Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-05-21
"But how can yoa--what do you do

l
DO. I have little pair Of scissors and
I cut out1ovely dolls and things from
! old papers; ane / have some patch
work too, only I cannot sew but few
stitches, cause it hurts nay shoulders.
! I've got mother a Bible and hymn
book. Sometimes [ can read a whole
chapter, but most times the lines all
run together SO I can't make out the
words; but I've learned ever so many
4 hymns and verses from the Bible, and
| when my back aches the hardest, l say
them over and over, and it helps me to
bear the pain wonderfully. And look
on the window still Did you ever see
such lovely fowers"
1t was poor stunted petunia, grow
ing in cracked sugar bowl.
''Then see! there is my dinner"
Nellie lifted a clean, coarse fowl
from the chair by her bedside, dis
closing a mug Of cold tea, a few
crackers, and little dish of dried
apples sauce.
"By and by, when the old bell
strikes twelve, dollie and I will have
a greas party, with hundreds Of fine
ladies and gentlemen, and think we
have frosted cake, and ice cream and
lemonade; and it's just splendid fun"
Alice felt great lump IN her throat,
and winked fast and hard to keep the
tears back.
"Have you got doll?"
80, hes; here it Isl" drawing from
beneath the old bed-quilt a large rag
doll, with red flannel cheeks, remarka-
bic features drawn with a burnt stick,
and hair of raveled black yarn. Dolly
had on clean calico dress and a
ruff1ed white apron, and Nelhes eyes
beamed with fondness upon her pre-
cious matilda
"You poor little thing!" exclaimed
Alice.
Nellie's eyes opened wide. "What,
me poor little thing?'
eyes, you! How can you be so happy
here all alone, with such back, and
nothing nice or pleasant about you?"
The pale little face grew grave, and
she answered softly, dive got some
thing else here that you can not see,-
it's Jesus! l did use to fret a good
deal, and think it very hard to lie here
all my life; and the doctor says I won't
live very long. But Jestis loves me,
and [ love him dearly. He comes
every day to this poor little room, and
it makes it seem like heaven. l have
only to shut my eyes, and l seem to
see angels, and the great white throne,
all the beautiful mansions, the River of
Life; and it seems just as real as if l
was there
Alice buried her face in the old
quilt, and cried.
"Wby, Alice, what makes you cry2
You are not crying for me, l hope?"
''No, no, cried the child, "I'm cry
ing for myself. o, dear!" And a fresh
burst of sobs was slnothered in the old
quilt"
Nellie's almost transparent hand
smoothed the long golden curls; and
then, as her sobs grew lighter, the
sweet voice murmured, ''Dear Jesus,
bless Alice; help her to love thee; give
her new heart; let my light Affections
show how much she has to be grateful
for that she may truly loye and follow
Thee: Amen
"Alice lifed her fearful face, kissed
Nellie, and wen. home. Mrs. Morton
had heard of the crippled child, SO had
not been uneasy at Alice's long absence.
When she came in; she threw herself
into her mothers arms, and cried as If
her heart wotld break.
"Why; my child! what is the matter?
Tell me DEAR"
30, mammal" she exclaimed. when
she could speak; Il atm awflly asham-
ed of myself! If you COLD only see
that poor little cripple, so happy. with
just nothing pleasant or comfortable
about her; and have everything!"
''Tell me about her, dearl"
Alice described the poor little room,
the stunted petunia, the rag doll the
meagre dinner which was to serve for a
grand party when the clock struck
twelve. She told her; also, of that
wonderful presence that transformed
the poor room into golden palace,and
of the little prayer bfeathed over her
own bowed head. She was a wise
mother. She did not spoil the sweet
lesson her child had learned. She only
kissed her softly, and said, 81 am glad
YOU saw this patient little girl. God is
very good to keep my daughter strong
and well; to give her so much to make
her happy. Let US kneel down to-
gether, and thank Him now"
With her arm about her peenitent
child, Mrs Morton prayed as she never
had before. ana Alice fnllowed Nth q