Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-17

It Just so, miss, sucn IS the appfeclAtlo
of the publies,' and he carelessly took u
5 a littls cedar stick, and played "the blu
g bells of Scotland" on the glass keys of
i plaything of a piano.
This he observed, coolly throwing
down the stick, and taking up an accor
q dion, "this delightful little instrument i
, half 8 guinea-equal to the finest notes o
the hautboy." He drew it out, and in hi
; skillful hand it "diseoursed' music, whicl
1 thought the most excellent l had eve,
heard.
But what is the use of infinitely describ
ing my temptation. In ten minutes thu
accordion was folded up in silver paper
and 1 had parted with my cherished half
sovereign.
As we walked home, 1 enlarged on the
delight I should have in playing on my
accordion. at is 80 easy, papa; you have
only to draw it in and out; can even
play it at dinner time, if you like, between
the meal and the puddings. You know
the queen has a band, papa, to play while
she dimes, and SO can YOU
My father abruptly declined this liberal
offer; so did my grandfather, when I re-
peated it to him, but | was relieved to find
that he was not in the least surprised at
the way in which | had spent his present.
This however, did not prevent my feel
ing sundry twinges of regret when / re-
membered all my good intentions. But,
alas my accordion soon cost me tears of
bitter disappointment. Whether from its
fault or my own, l could not tell, but draw
it out and twist it about as l might it
would not play :.The Blue Bells Of Scot
land" or any other of my favorite tunes.
1t was just like the piano, every tune must
be learned; there was no music inside
which only wanted winding out of it, as
you wind tunes out of barrel organs.
Ny mother coming in sOme time during
that melancholy afternoon, found me sit
ting at the foot of my little bed holding
my accordion, and shedding over it some
of the NEST bitter tears that shame and re-
pentance had yet wrung from me.
She looked sstonished, and asked,
whats the matter, my child p
80, mamma" / replied, as well as nv
sobs would let me; Il have bought this
thing which won't play, and L have given
Mr.: Miller my golden opportunity"
what, have you spent your half SOW
ereign? | thought you were going to put
poor little Patty Morgan to school with it,
and give her a new frock and tippet.'
My tears fell afresh at this, and l
thought how pretty little Patty would
have looked in the new frock, and that l
should lave put it on for her, myself. NV
mother sat down by me, took away the
toy and dried my eyes.
"Now you see, my child" she observed,
Hone great difference between those who
are earnestly DESTROYS to do coed. and
those who only wish it lighny. You
had what you were wishing fora
good opportunity for a child like you, an
unusual opportunity, for doing good. You
had the means of putting a poor little Or
phan to school for one whole year-think
of that, Orrisl In one whole year she
might have learned a great deal about the
God who made her and who gave his Son
to die for her, and his Spirit to make her
holy. One whole year would have gone
a great way towards teaching her to read
the Bible, and in one year she might have
a great many hymns, and a great
many useful thugs, which would have
been of service to her when she was old
to get her own living. And for
have you thrown ali this good from
you and from her ?"
g am very, very sorry. l didnot mean
20 buy the accordion L forgot, when 1
heard Mr.. Miller playing upon it, that 1
had better not listen and l never remem-
Oered what l had lone till it was mine,
folded up in a paper"
"You forgot till it was too late"
Eyes, mamma; but o, l am so sorry, l
I'm sure l shall never do SO any more
d not say so, my child 1 fear it
will happen again, many, many times"
MANY times? o mamma! I will
never go into Mr. Miller's shop again"
'My dear child, do you think there is
in the World that can tempt YOU
nut Mr.. Miller's shop?'
even if l 60 there, - l sobbed, in the
bitterness of my sorrow, "it will not mat
er now, for l have no h~alf-sovereign left
o spend; but if | had another, and he
we're to show me the most beautiful TOYS
n the world, l would not buy them after
his not if they would play of them
"My dear, that may be true; you, per- {
laps, would not be tempted again when {
-ou were on your guard; but you know,
)rrls, you do not wish for another toy of
# that kind. Arc there no temptations
gainst which you are not on your
.uard ?" I
l thought my mother spoke in tone of {
errow. L knew she lamented nv yola- I
lie disposition; and crying afresh, l said i
o hero, mamma, do O think that all ,
ny life l shall never do any good at :
liz" !
"lf you try in your own strength, 1
carcely think you will. Certainly you .
vii do no good which will be acceptable 8
0 Cod |
did l try in my own strength to-day" 4
"What do you think, Orris l leave r
to you to decide" =
II am afraid l did, "
II am afraid so, too, but you must not
~ and sob in this way. Let this morn '
lg's experience show you how open you t
re to temptation. To let it make you
mink you shall never yield to such temp C
again is the worst thing you can do; h
neod help from above; seek it, my
ear child, otherwise all your good resolu-
will come to nothing
"And if | do seek it, mamma q
'Then, weak as you are, you will GER :
ainly be able to accomplish something. {
t is impossible for me to take away your
disposition, and make YOU thought
IL and steady, but with God ali things
70 possible n
1T is a great pity that st the very me- Y
tent when l want to think about right
lings, and good things all sorts of nom
comes into my head. Grandpapa v
lys l am just like a whirlgig; and be-
dea that l can never help laughing
hen l ought not, and 1 am always hav-
lg lessons set ms for running about
nd making such a noise when baby is
"My dear child, you must not be dis
ontented; these are certainly disadvan- .
Iges; they will give you a great deal Of P
ouble, and myself too; but you have =
advantage that all children are not
lessed with
"What is that, mamma %
There are times when you sincerely
rish to do good
"Yes, l think l really do, mamma /
ad better say my prayers now, and l
you / will never forget this les >,
IN, and 1 think 1 understand what is a :
opportunity" !
iATs, CAPS AND FURs. :
SILK