Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-05-18
Nellie Of Some Use.

One lovely afternoon, early in the month of
June a little girl, not more than eight years
old, sat at window overlooking a beautiful
lawn and fish pond. She had been reading
but the book had fallen from her hands
There was a sad expression on her counte-
nance; for she was thinking how she used to
love to run about in the green fields, and play
with her hoop or her skipping rope. But
those she had to exchange for a crutch she
was a cripple.
just then some little sparrows came to pick
up the crumbs which the child had thrown
from the window. She watched them with the
deepcstnterest as they hoped about in happy
freedom; till at length, having satisfied their
hunger, with chirp they few away to join
their companions
The little girl turned away sorrowfully
from the window, and stopped 10 reached her
crutch, which had fallen to the floor. In vain
did she try to drive back her tears they
would come and covering her face with her
hands she wopt bitterly Whilst thus troub-
led, she felt handlaid softly upon her head
and, looking up, she saw her mother bending
over her with a mingled look Of anxiety and
love in her face
What is the matter with my Nellie ?"
she asked in gentle voice.
o mamma exclaimed the child as she
threw her arms around her mothers neck,
" it is Of no use for me to live. now that am
lame. can never be of any use"
The mother, breathing silent prayer to
God for a blessing on her instruction, seated
herself on a low chair, and, drawing Nellie
on her lap, whispered words of comfort to
the troubled little one She told her Of the
Redeemers love to children Of his suffer-
ings and death on the cross. She told her
also Of the lame aud the blind, the deaf and
the dumb, who we're brought to the loving
Savior, and were healed and then with
mothers tenderness she pressed the child to
her heart, and tried to show her in how many
ways even a cripple might be useful She
told her Of the glow-worm whose tiny light
cheers the traveller on his way in the dark
night.
But mamma" said Nellie, " am not
n gow-worm.
" No, dear said her mother; " but you
may do what the glow-worm does,-you may
. let your light shine Have you forgotten
those lines which your papa taught you not
long ago p
DO what YOU can, being what you arc,
shine like gOw-Worm, II you can't be a star.
You cannot do much, know, and yet,
by your example, you may be made a bless
ing to others. You may SOW the seeds of
kindness and love, and mercy and truth, which
by and by will, with the divine blessing, grow
up bright and beautiful flowers, that shall |
bloom throughout eternity"
But, mamma, how can | do this ?"
Well, my dear" replied her mother,
d" by giving up your own will for another's
pleasure, you SOW the seeds of love and kind
ness by Immediately coufessing when you
have done wrong, you sow the seeds Of truth;
aud you were sowing the seeds Of mercy when
you gave your dime to the poor blind man at
the door this morning"
With a bright smile of hope, the child |
looked up into her mothers face and, press
ing a warm kiss on her check, she said, |
ID Thank you, dear mamma | lOiH try TO be |
more happy and seful."-Chiidren's Guest