Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-01-08
ANNETTE'S LESSON.

G0h, dear! [ wish, ,"-sighed Annette Malcolm,
at the ease Of reyerie which had lasted some ten
minutes.
'sAnything that can grant, Notty dear 2" asked
her eldest sister who had just entered.
''No Kate | was wishing we were Iich''
Il thou ght we were, }" said Kate, as she seated
herself and took up her sewing. Annette locked SO
excessively astonished, that she continued, smiling
"Rich in health, and strength, and innoeent plea
sures, and the love OF parents and kind friends,
we not2"
II suppose so,n was the half reluctant answer
"But mean rich like Martin Hastings, so that we
might keep servants and have a carriage and go to
gay parties, and be treated we'll. :"
Kate could not suppress q smile at the concluding
clause: "Who ill treats you. little sister," she
asked kindly.
"Nobody-yet Only the girls laugh at me, some
OF them for not dressing better don't mind, be-
cause dress we'll enough for school girl, and my
parents can't afford to give silks and Jewels, If
I wanted them But, by and by, after leave
school, the girls will not speak to when meet
or ask me to their parties, just because not 80
rich as they. You know they do SO, Kate."
81 know answered Kate, thoughtfully. "Aud
see what you have been thinking about You were
resenting what you thought my injuries. Dear Net
ty do you think it vexes that Julia Foster pre-
tends not to know me, or Maria Blanchard does not
ask me to visit her2 I am too happy at home to
sRp aoia sVGa sSs aSq SSS ss
| SEQ that Marian Hastings liked you any the less
yours"
"Not now, Kate but she may by and by. The
Blanchards used to visit here before they grew so
rich.
$50 they did , wealth has altered them very
much. Perhaps 1t might alter us in the same way,
Annette Don't let US wish for it. We have SO
many reasons for thankfulness."
But Annette was thoroughly discontented, and
refused to see any such reasons, dwelling on the
trials of her lot, and wilfully overlooking its many
blessings; and the sweet tempered and thoughtful
sister tried in vain to restore her happiness. Their
conversation had been overheard, however; and in
the afternoon their uncle invited both girls to walk
with him. Kate was obliged to decline, but An
nette gladly accepted the invitation and was soen
ready.
"Where are you going, Uncle Charles?" she
asked.
ITO make some visits-calls rather There will
be great variety in them, in one way.''
Mr.. Malcoms first call was on q friend who was
ill ofa painful and incurable disorder. All the
comforts many of the luxuries OF life were there
but the invalid was unable to enjoy them His pale
face frightened as Mr., Malcolm entered and he
greeted Annette kindly, thanking her for coming to
visit him in his illness. Annette blushed for she
felt that the thanks were undeserved but she
looked with much interest at the invalid. He was
young man, not more than twenty, with dark
bright eyes, that seemed even larger and brighter
in contrast with the pale tn In countenance and
there was expression of suffering in his face that
instantly excited her compassion. But he seemed
cheerful and even happy; and couyersed with his
visitors with evident pleasure, though often inter-
rupted by the recurrence of severe pain. He spoke
Of his sister, his only relative who lived with him
and took care Of him telling how kind she was
hew thoughtful for his comfort how fogetfu of her
own; and recalled, with half melancholy smile,
the bright hopes he had cherished of doing great
things for her.
s'It is better it is am sure, he said, ,shough
cannot see how and sometimes it seems hard
that poor Lucy should be my protector and guar
dian, instead of my being hers. 1t long time
before was recsnciled to our Fathers will but
now would not have it otherwise, unless it seem.
ed good in his sight; no. not to accomplish ali
once dreamed Of doing. Young lady, he added,
turning to Annette, 81 see in your face that you
compassionate me; but believe me, am far hap
pier than many who have health, and forget to be
Annette's conscience smote her; had she not
been unthankfull When she left the house. she
asked how long time the young man had been i'll
'He has not left his room for many months answer
Mr. Malcolm, ''and of late he has scarcely left his
bed think he never will again. will tell you
more of him some other time. Now am going to
see poor woman who was mentioned to me as an
object of charity
extreme poverty, was shocked and distressed be-
yond measure by the sight which met her eyes. The
chesrless, fIeless aparmenti the hall olad saiyern5
children the sad, careworn mother formed picture
as novel it was painful and she eagerly offered
her assistance when, on leaving the house, her un-
ole spoke of the means he shOEld use TO make the
family more comfortable
intemperance was the cause of the evil and the
coarse language and brutal oaths that met her ear
made posr Annette turn pale with alright The
presence of Mr. Malcolm seemed to put restraint
on the half intox cated parents for time, and the
child fortunately there was but ene) ceased its
sobs when Annette spoke kindly to IL and allowed
her to lay its cheek tho soft fur of her hppeti
but they had scarcely closed the dosr after them
when the noise recommended, and the sound of
\ blows followed BY cries, proved that tho untor-
tunate child the innocent victim Of its parents
| anger. ll,
4 looking up with fearful eyes. "And that poor little
! child Can nothing be done for her'
\ ~ fear not, Netty. The parents will not give
her up, or could easily find home for her where
She would be kindly cared for. But do not quite
1 despair of reforming her parents; they were once
I respectable and Industrious, and may become SO
| again have but one more call to make; will you
| 90 withme, or are you tired!n
| Annette hesitated ~ don't like to go TO such
slace as this, uncle Charles "
Yeu need not fear another such sight my love-
The friend whom going to see is very wealthy
d and very benevolent man and my errand to him
10 day is principally to obtain ssne present reisl