The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-03-24
IN ISITIv NES s..
pY AUGUSTA MOORE.

BY AUGUSTA MOORE. sa
Where have you been, Heien!' asned
Caroline Swift Of her sister, as Helen,
with a package in one hand, and some
letters in the other, entered the parlor
one stinying winters day. " "4ia ~
Caroline had been seated near the fre
sewing, but as her sister came in with
the package, up the little girl sprang; and
allowing cotton, thiinble aud work to
find whatever resting-place they could, she
hurried across the room; and without 50
much as by your leave sister, she caught
hold Of the letters, and commenced asking
questions ss fast as her nimble tongue
could move. - ~ e--.s q
Which question shall I answer frstS'
asked Helen; good humoredIy, trying, as
she spoke, to slip letter out of sight.
Tell me whose letter you are trying to
hide there cried Caroline making an ef-
fort to thrust her hand into her sisters
pocket. 20 Ss-+D7
Helen held the pocket close, saying
gravely: .Snppose l should tell you that
this letter concerns no one but myself
and that prefer not to name the wri-
lter?' So f-i ~ -'-s <es =
%! dear some mighty mystery no
doubt. l didn't suppose that there was
any harm in asking you question
! Caroline's look and tone plainly Judi.
caeei displeasure. = stat
There is harm, Caroline, in trying to
ipry into anything that Jou see that anoth-
er person wishes to keep to herself; for it
shows medling disposition, aud is a
breach of the command to do as you weuld
Ibe done by stiss4 e. =. e'
/ You're breaking that command your.
SELF retorsed Caroline, fer ysu won't let
me see what want to see.' sgaa g slsss
Gods commands do not require rs 10
forget our own rights am not bound
to do what yen have no right to require
4 Of me. We have all g perfect right to
request of each other whatever Is perfect
ily eonducivets our welfare and happiness
{ f1provided it does not i~propsrly infringe
: upon that Of the person Of whom the re.
quest is made You tresspass upon my
rights when you attempt toypry into my
4 private affairs bas a.fe f
Mercy, Hcleni dontprsach any more
i Iguess I'm not the only meddlesome per.
/ son in the world. Oae half the people ]
know need nothing more to make then
: take ell possible pains to learn about &
, thing than to know the person whom il
> concerns wishes to keep it. secret. Bu
u where have you been, prayl and wha
8 have you in that bundlei' aud Carslin,
!. tore off the paper cover from the packag,
r which Helea had laid upon the table. i5l
\ Caroline said the mother of the TIVE
3 young girls, why do you.not wait to sc,
4 whether your sister is willing fer, you 4
: open her package, From your itene, m,
+; dear; one would judge that you were ap
: pointed to cross question Helen, and hat
: o right to be angry if she declined ex
i planning al! her motives and Intentions t,
= YOU .ag o. iasasu r 94s ods. J,
!. For PHYS sakel mother, haven't /
0 right to ask my sister all tho questions i
please! tell her everything do ant
0 think she might showthe same conf
ience in me- I .Sefga lf ass
Il You havea a right my daughter, to asl
? any proper question of any one, but il i
: unmannerly to ask too particularly aboa
D things that do not concern you that an
other desires should passed unobserved
1t shows small and vulgar mind to ssel
Q to pry into the affairs of another, unles
> there be some great necessity for doing so
: Never press matter where there is q dis
position to be reserved upon the subject
Be refined. my child, remember tha
\ courtesy is as much command of th
Bible as is honesty. 1 have often heart
u you, my thoughtless Carrie, mention i'm
patiently the annoying habits of one VIII,
is often here. You have said in grea
anger that no one of the family could hav,
a new shoe, or q neck ribbon, or coult
. 60 across the street twice. without bein,
= , questioned and cross questioned by tina
!, young lady, until she became possessed o
all the particulars concerning the purchas
or the walk. 1t is not well to be violen
: in condefnning ones neighbor, my child
rem, but it is not wrong to take motto,
enough of their faults to determine to shul
q them in our own conduct, and also, to tr
a If a proper season offers, to help them t,
amend. l never wish to hear you speaI
e again so harshly of the person to whom I
refer; but very earnestly desire that yol
q shoul Id begin in season to check habits
/ which, if suffered to go on, will render yo'
: ljust as far from q favorite with YOU
! friends, as she, poor orphan girl, is witt
! hers She had no one to point out to he
her faults and her dangers; therefore tn
= condemnation will be nothing to compar
with yours. if you forget that the spirit o
e lof the golden rule, which is the true spiri
of Christianity, requires attention just a
close and constant to all the little, hardl
4 noticed habits of heart and life, as t,
those of the more marked and noticea
ble:- as9ala aas 81 "a saa
"Ts in these little things we all can do and say
9 Lsve showeth best its gentle oharity."a