The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-06-12

my desk very early this morning, before
any one was up. It is very clear case,
though it grieves rue to say So"
The next morning, as, after sleep
less night, jamie stole down stairs with
his skates, his Uncle met him in the
hall.
"You cannot skate to-day, James, =
said he almost kindly, as he looked al
the boys flushed, worn face. Il feel it
but right that you should have some
punishment for sucha great fault
"But ! did not Do it, slr,' said Jamie,
imp!oringly.
Uncle Gould grew quite stern. "Re.
member that Betty saw you, my child.
Either confess, and ask pardon, or 90
back TO your room.'
Eyes, jamie said Aunt Gould, ar-
pearing from the parlor, "yon love
! Ma''ge dearly, and no doubt the TEN
ptation was very great. We have been
talking il over, and We wish to be as
kind as your own father or mother.
Confess your fanl's, and, as it is the first
time, we are willing to forgive you and
trust von once more. And indeed, since
i wonld make you SO very happy, ]
i Will csen promise to give the dress TO
Madre."
] "Don't be pria. jim" whispered
Lutte: inst say You d;,! il, and have i,
done with"
i What q terrible struggle went on ii
.Tamic's breast If lie told lie, there
was love ard torgiveness-the skating
prize and the pretty dress if lie told
the truth, nothing but GOODNESS anl con
tempt and solitude in his dreary room
What s,luggle. The lot passion,
ragged, a,l the terrible firc burned
through lis cheeks AMI eyes lie hc~i
ta.el. An is he going to love the
praise Of man more than the praise o
God \ moment more Of silence, anc
he says firmly:
j Il did not do ii, Ulc!e. I cam OF tel
a lio."
Poor Jamie sned, the ,;av III his room
attended BY MIadge, his faithful shadow.
They heard Belle and Lutte going away
i meriily with their skates, but. strange
TO say, they did not fee, So very mise
bic, and only smiled as their eyes met.
sIsn't queer can be so happy p
said Jamie. "lfit wasent for this head
ache ! should feel light as f.ther.'
DO you remember that strange verse
that mother Used to say" said Malge
-" Behold we count them happy
which endure | believe I understand,
It better nav, jamie; and what is the
rest Of it sve have seen the end Of the
Lord, that the Lord is very pitifnl and
OF tender mcrcv.' l am SO glad YOU
endured It all, Jamie-and who knows
what the end viii be: | am quite Ger
tain It will all come fight at last"
Jamie tried to smile hopefully, and
whenever !. vivid remembrance Of Iii.
heave disappoin;ments came I've, him
he repeated softly to himself, "Yery pit
iful and offender mercy"
1t is a week, and the night Of Lu,ie's
birthday. Madge-can it be possible
is standing By the piano in that iden-
teal green silk, though with that hap
py flush on her checks, she looks more
like . Moss-rose than y lilly.-And
Jamie--was there such 4 radiant face
Wha, can have happened? But here
is Madge, eager to tell you all; How
"Annt Gould found the missing roll Of
bills caught behind the little drawer
and how proud Uncle Gould had actu-
ally asked Jamie's pardon, and since
had;treated him almost as respectfully
as ifhe had been grown up man,
and everybody was so kind, and she
(Madge) .:-s i. proud! Oh! she
couldn't begin 60 tell all she felt
But who can express Jamie's happi-
ness ?-happincss not only that again
he is respected and loyod-that Madce
is acknowledged sweeter than any 9TH
er boys sister, that Uncle Gould has
already shaken hands with him twice
that very evening-bnt there is deep
er joy--the sweet peace-the conscious
ness OF victory over great temptation.
And this it is which makes Madge turn
from the merry sparkling faces to the
sweeter light in Jamie's great earnest
cys, and whispes softly, sBehold we
count them happy which cndurc!''