American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-03-14
Two DAYS.

depends upon the spirit OF the person
who receives it.
1t was Rose who gave the push 1t
was not a very gentle one, for Rose was
in rather an ungentle mood that morn
ing, bright and very warm; indeed, 1t
was partly the heat that tried Rose.
"Mamma" said she, of course we are
to wear our new white Holland dresses to-
day."
II do not wish you to wear yours, Rose,
because it is not quite finished"
" 1t looks finished enough, mamma"
"But there is still something to do to
it,"
"Cannot it be done at onceE"
at shall be done to-day. You must
put on your old print this morning"
Must really, mamma? 1t Will be
great disappointment"
" 1t cannot be helped"
81 may wear mine, may not, man.
ma ?" inquired Winnie.
ayes; yours is quite finished"
"Ohl but that will not be fair" said
Rose "Winnie ought not to be allowed
to wear hers before l wear mine"
at does not really matter, Rose
Your print is much newer and looks con-
siderably better than Winnle's. You
know you have not worn it nearly as long.
If Winnie's old one were as good as
yours she need not wear her new one,
but II is she naU DelteI 10
a think it is rather too bad" said
Rose.
- think enough has been said about
it, said the mother.
So Rose had to be quiet, but you will
understand how she felt. 1t would have
been better if she had said to herself,
Now, can be quite as happy and use
full in my old dress as in new one. NO
one will like me any less in the one than
in the other. Tomorrow L shall have
what wish, and to-day will not think
of it''
But Rose did not reason thus with her
self. On the contrary she said, " 1t is
shame that l should not be as well dressed
as Winnie"
The little girls went to play in hay
field together.
ct is beautiful here; we can have
good game" said Winnie.
20 do not care much tor play; 1t is so
very warm" said Rose.
but we can seek a shady place. Here
is one under this willow tree
The two girls stood together under the
tree 1t was here that Rose pushed
Winnie.
The push was rather quick, rather
rough and very sudden.
1t forced Winnie into the ditch.
"Ohl Rose, why did you do that?" she
cried
at was only fun" said Rose.
"But see, it has made me soil my
dress"
Has it? Never mind" i
"But it is pity, when had it on quite
new this morning. l am afraid mamma
will not be pleased"
"Well, | cannot help il. You speak as
if meant to spoil your dress. But did
not, though no doubt you think did"
mo, do not think that" said Winnie.
=" But YOU know that l do not like to be
pushed at any time"
Rose knew it well. She had remem-
bered it at the moment when she gave the
push; but, somehow, Rose had not
minded doing what she knew Winnie
would not like.
Winnie said no more about it, and the
two girls walked together into the mead
ow But there was no joy for Rose that
day. 1t was June, and yet Rose could not
be bright The birds sang merrily
enough, but Rose could have found 1t
more easy to cry than to sing. Why
Because of the push, or rather because OF
the spirit which had prompted the push:
Rose was ill-humored and discontinued
and envious, and these things and happl-
ness never go together. All the day was
| wrong When Winnie spoke to her sis
ter, Roses conscience told her that she
| did not deserve kind words; and instead
| of answering pleasantly she spoke shortly
| and unkindly. Winnie said nothing to
her mother about the push, and the stain
| on the dress was no. noticed; but Rose
could not forget it. She seemed to see II
| all the time, even when she tried to look
| another way.
1t was because she so much regretted
| that she had not shown a better spirit that
| the next day was so different.
| 1t was little thing that spoiled the
| first day; it was only a little thing that
cheered the second day. Pride and i'll
humor caused the sorrow of the former,
and humility and love the joy of the lat
| ter.
When Rose awOke the next morning
| the sun was shining brightly, and she was
| glad that new day had begun.
| 81 will try to do better to-day than did
Yesterday" she thought; "for l was
ashamed of myself last night and had
| good reason to be so. 1t is a strange thing
| that any one should love me when am so
naughty, and yet l have much love given
to me. l will really try to deserve it in
| the future"
| Rose knew the right way to begin every
day, and she did not forget to ask God to
| help her to do what was right
| Then she went straight TO her sisters
room.
| Winnie, will you forgive me?"
Forgive you, Rose?" said Winnie,
look ing asIonished.
| Yes; forgive me for giving you that
| push yesterday"
ali was such little thing, dear. 1t
was an accidental push, you know"
at was IA savage push" SAID hose.
"Was it9 Well, l will forgive you. 1t
was only natural that you should feel DIS
appointed when you could not wear your
| new dress as well as i ~
at was very bad, indeed, and L fee
ashamed of myself"
"Well, il is all right now"
But, Winnie, | want you to accept
something, with my love, you know, and
as token thai you forgive me-"
What is it, dear?"
This scarf"
"Oh,no, Rose. The scarf is pretty,
and have heard you express your admi-
ration of il several times"
That is why | want you to have it,
Please take H. 1t will make me ever so
much more happy for you to take it. than
tor me to wear it myself
| Really?"
REALLY"