Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-01-24
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From the Boys and Girls Monthly

| From the Boys and Girls Monthly.
NEVER INDULGE IN PRACTICAL JOKES.
ATRUE TALE.
ssNever indulge in practical jokes, once heard
gentle lady say to merry boy who was stealing
cautiously through the room where his sister was
leaning back reading her chair 50 delcately poised
that the least touch would be sufficient to overturn
it 'Never indulge in practical jokes, or some IA
tai accident may cast shadow over your young
| life which no after repentance can ever remove.
Startled by the tone of almost anguish In which
she spoke, looked up and was amazed by the look
of terror depicted on her face as she sprang tor
ward Just in time to prevent the mischieyous boy
causing his unsuspecting sister severe fall had
often wondered at the expression OF gentle but un-
alterable sadness, so ndeibly stamped on the face
of my friend, who had, 1 thought, everything re-
quisite to make her happy woman and9oW com
ing to her side I begged her to tell me what there there
boy to move her so deeply. Gazing at me with
look Of touching sadness, she asked if it were pos
sible did not know that the consequences ofwhat
termed 'srude and thoughtless play were the
cause of the deep shadow which hung over her
life. Replying that I did not, I eagerly begged
that-if not too painful would tell me the sad
story. After moment pause she consented, and
told me the following simple narrative, which give
as nearly as can remember, in her own words
There were only two of us, and We were the idols
Of our parents. was two years older than Edith,
but looked up to her and reverenced her more
than any one on earth, except my mother and faith,
| er. Indeed, my feelings toward her were shared
| BY all who knew her. Even the servants would
say of her. that miss Edith was far too good for
thas world" &C. While my wildspirits and mis-
chievousw ways were always bring gngme into trouble
l never remember her to have been even reproved
although she frequently interposed to shield me
from punishment, even when she had herself been
the sufferer from my misconduct. Loved her with
all the strength of my wild, passionate nature and
one sorrowful glancefrom her gentle eyes would DO
more to make me sorry for my faults than severe
punishment. One morning arose in 80 teazlng
and mischievous humor that was twice reproved
and finally sent to my room in disgrace with only a
cup of milk and slice of bread for my breakfast
was standing sullenly by the window, thinking
how bright everything looked without, when l
heard the patter of little feet, and turning saw f.
dith standing beside me. With look full Of love
she slipped into my hand large slice of rich CAKE
given her for her lunch, and telling me it was tlme
to 90 school, brought my bonnet and satchel, and
we were soon tripping along joyously together
through the cool and shady woods, and beneath
the green trees which looked so lovely in their
spring QT6SS. hS Guc SOlI puoyCo Sou9y oh
my face, felt my spirits rise under the vlvityng
| influence and Edith was soon as merry as myself
till at last we reached the school and took our ac-
customed places Howlong the day seemed to me-
as idly conned over my lessons and drawing un-
couth figures on my slate, and now silly fastening
paper streamers to my nearest nelghbors dress !
but at length the last lesson was said and we heard
the welcome words, ''You are dismissed"
Snatching up my bonnet, ! cried Come on y,
dith, quick! we are going to play some new games.
"fn one moment" she replied, only must fin
ish this sum first" So saying, she prepared to
take seat on bench just before me the temp
ing forward quickly drew it back. She fell as |
had expected, but in her fall drew the heavy bench
on her delicate ankle Startled by the sudden
palor which overspread her face, was at her side
| in an instant, begging her to tell me if she was
hurt "Not very much" she gently said but
even then could detect the look of pain which
she in vain endeavored to suppress, Weeping bit
terly, helped her to chair, while she strove to
comfort me, kissing me, and saying she would soon
be as well as ever until at last believed her, and
drying my tears I helped her to get ready to 60
home. She walked with pain, and often stopped
to rest and the latter part of the way leaned heav
| iy on me, but she was cheerful, and thought as
I looked at her bright sparkling eyes and flushed
cheeks, that she had never seemed SO beautiful
"How pretty you are, Edith" l exclaimed,
when at last we had reached home, and she threw
herself on the lounge in our mothers chamber,
Chow very strangely my leg feels" she said to
me- II cannot get off my stocking" nor, indeed,
could she, for it was much swollen and fearfully in
famed, and very painful The stocking was quick
ly removed by the aid of scissors, and the physi-
clan sent for but before he arrived our darling was
tossing in wild delirium, and all that night she
in brio into Jph caernad
to suffer so much from her now fearfully swollen
limb, that would rush from the room, unaPl to
endure the sight of her agony (for it is useless to
say that | could not think of sleep that fearful
night About day she gradually returned to her
senses, and in reply to my mothers anxious ques-
ton, said she was in no pain at all. What joy filed
my heart as heard these words, it is impossible to
describe; but it was quickly dispelled when our
good doctor drew down the sheet and pointing to
the leg now black as ink turned slowly and left
the room. / was too young to understand that
modification had taken place; but I could notm
interpret the agonized expression Of my mother S
face, as she knet beside what she now kneao to be
the death-bed of her child In my bitter grief /
too, prayed for death. God may see fit to prolong
my life still manyye but no time can efface from
my mind the memory of that death-bed scene
| Quiet now she lay, and free from pain, fair and
fragile as broken lily; but We knew that her pure
young spirit was quickly passing away and
even the light of the golden gates seemed re-
Aected on her face, as with flushed cheeks and
sparkling eyes she bade US listen to the strains Of
heavenly music which softly stole on her dying ears
and see the white-robed angels who beckoned her
''home;" and soon the ''golden bowl was broken,
and 'the silver cord was loosed, and we were left
alone with our dead" f.
THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE SHEEP.
One fine summers day, a celebrated natural phi
losopher was walking over Salisbury Plain, when
he approached flock of sheep They were bleat-
ing much louder than usual, and seemed to be call
ing each other to assemble together.
"You had better make haste. sir, or you will
have wet jacket" cried an old She pherd The
philosopher locked up, and seeing beautiful,
cloudess sky, took no heed of the shepherd
warning. but pursued his way as eisurey before.
Shortly afterwards, however, his ears were sauted
with heavy clap of thunder, the clouds gathered
blackness, and amidst the lightnings fash they
poured forth heavy shower.
The next day the philosopher sought out the
! shepherd and asked him how he was able to fore