The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-11-24
Gbnirs Atuoing,


The san had neally sunk behind the
hills, leaving the valley in sombre shad
ows, as if to yarn the traveller that night
came early these dark December days;
but Alice Lee sat weeping beside stile
at the roadside, regardless of the gather.
ing gloom only now ard then looking help
Iessly at bundle of sticks that lay be-
side her. How long she intended to sit
there no one knows, but soon a rustling
noise was heard in the wood she had just
passed through, and a girl about her own
age clambered over the stile with heavy
burden of sticks on her back aa
Why Aice? she cried, "how can
you sit there in the cold You'll be fre-
zen to death p @
HAnd who would care ?" said Alice.
81 would" replied her friend, laugh
ingly ard you wouldn't much like il
yourself, either; so come cheer up, and
e. US see who will be first home"
But Alice was too sullen to be persaad-
ed, and at last Ellen Wilson went on her
way more quickly than before, to make
up for lost time, Alec sat watching her
retreatipg figure until turn. in the road
hid her from view; then, slowly raising
her own bundle, she began to walk in the
same direction, but very slowly, and still
weeping bitterly. s-. .s. %. ...--e s-.
The road stretched along the valley and
both the girls were making towards two
cottages which stood apart FROM the vii
'age and a good way up tie hill; but the
difference was great between the two chill
dren who were thus following the same
path to homes that seemed somuch alike
Both were very poor, aud neither had what
could be called happy hoIpey%@bnt the
one loved God, and the other knew him
not, or in other words, theone wasstappy
and the other was miserable Alice bad
never felt the contFaBa Between ReaSelI
and Ellen so strongly as this night, pd
she was inwardiy wishing she knew what
EIlcn's secret was, whcr SOME one who
had been waking much more rapidly than
herself, drew near, and she was joined BY
la kind looking elderly gentleman. H.
asked her why she was crying; and when
she told him because she was cold and
weary, and was afraid that her mother
would scold her when she reached home
he looked very sorry for her, but said he
| did not think crying would do any good
! . am afraid, little girl, he added. +" thai
yOu don't know how to be happy"
q am not always crying, sir" said
Alice.
"I dare say not" he replied with
kind smile < but it ia one thing to be
sometimes merry and quite another thing
to be always happy = =
"Always happy !'-the words SOUNDED
very strange TO the wearied child. "
would like to be always happy, sir, SHE
said. sa # al $500. s1s-
g" None are happy on earth" he ans
wered, Excepting those who love God
and the Lord Jesus who died to save US
This makes them contontcd with their lo
10 the world, whatever it may be, becaas(
it is Gods choice for them Do you SEE
those two cottages gh uponthc hilIside?'
Yes, SIR" said Alice; 1--WE live il
one. and Eaepi Wilson. her father live
in theAoaher @z4.ss sis4 Ee
- awe lg'nhe said sassI came along thc
ssgsssring, your cottages were
quite BrissEs:iRs the beams of the setting
sun; but asitsWent down. hey grew dark
er and darker, till L could scarcely fine
them out on'the hillside But now, dom
you see how bright Que of theui,is seain
Can you tell me the reason of tbs = ~
There is a light within, SIR" .sait
Alice. Ellen has gophome, andshe has
/ kindled a fire" q - q fse.ti tt@@ g Z
"Yes,' he said, ithat is it tiiore is I
light within! And SO it is With ourselves
whether old or young. tits easy tolool
bright when the sun is shining outside
but when darkness and trouble come, ,'thet
We envy those who have light within
And mark this. ,.my child, the only .light
| for these dark, sinfuLhearts of ours, is tht
/ Ioye.ot Jesus, and thesweet spirit of con