Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-03-28
A Story for Little Folks.


us a story, fairy story, full of all
beautiful things and wonders, that will
make our eyes open, and our hearts
jump! Do, mamma, and We'll be as
quiet as two little mice, nibbling at a
piece of cheese
The fond mother smiled at the child's
imagery, consented to amuse the little
ones, and endeavored to plant flower
of future usefulness. even by relating a
simple fairy tale. So, putting her sew
ing aside, and drawing the children
close to her heart, she commenced
with:
"Well, once upon time," (without
this sentence you will never find child
to listen)-"once upon a time, dear
little baby came to town. with soft
brown hair, and lovely blue eyes"
go mamma, me got pooty hair" lisp
ed the household pet of two years.
eyes, just like my Willie, but not
like him either; for this baby was al
ways still and slept great deal, and 1
am sure my little fellow is never quiet.
1 think sometimes 1 must buy great
piece of long cord, and tie him fast.
swell, I'll commence again: the ba-
by slept, and as his mother gazed upon
him, she saw two shadowy forms, one
so bright and beautiful, with large, soft
eyes and long, flowing, shiningrobes,
with wings on her shoulders, which
sparkled and glittered like the morning
dew when the sun comes. . Bound
round her head was broad gold band,
and on it was written, in large letters,
"LOVE." "Ahr' thought she, "Love
will watch my boy, will guard him on
earth, and guide him to heaven" The
mother was so happy in that thought,
that she scarcely saw the other figure,
which was crouching down upon the
floor, one hand REACHING to catch the
tinty fingers that hung over the pretty
counterpane. The babe awoke with
cry and pain in its face, shivering as if
cold wind was taking its breath. The
mother gently raised it and hushed the
wailing cry, but glanced fearfully at
the dark FORM
80 mamma, mamma, what, what is
it, what was it, oh, l mean, cont
know what l mean," said Mary in
quick, gasping voice, and a great sigh
full of care and unknown experience.
"Now you hush, you put mamma
out" ehimed Willie; "me know; it was
wicked, nasty ting.''
"Ies, darling, it was indeed. You
know there are bad spirits, as well as
good. This was bad spirit, and his
name was "NAUGHTINEss.' He had a
very ugly face, such horrid cross look
in his eyes, the very sight of him was
enough to scare any one. How differ
ont from Love! No one could ever look
at her without wanting to see her again,
and when she smiled, every one just
felt like smiling too. But as for
Naughtiness, so dark and shrivelled up,
whenever he came there was always
trouble. Now, heswas very deceitful
too, for when he saw the baby so little
and weak, he just curled himself up and
went fast asleep for two years, for he
thought, Love might keep the baby
now, he would take his time by -and-by.
"Love bent over the crib, and, kiss
ing the darling softly, sped away, leav-
ing ray Of hope and sunshine to her
heart to shut out the dark ugly face
that peeped over his shoulder us he too
vanished in the air. To compose her
mind, she sang our pretty hymn:
"Hush my babe, lie still and slumber,
| Holy angels guard thy bed"
"Let us finish these verses" added
mamma, "and go to bed. Tomorrow
mamma will tell you more"
They lifted up their sweet faces for
the goodnight kiss, and soon were
nicely tucked in in their snowy beds,
where LOVE kept watchful guard and
mammals eye and ear were ever open.
! am sure all children who read this
story can think of their dear mothers
ever kind, ever watchful. Can such
love ever be repaid? o, yes, by being
good, gentle, and kind, remembering
always that Naughtiness is ever wait
ing to encourage bad tempers, and cross
! thoughts.