Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-05

and of course inviting her to play with
them in such rig was entirely out OF the
| question.
For while Jennie was very careful of
| her clothes; but after little she forgot
| them entirely, and was soon engaged with
| party OF boys and girls on the very slid
ing pond her mother had forbidden her
to go near the day before; but she did not
| think OF this. One of the boys loaned her
| his sled, and she clambered up steep
| nil with the rest, and found her way to
the bottom like the rest, with this excep-
tlon, she landed ii one place, and her
SLED IN another, while the others, more
experienced, kept firm hold of their
Venlcles. Poor, willful Jennie Her
phght was, indeed, a sorry one. She
| had fallen upon one knee and scratched it
| so that the blood ran down upon her
stocking; and the little right hand, which
she had stretched out to save herself from
| tumbling still farther, was hurt in the
very same manner The nice dress had a
Silt IN the skirt; this, however, she thought
could be mended and look as well as ever.
Jennie returned the sled to its owner, and
llmped sorrowfully away from the play
ground But her spirits rose few mo-
mentS atterward, when she saw a party of
children on their way to the woods to
gather evergreens for Christmas decora-
tions. They were all older than Jennie,
and did not want the child to accompany
them, but when she informed them that
she had permission to spend the day Just
as she saw fit, they said no more.
why are you all dressed UP, Jennie ~
inquired one of the girls. at isn't nice
to go into the woods with your best
clothes on"
"Auntie told me might" was all the
answer Jennie made. Think of bronze
boots and white velvet hat in the cold
winter woods. Jennie worked with the
rest IN stripping the evergreen boughs,
and tried to forget the smart of her hand
and knee, and made herself believe that
she was really having a good time; but
after while this became quite impossi-
bic. Her feet were cold, and her leg grew
so stiff that she could hardly use it. One
of the boys accidentally let bundle of
boughs fall upon her head, tearing her
hat off, and almost taking the pretty
curls too. This hurt very badly, but the
pain was nothing TO the heartache she ex-
perienced when one of her companions
picked up her new hat, bent, and soiled,
and torn, the beautiful ostrich feather
looking more like a rag than anything
one of the boys offered to take her home
Part of the way she sat upon the sled, and
was dragged slowly along; the other part
she was obliged to walk, and this was
very painful.
Aunt Annie sat by the sitting room
window, when her niece, bedraggled and
forlorn, limped up the garden walk.
what is the NATTER Jennie?" she
asked, as the child entered
ooh! l have hurt myself, and torn my
clothes, and everything. Oh! auntie, won't
you please do something for my knee?'
"And have you done just what you
wanted to, nay dear?" inquired the lady
pleasantly
II thought | was going to have a good
time," replied the miserable little girl;
'but instead, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear,
look at me. | wish had stayed at home,
and minded you and mamma. | never
will want to do anything again that isn't
right, auntie, if you will forgive me this
time"
Aunt Annie bound up the lacerated
knee and bleeding hand, and as she did
so, said:
"You have spoiled all your best clothes,
and ! know your papa will not be able to
give you any more this winter. SO you
will have to be patient and go without.
You have made yourself i'll by having
your own way, and you must bear the
pain. This, Jennie, is Gods way with all
Of US. When He sees that we will not
submit to His guidance, He lets us alone
to follow our own foolish desires, until
we are glad to come back to Him, and do
His will in everything"
Jennie Harris never needed another
lesson of this kind; and although it was
very hard for her to wear her old hat and
common boots all winter, she nevertheless
did so very sweetly and uncomplainingly.
-COngregat5oaaIiSt.