American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-02-24
WHAT MAMMA SAID TO PAPA.
by HATTIE.

| BY HATTIE.
| didn't mean to be listening; but then
| wasn't asleep, and how could L help
| hearing what MARINA said to papa She
didn't speak loud, but leaned close to papa
as if she feared her voice might wake me,
but every word she said went right into
my ears. So you see couldn't help it.
And what did mamma say? - r.9z
Oh, that's just what I'm going to tell
you. would have been fast asleep in a
minute more, when I heard mamma, who
| was talking to papa, -say,s.Hattie," and
in moment was wide awake. I'm Hat
| tie, you see. -"- -i@-lE sisH
Then l listened, for how could 1 help
it? and this is what mamma said as she
| leaned close to papa and talked to him:
''She was so patient and kind with her
little cousins She let them have her play
things, and when Lulu let one of her dol
lies fall and hand got broken off, she be
. haved just like a little lady" g- 81
''How?" asked papa.
And mamma said: 40
"Of course poor little Lulu was very
sorry when she saw the broken hand.
Her eyes were full of tears as she ex-
claimed, in frightened voice, oh, what
have donei' 1t was q sore trial for Hat
tie; could see it in her face But in an
instant she controlled herself, and, putting
an arm around Lulu, said softly and kind
ly, Never mind, dear. 1t was an accident
Then, as she picked up the broken hand
right; it can easily be mended. Mamma
will do it SO nicely that You will hardly be
able to tell where it was broken -,.-,-.
Then Lulu kissed her and looked at
her gratefully, saying, as she did 50, I'm
so sorry, Cousin Hattie. a-+ "a so;t
"Don't let it trouble you a minute,
Hattie replied. Accidents will happen
You are not the only one who lets things
fall. do it almost every day
"Then they were all happy again, and
things went on nicely for good while.
But children soon get tired of one play
and another, and like to be changing, and
it often happens that theydiffer about their
plays. One wants this play and one wants
that, and most children find it hard to
give up their own desires to please others.
:" So it happened that Fanny wanted to
didn't like it, and was tired any how.
Then Fanny lost temper and said an ugly
word to her sister, at which Lily got an
CRY in turn and spoke back harshly. 1t
seemed as if a good angel told Hattie just
what to do. She was between the angry
sisters in a moment with an arm around
each. 5- ~. .---.r
"'Oh, don't! don't!' she said, in a sor-
rowful but tender voice. We're all tired
show you the beautiful little Swiss cot
tages and farmyard Uncle Ned brought
home for me last winter?'
No. no! nor cried they all, forgetting
in an instant.the trouble that had arisen
between them. And then they all went
up to Hattie's room, and heard no more
Of them for half an hour. =
at was so sweet and good in our Hat
tie," mother went on saying, ''and made
me feel so pleasant and thankful If she
had been selfish, and cross, and inconsid-
crate of her cousins, how differently the
day would have been spent for them and
for us all } They were better and happier
for their visit, and our daughter, in enter
tanning them, showed herself to be little
lady"
That was all heard; but it made me
feel so good. I hope l am not proud be-
cause did well and was. praised for it.
I'll try not to be, for pride spoils every
thing, have heard mamma say.-Ch@
dien's Hour.