The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-06-28
su.ie,s Disappointment.

Tomorrow is my birthday, and what
splendid times we shall have! Don't forget to
come right after breakfast, Jennie, and ride
with me after the new pony. Papa has prom
ised to take me early to see the tables arrang-
ed and cousin Mary has made such q beauti-
fut wreath of moss buds for my hair, and SUI
sic Grays bright eyes flashed brighter still, as
the festivities of the morrow glanced before
her.
''Now, Susie, don't be too much excited"
said her mother, as the giddy girl rushed
through the house, clapping her hands and
chatting gaily of the morrow.
"Oh, mamma, Jennie says l look sweetly in
my new white null and blue sash, and the
girls all say | must be floral queen. What If
it should rain I'D"
"Be careful my dear child; you would bear
the disappointment bravely, trust. We must
have shade as well as sunshine"
But needless of her mothers quiet tones,
Susie rushed from the pantry, where for the
hundredth time she had inspected the good
things" prepared for the morrow-flrst TO the
play-room, now fitted up for the evening
amusements, and lastly her admiring glances
rested upon the gossamer dress in which Jen-
ME had thought she looked so sweetly.-
Though flushed and weary with the intense
excitement, not until her father had fairly COM
manded her there, did she seek the pillow, tos-
sing restlessly there, in that unquiet slumber
which always follows unwonted excitement
The morning finds a cold, drizzly rain falling,
although it is past the middle of June.
" / don't care, necer shall be happy again.
All my pleasure is spoiledw and the thorough
ly excited and angry child burst into pas
sionate fit of weeping. In her swollen eyelids
and pouting lips it were difficult TO recognize
the merry, light-hearted girl of yesternight.
Susie's birthday had always been gala
one, and celebrated by aparty which on this,
her tenth, was to be unusually brilliant, the
entertainment to be served in Picnic Grove.
a mile distant, and floral procession to form
an interesting feature Of the day. The disap-
poih.ment then, was bitter one, and how
did Susie, a petted, but not a spoiled child,
bear it? Her untasted breakfast is sent away
without remark by her parents. They note
the struggle that is going on in their daugh-
ter's mind, and wisely leave the contest to her.
After an hour or two, the clouds begin to
clear away, chasing the shadows from Susie's
brow; but soon the rain pours in torrents.
Just before dinner, a game of romps with her
pet kittens, and the CHANGING of her sunny
curls around babys cradle convince the anx-
ious parents of the wisdom of their decision
in leaving their darling child, in this her first
great trial, to the exercise of that reason and
Judgment, in the use of which she had been
carefully trained.
"Oh, mamma, I've worked whole rose on
JAMES slipper, and after all, the day has not
been so very long, and l have really tried to
be good. i thought once this morning didn't
care how cross / was, and wished could make
everybody else feel so, and it seemed as if
heard some one whispering, Susie, is that
right?' but wanted to pretend l didn't hear.
and kept on saying, 1T might just as well have
been pleasant to-day and rained some other
time,' and it spoke louder, Susie, Susie, is
that rightp' Then I knew it was wicked for
me to complain. What was it mamma?'
1Your good angel, my dear. Two spirits
hover round you, one Of light, and one of
darkness, recording your thoughts, words and
acts. The better angel waits, and whispers,
bidding you ever 10 do right. You have
learned wise lesson. / am glad you listened
to the better spirit, so that it recorded Susie's
name as one who ruled her spirit Do you re-
member anything about that?" so, yes,
learned it last Sabbath. He that ruleth his
own spirit is better than he that taketh city,
Let all the children remember Susie. and
when disappointments come, bear them brave
ly, for every little girl and boy may be as brave
as the bravest neutrality-suspicious..