The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-06-06

10, Arthur, II. you only knew how
much better it is TO be good-won't
you tryY -o Cd sasaa.9s.a
Arthur brushed something from his
eye, as he replied:
"1here is no one Ia ks to me as you
do, Molly; they all call me scapagrace
and young rascal, even when try to
do better; so I might just as we be
rascal and erjoy myselt-nobodoy
cares for me-"
Il care for you Arthur, and a great
many would care for you, if you We Md
only try to be better boy. Goodbye,
Arthur" ''
And little Mary hurried on, leaving
her kind words sinking down into
A. thurs heart, and carrying her baskel
of Strawberries to poor sick Martha.
She was propped up with pillows, and
looked pale, but her face grew blight
as she saw Little Sunbeam enter the
door.
Here, Martha, are scme fine straw
Ferries, they are so large and ripe; )"
aud the dear child put The basket on
small table by the side of the sick bed
Mary did not tell Ler that, every day
she denit herselfh her nice dessert. that
she might bring the delicate berries to
The poor woman.
She then went to the closet, and
took out clean saucer, picked them,
aud sprinkltd some fine sugar over
them.
Mary was very happy when she saw
how Martha enjoyed the fruit.
'You are very good my child" SAID
the poor woman, for l could not get
such things myself, and there is moth
iug that tastes so nice as these"
Mary sat watching the sick woman,
and thought how pleasant it was to
see her enj ying her dessert.
Next day, at the same honr, Mary
was again passing Julia CampbelPe
house. ......
She was standing at the front gate,
watching for the little girl.
Stop, Mary, l want to speak with
you,' said Julia; "what have you got
in your basket" el.# a.. at
II have some Strawberries, Julia"
"What are you going to do with
them?" as.e
"That's secret Julia" said the
obild, amiling pleasantly
81 suppose that you are going to eat
them for lunch at school, Mary. Iwish
that you would give me few"
81 can't Julia; | can't spare any"
"WeIl, Mary Somers! l didn't think
that you were such stingy girl; if l
had so many | would give you some ;
now just tell me what you are going to
do with them.
Mary thought of Jesus words,
"Let not thy left hand know what
t'y right hand doeth," and 50 she kept
her own secret, and went on her way,
singing one of her pretty hymns, and
denying herself just to please her
Saviour, and nothing else.
1t had been her own plan to save her
dessert every day, and Mrs. Somers
always added some more for poor sick
Martha
Mary did like Strawberries; and it
cost her something to do without her
dessert.
But her mother wished to teach her
the duty of self-deniaI, and encouraged
her little grl in her good work.
care you getting tired of your work
Mary?"
"No, mamma, not exactly tired, but
| do sometimes feel as if | wanted
some Strawberries"
"Ncxt Saturday, you may invite
some of your little friends, Mary, to
see you; would you not like to have
them?"
"Yes, mamma, we will play ont in
he summer-house; it is so pleasant
there"
Saturday came; and about a half
dozen children assembled, among
whom was Julia Campbell.
They had a dolls tea party; and at
the close of the afternoon Mrs Somers
'reat, d them to plenty of ripe straw
berries and cream, and some very nice
sponge-cake.
Mary's strawberries tasted so good.
For little girls who are generous, are
aIUavs mora IirI,f-heart, n and barp1,