The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-03-11
THErBLUE MARBLE.

ss"'I'hou God seest me- because, |
suppose. little boys some ,imes) do
naughty things. thinking their moth
ers don't see them and won't know it.
This teaches them that there is some
body who surely does see them"
..Does God look into boys pock-
etsF" asked Johnny.
"Yes." replied his mother.
Il wish God could speak as well
as see,' said Johnny.
ale Does answered the mother.
"Does." cried Johnny, opening
his eyes wide. ~:rSs
Yes, he speaks in a still, small
voice. she said.
81 never heard him. said the boy.
docs ii sound like Windr
The reason you don't hear is be-
cause you do not hearken. Gods
voice does not sound like wind, it
speaks in your heart, and so softly
that you must listen in order to hear
it," instructed the parent. "When
you are naughty, it says, Don't, do
SO. Johnny. don't, pray don't do that
When you are right. it says, 'It is
sweet to he Gods child. Gods chill
dren love to do right
Il want it to say that to me- said
Johnny: and ] am sure his mother
wanted ii TO say 50 10 him, and she
said 10 her son:
"pav strict attention at all times,
and you will hear the voice speak
ing to you, telling youno, to do some
act that is not right, which you may
be tempted to do, and want TO do"
For several days Johnny behaved
as If he was hearkening 10 the little
voice, and as if it whispered pleas
an, words to him. He tried TO do
highland seemed a very happy child.
One day when he took his marbles
out Of his pocket, his mother saw a
handsome blue glass one, and said:
"Where did you get that, Johnny!
1t is beauty
He tried to snatch it out of her
hand. She was much surprised, and
looked earnestly at him; he hung
down his head, and she began TO be
afraid there was something wrong,
which she had not thought before.
and asked again:
-"Where did you get this marble,
Johnnv!'
The little boy made no answer.
She did not repeat the question, but
went away and left him.
AT night Johnny climbed into his
mothers lap, and laying his head on
her shoulder, said in a low SORROW
ful tone:
'slTooK that glass marble, mamma
"Took it from whom ? she asked.
81 took it from the ground
did it belong to the ground? Did
the ground go to the shop and buy it!'
Johnny tried TO laugh a, such a
funny thought, but he could not.
81 saw it on the ground said he.
"What little boy had it before ?
ASA May, l Think he whispered,
but | saw it on the ground
.When you put your hand 10 take
ii, did you forget, Thou God seest
me! Did you not hear voice say.
ing, Don't, Johnny, don't take it ?"
"a didn't hear it, said ne sobbing;
81 grabbed quick p
"And now what does the voice
sayg' she inquired, after he had in
dulged in tears for few moments.
"Does it say Johnny is a good boy!''
.Oh, no, it SAYS Johnny is a bad
boy; he stole amarble. Jonny is a
their and oh, it makes me feel so
bad What shall | dor
"If some little boy had beautiful
marble of yours. which he had seen
on the ground and grabbed up quick
IL. 80 nobody would notice him, what
would YOU want him TO do!'
Give i, back to me-
Then what ough, you to dor
"Give Asa hack the blue MARBLE
"That is right; and you can take
il to him in the morning. And if you
are ever tempted TO take any thing
again, do moi grab it quickly but
xa;i I'LL YOU hear what Gods voice
saws TO YOU, and then heed what il
says, and you will never do wrong"
Johnny took the marble the next
morning, and gave il 10 Asa May,
who was very glad TO get it again,
having given il up for lost; and lii
.le Johnny was glad, too,for the mar
Bile he had so coveted made him very
Unhappy until he got clear of it.
When he returned home, he found
six beautiful marbles Of as many col.
ors in his toy box, AID opening his
eyes wiih wonder, he ran TO his mo-
,her nd asked whose they were.
They are yours, my son.
~All Of thems' he inquired, his
ewes SPARKLING with delight.
.Yes, all Of them. They are I:
present from yopr father. He did
NOT know before that you wanted