The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-02-22

would not tell, but finally She acknowledged
that she was thinking Of Kate Gornlan's new
piano forte a 81
Sand is it possible, my child, that you al
low such thoughts a place in you- mind r,
said the mother, in a tone Of gentle reproof.
..Tcl mc-can you find room in your soul for
cnvy?"t s's '''E, e ~
"No no" replied Dollic; 7 don't feel cnyious;
but how can help thinking that should like
a piano forte Z"
'By simply remembering that it is impossi-
BILE that you should have one, my dear Your
father finds it difficult to furnish even the
things we absolutely need from his scanty
purse. Then how should he"
40, don't think that" interrupted the un-
easy girl. II don't expect father to get me
any such thing don't want him to-
| "And yet you are discontcntcd because you
cannot have one"
| Dollic would have denied this but her mo-
thcr made her sec that it was too evident to be
hidden
'Dollic," Mrs. Gray said, with deep emo
tion, "you cannot realize how much unhappi-
ness you may be laying up for yourself. Lis
ten to me one moment fol 1 would open to you
truth which cannot now be apparent to you.
You are looking in wrong direction for hap
pincss.. You place an entirely false estimate
upon the possessions Of this world. There are
some few things which are absolutely necessary
to our being and comfort, and all these you
may have. Beyond the simple sustaining of
| life, the gifts of earth have their value not in
outward worth, but in the spirit which bears
them company. Now, you had no thought of
a piano uutil you saw Kate German have one
Is it not SO ~ @
Dollic was forced to admit that it was
''Ihcn" continued tho mother, ''you must
sec that this is not al, absolute want,-it is
only Il desire created By witnessing the posses
sion of another. Mr. German gives to his
children what lie can afford to give; but mind
you, those gifts can bcstow no real, happiness
OF themselves; the spirit which goes with them
| tho love OF the .iycr, aud the gratitude Of
the .ivor, and the gratitude of the receiver
must be the sources Of happiness. MI the
wealth i'll the world could give no Joy in the
absence of love and contcntmcnt.i Surely you
have enough to make you happy, if you will
only try TO feel so. Tell mc-woud YOU cx-
change the love of your father fora piano
fortc?"
You know would not" answered Dolic
! somewhat rcproachfully.
"Wouid you give up one Of his warm smiles
would you forget one of the many kind
words lie has spokcu-would you wipe out
from the angels book single record OF The
blessings and the prayers your father has sent
up for YOU, tor I'll the wealth Mr.. Gor:.n
posscsscs?" ..' f
30, no, no."
"Thcn try and be happy my child. with
what you have. o, strive to be thankful for
the blessings which are yours, instead Of dwell
ling upon the thought of possessions which you
cannot obtain."
Dollic began to weep, she always did
| when her feelings were touched, and when her
mother had kissed ard blessed her, she left her
to herself
| a few weeks after the conversation to which
we lave alluded took place, Mrs. German came
down to Mr.. Gray's and asked that Dolic
might come up and stop with her Il short time.
Two Of her younger children were very sick
and she wanted Dollc to nurse them. She did
not mention any particular item Of rcmuncra-
ton, but said that she could make it all right
and satisfactory. Mrs. Gray was very willing,
| and Dollie was even anxious to 20, for she
thought what a fine time she would have when
at leisure, in humping the piano-iortc. And
she went.
| For few days Dolie enjoyed herself very
well at the home of Kate German; for her at
| tcntion, when not confined to her duties as
Nurse, was taken up by the many fine things
by vii ich she was surrounded. But this could
not last great while. Mere outside show
could charm her while it was novel, but as she
become used to it, and its novelty wore off, she
began to look deeper down into the substance.
When she was tired and weary with the care
Of the sick children, and sought peaceful
comfort with the family, sho could not find it.
She did not find It because it was not there
When Mr.. German came home from his store
ho did not meet his children with smile, and
1 ~