Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-06-07
OF LITTLE FAITH.

HARRIE ALLISON leaned upon the little
wooden gate and dreamed. 1t was such a
lovely morning. The sun was shining so
warm and bright, as If it took comfort in
SHINING, the roses were in blossom, and
the trees were wearing the green, as
though conscious that it was becoming.
Sne was wondering how any one could
iali 70 be glad and content on such morn
ing. The sunshine was entering her soul.
and she forgot the thousand little annoy
ances that every day brought to her, the
vexations of life were far away, and she
feit that 1t was truly very sweet to live.
The horrid, little half broken down gate
was anyway, strong enough to support
her as she leaned, and that was saying
something, for it had hardly seemed able
TO bear its own weight for long time;
and the house, though it held discomfort
beyond telling, this morning was locking
better and brighter, for the Virginia creep
er was clothing it with freshness, and the
glorious sunshine Frightening it all. She
TO have verbena bed In the little front
yard, and could tear away the holly-hecks,
and one or two mammoth lilac bushes, she
would be quite happy, when voice that
was evidently the echo of a soul very
much out of tune, broke upon her with
Harriet Jane! Harriet Jaue! what on
earth are you hanging on that gate so long
Tor, and how on earth do you expect the
work will get done if you spend your time
that wayY'
How little time it takes to put to flight
happy, pleasant thoughts, and send host
Of disagreeable ones In their place.
Away went Harrie's delightful dreams;
away went sundry resolutions she had
made as she leaned upon the gate. One
was, that she'd try and keep herself all
day above the vexations that were wait
ing for her, whatever they might be. She
would try and keep the sunshine in ber
heart all day, but alas for good resolu-
tions.
She picked up the broom that had fallen
down-for she had been sweeping, and
had swept her way to the gate, went show
ly into the house, and said, I" 1t was so
bright and pleasant, couldn't help stay
ing out little"
mo, 1 s'pose not, but the morning was
made to work in; and this one Is the best
we've had for washing in long time, and
I've great mind, Harriet Jane, to get the
tubs out, and just go right at 1t. should
really enjoy it, clothes always look better,
too, when the sun shines on 'em."
IF that's your idea of enjoyment, I'm
sorry for you. For my part, / don't want
to do any more house work on such day
than Pm obliged to do, and, besides that,
the weeks ironing Is not yet DONE"
OF course you won't wash, no one
need expect you too. Oh, no, but you
wouldn't care ifI spent every one of these
beautiful days over the wash-tub, with no
chance to enjoy myself, when need rest
somuch, must say, Harriet jane"
You are as logical as usual, and as
consistent, but 1 wish you wouldn't call
me Harriet Jane. You know hate the
lame, and never want to hear it," said
harrle, last losing her temper.
lour name is Harriet Jane" said her
a, aaunt, who must be introduced as Mrs.
nanly, andit's good name, and you was
named after good woman. Your Aunt
WAS as loving creetur as ever lived,
prudent and economical, and a master
nand at house work. She never hung on
tne gate o'mornins', no indeed, she was
up before light, would have thought it a
sln and shame to ha' spent the time you
uo over books, and poetry, and such non
sense. Wish you was more like her."
,,N I'm extremely thankful that Pm not
t,ke her, and am not in the least ambitious
70 oecome like her. am sorry that even
said Harrie. H' N INC
well, said Aunt Susan, sits your
anntS; nau,e, and don't propose calling you
ahyInlng else. If You was bov, I'd call
you py Boys name, but seeing you are a
glli, shall not call you Harrie, nor any
Stner such name, that never was intended
for no girl"
very well. really don't suppose ii