The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-01-26
:for the Children.
" No CrOacn for Me. -

fore cottage, at the open window OF
which little girl sat knitting. awe
are Going to the wood to look for prim-
rose, and yiolets; we shall be
sure to find plenty this lovely day: 90
come with us"
II should like to 90 very much re-
piled Susan with sigh, but l cannot"
"Why?"
"Bccause | have not yet done my
task"
ASK Your mother to let you leave it
unfinished"
1t would be Of no use. Mother new
or lets me play till have finished all my
work.
How tiresome il must be, having to
stay at home to work on a holiday. But
Susan, mother is very strict cried lit
tie ttir-harcd girl. tossing her head as
much a. to say. IL would never submit
TO such di-cipIinc.' livery strict" re-
pcalcd several Of the children, looking
with pity at Susan.
:,.i..m heard the remarks of her school
fellows; and. as they walked slowly
ava. he watched them till they turned
the corner of the lane leading to the wood,
and the sound of their happy voices died
away in the distance She bent her head
over her work, and wiped away her tears;
and then, instead Of trying to finish her
work. She went out and sat on fallen
tree. Gazing on the flowers and BIRDS
She thought Of the pleasant afternoon her
companions would spend, while she, poor
Susan. was condemned to remain at
home: and why? 10 knit a few rows
of Il stocking.
Oh, why was she not freo-free as the
bird, she heard singing in the branches of
The tree, My dear young friends, Su-
san was not Il worse child than many
;mone-t YOU. Her pious mother had
taught her that prayer is the only safe
guard against temptation she understood
well that every child who desires to do
the will Of God must be submissive to its
parents: and, besides, she knew well that
thai her mother had good reasons for max
ing her work; Tor she was poor widow,
and had nothing to leave her little Susan
but habits of industry.
At this moment the little girl remem-
bcrcd none OF these things but, trem-
bling AMI undecided, Susan said to her.
self, Il shall still have time to catch
them" az Il merry laugh, which could
only be that OF Rose Blanchard's, sound
cd in thc distance. All. little Susan.
why did You not check this wicked thought
whrn ii came into your heart She then
returned to the cottage, and took up her
work again. "What harm can there
be-" she said, " in moving the mark moth
er put iii The stocking? Why need be
80 strict How beautiful the wood must
be, and how should enjoy game with
my companions"
"Molhcr," cried Susan an instant at
ter. opening the door of the room where
Mrs Williams was busily employed iron
ING and folding linen, .! am ready now"
What. already, Susan :" replied her
mother. " You have been very industri-
Gus" she added, as she took the work.
and passed her hand lovingly over the
GLOSSY Grown hair Of the little girl But
>u>an'> checks were as scarlet, and she
did not raise her eyes while her mother
examined The stocking. As she did so a
cloud passed over her face. and an ex-
preston Of pain replaced the smile which
was habltual to her.
True, Susan said she, laying
stress on each word ''true, | count
twenty turns from the mark and, as my
daughter has never deceived me, | will
allow her TO 90 and amuse herself as she
likes for the rest Of the day"
Poor Susan, she had obtained the much
desired permission, and yet she did not
utter her usual hearty ''Thank vou," nor
throw her arms around her mothers neck
and bll her gOoi-by, Will a kiss, as she
always did when any great favor was
granted her She looked absent and mel
;nciluIy us she lett the cottage, and stood
Tor moment undecided whether to take
thc t~rn 10 the wood or not She walked
slow ~ to join her school-ftIIows, instead
OF skipping and jumping, as was her usu-
al habit
My. here is SuSan?" they cried.
" iiow cad we are to see you. how did
YOU manage to come so soon"
- yon were able to get leave from
your mother after ALL said Susans great
est friend " but what is the matter!"
There Is nothing the matter" As
Susan repeated these words she felt that
She was trying to deceive herself. A still
small! voice, which God has put into the
heart OF each one Of us, spoke to this
guilty child Her mothers last words
sounded i'll her eats" My daughter has
never deceived me-
"lc>, have deceived her," she re-
paatod 10 herself "Oh. if mother knew
all, she wauld never love me any more
She woHM never have any confidence in
me again
Let Us make a crown of daisies"
cried Rose, and we will place it on the
head OF the best girl amongst us. Only"
She added, with a mischevious look, IL
give You all notice beforehand. that if you
try TO place II on mine | shall decline the
honor
. Don't be the least afraid" answered
one OF the girls the garland itself would
refuse 10 b. put on such head as yours"
1t Will be easy enough TO make the
crown" remarked Susan '.but think
1t will be more difficult to decide who is
70 wear it,"