Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-30
MARY MILLER AND ELLEN PARKS
THE FOLLY OF DIsCoNIENT.


Many years ago, I read a story which for
chilly illustrated the folly of discomfort. It
was in poetry, but here is the substance of
it, in a dress of plain prose.
A farmers daughter, | will call her Mary
Miller, was permitted to take a walk in the
fields one Saturday afternoon. She had been
to school all the week, and this privilege de-
lighted her very much. She soon left the
dasty road, and raHbled from hillock to
hillock, gathering the flowers which pleased
her fancy. Sometimes she watched the
CLASSY brook, and listened to the merry
birds; sometimes she bounded after the gay
butterfly, and then ran to pick some flow
ers whose gaudy colors attracted her eye.
In short wherever her light heart prompted,
her nimble feet carried her.
She was lear the road side when she saw
a glittering coach pass slowly by. There
was no one in it but a little girl about
7 Mary's age. A driver is in front, guiding
: the sleek horses, which tretted in their rich
harness. When the girl wished to stop,
he instantly checked them; when she wished
them to go forward, they started at his
word. A footman was on his stand behind.
If the little girl saw a flower in the field, or
l. by the road side, she had only to speak, and
Or the carriage stopped while the footman ran
lie to fetch it. In short, she seemed to have no
as wish ungratifed. AS Mary locked at the
ry coaxn. her heart sunk, her feet lost their
e. lighfness, her spirits their gayety and her
ty face It's smiles. She walked gloomily along
and with sour looks and p~outing lips, she
k, entered her mothers humble dwelling.
ng Have you had a delightful walk, my
= child % said she.
he ooh, no." said Mary, pettishIy; Il should
ire have enjoyed it pretty we'll, but Ellen Parks
came along in her carriage, and when saw
hts how happy she appeared with her coachman
and footman to wait upon her, and remem-
ore bered that was a poor girl, and mnstalways
Else go a foot, and wait upon myself, eouie
nd hardly help crying. If she wanted anything
Tol- she had only to speak, or point 10 it
and the footman intently ran and brought
Gus it to her. But when | wanted anything, II j
BILE, was ever so far off, | must go and get it my
like self. | don't mean to walk out by that roat
re- any more"
IAN Her fretful voice had scarcely hushed
ems than Mrs. Parks came in. :,
app How did your daughter enjoy her rid
this afternoon p asked Mrs. Miller, "he
as her wealthy guest had thrown herself Ian
pect guidly upon an uncushioned chair.
tafe was lamtts, so tnatrsfbanlaad Knew fSo ~w th 7 Eli te
!:yIe several years.
nos. she would have enjoyed it very we'll,
sala Inc lady, In a tone of condescensior
cut just as she came where she had the fir
= 80 est prospects, she saw a little girl skinnin
.aly aooutthe fields. She watched her happ
pol. movements as she ran, wherever her fame
"a LED her, and when she recollected that sh
t - could never enjoy herself thus, she said sh
Tue could scarcely restrain her tears" ssYo
.Me cannot think, said she, how sad it was t
ere feel that must DE lifted into the carriae
whenever wish to take the air ; and whe
III | see a pretty flower, I can never pick it nv
va sell, but must wait till some one, who work
Tor money, can go and fetch it to me.
.ler watched the happy girl, said she, for a fe,
onns minutes, as she danced so gaily among th
per- birds and flowers, and then ordered tn
HOFFMAN to bring me a few daises, whic
J Of ftbA4vo .aeu ahe srfsysea GI Dot e lhea
are man to drive home, that her feelings Nigh
oun- no longer be aggravated by the sight
the pleasure which she could not share. Whe
part the footman brought her in. and placed h
carefully upon the sofa, she laid her fac
hem upon my lap and wept profusely." ''Motl
own err" said she, Il will never ride out by thos
able fields again."