Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-01
Playing with Sunbeams.


on iis nursery hOor playing with a sunbeam.
that lay athwart the carpet. Now he would
try to catch it in his tiny fingers. and laugh
merrily at each failure now he would batht
his little hands in its warmth and brightness
aud then clasp them for JOY.
Now we meet, sometimes, though not often
with charming grown up children, who can
be happy in the enjoyment Of the intangible,
when the tangible is wanting They are tn,
opposites OF those characters Of whom it ha.
been said that it takes more than everything
to make them happy, less than nothing to
make them miserable
Mary Arnold had grown up in an unusually
happy home she never remembered hearing
an unkiDdly world there.
From this home she parsed, when quite
young, into one Of her own, which promised
her all the luxuries to which she had been
accustomed. But her husband met with
heavy losses Just as he had won his bride,
and she was obliged to live in humble style
/ hitherto unknown to her He thought he
knew what a sweet spirit she possessed, when
the day Of prosperity shone for her without
cloud But he was astonishcd and chcercd
when adversely revealed her true character.
IL is going to be very hard for you, my
poor child, he said TO her to descend with
me into all sorts Of petty economics, to which
you have never been used. This is the try.
| ing part Of these financial difficulties | Dc
not care so much for myself
Ave shall see, she returned with a smile
It is easy to smile in advance" he said
in reply to the smile " But you do not
know what it is going to he to you"
1t is true she did not know She had now
to do with her own hand, what she had had
other hands to do for her I; must make u very
little money 60 great way must do with
out luxures /; 10 short, must have that grim
and unplcasing master, Economy, sit with her
at her table, reign in her kitchen, preside
over her wardrobe and become general Mas
ter of Ceremonies. But her friends found
her unchanged by circumstances. When they
condoled her, she would reply
But think what kind huscaud | have 80
And she played with this sunbeam, and
made herself glad with it, aud was so genu-
inely happy that it was refreshmeut to meet
her
But it will not last, said the ravens
" By-and.by, when she has children, and mus
clothe and feed aud educate them, we shal
have a new tune"
We'll, the children came, and she had no
Il moment of leisure. She had TO be nurs,
and seamstress, never got her Afternoon
out" never had her work all done and out o
the way she was Industrious, and arranged
her time wisely but she could not WORK
miracles. She felt, a great deal Of the time
like a straw borne hither aud thither by tn
wind she could not choose what she wou
do at such time, but was forced to task,
with no room for her own voltion.
Now then" quoth the ravens, " we shal
hear you complain. You have to work lik
day-laborer, and see what miserable wage
you get!"
Miserable wages !" she cried why,
don't know anybody so rich as | am; With
such husband, aud such children, and such
friends, am as happy os the day is long =
You have great deal Of leisure foi
your friends, to be sure"
"Well, should like to see more of them
it is true. And by.and-by, when the children
arc older. shall"
BY that time you will be 50 old yourself
that your heart will have grown cold"
"Oh, no ; it is too busy to grow cold
! So she made sunbeams out Of her daily,
homespun tasks, and went on her way, rejoic-
ing,
The ravens were puzzled
ut must be her perfect health" they
whispered to each other.
Time passed the children grew up, and
Just as the long-needed prosperity began to
flow into the house, the young people began to
pass out Of il into homes Of their own, till
father and mother sat at their table alone
Now you have spent nearly lifetime in
toiling for your children and what is the good
of itall2 As soon as they get old enough TO
be a comfort to you, they every one of them go
of aud leave you"
| So said the ravens
Just what did at their age" she replied,
cheerily "Why shouldn't they get married.
as well as /? And instead of losing, have
gained children. Whereas | bad ouy six,
have now twelve. And have plenty of time
now to see my friends, to read, to take jour
neys, aud to enjoy my husband"
But now long, long daysof i'll health came
and laid leaden hands upon her She had
twelve children, but they were scattered far
and wide, and could only come occasionally to
make her brief visits.
avery hardw said the ravens.
ooh, no! 1t is such a delight to me
that they all got away before this illness
overlook me. 1t would have cast such a
gloom upon them to be at home and miss
mother from the table"
but the time is so long What a sad
pity that YOU are not allowed to use your
eycs!"
/" Oh, do YOU think so? was Just thank.
ing God that in my days Of youth and health
learned 80 many passages in the Bible, and
so many bymus lie here repeating them
over. and they are like honey to my taste"
AT all events, it would be a good thing If
YOU could see your friends more
81 do see them. in Imagination. call in
now this one. now that and make him or
her repeat the pleasant, aiTectionate words
they used to speak. am never lonely. And