Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-17
fat little hand across bis eyes ~ don't
know where II is"

"Wo didn't say our prayers, Mamie,
said he. "Pr'aps If we said our prayers
God would show us the way home. YoI
: ask him."
, ~ don't know what to say"
"why, just tell him we want to e,
home"
So Mamie kneIt down in the tall grass
taking care not to disturb the repose Of th,
} sleeping cows around her.
"Please, God, show us the way 10 oui
house. Must 1 say anything else, Jim
mieS"
Nothing else but amen that's ALL"
Mamie said "amen," and rose from her
knees. "Now we shall find 1t, shan't we,
JimmieH" said she, hopefully, taking his
hand again.
But they didn't find II. They wandered
on and on, until both were exhausted
Poor little Mamie cried bitterly, and jim
mie found 1t hard work TO restrain his
tears.
"God didn't show US the way-a bit. God
isn't good-for nothin', Jimmie"
"oh, yes, he is good for some things"
replied Jimmie "he made me and you,
and"
"But didn't want 10 be made," sobbed
Mamie.
"He made papa and mamma, too !" and
at the mention OF these dear home names
Jimmie broke down utterly, and cried as
heartily as Mamie had dono.
"Mamma said-God took care of good
girls-and boys" continued Mamie, in an
injured tone.
ave amt good girls and boys" said con-
science stricken Jimmie. "God won't new
or show us the way home, Mamie"
As he said this, the whole prairie seemed
to grow lighter, and, turning, his fearful
eyes beheld the moon coming up, up, up,
In the broad sky. She knew her way, evil
IDENTIFY, and was going to walk in 1t, too.
As she Travelled on IL seemed TO the two
children that the "face" which they had so
oflen laughed at looked stern and forbid
ding, but the light which she gave was
most refeshing TO their weary eyes.
All at once Jimmie started, then uttered
an exclamation OF surprise. why, Nam
ME-" said he, joyfully; "we're almost on
to the path back OF old Peters,"
1t was even 30. A few moments walk
brought them TO the old, familiar land.
mark.
1--WE amt lost no more," screamed Nan
ME, jumping up and down in her delight.
"We can run now, Jimmie"
But their poor little limbs refused. They
were loo stiff and lame.
"Im 30 sleepy" whiued Mamie.
Jimmie was sleepy, too, but he didn't
say so.
"Everybody'll go to bed. We can't get
In" And Nannie's tears flowed afresh at
this dreadful thought.
"Hushw Jimmie raised his fat little fin-
ger imPressively. "Let's listen"
ITS the buggyW cried Jimmie.
"Irs Ponts r. exclaimed Mamie.
And both were right. In five minutes
more the tired little stragglers were riding
home as fast rs Bessie could carry them,
Points following, apparently quite beside
himself with delight.
Jimmie looked up into his fathers face,
realizing as never before, how good fathers
were. Mamie laid her tired head upon
that broad shoulder and stroked his coat
with her plump little hand.
"oh, papa" said she, sonly; 81 love
you"
"If my children loved me don't think
they would run away from me-" said papa,
seriously.
Jimme's eyes flled. "wo meant TO
come back sooner" said he, "but we could
MT see the way"
"ob, yes" chimed in Mamie; 1--WE
meansd to come back, papa"
As they approached the house they saw
mamma coming TO meet them. Mamie |
was the first to discover traces OF tears up |
on her cheeks.
"Ob, mammal mammap she cried, |
jumping into the outstretched arms; "the
girls went 10 bed, d,-and-the cows tripped |
me up and"
"What girlsf" inquired mamma, won
derngly.
"The ones that moved into that other
house.
Have you walked over there ?" asked
the lady, incred ulously.
"No," replied Mamie, family. ave lost
ourselves In the dark"
Mamma pitied her weary little ones SO
much that she asked no more questions,
SNS PN' '"Oui " Oeu as sOOu rs possible. 1u
ten minutes they wero sleeping as soundly
as If they had never teen naughty in all
their lives. Upon the next day, however,
they related their sad little experience to a
most attentive listener.
''We told God 10 show us the way home,
and he wouldn't" said Mamie, plaintive-
ly, in conclusion.
HE wouldn't, cause we was naughty"
rejoined matter of-fact Jimmie.
"What was II that gave you SO much light
and helped you to see old Peters housef"
inquired mamma.
"oh, that was the moon p answered Nan
ME.
"But who made the moonr'
"Why, God"
"Dld God light up the moon just for usf"
asked Jimmie, opening wide his bright
ayes.
"He lighted II up just for everybody"
replied mamma "but think he felt sor-
" for the two poor little children wander
ing about alone on the dark prairie; don't
you Jimmief"
Jimmie nodded lhoughtfully.
"God is good for great deal OF things"
Mamie complacently. "Don't
you love hun dee-ly, mamma f'-Chris-
ian Register.
A STORY FOR BERoH.-"Conductah,
Iimpered lady on an outgoing Eastern
rain Iaat avanfno Huyin xaou ha an I,ot.a |