Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1859-01-08

hot garret, close TO pane OF grass III
the roof, reading a long hidden book,
unwholesome as the damps Of the char
Lei house, and destructive Of all moral
ity.
Father, mayn't I walk in the gar
n minute?n asked George, hnmbly.
His father had just finished his nap,
and was moving to and fro, hummlng
snatch from psalm tune.
"No; how often have [ forbidden
you to ask me? Next thing you'll be
wanting to 60 to the woods, and then
to the river with fishing lines and tackle.
[ wish my children were like the Majors
across the way. They are always cheer
tul and pleasant on the Sabbath, and
seem to love the day"
"But sir, Mr.. Major talks to them,
and he DON'T
Silence, sir. no reflections; | am
sorry to have such q disobedient boy;
now go and get ready for cAurch-the
bells are ringing.''
Glad to escape, George hurried away
to his room, and Archy followed him
to show ruined frock, the result Of ac-
tivity wrongly improved, to his poor
invalid mother.
Let us step across the road, and en-
ter this pleasant household The fam
lly are most OF them in the sitting-room.
Ella Major is poring over book which
She holds hall, otst Of sight; Minnie sits
at the piano, just touching the keys
softly; Henry is lounging; the mother
and father both occupied with a news
paper Of the right kind
Snddenly Mr.. Mao or looks up, and
notices the absorbed attention of his
youngest daughter.
"Well, Ella, what interests you SO
much my dear %
The little girl blushed, but answered
ingeniously, go, it is Robinson Crusoe.
Sarah Carter lent it to me yesterday,
and it is SO beautiful''
"Yes, dear, a very pleasant and en-
tertaining book; still, perhaps my
daughter could read some thing better
and with more profit, today"
"The child looked earnestly towards
him and smiled.
Ifyou think best, father, I will read
something else
Il do think as this day was set apart
for the worship Of God, your little Bible
might be proftahly stuaied."
WIN you explain it to NE, father?:''
eyes, dear
Ella laid aside her book gently, and
with little seeming regret applied her,
self to her Bible, sure Of her fathers
sympathy and assistance, should she
need it.
:" Henry, my son, you are very rest
less"
Yes, father, am thoroughly tired
Of doing nothing, Ny head aches if I
read"
"Well, my son, YOU had better walk
q little way, Take the back road down
to the river, and when you return, tell
us how many evidences Of Gods good
ness you have seen. You need a little
exercise and you have been good bow
to-day. Minnie, child, why don't YOU
play something and sing? [ should
like very much to hear MARY at the
Saviour's tomb The little girl, de-
lighted that he requested the music.
sang the sacred song very sweetv, and
the rest listened with approving silence.
CHOW that other favorite Of mine
He doeth all things well'-tlat is a
most beautiful melody"
So soothlngly the music fell upon the
air at the close of the calm Sabbath
day, it seemed as if the angels were
listening too. Mr.. Major, said softly.
smiling upon his wife, THANK God,'
Her eyes were filled with happy tears.
1t was not SIX months since one of their
little ones had gone home, and this sono
touched their hearts with the tenderest
emotions. All was silent again, when
a loud peal of laughter was heard in
the back part of the house. In another
moment in come Ally. dressed up in his
fathers morning gown, and a pair of!
spectacles on his nose.
"My DEAR" said Mr. Major, gravely.
that was all-nobody smiled. The
little one looked up in great confusion
and ran, head down, toward his faith
er's open arms.
:" l think we can do something bet
ter than dress up in that ridiculous
fashion to-day, don't you Ally?" asked
Mr.. Major.
eyes, sir" the little fellow said. in a
subdued voice, still nesting his curly
head in his fathers arms. In a quiet,
soothing voice, the father told the story
Of little Samuel, Illustrating in its course
the sweet obedience of the holy child
and above all his regard for God and
his appointed ordinances. Oh, this