American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-03-06
ONLY A GIRL.

toHe liia1 Hau Soiiie'iihS VI So'Sni ~
81 would not be girl for all the
world.' said Tom.
"Neither would if I could help it,
Matte confessed. a am sorry enough,
but then sorrow will not alter the case,
so must make the best of it."
She was a very wise little Matty to
come to such a decision. She had a
fancy that boys were of much more use
in the world than girls; that they had
many more chances of succeeding in life,
and were altogether better OFF. :" If l
were man | should be wise and strong"
she said. But Matty's admiration car
ried her little too far, for it is certainly
not the truth that ali men are wise and
strong
Poor Matty sometimes felt quite dis
couraged, and one day she did very
good thing, for she took her mother into
her confidence.
"Matty, dear" said that thoughtful,
kind friend, Il would not trouble my
self about it if l were you, for really a
good woman is almost as much needed
in the world as good man, and these
times are excellent ones for woman"
Il know they are, mother" she said,
land l should be almost content if had
any hope of being clever woman. But
am afraid that it is not in me to paint
picture or write a book, or preach and
lecture, as some ladies do"
"Never mind, my child. If God has
not given you talents for such work, you
may be sure that He will not give you
the work to do. My opinion is that
clever women are less valuable than good
women. Be good now, and pray to God
that He may help you to become use
full woman, and am sure that when you
I,ac
life"
So Matty was a cheerful, thoughtful
girl, who cared very little indeed about
herself and very much about others;
and she soon found that it was not so
very bad after all to be "only girl"
"Matty! Matty"
This was the name that was heard the
most frequently up and down the stairs
outside and inside the house. When
Matty heard it smile broke over her
face.
- am so glad that some one wants
me-" Matty used to say, and she ran as
fast as she could to the spot from which
the sound came.
"Tom, did you call me?"
'eYes, Matty; should think | made
noise enough for you to hear me, too"
q heard you. What can do?"
"Sew this button on for me, please"
So / will. l have a needle-book and
thimble in my pocket"
q tell you what, Matty, boys would
be very helpless without girls"
Il really think they would"
"Of course, boys are most useful, and
good, and necessary, you know, Matty,"
said Tom, thinking he had admitted a
little too much; but still girls can do
some things they cannot"
a am very glad they cam" said
Matty.
"Thanks; that will do"
"No, dear, wait one moment; buttons
must be sewn on very strongly, you
know"
"Matty! Mattyw
"Yes, Willie"
Il have been jumping, and have fallen
down"
"Oh, Willie, am SO sorry Have you
hurt yourself ~
"Ihave cut my face. Come and see;
want you to battle it for me-"
So Matty ran down. When she saw
the blood she felt ready to faint, and for
moment she thought she must call
some one else to attend to her brother.
But Matty did not mean to be delicate,
timid young lady, but brave, useful, re-
liable girl.
q will conquer this weakness" she
said to herself And then she set her
lips together and went toward her
brother. She could not help becoming
white, and her hand trembled little;
but after a time she bound up the cuts
on her brothers face, and was so glad of
the result that she begged him if ever lie
should have another accident to be sure
to call her again.
Willie said he hoped he should not,
but boys are often hurting themselves,
Il lnr, hnfn hn ed
his sisters services again.
Practice makes perfect. Matty began
to show herself so clever in all common
place but useful work that she was con
being called to do ii, and she did
it so cheerfully, and even gladly, that
after time people called her Matty the
helper"
And now am going to tell you what
Matty has lately done. She has saved
the lives OF six people. She is no longer
Il child, but she is not yet too old to be
called girl, and | am not sure but that
even now she speaks of herself as only
Il girl" And yet the doctor says she has
saved six lives, and comforted many
hearts beside.
There was house to which sickness
came. In that mouse was a woman who
is called clever, but she did not know
how to nurse the sick. In the house,
too, there are four men and boys, but
they were SO frightened that they were
not of much use. although they certainly
did all that they could, such as going on
errands and carrying things up and down
stairs.
The doctor looked at all the people
who were well, one after the other, and
he did not seem quite satisfied.
1t all depends upon the nursing" he
said IF they have really good nurs-
ing they may recover; but unless they
have it l cannot answer for the conse-
quences."
What shall we do? l am not a good
nurse" said one.
"Nor l." said another.
Try me-" said Matty.
You! why you are only "A girl"
q cannot help that. But l think can
be IL nurse all the same"
Yes, let Natty nurse us" said one
of the invalids, and that settled the
matter Very soon there was II change
for the better, and presently all were
we'll
"Matty is worth her weight in gold
81 would rather have patient, pains
taking Matty for II sister than anyone |
know"
"Matty is good and loves God, and He
makes her wise"