Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-12
I'D AIS LESSON,

iDA'S Lesson.
She was sitting there alone that drizzly af
ternoon, proud Ida Thorno quite alone with
her gloomy, restless thoughts. The subdued
pattering Of the rain without had no charm
tor her, for she saw no beauty in its mission,
heard no music in its soft undertone and so
she sat gazing into the black, freless crate
with an unhappy expression on her young
lace and tear quiverng in each dark eye.
If twas Cousin Mays disappointment the
whole house would condole with her, but
since it is only mine il is no matter. And
there it is again-it is never any matter about
mel wonder why papa can't let me live
with dear, good Aunt Mary instead of staying
here at Uncle Fred's, where they don't care
anything about me, and would not know It if
were thousand miles away no, there
wouldn't anybody miss me--0 dear!r and
those two great tears rolled down over her
face and were followed by others.
Poor Ida was becoming very wrctched for
that was sad, sad plant, Nobody would
miss me- The truth was she had been brood.
ing over her little troubles and annoyanccs
TIL she had wrought herself into the serious
belief that Ida Thorne was the most abused
unappreciated maiden that had evor lived
and this conviction grated very painfully up.
on the sensitive cords Of her proud nature
Her surroundings, her friends, and the whole
world seemed to her terribly at fault, but it
had never occurred to her that she might her.
self be in any wise responsible for this and
so she went on magnifying her grievances
and blaming other people for their existence,
iancying herself neglected and unloyed, till
she had become very miserable.
Il cannot bear it," and she pressed her red
lips firmly together, as if there we're some
desperate purpose within. +" 1 cannot bear it.
o, If poor mamma had not died !"
Then she thought Of the grass-grown mound
in the hillside church-yardi Of those days Of
agony when her precious mother was fading
from their sight, and a mider mood stole over
her. There came memories of those parting
hours, of her mothers last prayers and bene-
dictions, her last words Of warning and coun.
sel-tearful memories yet softening and bless.
ed in their influence. Never had these things
seemed to her as now, when they came with a
deeper meaning, that searched her soul and
held her spell-bound.
The door was slightly ajar, and murmur.
ing Of happy voices aoated up and fell upon
her ear. few notes were hesitatingy struck
upon the piano. then few more, and after a
pause the voice grew troubled, and seemed
perplexed. Then came an ill.soundiug strain
and long pause broken at length by Amy,
as she said, " 1t is a sweet little song any
way. Ida was singing it this morning, and
it is the prettiest thing I've heard lately"
| wish she would come and play it for us
now" added Lou. "I wonder where she is
I'm going to find her."
No, no, Lou, don't you do any such thing.
| should never think Of asking favor of her.
You know she is never fond Of doing the least
thing to please anybody but herself"
Please anybody but herself" repeated
Ida " she never does that any way. I'm
afraid | am dreadfully selfish, though" she
went on; it is strange | never thought of
that before, when l am so quick to discover
the sehshness Of others, too" aud she bowed
her head as in shame. I" must gain for my.
self better name than this" starting up
quickly and brushing her hair back from her
throbbing temples. "' Whatsoever ye would
that others should do" she repeated as she
went down to the paror.
The room was empty, and she passed
through into the nursery, where she found lit.
tie Rosie. sitting alone among her playthings,
her face flushed and overshadowed by per.
picked frown but looking up suddenly her
blue eyes sparkled with delight'as she saw
Ida.
30, tousin Ida, Ise so dlad you tome -
Please to fix S doly's naughty dess."
At any other time Ida would have turned
away impatiently but her newly formed pur.
pose was still fresh, and would not SO easily
be laid aside. So she smiled into the little
eager face, and, bending over her, soon com.
pleted Miss Dolly's toilet, to the great de-
light of her chid-mamma.
Mrs. North entered the room Just in sea.
son to hear Rosie's tank ou" and, smiling
kindly, did not fail to express her approval
of this little act of unselhshness.
1t is very nice to be generous" thought
Ida, and great deal easier than expect
ed it would be-"
Then Harry came tramping in from school
He was a merry, wide.awake little fellow, but
his step was heavier than its wont tonight,
and his round face had lost something Of its
happy light.
willie is going way ahead Of me in arith-
metic," said he sorrowfully, " and I'm afraid
| never can catch up with him, cause there
"S sN"c ""i"i "aiu OAahiPics snnt w uieu
ana u !I Iiied, put cant do' and he sat down as
II quite vanquished.
WINE Stanley was MS particular rival and
70 DC ou'uone py MN IN this way was seri-
GUS matter 10 tne poor poy'
elf you will bring your book will help
you" said Ida pleasantly.
nc ne sprang up quickly as he exclaimed
~ you are Just the girl In the world !!
VIII be" thought Ida, as she smiled on
neT il.'le COUSIN:
put 'hls nelping was not 30 easy matter
as sue ead anticipated, and she grew very
'lrea urea Oh .nose long columns Oh hgures' There
came strong temptation to leave the work
nav III nnlsneI out conscience whispered
,,.oaa laa' ,V" wTu.a DC very seihsh'ida' and she
"eT. T resoiu.ely on.
INC " obstinate examples were fully con-
II AI I'M bN.EuW IL