Maryland free press., 1862-10-31
"THE LIGHT WITHIN

The sun had nearly sunk behind the hills, leav
ing the valley in sombre shadow, as f to rn T. e
travelle. that night came early these dark Deoem
ber days; but Alice Lee sat weeping beside stile
the road side, regardless the gathering gloom
only now and then looking helplessly ut u bundle
OF sticks that lay beside her. How long she in
tended TO sit there NO one knows, but soon q rust
ling noise was heard in the wood she had just
passed through, and a girl about her own age
clambered over the s,ile with a heavy burden OF
sticks on her back.
"wby, Alice p she cried, chow can you cit
there in the cold You'll be frozen to death u
"And who wouli care ?" said Alice.
81 would" replied her friend, laughingly
"and you wouldn't much like it yourself either ;
SO come, cheer up, and let us sse who will be tr,t
home" 4.-
But Alice was too sullen to be persuaded, and
at last Ellen Wilson went on her way more quick
ly than before, to make up tor lost time. Alice
sat watching her retreating igure 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 sloaly, and stll weeping bit
terly. ....... ....-........
The road stretched along the valley, and both
stood apart from the village, and good way up
the hill /; but the difference was great between
the two children W ho we're thus following the same
path to homes that seemed 50 much alike. Both
were very poor, aud neither had what could be
called happy home but the one loved God, aud
the other knew bin not or in other WORDS, the
one was happy, and the other was miAerable.-
Alice had never felt the contrast between herself
aud Ellen 50 strongly as tnis night aud she was
inwaidly wishing she knew what Eilen's secret
was, when some one, " ho had been walking much
more rapidly than herself, drew near, and che was
joined oy u kind looking elderly gentleman. He
asked her why the was crying aud Wh,n she
told him because she was coId, aud weary, and
was afraid that her mother would scold her when
she reached home, he looked very sorry ior ber
bat SAID DO did not think cry ing wou 10 do ANY
good. 81 am afraid, little girl" he aaaed, "tha'
you don't know how to be happy" --
al am not always crying, sir" said Alice.
al daressy not" be replied, with u kibd sme
"but it is one thing to BIZ sometimes merry, aud
quite another thing to be always happy"
"Always happy p'-the words sounded very
strange to the wearied child. 81 would like to be
always happy, sir" she said.
an ne are happy on earth" he answered, "ex-
oeptipg those who love God, and the LJra Jesus.
who died to save US. This makes them contented
with their lot in the world, whatever it may be-
because it ia Gods choice for them. Do you see
those two cottages high up ON the bill side7"
"Yes sir" said Alice "we We IN one, and
Ellen Wilson and her father live in the other"
"Well," he said, "as came along the valley
this evening your cottages were quite bright il
the beams of the setting Aun but as it went down
they grew darker and darker, till could scar Gel
ind them out on the hillside. But now, dom
you see how bright one of them is again Car
yOu tell me the reason of this 2" ....
"Thors is light within, sir" said Alice
ELLEN has got home, and she has kindled the
fire 2"
eyes," he said, "that IL it there is . liRh
within And so il Is With ourselves, whether olt