The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-03-14

It Mt last into his waistcoat pocket, an
walked away, saying:
Il hope this will make you more careft
another time.
lie went towards the house, and watche
him till he entered. Then ran to my bow
or, sat down upon the dried grass, and bs
gan to cry rs if my heart would breal
Repentance and regret, though they may b
keenly felt by a child, are not reasoned O
very distinctly. l had often been very sorr
before, but whether for the fault, as dis
tinct from the punishment, had scarccl
inquired. Twas heartily sorry now, no
only for my disobedience and because IN,
father had forfeited the shilling, but becaus
saw it had vexcd and hurt him to do it.
not only because had preferred pleasur
to duty, neglected the opportunity for doin,
good, and lost it-but because the feeling
il not the words, of st. Paul pressed heavily
upon my heart, when l would do good
evil is present with me-
was still crying when on sudden, look
ing up, saw my father standing before me
and watching me with evident regret. NJ,
first impulse was 10 say, %, papa, Twas no
crying about the shilling
He becAoned to me to rise out Of my bow
er, and said, Then what were you crying
about, my little darling?'
tried not to sob he led me to gardel
seat, and took me on his knoe. Then, will
great many tears, told him all that
have now, dear reader, heen telling you
and ended with passion Of crying.
20, papa, do teach me to be different. ant
to wish the same thing when l am tempted
that do when NO pleasure tempts me
Pray teach me to do good
My dear child, God is teaching you now.
what papa! when my golden opportu
nifty is gone, and my silver opportunity hal
come to nothing?'
quite true; but then you are doubly
sure now-you know by ample experience
do you not!-that Of yourself you can d.
nothing
was so convinced Of it that was verg
ing on an opposite fault to elf-confdence
was almost doubling whether any assis
lance that could hope to have would MAKE
me proof against temptation. But now wal
my fathers golden opportunity and h,
availcd himself Of it. Although l canno
remember his words their influence remain!
to this day. Certain sensations anu i'm
pressions connected with that wise sanl
fatherly conversation return upon me often
even now. 1t conveyed to my mind the ide,
that this weakness itself was to be my
strength, if it made me depend upon
stronger than myself-that this changeabl'
disposition would make more precious t,
me the knowledge that with God is nj
variableness, neither shadow Of changing.
When he ceased to speak, said with
sorrowful sigh, And now, papa, there i
only one penny left Of all my opportuni
ties?'
We'll, my darling he replied, st is pos
sible that you may do acceptable good evel
with that Remember what our Savior salt
about the cup Of cold water
Yes said, but the person who CAV,
the cold water had nothing better to give
he had not cup of milk or cup Of wine
which he 6rst wasted and threw away
MY dear, you need not inquire into that
you might have done better; but rs there il
still something to be done, DO it with tn,
might
When was qsite calm again, and almos
happy, he sent me into the house to play a
ball. As passed the kitchen door, pool
old woman whom my mother used sometimes
to help turned from it, and l heard tn,
housemaid say, "Mistress has just walked
out, aud cannot say when she will be q
home"
She was hobbling away when bethough
me Of my penny; took it out of its bag, ant
pulling her by the cloak, offered it to her
Al first she did not seem to understand
me, but when she saw my copper opportu
nifty, which was as bright as sand-pape
could render it, she gave me just the SHADOW
Of smile, and taking it in her skinny hand
said, l thank you kindly, my pretty
Poor old creature said the housemaid
that will buy her triae, mayhap; sh'
and her husband are going to the work
house Tomorrow
passed into the house penniless, but in
subdued and humble state Of mind. Thu
lessons | had had were not without goot
effect; but it cannot be expected that | car
remember much Of the working Of my mind
only know that time did pass, that wen
to bed, got up, said my lessons, and had my
play for long time, perhaps . fortnight
At the end Of about that time my little siste
Sophy and I went out one day for q lon(
walk, with Matilda, our nurse, and took
little basket with US to put flowers in, ant
blackberries If we should be SO fortunate 81
to find any. We walked long way, til
Sophy was tired and became clamorous K
SIT down; SO Matilda led us to the entrance
Of little wood, and there We sat and reste,
on the steps Of . stile. There was . cottag'
near at hand; presently an old woman CANE
out Of it with kettle in her hand, and
recognized her as the woman towhom hat
given my penny. She hobbled to the edg'
Al A.
seat, and dipped her kettle in, but did no
notice us till Matilda called to her.
How are you, Mrs. Grattan, and how
your old gentleman
Thank you kindly, girl, we be pretty
moderate, was the reply. HE and sh,
pointed with stick to field opposite
where several men were at work he b.
among them, picking up stones-ha! ha b
be % blithe - boy!'
We was al very glad up at the Grange
to hear Of your good luck said Matilda, il
the loudest tones Of her cheerful voice, fol
the old woman was rather deaf Our mis-
tress was main glad, I'll assure you.'
.Ah, very kind on you all. How be thu
old gentleman
sQuite hearty
BY this time she had reached US, set dow
her kettle, and taken her place beside Ma
tilda. l was busily plating straw, but
listened carelessly to their conversation.
And SO you got your rent paid and all,
said Matilda, turning her eager black eye
on the old woman. what . good son Jo'
is to you.'
.Ah, that he be, dear was the reply
that he be; wrote he did, SO pretty, NY
dear MOTHER he says, 'don't you 60 for t.
think shall ever forget how good you wa
IN me alwaya-fnr shall not he SAYS