Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-03-18
BE GENTLE AND oBLIGING.
A STORY FOR THE cHlLDREN.

"Please to help me a minute, sister"
80. don't disturb me, I'm reading was
the answer
"But Just hold this stick, won't you, while
drive this pin through -
~ can't now, ! want to finish this story,
said ] emphaticaly and my little brother
turned away with a disappointed look in
search Of somebody else to assist him.
lie was bright boy Of ten years, and my
only brother He had been visiting young
friend, and had seen a Windmill and as soon
as he came home his energies were all en-
ployed in making small one for he was
always trying to make tops wheelbarrows,
kites. and all sorts Of things, such boys
delight in He had worked patiently all the
morning, with saw and iack-kniie, and now it
only needed putting together to complete it
and his only sister had refused to assist him,
and he had gone away with his young heart
saddened.
thought of all this in the fifteen minutes
after he left me, and my book gave me no
pleasure 1t was not intentional unkindness,
only thoughtessness. for ! loved my brother
and was generally kind to him still, had
refused to help him. would have gone
after him. and offered the assistance needed
but knew he had found some one else. But
I | had neglected an opportunity Of gladden.
ing childish heart.
! In half an hour he came bounding into the
house, exclaiming, Come, Mary, I've got il
up Just see how it goes - His tones were
Joyous, and I saw he had forgotten my petu-
lance, so ! determined to atone by unusual
kindness | went with him. and sure enough
on the roof of the woodhouse was fastened q
miniature Windmill, and the arms were
whiring around fast enough to suit any boy
/ / praised the Windmill, and my little broth
ers ingenuity, and he seemed happy and en-
/ tirely forgotful of my unkindness, and | re-
solved. as ] had many times before, TO be al
ways loving and gentle
4 few days passed by, and the shadow OF
a great sorrow darkcned our dwelling. The
Joyous laugh and noisy glee were hushed, and
our merry boy lay in a darkened room, with
anxious faces around him, his checks flushed,
and his ewes unnaturally bright. Sometimes
bis temples would moisten and his muscles
relax, and then hope would come into our
hearts. and our eyes would fill with thankful
tears It was in ono of these deceittul calms
in his disease that he heard the noise Of his
little wheel. and said Il hear my windmill.
'Dute ~ uidhe Abht hIdA "NAI "'hNN'
"Shall we take it down -
go no, replied he, lit seems as if were
out of doors, and it makes me feel better
lie mused a moment, and then added ;
Don't you remember, Mary, that ! wanted
yeu to help me fix it, and you was reading,
and told me you could not; But ii didn'
make any difference. for mamma helped me" "
o, how sadly those words fell upon my ear,
and what bitter memories they awakened
How l rcpented, as | kissed little Frank $
forehead, that had ever spoken unkindly to
him Hours of sorrow went by and we
watched his couch, hope growing fainter, and
anguish deeper, until, one week from the
morning on which he spoke Of his childish
sports, we closed the eyes once so sparkling,
and folded his hands over his pulseless heart.
He sleeps now in the grave, and home is des-
olate; but the little windmill, the work of
his busy hands, is still swinging in the breeze,
just where he placed it, upon the roof of the
old woodshed and every time ! see the tiny
arms revolving, | remember the lost little
Frank-and | remember, also, the thought
less. unknd words
Brothers and sisters, be kind to each other.
Be gentle, consderate and loving.