Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-15
at(lstellaneous.
HELEN HARDING.
BY nowALLAN.

| The wintry wind howled around the pleas
ant home of Helen Harding. All without
was cold and cherries, but the interior Of
one home, at least, presented a pleasing
contrast to the cheerlessness without. A
cheerful light shone out from beneath the
curtains, whose ample folds concealed what
was passing within.
TIE bright glow Of the fire in the CRATE
created pleasant warmth, while the soft
mellowed rays Of an astral lamp dlffused a
soothing light on the rich, soft carpet, on
which the light foot fell noiselessly The
table that was drawn near the fire was COW
cred with choice books. A piano stood
open and pieces of music were strewn over
it. All was quiet, save now and then the
solitary jingle Of sleigh bell and the
heavy footsteps of some passer by, who, at
the sight Of the light shining from the
drawn curtains, wrapped his cloak around
him and hurried onward, as if impelled by
cheerful visions Of his own warm Preside.
But Helen saw nothing of what was pass
ing without Seated by the ire--a book
is open before her, but she does not seem
to be perusing it very attentively. Now
her fall, and she glances earnestly ito the
bright, glowing flames, as though she would
call for some response to her musings
The eldest daughter Of a large family,
the death of her mother threw the care and
control of the household into her hands.
Much allowance must ever be made for
one who, deprived of a mothers care and
sympathy, can only learn by experience,
those lessons which others are taught from
early childhood.
Naturally good tempered, amiable an'
obliging- besides being very lively and
cheerful-had it not been for one great
defect, Helen's character would have been
one 10 admire and initiate. While natu-
raj amiability of disposition rendered it COM
paratively easy for her to yield to the con-
troll of others, she had never been accus-
toned to deny herself, Or to obey restric-
tion, however wise or beneficial, if imposed
by sell.
The want Of self government over ones
own desires is never compensated by any
other virtue which We may possess.
Without the power to say No, firmly,
when our selfish wishes would overpower us,
how can the young hope to guard their way
from the thousand dan gers that beset them
Every days self-denial was called for, and
every day she felt her need of it more and
more, without being able to supply the de-
fciency. At this period how invaluable
would have been the gentle admonition Of
loving mother.
Just at this period new teacher took
charge Of the school which Helen and her
sisters attended Very mild and lady like
Miss Hamilton combined rare gentleness
with great frmness, nor was she long in
discovering Helen's failing. One day when
Helen's fault had brought her into some
trouble, her teacher spoke very earnestly to
her. "Whenever [ resolve to do different
fly, do the same thing again." Helen re-
plied, sadly. "Is not that the case with us
all. dear Helen ?" "But cannot see why
I should do so, do you, ma am p she ad
ded, looking up into her teachers face
s'Shall l tell you why, Helen /? Can you
bear to be told the greatest fault in your
character ?" It is the want Of courags to
say No; you look surprised, but it is, ad-
NIT. sometimes more difficult to say No than
one would think" Helen's cheek red
dened; perhaps she was not altogether ig-
norant Of it, for when she had brought her
school follows into trouble they did not
scruplc to tell her Of her fault. Miss Ham
ilton then gently expostulated with her
nor did she leave her until, in the gentlest
manner. she had won from her promise
that she would try and overcome her want
of resolution.
It was Of this promise that Helen was
thinking while sitting by the Preside on that
frosty evening.
The day before she had received an in
yitation to make one Of a select sleighing
party by moonlig ht, in company with some
of her favorite school fellows and her broth
or Clarence, SO that she had been looking
forward to very pleasant time.