The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1864-12-08
BERTHA'S WALK.

Gertrude supported herself and her child by Der
spinning. and four times every year she and Bertha
went 70 small town abou, two leagucs distant TO
dispose produce Of her industry, and TO purchase
the few articles Of food and clothing which their SIM
ple habits rendered necessary. These periodical
visits we're always looked forward To with eager de-
light by the little girl they woro the great events
Of her life the bright stars in her calm and cloud
less sky.
1t Was the evening Of beautiful day in October,
the setting sun snone brightly through thelsitice,
and rested on The glowing check and glossy golden
curs u the fair child. ssH 10 set FORTH " possible
more strongly, the striking contrast between their
brilliant beauty, and the dark mourning dress and
caSeworn features Of her mother, who SO, gazing
with all mothers fondncrs upon the elastic form
and the bright laughing eye Of the little maiden, as
she busted hersclfin tying up and arranging in
large bundies.the skens Of homespun thread. which
Gertrude produced FROM press that stood In ono
corner Of her neat little kitchen.
~ hope We shall have fine day for our walk to-
morrow, mother" sad Bertha. ss she anisheI un-
ravclins tangled mass Of thread, and laid II in
triumph on the table ave shall have a large bas.
ke,-tul 10 take this time, but can carry 1t all the
way you know, mother, the last uuo we went,
you were tired, and was not" She stopped alb
rurtly, for she looked up into her mothers face
she observed the melancholy smile with which sho
listened 10 her daughters merry rrsttle.
"Dear mothor, you are no, we'll you would
rather not goS"
81 am not WELL" answered Gertrude d" but l
must go, or how could the thread be sold'"
"Le, me go alone" cried Berths- pausing in her
employment and looking earnestly in her mott er's
face, 81 know the way perfectly, and you know
an ten years old desr mother, please TO let me 60
instead Of you" she continued a. she threw her
arms around her mothers mock and kissed her pale
check.
"But the forest, Berths, you will lose your way,
or some harm will happen 10 you (; cannot lot you
go alone"
But Bertha urged so earnestly and 50 ,enderly, the
necessity Of her mothers staying at home IN her
health was stronger, and explained So clearly the
road she to take through the portion Of the for
est which she would have to pass, that her mother
at last yielded reluctant consent; and Bertha lay
down to rest tina, night, happy in CONSEQUENCES II At
she was old enough TO bc Of some use, and steady
enough to be trusted.
The next morning shc rose early. and was soon
ready to set forth upon her journey. Gertrude al.
most repented having given her consent but she
felt hcriown strength quite unequs to so ong walk
and knowing that for her child's sake It was her
duty, II possible, to preserve her own life, she made
no further opposition and. giving Bertha the bas.
ket containing the thread, and q small oaten
cake TO Serve ~ provision the rosd she repeat.
ell her njunctons to her, TO return early. that sho
might not be overtaten by the close Of the shor,
autumna day, before she had passed through tho
forest and kissing her affect ouaiely, aud common
ding her to the care Of Him who d the Father Of
the f,therlcss she watched the little figure, until Il
became less aud less aud finally disappeared
amongst the trees and then she returned TO her
lonely dwelling, to renew her prayers for the cafe.
~ Of her darling child.
Bertha tripped merrily along; the sun broke
gradually through the mist which had hitherto
shorn it Of Its rays, and beAmed forth in all its
Brightness making the dew-drops glitter Ike dla.
monds; and the birds chanted their rnatln hymns
and hoped from boush to bough, and As their rain
bow plumage glanced in the sunshine, they look Cd
down upon Bertha with their bright eyes, ill lhe
little girl almost ianeied that they were beautiful
spirits Of the wool, sent 10 DO her companions on
her lonely pilgrimage aud unconscious'y, she rails
ed her son clear aud child-ke voice, and joined IN
their song.
B,rths walked on for a considerable time and a,
last she began to feel somewhat weary, she 81,
down on ono Of the large projecting roots of loity
tree, which formed a convenient resting place, and
taking her little cake out OF her basket che ate par,
of It, aud pu, the remainder back intending to keep
It I'LL evening.
1t was pleasant cool spot like . bower, where
Bertha had chosen her resting place, there was a
gentle breeze jus, stirring the leaves on thu trees
and solly tanning her check she took OIL her large
straw hat and, having laid 1t on the grsss beside
her, she gathered soue Of the flowers which formed
carpe: ct her feet and amused herself with twin.
ing them into q Garland.
Bertha had been for some time employed In this
| manner, when abe suddenly observed something
moving near the foot OF a tree at little distance
She watched II for some moments and then she per.
ceived that 1t was squirrel. She approached l,
softy and cautiously, and as she camo nearer 1,
moved slowly to a short distance, but did not hoI
away, or climb up into a tree, as shs expected, 50
she came still nearer and then she that the ttls
creature scarcely able to stir il appeared to be
| either very III, or to have received some injury.
"Poor little thing," sail Bertha, "ith 30 weak il
1annot about to 90, it's food usual, and ing
ofhunger wonder II It would eat sotDe Of my
eskef' and 70 she ran back and fetched the piece
Of cake out Of her basket and breaking It into al
bits, she scattered It about the ground, near &c
where the squirrel lay. She would not 20 quite
close for foAr Of Tightening IL then she retired "a