Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-28
The Specked Apple.


Mr. Arden had two daughters. Jane and
Martha, one twelve years old and the 9TH
er thirteen, at the time Of the incident we are
about to relate
A little girl named Mary, about the age Of
Martha, also made one Of the family Of Mr..
Arden. She was the orphan child Of a friend.
and had been received by Mr.. Arden when
quite young, and treated with an the Kindness
which marked his conduct towards his own
children
Mr.. Arden was a man who understood very
well that all the unhappiness in the world has
It's origin in selishness, and that the true way
to Ind happiness was to seek the good 9th
ers He often explained this to his children,
and taught them that in prcferring one another,
IN little as well as great things, they would
feel more real delight than in looking at their
own indulgence.
But this he found a very hard lesson for
young minds to learn. Especially hard for
Jane and Martha TO prefer Mary in any thing
to themselves. They loved her because she
was gentle, sweet-tempered girl, and there
fore they could not help loving her. But
/ they loved themselves better.
| One day, late in the winter, when fruit was
scarce, Mr.. Arden, on coming home from his Of
/ fee, brought with him three large mellow
/ Ipippins. They were intended for Jane, Mar
tha, and Mary. While at tea, Mr.. Arden
mentioned the fact that he had three large ap-
pies in his coat pocket for the girls.
o, give me mine !' said Jane, eagerly.
Give me mine, papa !' said Martha
But Mary said nothing, although she look
ed pleased
After tea you shall have them" replied
Mr.. Arden. But let me tell you that there
is something about these three apples that will
test, TO some extent, your characters"
How can that be- papa p asked Jane
We shall see said Mr.. Arden, smiling
No doubt they will test our love for ap-
pies, said Martha, who was merry little
girl.
Not the least doubt Of that in the world"
sand her father But take care Martha, that
in receiving your apple you do not lose your
appetite for eating it..
" l shall If it is very sour, or has poor
flavor"
That You will not find to be the case.
They are "a fine apples as have seen for a
long time.
" What mystery papa makes about three
apples" said Jane. 81 ain really inpatient
to see them.
you snau both see and taste them, dear,
after tea. But don't forget that there is some
thing about these apples that is going to try
your character
After they had risen from the tea-table,
and the tea things had been cleared away, Mr..
Arden brought out his three apples and laid
them upon a plate. They were indeed tempt
ing to look upon. They were nearly equal in
size, but one was less beautiful in shape than
the others, aud had become specked," or
slightly dceayed on oneside ofthe stem. This
defect, though small, was quite apparent.
"Ihey are very beautiful, said the mother
taking the plate in her hand and examin-
ing the fruit. | think father has neglected
me-"
40 you shall have half of mine!" said
Mary, quickly,
" And papa shall have half Of mine !" said
Martha.
" And to whom then shall give half off
mine 2n asked Jane o! | know will d. |
vide the half ofmine between papa and mama.
" BY which means we shall get the largest
share said Mr.. Arden. So mother, we
shall not only fare as well, but better than the
rest
s. And that will be all fair, for you ought
to have the largest portion always said Ma
ry, while her eyes expressed the warm af
iection that was in her heart for her kind bene-
factors, who had been all that her own father
and mother could possibly have been.
"Now, Jane" said Mr.. Arden, handing to-
ward her the plate that held the fruit,
a. tat ,.o,,r o,ylo 1oar
Jane, without pausng a moment, took an
apple from the plate
" Here Martha" and Mr.. Arden presented
the plate to his youngest daughter, who took
with smiling lip and sparkling eye, the large
golden apple her father had brought her
o. They have left the specked apple for you
Mary said Mr.. Arden in slightly disap-
pointed tone. ." But never mind, dear, the
ripest and richest fruit is soonest to decay.
| have no doubt that the superior flavor of
your apple will more than make up for its
slight defect"
The two sisters, who perceived in a minute
by their fathers remarks, and the tone in
which he spoke, that they had acted sefshly
by choosing the best apples for themselves,
and that he had noticed it, Immediately Of
fered to change with Mary but she said, with
pleasant smile,
80 no, no am perfectly satisfied;
should have taken this one if | had been offer /
ed my first choice"
As she said this she took a knife from the |
table, remarking as she did so that half Of it
belonged to Mrs, Arden.
While she spoke she pressed the knife into
the apple, but something hard toward the CEN
ter prevented the blade from going through,
A Slight pressure broke the apple in halves
and revealed, brightly cleaning in the center
very elegant little brooch.
"Why, papa I" exclaimed Jane, who under
stood in an instant what this meant.
Jane, we are justly punished for our
selfshness in taking the best apples and leay-
ing Mary the worst" said Martha, the tears
starting TO her eyes even while she made
this confession.
These apples, as father said, have indeed
tried our characters. But let me look at
your beautiful present, Mary"
Martha took the brooch, and while exam
ining it perceived that there was an inscrip-
ton on the inside. She read it aloud, $40
the least selfish"
1t is yours by right, Mary" said Jane,
frankly owning what was daily seen by all
TO be true, "for you are the least selfish
Lere.n
Mary said nothing, but her eyes were full
of tears.
"My children" said Mr.. Arden, " this is
n little matter, but it has shown you some,
thing of yourselves am rejoiced to find
that Jane and Martha bear their dlsappoint-
ment in such generous spirit, for it tells me
that the lesson has done tAem good "---Ch@-
dren's Guest