The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-04-29
Building Houses.


that were gathered in the play ground one
bright Saturday afternoon. School was
over for the week, lessons were all ended,
and now one merry game they must have
before starting for home. The play was
over, and weary with their tasks, one
party of boys and girls had sat down to
rest beneath the old elm tree that stood
in the centre of their play ground. They
were busily talking-for when did happy
hearts ever meet without the sound of
merry voices?
"Have you seen Mr.. Whites new
house?" said Frank Leslie to William
Green, who stood behind him.
go yes: is it not handsome? so large /;
and then such beautiful trees all around
it. | think it is the finest in the village.
"HOw l would ike to build house
for myself exclaimed James Norton,
one of the older boys.
''WeI, Jamie, how would you build
it?" said his sister Kate
go it should be a great deal hand
somer than Mr.. Whites, | would have
it all of stone, with handsome carving in
front, a wide hall running through it,
and a conservatory at the end filed with
most beautiful flowers. Then would
have a garden; pond filled with gold
fish; and summer houses, with grape vines
running over them"
"And long drive up to the house"
said Frank, "with great elm trees each
side.
"And porter's lodge" added Will
liam, "where should live an old woman,
and some pretty children to open the
gate"
"Well, said Kate that would not be
my choice. No, indeed | do not want
to live in the country all my days. /
should build an elegant house in the city,
like those 1 saw in the city last winter. "
"Bur what would yOu like, Nary"
she added, turning to a more thoughtful
looking girl beside her, who was her con-
slant companion and friend.
up said Mary Green, 81 think l
should like to live in one of those old
castles on the Rhine we were reading
about. / would not build anything new,
only make the place look pretty, and
train ivy every where. "
"Aud what would Bella like?" said
Kate, as she bent to kiss little girl who
sat on the grass at her feet. Little Bella
May was the pet Of them al, and each
waited to hear her answer.
Il would build me a little white cot
tage, and have roses growing all over it.
There should be a group of cottages to
gether; and would give one to you,
Katie, and one to Mary, and have nobody
to live in them except those love"
At this moment Bella's mother Joined
the children (she was walking home, and
stopped at the play ground, and to her
they all appealed to know "who had made
the best choice
Would you not like my cottage,
mother?" said Bella. Mrs May smoOthed
back the curls from the bright face turned
towards her as she answered, EYES, my
child; and it would be pleasant, no doubt,
if you were sure of always having those
dear friends near you. see you would
all like to build houses for yourselves if
you could, would you not?"
sob yes, yes, indeed
"But, dear children, did you ever think
you are all builders now?"
"What do you mean, mother?" cried
Bella.
eyes, you are each building a house
for eternity; and every day you will add
something to it.
"Why, Mrs. May, we are children:
how can we build houses"
at is really so, my little Katie; and
viii explain to you what 1 mean.-