Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-09

away IN her heart, like hidden treasure the les
son which Nellie had taught her, and VIII, h
was TO be rePerused often IN after years, whtn
discomfort caused her TO murmur at some lite
cloud, real or imaginary, that hung over her
destiny. And she thought within herself-.t
is your own sunny heart, poor child, that robes
the world for you in its own love-lighted and
rose tinted atmosphere. You are happier far
than l; may God forgive me-
NJ nnle Hamilton, beautiful girl Of eighteen,
was an only daughter, petted and idolized by
her parents. IEdulsences had injured, though
it had not spoiled her. So fully had everv wish
Of her heart been gratifed from her birth, shat
she regarded II as kind of privilege peculiar to
her condition, to murmur if the slightest shadow
came between her and the fulfillment of her
most extravagant desires. Poor Minnie poor.
though abOunding in riches 'One thing thou
l!cSesi, one thing which wealth cannot pur-
chase-the JOY OF a sunny and eontented heart.
let Minnie had noble qualities; generosity
and active benevOlenee, with strong moral and
religious principles. One shadow, the shadow
of discomfort clOuded them all.
Nellie had put her little purse into the pocket
OF her apron; and now, she issued into the street
again and recommended her strawberry song,
until she was summoned by another customer,
whe purchased largely. As she was about ad-
ding the payment she received TO her little store
sitting down she emptied the money into her
apron to examine it. AS she did so, she dis
covered among the 'ives' and tens gold dol
lar, which had evidently been given her by mis-
take by the first purchaser
Twill 90 right back with it, thought Nellie
She waited, however, to re-ar1ange her bas-
kets; and while doing so, the tempter came
with evil thoughts, to test her strength of prin-
eiple.
Why 90 back with it, said the wicked voice;
perhaps the lady meant to give it,
But do not kH0C that said the tender con-
science Of Nellie
We'll, you can do good with it," said the
voice, appealing artfully to her filial love, you
can purchase something for your mother. She
works hard enough for all she has, and this will
buy her neat dress to wear to church
For moment-Only mOment-Nellie lis
tened TO the sinful suggestion and she thought
how pleasant it would be to carry a nice calico
to dear mother, and how pretty she would look
IN it. Perhaps, too, she could earn enough to-
day to buy a bonnet to match, and how hapDy
that would make her y But suddenly the smile
died away on Eellie's lip; her steps grew less
light. There was weight at her heart. It was
the burden of guilty thought She had par
layed with Evil, and its shadow was on her
path. 1t had dimmed the Happiness which in
noeence had hitherto bestowed
And now, happily for little Nellie, conscience,
that voice Of CIOd in the SOUL, came powerfully
to her aid. 1t recalled wildly the previous
SABBATH evening, when her mother sat with her
at the window, just as the sun was sinking,
and after their scanty supper had been disposed
of
Nellie, my darling she said, as she laid her
Lead upon her knee, and smoothing back her
dark hair, you could not go to the Sunday
] ha.ar,aa vyOr, boI No sI,aa 10
Perhaps we can earn a pair before another Sab
bath; but l will teach you the commandments
Then Nellie repeated them after her. All were
vivid now to her memory; but especially, and
as if written in letters Of fire, stood forth the
eighth
"IhOu shall not steal"
Nellie's heart sank within her. Had she lis
tened, and obeyed that evil voice, what might
she have becOme-G breaker Of Gods holy COM
Hsaadngeat, The sin would have lain heavy and
dark uD0n her soul; dimming its sunlight, and
weighing down her buoyant, happy spirit.-
And then her home would have been changed
to her She would have destroyed its peace,
and her mlther's cheerful songs would have
been hushed. Nellie waited not moment; but
terrified at her own thoughts she rushed back
with the speed of light, lest that evil voice
should speak again, and rested not until she
reached the home Of Minnie Hamilton.
You made a mistske, Miss You gave me
this'-hOlding up the gold dollar-ror a silver
piece
'DidIl Well it lras a mistake am very
near sighted; but you are an honest little girl,
and you shall have it as q reward
No, Miss, thank you; would rather have
the silver piece
You wOuldl'
yes, Miss
you are singular child Prav tell me why
! YOU would rather
'Because-because-it would remind me-
+ Nellie burst into tears, and covered her face
with her hands.
of what tell me, child
How I was tempted to break Gods COM
mand.'
, And to keep the dollar, do you meant
Yes, Miss
But you resisted the temptation and God
: gave you strength. That was beautiful in you.
! Now tell me your name: must remember IL
Nellie Townsend
There is no sin, Nellie, in being tempted
The sin consists ia yielding to temptation. Now
that YOU have resisted, you will find yourself
strengthened in might to overcome evil. Hence
forth l shall not fear for you Only resist the
q. first pTOmBtings to do wrOng-Tesist them and
all will be well. Nellie, you were not aware Of
n it, but to-day you taught me 4 lesson Of con-
you shall have the happiness of knowing that
you, though little child, have been minister
Of good to me And you must let me reward
YOU You must keep that identical dollar to
1 remind YOU Of what has occurred to-day, and
: you have no reason to be ashamed of It. Now
tell me what was the temptation What did
you most desire to do with it =
I Nellie hesitaied, and then said: Last Sun.
day, mother had no Leat dress to go to church.
= That would just buy calico. l only thought
, of it for a moment.
Minnie Hamilton turned aside without speak
!. ing. When she looked again, there was mOis-
. tuTe on the eyelids which had not been there
+ before.
Does your mother require anything else l.
Does she not want bonnet, too ,
Yes, Miss; but 1 shall coon earn that by my
: berries Mothers sewing has nearly paid the
rent this month
Nellie, you and I must be friends Gonow,
I and sell the remainder of your Strawberries, and
!, call here on ylur way home
That evening, Nellie was tripping home with
her empty little baskets strung round her, as
usual; but in the larger ones lay O new straw
: bonnet, trimmed with a neat ribbon, and o
: package which she was directed not TO open
until her return. Mrs. Townsend was looking
! anxiolsly for Nellie when she arrived, but what
was her astonishment and gratitude when she
n heard her story with full confession of the
temptation, not word Of which she withheld
! When the package was opened, 1t was found
: 10 contain a fine calico dress for each, with a
j. five dollar bill fastened within. Upon a slip Of
paper were written these words:
For Mrs. Townsend, as an acknowledgment
| for a benefit received from her little girl whom