The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-06
~Tsmust sown that TIE little girls Of those

gard to the style as their grunddaugh-
tiers are to-day, Notwithstanding. May
thinks them so very old and plain. The
homemade linseys were woven in gay
plaids, and one of those fair little girls
in her bright dress and neat linen apron
was very pleasant sight to behold.
There were a few poor girls in the school
I attended who looked longingly at this
pretty attire Of the majority, and sighed
over their own faded gowns. One in par
ticular, Jane Hicks, little bound girl,
was very addressed. Her clothes were
not only faded and old, but were covered
with great patches of different material,
that really produced very odd and COM %
"Oh, my; how awful?" cried May.
eyes; it was awful to Jane She. was 4
sensitive little thing and shrank from the
keen eyes and teasing tongues of her
school-fellows, like wounded rabbit from
the hounds"
"Then, the little girls of long ago
weren't good all thorough neither! put in
Cora, with shy triumph.
Grandma tried to give the little ear a
pinch, but the naughty head lodged be-
hind her chair again @&
"You are right, Cora,' she said; +" they
| were not good all through bysany means.
They ridiculed and snubbed poor Jane
cruelty, simply because she was addressed
and friendless; for herself the girl pos
sessed sweet and obliging nature and
was the most studious child in the school,"
''But you didn't treat her bad, grand
MAJ" questioned Nell.
o,,1 ofr %ho% T xx,oo M haitian %bo,,
the Others" returned grandma eff l
did not make sport of her myself, never
spoke in her behalf, and was always ready
to join in the laugh raised at her expense"
"Ah, naughty grandma cried Cora,
peeping out from her retreat to shake her
finger at the old lady.
Grandma shook her head regretfully.
1t is very seldom that little folks or big
ones either have the courage to take the
| unpopular side, even though it be the
right sight side. Among the girls it was
fashion to snub poor Jane and bow before
Amabel Grey, and like May, here, I want
ed to be in the fashion"
can who was Amabel> Grey inter
rupted the chorus Of four.
| She was the only child of one of the
wealthiest families in the village, and &C.
cupied the opposite extreme from poor
Jane. Her pretty prints, embroidered
| woods and dainty lawns were the admira-
ton and envy Of her little companions.
| Mrs. Grey delighted in working charming
apparel for her one baby, not through any
wish to display, but because of the time
which her few cares gave her to crafty
her natural love of the beautiful. She
was gentle, Christian lady, and loved
all little children. Often she gathered
all those of the village about her in her
beautiful home. I remember we almost
worshiped this beautiful lady, and day
spent at her house was like a visit to
fairy -land. 80 ...
II dare say you are thinking that the
daughter of such a kind woman must be
very good child. Such was not the
case. Amabel was spoiled by flattery
and adulation. She was like u little
queen among the other children, and all
humbly sued for her favor. Worse still,
she was the most cruel of James persecu-
tors, and took great delight in drawing
attention to the striking contrast between
the unkempt child and her own dainty self
Did her dress but chance to touch James
| she would instantly draw her pretty skirts
away with a scornful motion, and dis
| dainful curl of her cherry lips.
son Amabels tenth birthday, Mrs.
Grey made large party in honor there
of. The event occurred on May-day and
the little girl very appropriately repre-
sented the Queen of May.
"Ah, that was wonderful party. All
| the children Of the village. were there.
The smooth lawn was like velvet in its
early spring verdure. The trees were
pink and white with blossoms A throne
of flowers was arranged for the little
queen, and lovely children strewed flow
ers before her. She wore dress of white
gauze, Topped with clusters of springs
own fours. Her yellow hair rippled and
shone over her snowy robes and curled
about her fair forehead and pink cheeks
like the sunlight among the flowers.
Crowned with a; wreath Of half blown
roses, with her fowery septer in her hand,
she seemed very queen Of fairy-land."
ooh, how NICE" cried May breathless
with admiration. 49,.
"Was poor Jane there?" asked Nell.
"An' how was she dressed?" queried
Cora
eyes; Jane was there, and she was
dressed in her best, which was a faded
llnsey with bright patch on either
sleeve, but very clean withal. 49,,
"During the excitement of the corona
ton she escaped attention, but her home
ly garb was too conspicuous among the
pretty, light dresses of the others, to long
| remain unnOticed.
I Just before dinner, when all the chill