The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-07-27

,,,oc;or. Sabbath evening whep her mother
sat It'll her At the window, just rs the sun
VA. .;nLinr and after their scanty supper had
been disposed OF. :,
"Nelly, my darling" she said, as she
laid her head upon her knee. and smoothed
back her dark hair, Z" you could not 90 to
Sunday School to-day because you had nc
shoes to wear. Perhaps we can earn pail
next Sabbath; but viii teach you the COIN
mandments." -,
Then Nelly repeated them after her. All
wcro vivid now 10 her memory; but especial
ly rs II written in letters OF fire stood ior'n
the eighth-Ihou shall moi steal NJ, i.
Neliy's heart sunk within her. hao sne
listened and obeyed that evil voice, wna'
-. ~ hsvs h.,ome-a breaker OF Code
hoiy Commandment ! the sin would have iaid
heavy and dark upon her soul dimming its
uniirht. and weighing down her buoyant
happy spirit. And then her home would
have been changed TO her. She would have
DESTROYED its peace, and her mothers cheer
ful song would have been hushed. Nelly
waited moment, but terrified at her thoughts
abe rushed back with the speed Of light, lest
that evil voice should speak again, and rested
not until she reached the home OF Minnie
Hamilton.
"You made q mistake, Mis-. You gave
me this"-holding up the gold dollar for
silver piece"
"DidlP Well 1t was mistake. am
very nearsighted but you are anhonest little
girl, and you shall have il rs reward"
"No Miss, thank you; i would rather
have the silver piece"
"You wouldf"
"Yes, Miss"
"You are singular child. Pray tell me
why you would nthcr." ,,,.,,
Nelly burst into tears, and covered her
face with her hands. -
"Of what2 tell me child"
"IIow was tempted TO break Gods COM
mand." -,
"Aud to keep tho dollar do you meant"
eyes, Miss"
"But you resisted the temptation as God
raye YOU strength. That was BEAUTIFUL In
you. Now tell me your name. must re-
member il.
"Nelly Townsend"
"Thcre is no sin, Nelly, in being tempted.
The sin consists in yielding to temptation.
Now that YOU have resisted, you will find
yourself strengthened in might TO overcome
evil. Hcnceforth l shall not fear you. On
" resist the first promptings to do wrong
resist them and ali will be well. Nelly, you
were not aware Of il, to-day you taught me
a lesson of conteutment which / shall not
easily forget and you shall have the happi-
mes of Knowing that you, though u little
girl, have been q minister OF good 20 me.
And YOU must let me reward you. You must
keep that identical dollar to remind you oil
what has occurred to-day, and you have no
reason 70 DO ashamed OF il. Now tell me
what was the temptation? What did you
most desire to do with it?'
Nelly hcsitated and then said Z" Last
Sunday mother had no neat dress TO 90 TO
church. That would just buy calico.
only thought Of 1t n moment"
Minnie Hamilton turned aside without
speaking. When she looked again there
was moisture on the eyelids which had not
been there before.
"Does your mother require anything else.
Does she not want bonnet, tooy"
eyes, Miss but shall soon earn that by
nv berries. Mothers sewing has nearly paid
the rent this month"
"Nelly, you and must DO friends. Go
now and sell the remainder OF your straw
berries and call here on your way home"
That evening Nelly was tripping home
with her empty little baskets strung around
her as usual; but in the larger ones lay q
new straw bonnet, trimmed with neat rib
bon, and q package which she was directed
not 10 open until her return. Mrs. Townsend
was looking anxiously for Nelly when she
arrived. but what was her astonishment and
gratitude when she heard her story, with a
iull confession Of the temptation, nota word
of which she withheld.
When the package was opened 1t was
found to contain fine calico drcss for each,
with Eve dollar bill fastened within. Up
ON g slip Of paper were written these words
|" For Mrs. Townsend, rs an acknowledge
ment for benefit received from her little
.irl. whom she has reared to be an example
Sr truth, honesty and virtue.
From this time Nelly and her mother were
under the peculiar patronage Of the liamii-
ton family. Sewing was supplied for which
,hoy received good pay, and Nelly was trans
fired TO Minnie's Sunday School class where
she was received as pattern OF truth and
integrity for her associates.
And shall not her example, speak also 10
our little readers. and remind them OF that
which the Bible tcachcs-to resist evil"
and to follow that which is good ;" for
that will bring them " peace at idsf.'-N'
Y. Obserrer.