The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-01-07
for the gdtle folks.
SPEAK GENTLY.
A STORY TO REMEMBER,

"Please to help me "a minute, sister
''Don't disturbs me, I'm reading,'
was the answer.
"But just hold this stick, won't you,
while ] drive this pin through p q
81 can't how, want to finish this
story was the emphatic reply; and
my little brother turned away with
a disappointed look, in search of /,
else to assist him.
lie was bright boy of ten years, (
and my only brother. He had been
visiting young friend. and had seen
a wind mill, and as soon as he came
home his energies were all employ
ed in making one; for he was al
ways trying to make tops, wheel
barrows, kites, and all sorts Of things
that boys delight in. He had work
ed patiently all the morning with saw
and jack-knife,and now it only need
ed putting together to complete it
and his only sister had refused to as
sist him, and he had gone away with
his young heart saddened.
thought Of all this in the fifteen
minutes after he left me land my book
gave me no more pleasure. 1t was
not intentional unkindness, for low
ed my brother, and was generally |
kind to him. ! would have gone az
ter him, and afforded the assistance
needed, but ! had neglected an OPP
portunity Of gladdening childish
heart.
In half an hour he came bounding
into the house exclaiming:
'Come. Mary. I've got it up; just
SEQ how it goes"
His tones were joyous, and saw
that he had forgotten my petulauce,
so ! determined to atone by unusual
kindness. went with him, and sure
enough on the roof Of the woodhouse
was fastened a miniature windmill,
and the arms were whir!ing around
fast enough to suit any boy. prais-
ed the windmill and my little BROTH
er's ingenuity, and he seemed hap
py and entirely forgetful of my I'M
kindness, and | resolved as ! had
many times before. to be always
loving and gentle.
A few days passed by. and a shad-
ow of great sorrow darkened our
dwelling. The joyous laugh and Eoi-
sy glee were hushed, and our merry
boy lay in darkened room with anx-
Gus faces around him, his cheeks flush.
ed, and his eyes unnatusally bright.
Sometimes his temples would moist
en- and his muscles relax, and then
hope would come into our hearts,
and our eyes would fill with thank
full tears. Ii was in one of these de-
cei,fnl Gains IN his disease that he
heard the noise of his little wheel,
and said:
aIhear my windmill
"Does il make your head ache p
l asked. ssShalI | take it down."
"Oh, no. he replied, "it seems as
If I were out of doors, and it makes
me feel BETTER" He paused mo-
ment, and then added: "Don't you
remember, Mary, that | wanted you
to help me fix it, and you were read
ing and told me you could not! But
i, didn't make any difference, fol
mama helped me i"
Oh, how sadly those words tel
upon nv ear, and what bitter mem
cries ahey awakened! How ] re
pented as I kissed little Franks fore
head, that had ever spoken unkindl,
10 him. Hours of sorrow went by
and we watched his cough, hope
growing fainter and fainter, and an
guish deeper and deeper, until. ont
week from the morning on which h
spoke of his childish sports, we clos
ed the eyes once SO sparkling, ant
folded his hands over his pulseles
heart.
He sleeps now in the gave, ant
home is deso!ate; but the little wind
mill, the work of his busy hand, i
> still swinging in the breeze, jus
where he placed ii, upon the root o
the woodshed: and every time Sc
the t;nv arms revolving, 1 remembe
the lost little Frahk-and remem
Der also, the thoughtless, the unkin'
words
Brothers and sisters, be kind f
each other. Be gentle, considerate
and loving.-Examiner.