Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-08-05
The Leisure Hour.
SE.l'SHE.V'E.
BY SUSAN sNAPP.

Feeling rather blue today, II occurs to mo
to say something about sunshine. a good
idea! Already the blessed word shows
brightly upon the paper. Its ALTERATION
seems to appeal directly TO me. Sun! Su-
san. Shine! Snapp, it says in a brisk, per-
emptory tones-and why shouldn't tryP
1t will be better for John, for the children,
for the servants for all of us.
Shine in here, please, good Sun, and let
us find out what's the matter. All 1 see.
A little discomfort, little laZiness, little
sefishness, and a moiety of that vague
feeling of apprehension which steals in up
on one unawares. Why, thought it was
some real trouble! Already the wee, rest
less notes are floating off in the bright
beams, and Pm happy. My prayer with
out words is answered. How beautiful ev-
cry thing is out of the window-the sky,
the trees, the grass, even the flower beds
that need wedding, and the garden-path
quilted afresh by last nights rain 1t is
pleasant, after all to sec so much out-of
door work to be done. 1t gives one a fa
miliar fellowship with nature, n sort of tus-
sling, you-and-I feeling that adds vastly to
ones sense of importance.
Glancing roomward from the window,
the view is still pleasant. There's home
look about things, though the armchair
does need a new cushion. $50 there is,
Dick {! Sing away! What! jolly, and in
prison There, I'll put you in the sun. too
Dick likes that. All ! how he sings now
I never thought of it before. But, really,
| that trill is just full to the brim of house,
hold names. AS / listen, l can hear them
all-not distinctly, but strangely blended
in few shrill, ecstatic notes. Is the sun
shine on the carpet really quivering, or do
fancy it? No, it s the shadow of Dick 3
fairy cage, as he hops about and makes il
swing. Looking at the sunshine reminds
me of true story that never has been
printed.
Dear little Kitty c. used to 1.-Two next
door with her widowed mother and very
irritable grandfather, who-poor old man
couldn't bear the play of children, anC
always in Gliding them, let his aches and
pains get the better of his once CHEEKY
voice. Kitty, with her floating, golden
brown hair, her blue and dimpled littl,
shoulders, looked too pretty thing t.
mere sound of her voice. At other time
he woud sit silent for hours, scowlinl
darkly, and seeming wilfuliy to have stalk
Oh away from all warmth and kindliness
Strange to say, little Kitty had certail
"ways' so like his that they really alarm
ed her mother. The child would often be
come moody withouta a cause, or go off int
shocking fit of baby-passion. Her healtl
seemed excellent-her eyes were bright
and her checks rosy, even when tn
"grandiatherlOo look" as the household calle'
it, was settling upon her face. Various
plans of cure were tried in vain. At las
during one Of Kittys worst spells of suller
ness, n sudden inspiration came to the poo
mother.
The sunlight was streaming into th
room.
"Kitty," she said, moving tiny rochin
chair to a brightly lighted spot ON 'io o''
pet, "como sit here n little while
"What you want mo to sit here Tor 81,
I. snapped forth after few moments Wa''
ing. ,,,,.,
"Beeause it is such n glad place, hi'-
The sun Is shining there all the way roi
heaven"
! al don't care !" is Kittys iIreveront con
ment 49,
"I care" answers the mother softly, "h
the sun makes the world light, and the w
ters bright. 1t puts color into birds, tioy
ors. butterflies, and every thing. 1t brini
gladnoss and new life to the world ever
, morning. II comes from God, Kitty, NJ