Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-11-05
Inqusitiveness.
/. BY AUGUSTA MOORE.

- - BY AUGUSTA MOORE.
Where have you been, Helen!' asked
Caroline Swift of her sister, as Helen, with
a package in one hand, and some letters in
the other .'ehtered the parlor one singing
winters day.
Caroline had been seated near the fire,
sewing, but as her sister came in with the
package. up the little girl sprang; and allow
ing cotton, thimble, and work to find what
ever resting place they could, she hnrried
across The room; and, without so much as
BY your leave. sister, she caught hold Of
the letters, and commenced asking questions
as fast as her nimbe tongue could move.
fet-guestion shall answer frstp ask
easS*Sa, good humoredly, trying, as she
sptKe, to slip letter out of sight.
Tell me whose letter YOU are trying to
hide there cried Caroline, making an effort
to thrust her hand into her sisters pocket.
Helen held the pocket close, saying grave
ly: Suppose should tell you that this let
ter concerns no one but myself, and that |
prefer not to name the writerp o
80! dear, some mighty mystery, no doubt.
didn e suppose that there was any harm in
asking you question:
Caroline's look and tone plainly indicated
displeasure.
There is harm, Caroline, in trying to pry
into any thing that yOu see that another per-
son wishes to keep to herself: for it shows
medtling disposition, and is breach of the
command to do as you would be done by
YOU'RE breaking that command yoursef,'
retorted Caroline, for YOU won't let me see
what want to see.'
Gods commands do not require US to for
get our own rights. | am not bound to do
what.you have no right 10 require of me. We
have all perfect right to request of each
other whatever is perfectly conducive to our
welfare and happiness, provided it does not
improperly infringe upon that person of whom
the request is made. You tresspass upon mU
rights when you attempt to pry into my pri-
vate affairs
Mercy. HeleR! don't preach any more |
guess I'm not the only meddlesome person
in the world. One hall The people | know
need nothing more TO make them take all
possible pains to learn about thing than to
know the person whom it concerns wishes
it keep it secret. But where have you been,
prayl and what have you in that bundlep
and Caroline tore off the paper cover from
the pack ige which Helen had laid upon the
table.
Caroline said the mother of the two
young gilrs, why do you no. wait TO see
whether your sister is willing for you to open
her package! From your tone; my dear,
one would judge that you were appointed to
cross-question Helen, and bad right to be
angry if she declined explaining all her mo-
tives and intentions to you.'
'Eos PHYS sake! mother haven't right
to ask my sister all the questions | pleasel
tell,her everything do, and | think she
might show the same confidence in me-
Y1u have right, my daughter. 10 ask any
proper question of any one, but it is unman-
nerly to ask too particularly about things that
do not concern you; that another desires
should pass unobserved. 1t shows small
and vulgar mind to seek to pry into the .af-
| fa irs Of another, unless there be some great
necessity fer doing so. Never press mat
ter where there is disposition to be reserv-
ed uron the subject. Be- refined, my Child; :;
remember that courtesy is as much Il COM
maid of the Bible as is honesty. ! have Of
ten heard you, my thoughtless Carrie, men,
ton impatiently the annoy ing habit of one
ho is7eften here. You have said in great
anger that no one OF tie fami could have a
new shoe, or nee ribbon. or could 90 a.
cross tht street twice, without being ques-
toned and cross, questioned by that young
lady, until she became possessed of all the
! particulars concerning the purchase or tie
walk. 1t is not well 10 be violent in con-
demning one's neighbor, my children, but it
is not wrong to take notice enough of their
faults to determine 20 shun them in our own
conduct, and also, to try, if proper season
offers, 10 help them to amend. never wish
to hear you speak again 50 harshly of the
person 10 " HON refer; but very earnestly
desire that you should begin in season to
check habits, which, Ifsufiered TO 90 on, will
render you just as far from favorite with
your friends, rs she, poor orphan girl, is with
hers. she had NO one to point out to her
her faults and her dangers; therefore the
condemnation will be nothing to compare
with yours, if you forget that the spirit OF
the golden rule, which is the true spirit OF
Christianity, require. attention Just as close
and constant to all the little, hardly noticed
habits of heart and life, as 20 those of the
more marked and noticeable.
= '1is in these little things all DO and say
Love siloweth best its gentle charity