Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-13
THE YOUNG INVALID

tensely hot, but here q soft cool breeze stole
in through the shaded rooms, and the dow
orS in the garden-plot in the front were hung
with glittering water drops from the neigh
boring hydrant.
Mn. Bradford in her white morning robe,
and with her dark glossy hair lying in sOft
folds over her forehead, was herself seeming
ly an embodiment Of placid and serene re-
pose, It was 9 pleasant picture, and Marianne
fingered.
chow happy she must beF' thought the
little, sunburnt child, never dreaming that
any sorrow could enter such place and
IN her nmost heart she wished that God
had gwen her q mother and home like
that. FHsHl iolu
'Ploase, ma'afn, may sit down and cool
mVself2 Il looks a0--so-happy here
Mrs Bradford raised her eyes to look, for
the irst time, upon the speaker. "Certain-
ly, my child as long as you wish !" and Ma
rianne took of her torn straw hat, and wiped
her forehead, and amOOthed back hsr moist
euTls, IS she inhaled, with something like .
sigh, a long draft Of the refreshing air. $50
you think that it looks very happy here but
do you not know that almost every home in
this world has some sorrow resting upon Il. !"
"No, ma'am, did not. thought that
rich people were always happy; but wish
Lizzie and / had such B home" w
Sand whOis LiEzie3"
"AIy little sister. She has had the scarlet
fever and iH just getting we'll"
Shave you no mother ?"
"No mean mother died when Lizzie
was baby, and was too small to remember
her"
''Have you no fatherY"
al don't know ma'am. He went to Kan
sas, and perhaps he is dead we don't
know"
''Who takes care Of youf
'sWe live with my aunt masm; but she
is poor and she can do much for US, with
four children Of her own; and 50 l sell ber-
ries to buy bread We don't have much be-
sides that and cold water, and can't give
any. strawberries to sister now, because
she must have bread to make her strong
again
Mrs. Bradford did not answer; and as Ma
rianne looked up she saw that her face was
buried in her hands, from which her work had
fallen, and that tears were trickling beneath
them. Afler pause, she said in q very low
voice, f'Your sister wiz soon be we'll but in
that room pointing 10 one which opened in
the hall--eis little girl who VIII never, new
er be well again In this world. Her lips
quivered with emotion as she rose and yan-
ished through the half open door.
Marianne heard her speaking in low and
gentle tone, and then afeeble, but very mu-
sical, voice replied, ePlease, mamma, let her
come I'm for q moment
carey not weak to-day, darling2"
'NO, mamma, think not
Marianne was summoned, and what a
scene transfxed the child as she pas sed with
H. ~ eiuflrsl
but not gloomy. Flowers here and there in
vases, filed it with fragrance; and snowy
muslin curtains subdued the light Books
and beautiful gifts lay on rosewood tables,
showing It to be the apartment Of a splendid
child; but the object which at once attracted
her gaze was the figure Of the occupant
On a litIle couch, which could be wheeled to
and fro at pleasure, and beneath misty cur
tains Of dazzling whiteness, lay a pale but
beautiful girl, Of about twelve OF fourteen
years. She was white as the drapery which
enveloped her; and her large and dreamy
| eyes lent 8 spiritual expression to her whole
countenanoe. The effort to raise her head
caused for a moment a slight contraction Of
the brow as from pain, but it passed away in
TO smile, like a momentary shadow upon
moonlight. As Marianne stood mOntionless,
she extended her little pale hand
fYou do not fear me because l am i'll p
ooh, no, said the child as she approached
with an evident feelingof awe, Rs If an angel
had spoken to her. u IT.
''Mamma tells me that you have little
sick sister, and that you gather berries to
sell"
''Yes, Miss, gather them to buy bread"
teWfll you sell them TO me n
''Oh, yes, but your mamms said she had
enough for to-day
80 she has, but would like these; how
much are they p
'tEighteen pence"
Quietly she put her hand beneath her pill
low, and drew out little silken purse
Counting out six shillings, she put the mo-
ney into the childs hand. HThere, / know
you viii make good use OF it and now take
the strawberries to your sister, with ny
love-" 20
Marianne looked at her and burst into
tears. "DOTt cry, because that would make
mamma and me Unhappy z 2 e1t
''Oh, you are 80 good
d" No, not good, only very happy and CRATE
! full when can do little good. You see,
papa is rich enough to give me everything
want, but this money is my own, to do with
as l will so it is no great sacrifice that
make you must not be too grateful. Come
and see me again. What shall call your
] Marianne"
"Lillie is not always as sick as she is now,
said Mrs. Bradford rsometmes she can sit
up three or four hours a day, and then she
earns this money to give away. II is her
greatest pleasure p
A blush, like a rose-tint passed over the
cheek Of the young sufferer, as she said, It
would be no pleasure for me to give away
| that which cost me nothing. have been
sick ever sincs 1 was born, but papa and
mamma have spaEed no trouble or expense in
obtaining teachers for me, and It is priVi-
lege TO use my best efforts to do the little
good / can. ] earn in my own way this
money, and give i away, because it is the
only way in which ] can show my gratitude
to God for His mercies to me- and especially
for giving me such dear parents. You see
l cannot go about doing good, as Others
can--as you can, Marianne, and every other
| little girl, even though she has no money
There are 3 thousand ways Of doing, and even
though they may be small, they are all &C
! ceptable to God You have begun by earn
ing bread for your little sick sister, and that
is pleasing in his sieht'' aH GliI7i1i
A look of satisfaction passed over Mari
anne's face; she had acted from the prompt
ings Of natural affection without thinking
that it would be acceptable to God, but hence
forth she would act from the two-iold motive
Of doing good and pleasing her heavenly
Father. That night the poor orphan kneli
down an dptayed for strength to keep her res
Olution and live to Him. r
And thus it was that from that little ST.
lent chamber, which parental love had filed
with all pleasant images Of beauty, there
went forth an infuepee which had drawn
many q little lamb into the fold Of tbs Grssi
Shepherd, many little child to bow before
the cross Of a blseding Saviour. D ,gTJT
/ Lille did not know and she viii not know
until she reads the record Of her good deeds
in Heaven, that many 3 Jong sufferer in
distant parts Of our land watched eagerly
Y .eA.AE4 .s-r LiisG tEiI7tll ~ ~