South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1857-03-27
THE BROKEN THR EAT-A STORY
FOB THE NEW YEAR.

who have care of children, read with Der
sonal application
"What had We better do for the chill
drcn on New Years, Ralph2 or course
they'll be expecting something in the way
OF enjoyment, and don't kaow what in the
world it shall be !" And the fair Young
mother laid down for moment the child's
dress she was embroidering. and looked up
qyfstioningly in the face Of the gentleman
" 10 sat on the opposite side of the table,
deeply immersed in politics and prices.
He laid down his paper for a moment
.Wcll, really I don't know what to say,
Jane. It's easy enough to fudge up some
thing that will please them, suppose
What did you do last year,"
80, gave them party. But that's so
much trouble. and then some of the chill
dren are sure to get sick, with eating cakes
and eonfectionary-no. another child's par
ty IS ont of the question"
"Well then, what do you think of a ride.
most likely sleigh ride; for the clouds
we're gathering heavy and fast when came
home from the office"
That's just tho thing. Ralph. dear
Howard and Ellie will enjoy it so much !"
And Mrs. Young clapped her hands with
glrlish sort OF grace and gladness which
even motherhood had not entirely banishcd
from her manners
1--WE can 60 down to the shore and sec
the skating. and they'll bo as happy (prc-
cious little dears) as birds among applc
buds all the morning. o, do hope it
will snow ~
well think my dear, your hopes will
be realized before morning" And the
gentleman resumed his paper, and the lady
her sewing. while the wind stormed and
strengthened without, as though it was
shrieking out wild defiance to tho veor
that was coming
"a sleigh ride, mamma! Oh, goooy,.
goody!w What clapping of hands, and
dancing of feet, and shouting of glad child
voices, followed the announcement.
They were very pretty children, but
delicate. with rather hot house plant look
Howard, boy Of seven, was two years
older than his sister, and his dark eyes,
and that curley chestnut hair, we're like
his fathers; but Elic's sunny face, with
the rosy checks, and roster lips, were all
her mothers.
"Yes dear children, VIC will 20 away
down to the shore, and around by the park,
this afternoon; the day is SO very beauti-
full, and the snow fall of last night has
made the travelling delightful. Now you
will be very good, won't you. in view of
the afternoons enjoyment ?"
ITO be sure I WILL" stoutly affirmed
Howard. "What must I do to be good Z"
"You must not play with the fire any
I must leave you and little sister here for
half an. hour. Promise me, Howard, that
you will not 60 near the crate, or attempt
to light any paper there"
Il promise you mother" And the boy
meant it, as be put up his mouth for his
mothers kiss.
Mrs. Young's "half hour" of absence
doubled aud treblcd itself; for she was su-
pcrvising the dinner pastry, which on this
occasion was, of course, an extra matter.
Now Howard was a restless, daring sort
of boy, delighting greatly in dangerous
hap-hazard adventures, and certain to place
his neck in imminent peril several times
in each day of his life.
He however behaved remarkably we'll
this New Years morning. He had told
Ellie the last story he had read in the
Child's Cabinet, and then he played "Come
to see you," with remarkable patience for
half an hour, seeing it was "girls play"
and Howard had an instructive feeling that
it derogated somewhat from his dignity to
join in these.
But at last the boy grew very tired, and
then while Ellie sang LULLABY" he went
and stood near the crate, watching the
ember flames coiling around the black
heaps of coal.
At last he took an old paper that lay on
the floor. Il am not going to light it," he
whispered, while every movement Of his
restless fingers indicated plainly how they
fairly ached to do this.
| Closer and closer he drew to the flames,
holding the paper nearer to the little red
skeins of fame. that tangled along the
edges of the CRATE, and at last a corner OF
the paper caught one Of these. Howard
bent forward with low, exultaut cry, he
had lighted the paper; he disobeyed his
ThsfSe eual recklessness, he rar
all about the room. laughing as his little
sister cried out in terror, and the fame
broadencd and frightened along the paper
and almost scorched his hand, when h'
rushed with it to the CRATE, and momen
later there was nothing left of this to tel
the story Of disobedence.
A few minutes after Mrs. Young enter
ed the room hastily. 80, you're doiul
nicely children. Have YOU been O 200,
boy, and not played with the fire, How
ard p
How he wished be had not done this, q
every one must wish sooner or later, 70
the wrong doing. But it was too late
Now all the moral cowardico rose up i
Howard Youug's heart-he blusbed an
hesitated- g -.
"My SON.. said bis mother gravely, "yo
know what said about the ride. Have 70
played with the FIRE 2''