Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-09
glrRSWt Ina0iag.
From the Methodist Protestant.
MAGGIE; Oh,
The Little Girl who would Say I Can't.
MAGGIE; Or,

MAGGIE; Or,
The Little Girl who would Say I Can't.
BIT VAR MoNTRosE.
Maggie, 1 wish you would run down in
the cellar and get a Few sticks of wood
said Mrs. Grey To her little girl.
In an instant, Maggie's face was covered
with wrinkles, and twisting herself she re-
piled,
oh, mother, [ can't, I am afraid Of rats
and reaches
Well, never mind, Willie will 90, said
tho mother, and the little boy addressed.
ran cheerfuily for TIE required article, while
his sister went on with her play.
Maggie have you studied your geography
for school tomorrow was the next cues
ton Mrs. Grey asked of the child.
No, mother, | can't, it is so hard :
cant again, Maggie; suppose l should
use the word on all occasions. what do Won
think would be the result p
I don't know, ! am sure but I can't help
Your brother Willie never says I can't
If | require him TO perform q difficult task.
he says, mother, I will try
1 have tried to say it too, but X is of no
use | cant, replied Maggie, and her mother
turned away without saying any more.
II mattered not what Maggie was told
to do, her reply would be Il can't she had
become SO accustomed to the phrase that
she scarcely ever uttered a sentence that did
not contain it.
Her parents and teachers had tried every
variety Of argument to break her of the
ugly habit, but il was in vain.
= c'u't, was the burden of her hourly
RAJ AZ ipn alec Ut q avar ha.-l
TIL night, and Maggie was becoming disa-
ereeable TO herself and every one else.
Willie, won't you bring home some an
pies from Mr. Browns orchard, you are 60
ing over there to play with the boys said
Maggie one Saturday afternoon.
oh, can't be bothered with apples, Mag
gie, said Willie, with a merry twinkle in
his eye. Maggie saw this, and waited am.
iously for his return, fully expecting he
would bring the desired fruit, but be return.
ed without them.
The Sabbath School was two miles from
their dwelling, and Mr.. Grey would never al
low Maggie to go, unless accompanied by VIII
lie. One bright Sabbath morning Maggie WAS
preparing for school, but she could not find
anything she wished to put on, and no one
would to assist her. Her mother passed
through the room, and she exclaimed.
'Oh, mother, do come and help me find NV
cape
can't, Maggie, yeu will have to hunt Il
yourself replied her mother.
But Mother, | have, and, can'ttind it,
Then wear something else, 4 cant Look
for 1t, and Mrs. Grey left the room.
TMs was something very strange, for that
KIND mother was always ready to assist her
little girl, and took pride in dressing her on
Sunday morning. Maggie could not under.
stand it and went down stairs in search OF
her cape Just as Willie was startingfor school.
'oh, Willie. don't go, wait for me; she
can't wait, Maggie, why amt You readyY
i can't find any of my things. Mother
you might come and help me- and Maggie
began to cry.
For a moment Mrs. Guey stood irresolute
an busy reading, Maggie, I can't stop.
went to school, and Maggie criet
ali tne morning with her disappointment
In the evening Willie went to his uncle's
ana Maggie was1reading . little book he hat
brought from the library. When the hsh
cried. Mrs. Grey said,
Maggie, run bring the baby her.s
Ican't want to finish my book,
Mrs. Grey Quieted the baby. and otto
putting him to sleep started for a WAN. Mao
gle wished to accompany her, but she renl;e55
i can't take you, Maggie, ] can't be both
cred with children For a week. eyervtb;n
that Maggie asked her mother to do. She r,
Piled ] can't until at length one evening IN
little girl came to her side, and with tears j
her bright eyes, said,
Mother, If you will be like you alway
were, | will never say l can't any more. :
The mother turned and ~clasping her !
her arms, talked long and earnestly Of IL
folly and Wickedness of her course, and eps
after, if the word 1 can't was thought Of b
her, the remembrance Of that week of tri
hushed the word but half uttered, and 81
learned to 60 cheerfully and say to ever
thing, | can try. Maggie became a comic
and a pleasure 70 all around her. Little chi
dren who, like Maggie, have formed Il
habit ofsaying, II can't, like her, break you
selves Of it now, for it will never prosper
The little boy or girl who would learn gre
or good things, must not turn away at II