The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-04-16


said he, alurost kindly, as he looked at
the boys flushed, worn face. 81 feel it
but right that you should have some pun
ishment for such great fault"
But l did not do it, sir, said James,
imploringly.
Uncle Gould grew quite stern. IRE
member that Betty saw you, my child =
Either confess aud ask pardon, or 60 back
TO your room"
"Yes, Jamie" said Aunt Gold, appear
inc from the parlor, "you love Aiadge
dearly, aud no doubt the temptation was
very great We have been talking it
over, and we wish to be as kind as your
owo father and mother, confess your fault,
and. as it it is the first time, we are will
ing to forgive you, and trust you once
more. And Indeed, since it would make
you so very happy. even promise to give
the dress TO Madge."
Don't be a prig. JIM" said Lutte !;
'just say you did it, and have it done
with"
What q terrible struggle went on in
Jamie's breast If he told lie, there
was love and forgiveness skating
prize and the pretty dress if he told the
truth, nothing but coldness and silent
contempt, and solitude in his drearv
room. What struggle. The hot pas
sions ragged, and the terrible fire burned
through his cheeks He hesitated All,
is he going to love the praise Of man more
than the prais of God ? A moment more
of silence, and he says frmly:
Il did not do it, Uncle. l cannot tell
a lie"
Poor Jamie spent the day in his room,
attended by Madge, his faithful shadow.
They heard Belle and Lutte 60 away mer-
rily with their Skates, but, strange to say
they did not feel SO very miserable, and
even smiled as their eyes met.
isn't it queer | can be SO happy?'
said jamie. IF it wasn't for this head
ache I should feel light as feather"
"Do YOU remember that strange verse
that mother used to say p said Madge.
Behold we conn; them happy which
endure. | believe | understand it better
now, Jamie and what is the rest of it !!
Yo have seer the end Of the LORD, that
the Lord is very pirifui and of tender
mercy. am so glad you endured it all,
Jauie-and who knows what the end
will be? l am quite certain it will all
come right at last"
Jamie tried to smile hopefully, and
whenever a vivid remembrance of his
heavy disappointments came over him.
he repeated softly to himself, tVery pl'
iful. and Of tender mercy"
1t is week after, and the night OF
Lutie's birthday. Madge-can it be pos
>ibie-is standing by the piano in thar
Identical green silk, though with thai
happy flush on her cheeks. she looks
more like muss rose than a lilly. And
Jamie-was there ever s1ch a radiant
face ?-What can have happened? ? But
here is Madge, eager to tell YOU all how
Aunt Gould found the missing roll OF
bills caught behind the little drawer and
how proud Uncle Gould had actually
asked Jamie's pardon, and since has
treated him almost as respectfully as ii
he mad been grown man. and everybody
was so kind, aud she (Ma1ge) was so
proud Oh she couldn't begin to tell
all she felt.
But who eau express Jamie's happi
ness? happiness not only that again he
is respected and loved-that Nadgs is
acknowledged sveeter than any other
boys sister-thas Uncle has already
shaken hands with him twice that even.
ing-but there Is a deeper joy-the
sweet peaee~-the consciousness of vieto-
rs over great temptation. And this is ii
which makes one turn from the merry
sparkling faces to the sweeter light 10
Jalnies great earnest eyes, and whisper
softly; ''we count them happy which en-
dure -