Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-03-08
DISCONTINUED ROBERT,

"There's some fun in working in 8
place like thatl" thought Robert, as
he peeped through the hawthorn
hedge, into Mr.. Lyman's beautiful
grounds, and saw Christie, the old
gardener, at his work. ri love to
cultivate flowers, but there isn't much
pleasure in hoeing cabbages and on.
ions all tho time."
Just then, conscience whispered in
his ear, "Thore's pleasure in duty,
Robert" and the word "duty"-"du,
ty"-"duty," seemed to murmur all
around him. Robert was in no mood
to stop and talk with his conscience,
and so his faco wore not very pleas.
ant look as he turned bis steps to.
wards home.
In few years, tho sunset gates
wide unfo|ded their gold and purple
bars, and the weary old gardener pas
sed to his rest in the sweet fields be-
yond. Robert was called to fill his
place, and for while he seemed con-
tented.
One morning, Robert was busy
among the flowers. It was bright,
warm day-a day to be glad-but
Robert was not happy. II declare
how fast these woods do grow ~ he
exclaimed, giving his hoe an angry
jerk 'it takos all my timo; and
with the walks to roll, and the borders
to trim, aud the hedge to clip, 1 don't
sss how in the world"
"What pretty flowers Isn't Mr..
Lyman kind TO let me ride in this
baastiful garden 7" and, sob, how hap.
py it makes me to hear tho birds sing y
Robert looked, and saw little lamo
girl-people eallcd her "lamo Lucy"
whose brother was drawing her
slowly down tho walk, in q rough,
oiumsy, unpainted wagon. AS Rob
ort WAS standing behind little clump
OF bushes, Lucy did not see him until
she was just opposite. Then she smi-
lod, and bade him good morning, and
as she did 80, she looked SO happy
aud coItsntod, That Robert paused
from his work, saying:
"Why docs it make you SO happy
to hohr the birds sing?"
"Oh, l think God is so good and
kind TO make such bcuuliful things,
just to please us, when he might as
easily have made every thing disagree-
able. His tonder mercies are over
all his works,'" repeated palc.faced
Lucy, land it makes me so glad and
happy"
Robert glanced at her poor, wasted,
helpless form, and tEon at her face,
so bright with cheerful gratitude ;
and said, as he thought of bis own
strong limbs, and unthankiul heart
~ wish l could feel contented always
as you do, Lucy"
ri cannot help feeling COD tented,
when think Of my blessings--I havs
80 many things to make me grateful;"
and thon the little wagon passed on out
Of sight.
Robert took up his hoe, and, for the
first time, he seemed to notice that
there was everything about him to dc.
light the eye and ear. The roses, lilies,
and haburnums wore their gayest
robes. The bees, as they darted
hero and there through the flowers,
made music with their humming.-
Tho birds sang joyously in the trees,
overhead. Every tuft of grass, shrub
twig and leaf, as 1t bore up it's twink.
ling dew-drops, seemed to say, "God
Is lore." The gentle breeze, mingled
with its freshness the perfume of the
briat, and clover, and mignonnette,
and whispered in low, swoot tone,
'Praise ye tho Lord." And to Robert's
murmuriDg heart, a voice said "Peace
be still."-Lih,s So0er.
PUNcruALITY.-A punctual man il
rarely a poor man, and never q man oi
doubtful credit. His small accounts
are frequently settled, and he peve,
meets with difficulty in raising money