Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-02-16
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KATIE's COMPANION;
a STORY FOR THg YOUNG,
SELECTED BY WIN. r.. HUNTER.


DEAR CH1LDREN.-Mapy of you know
that your friend is often travelling
from place to place to talk to bows and
girls. Now in this beautiful land of ours
the traveller must see many delightful and
interesting things and meet with mauy
pleasing incidents. But that is not al.
ways the case, for lie is not all sunshine.
AS there must be some cloudy days, SO the
traveller must have some drsary hours.-
This often happens for the want of dear
companion with whom to while away
tue time in social chat God has made
rs social lcings, and very much of our
lappincss in this life depends upon the
social nature implanted in our hearts, and
hence we should try to cultivate kindly
feelings towards all.
Now if any of my young readers should
ever start on a long journey alone, they
will learn, perhaps, by experience, how
pleasant it is to fall in with a kindred spir-
it now aud then.
Such was my happy lot few days ago,
injourneying in the cars.
AT one of.the depots stranger came in
and took seat behind me. | soon found
he was not disposed to wrap himself up 10
the blanket of selfishncss as many do, for
when | asked him a civil question ! got
civifanswer, and chat is more than can be
said of some people we meet with, who
seem to have porcupine disposition for
the moment you speak to them on the
cars bat hold! What have | done 3
Why, just what the cars do some times,
got off the track, for | started to give you
ayery interesting story | have selected
about
KATfE's COMPANION.
What are you thinking about, Katie ?
Katie started. 20, Aunt Mary, | was
only thinkino tbs. =; .;;ssasa-I .oo,sla choose
somebody to live with me as friend and
companion, who it should be-
1T would not take me long to choose,
said Aunt Mary.
who? asked Katie.
But l am afraid you would quarrel with
her. said Aunt Mary.
is she so quarrelsome, then? asked
Katie. a.#- ." ...
No; on the contrary she is very even
tempered, straightforward, and sincere
why should quarrel with her, then :
asked Katie, feeling little hurt by Aunt
Mary's remarks that is just what like !;
who is she, Aunt Mary! what is her
nameg
sHer name is Truth
TRUTH repeated Katie, after mo
ments thinking 6 | should love dearly to
have Truth for my companion But what
made you think l should quarrel with her,
Aunt p
Because one needs to be very humble
and very brave to love Truth, and one
must really love her in order to be happy
with her."
There was long pause. WELL Katie
at lengh said, i believe | shall choose
Truth for my companion, and one thing
am sure of, We shall never quarrel; should
be ashamed to quarrel with Truth
Truth, | suppose was very willing tc
become Katio's companion, for she loves
children, aud takes every opportunity tc
win their confidence and affection. They
we're to begin living together the mex
morning.
When Katie walked up the next morn
ing after sweet sleep, she had delight
full feeling of comfort in her warm bed
and she thought she was very Thankful
for The comforts she enjoyed And
shall be 80 good with dear Truth by m,
side, she said. ...-. .....
She lay thinking a great while, whel
she suddenly jumped up, feeling ap'
fearing it was very late. While hurryini
on her clothes and making haste to g
down stairs, she tried to forget her mornin
prayer. e. ---.as aa *
you are only making believe to forget
said Truth, tenderly; you have tim
enough for everything you really love I
do. Bless the Lord, o my dear child
she sweetly added, 'and forget not all hi
benefits who forgiveth all thine iniquitie'
who healeth all thy diseases, who crown
eth thee with loving kindness and tendt
mercies.'
1t was hard to get away from Truth Il
she ran down stairs as fast as Katie di'
who entered the sitting room with ruf1e
look. Truth had certainly not please
her.
Katie's school recommended that morn
ing after the holidays, at ten o'clock, ar
she went out early to do some shopplr
for her mother. On her return some