M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-02-17

"No, sir; how often have forbidden
you to ask met Next thing you'll b,
wanting to 90 to the woods, and thel
to the river with tishing.lines anC
tackle. | wish my children were lik,
Majors across the way. They are al
ways cheerful and pleasant on tn,
Sabbath and seem to love the day."
"But, sir, Mr.. Major talks to them
and he does not"
"Silence, sir, no reflections; | an
sorry | have such disobedient boy
now goand get ready for church; the
BELLS are ringing"
Glad to escape, George hurried away
to his room, aud Archy followed him
to show ruined frock--the result Of
activity wrongly employed--to an in
valid mother.
Let US step across the road and ell.
ter this pleasant household. The
family are most Of them in the sitting
room. ELY Major is poring over a
book which she holds out of sight 4;
Minnie sits at the piano just touching
the keys softly: Henry is lounging,
the mother and father occupied with
a newspaper of the right kind.
Suddenly Mr., Major looks up, and
notices the absorbed attention Of his
youngest daughter.
"Well, ELY, what interests You so
much, dear3"
The little girl blushed, but answer
ed ingenuously, "Oh! papa, it is Rob.
inson Crusoe.' Sarah Carter lent it
to me yesterday, and it is so beauti-
ful!"
"Yes, dear, a very pleasant and
entertaining book: still, perhaps, my
daughter could read something better
with more profit to-day"
The child looked earnestly toward
him and smiled.
"If you think oest, father, will
read something else"
81 do think, as this day is set apart
for the worship of God, your little
Bible might be proftably studied"
"Will you explain to me, father3"
"Yes, dear"
ELY laid aside her book gently,
and with little seeming regret applied
herself to her Bible, sure of her faith
er's sympathy and assistance, should
she need it.
Henry, my son, you are very rest,
less"
"Yes, father, l am thoroughly tired
Of doing nothing. My head aches if
read"
."Well, my son, ,you had better walk
1 little way. Take the back road
lown by the river, and when you re-
urn, tell us how many evidences Of
iod's goodness YOU have seen. You
lecd little exercise, and you have
leen n good boy to-day. Minnie, child,
Why don't you play something and
iing2 | should like very much to
lear Mary at the Savior's tomb"
The little girl, delighted that he
lad requested the music, sang the sa-
red song very sweetly, and the rest
istened in approving silence.
Nov that other tavorite Of mine
lie docth all things well'-rhat is a
most beautiful melody"
So soothingly the music fell upon
he air at the close of that calm Sab
it seemed as if the angels
we're listening too. Mr.. Major smil-
ng upon his wife, aaid softly, "Thank
iodW Her eyes were filled with hap
y tear: 1t yas lot yet six months,
ince oue of their little ones had gone
ome, and this song filled their hearts
With the tenderest emotions.
All was silent, when a loud peal of
aughter was heard in the back part
f the house. In another minute, in
anne Ally, dressed up in his fathers
norning-gown, a pair Of spectacles OF
lis nose.
"My DEAR" said Mr.. Major, grave
y. That was all--nobody smiled
Ally looked about in great confusion
threw off the dress and ran, head
Iown, toward his fathers open arms.
81 think we can do something bet
er than dress up in that ridiculous
ashton to-day, don't you, Ally2" ask
d Mr.. Major.
"Yes, siI," the little fellow said, in
subdued voice, still nesting his cur
y head in his fathers arms. In a
uiet, soothing voice the father told
he story of little Samuel, illustrat-
ng in its course the sweet obedience
f the holy child, and above all, his
egard for God and his appointed Or
inances. OH this was better than
ebuke, and the boy, young as he was, {
lit it, and learned a lesson he would
OF soon forget.
The bells were ringing-Henry had
sturned looking fresh and glowing. i
he girls were all prepared for meet.
lg.
swell, my children, have you pas !
ID a pleasant Sabbath" asked the
ther.
Beaming eyes and ready lips an
Yered.