New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1859-10-15


ence as she had been. ....9 iii yI.,
You seem very happy she said, res
ponding to Nellies smile. DO you earn
your living selling strawberries!' H.i
yes, miss. In the summer I sell ber-
ries, in the winter I go to school part of
the day, and help mother the other
part .. ...< .'....- .
sAnd what makes you so happy! Can
you tell me the secret! . ...'.......,...
Mother says we must be bright and
happy, because we have SO much to be
thankful for .......... ... ...
Minnie looked in amazcment. so
much to be thankful for thought she;
'and in their position! How does your
mother support herself childl ..t
sShe takes in common sewing, miss -
Sometimes she work half the night .
Then what in the world has she to be
thankful for! she exclaimed; and silent
self reproach came stealing up from her
heart that she lad SO often murmured
over some evil in her own lot, which GER
tainly seemed bright one in comparison.
Nellie smiled again sweetly, as she ans
wered: t o9s y. ... .j~1& atra4w
Some people, as good as we are, have
no home, and have nothing to eat But
mother and have little room to live
in. She sings at her work all day long,
because she says God is SO good to us
We have bread and potatoes every day,
and on Sundays we have meat. Don't
you think, miss, that is something to be
thankful for?' she asked simply. a1
A deeper tint glowed on Minnie's
cheek. ri % 1H9 s5ss4 s,i #.at asa<
tYes, yes, child Z she answered nervous
ly, and then followed pause, during
which she stored away in her heart, like
hidden treasure the lesson which Nellie
had taught her, and which was to be re-
perused often in after years, when discon-
tent caused her to murmur at some little
cloud, real or imaginary, that hung over
her destiny. And she thought within
herself-'lt is your own, sunny heart,
poor child, that robes the world for you
in its own love lighted and rose tinted at
mosphere. You are happier far, than 1,
may OOu lOISlVc me! r..,.r-ar...- .. e. ". ,frI
Minnie Hamilton, beautiful girl of
eighteen was an only daughter petted and
idolized by her parents, Indulgence had
injured, though it had not spoiled her,
So fully had every wish Of her heart been
gratified from birth, that she regarded it
as kind of privilege, peculiar to her con-
dition, to murmur if the slightest shadow
came between her and the fulflment of
hermost extravagant desires. Poor Min
ME! poor, though abounding in riches
'One thing thou lackest'-one thing
which wealth cannot purchase; the Joy Of
sunny and contented heart.
Yet Minnie had noble qualities; gcner-
osity, active beneyolence with strong NOR
al and religious principle. One shadow
OF discomfort. clouded them all. 10
Nellie had put her little purse into the
pocket of her apron; and now she issued
into thestreet again, and now recommen-
ced her strawberry song, until she was
summoned by another customer, who pur-
chased largely. AS she went about ad-
ding the payments she received to her lit
tie store, she discovered a small rent in her
purse, and sitting down she emptied the
money into her apron to examine it. AS
she did SO she discovered among her fves
and tens gold dollar, which had EVIDENT
ly been given by mistake by the first pur-
chaser.
| will go right back with it, thought
Nellie. 1854 aG#
She waited, however, to arrange her
baskets and while doing so the tempter
came with evil thoughts to test her
strength of principle. a.41--rk lgH
why go back with it!' said the wick
ed voice, perhaps the lady meant to give
it. asa =; sel .- |
But I do not know that said the ten
der conscience of Nellie. + @ n
well, you can do good with it, said