The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-20
THE VAIN LITTLE LADY.

The little lady Milesa (as she was called
by erybody) had often been told by her
mamma, and her good papa, that she was
altogether too vain, aad too foolishiy proud
of herself, her fine clothes, and her papa's
great wealth. Her grand mamma and her
faithful old nurse had told her the same
thing many times, but their wise words
seemed to have no effect upon the beauti
full but vain child.
Milesa bad been told by her mammals
friends and the servants that she was beau
tiful, lovely, sweet as a rose, as fair
lily; that her hair was like threads of gold,
her eyes bright as q berry, her cheeks as
soft as q peach and so many such things
had been said to her, that she had really
grown to think herself the most charming
little lady in London. She grew 30 vain at
last, that when compliment was paid her
abe received it as a matter of course, and
from being vain grew proud; 80 very
proud, indeed, that che thought everybody
must yield to her wishes, that whatever
she commanded must be obeyed, that what
ever she requested must be granted; and
she would never acknowledge that she could
make q mistake, or do anything wrong.
She was much too vain and too proud to
show her young friends that she was pleased
with whatever they said or did and if
anything in their favor was said of them in
her presence, che would act as if she were
offended that she was not praised also.
Now 1 must say that the little lady
Milesa lie not the only vain or proud child
that have seen. l have seen this foolish
and most unchristian spirit exhibited more
than once in my life, by both boys and
girls, and it Ia a most painful sight.
One fine summers day Milesa was walk
ing through her papa's beautiful flower.
garden, which was separated, by a low
fence, from the vegetable garden. Whilst
standing near the fence, and admiring
sweet red rose that she had just pulled and
thinking how lovely she herself must be if
she was as sweet as this rose, as she had so
often been told, large peacock few out of
the shrubbery, and settled himself on the
top of the fence.
''What, beautiful creature you are !"
exclaimed Milesa some people call you
vain and proud, and they say the same
things of me; but am sure 1 think we
have q right to think we'll of ourselves,-
we are both bandsome-everyb body says
that-aDd am sure it is true, for look at
myself in the glass every day, and hnd
myself much prettier than any of my
friends, and you are the handsomest of all
the birds !" and the little lady put out her
hand to stroke the shining wings of the
gay bird, when 10 he gave a fearful cry, as
If he were angry at Miless for taking Puch
q liberty with his fac feathers and, lifting
his wings, he few to a branch of a tree
that stood q little way off, but slas as
Milesa stood very close to him, he tapped
MS SEe0C wings IN nor laSe' anu hnockeu
her jaunty bat eff her head, and the lovely
rose out of her hand.
"You naughty, disagreeable old thing !"
cried Mileea how dare you be 80 rude
You have very fine feathers, but you have
no manners, and you have an ugly voice. 1
would have not such harsh voice as yOu,
if did have q fne coatl"
81 think you are rather hard on the poor
bird, my lady," said some one just behind
Bfilesa; and turning, she saw the head
gardener, who wac good and sensible
man.