; and in flI-
ture let your most secret action be always govern
ed by the noble spirit Of Honesty-[ IndePendent.
SOUTHERN hIl FTARY ACADEMY