Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-06-04
yhe family Circle.
Pride and Humility.

Pride and Humility.
Little Sea Weed lived on a bright SUM-
ny beech with lovely Pink Shell resting
on her bosom, and would have been very
happy and have gone on very we'll but fol-
the pride of Miss Pink Shell, whose beau
ty made her vain and scornful. She wa:
always sneering at poor Sea Weed, and
calling her dull, dowdy thing.
elf you think me SO much beneath
you" said little Sea Weed, chad you not
much better change your place ?"
= Certainly" replied Miss Pink Shell
" L shall be glad to get away from such a
common, ugly companion as you are
With pride and scorn Pink Shell rolled
away from the sheltering arms of Sea
Weed, and in doing so displayed her bright
rosy skin to the sun. A traveller passing
BY noticed her beauty and picked her up.
" There" said she, "you see how people
admire me, while they do not notice such
poor, dull, helpless thing as you are"
I am not unhappy" responded Sea
Weed, d" and believe that | am made for
some good purpose; if we meet again |
hope you will treat me with less madness
than now
Pink Shell fully expected to be taken
at once to palace, and to be admired by
princes and mobiles. But the traveller
made his way to town, and turned down
into one of its dingy, narrow streets.
After entering into dull house, he took
Pink She'll into close, dusty workshop
Here she was fixed il sort of wise and
whirled round and round by machine
called a lathe. Soon she was cut to pieces
and pierced by sharp iron tools. "Alas -
said she, g am justly repaid for treating
poor Sea Weed with such silly disdain."
However, her depression wore off on
finding herself offered for sale to a rich no.
BILE as an object of art. I" 1t is indeed
fine cameo" said the gentleman: "who
would thought that you could have made
so beautiful an object out of mere shell,
of no use whatever ?"
Pink Shell felt mortified at being thus
spoken of, but now that she knew she was
of great value she thought she would hold
up her head. again.
10 her great vexation she found herself
shut up in box, and locked in a gloomy
cabinet. Here she mourned for the
bright happy days she had spent with
Sea Weed. "Ah" sighed she, "If l am
ever restored to the light | will never, |
think, be proud again"
One day she heard a rustling noise,
which proved to be the silk dress of lady
who came and took the cameo out of the
dark box and fastened it on her bosom.
Here she was greatly admired, but grew
sensible enough to know that many who
glanced at her were more intent at
gazing on the young lady whose beauty
she adorned.
When she was unfastened from the dress
OF her young mistress she was placed on a
marble table, over which hung large and
splendid mirror. Around her were crystal
cups, carved figures. sparkling gems. and
rich vases, but the mirror excited her
greatest admiration.
4" | should dearly like to meet with kind
little Sea Weed again." said she, one day:
" think she would be pleased to see me
so much improved"
THAT L am indeed !" said something
just above her, and looking up, she found
1t was the mirror that was speaking to
her.
g [ dare say yon do not recognize your
old friend Sea Weed in this noble glass,
but here [ am and an, glad too see you
"Dear me-" said Pink Shell. you are
indeed changed, and may look down uron
me-"
Don't say that, if you please" replied
the mirror. " I'm of some use, and for
that L feel thankful but had nothing to
do with making myself, so why should |
feel proud ?"
81 hope [ shall never feel proud again,
responded Pink Shell; Z" but pray tell me
how you came changed from a poor dull
sea weed to a beautiful glass"
g was first turned iuto what is called
kelp, and then mixed with some fine sand,
that we both thought SO little of on the
beach. | was then put into a very hot
furnace, and, when melted, made into a
sheet of glass. l was very warm at such
treatment, you may suppose, but ID time |
cooled down, and was smoothed over, and
then polished into my present state"
"Oh, Sea Weed !'' said the she'll, 81
hope you'll forgive me those unkind things
l used to say; I've been so scornfu and
proud! I've been very silly. but"
"Say no more, my beautiful friend" in,
terrupted Sea Weed; q should be
of myself if could not forgive
and forget, as the saying is; and l am
glad to see you SO very beautiful"
Your kind words make me more hap
Ply than my improved appearance" rejoined
FINK Shell. 81 shall rest here happy in
looking up at you as sister. and in ask
ing your advice, for you possess the power
mat the poet was anxious for, that of en-
abliDg us to see ourselves as others see us.
Friend.