Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-23
One AnOther's Burdens.
ny EMILY n, MILLER,


Jessie was in the very best of spirits. She
had pair of new boots, and they fitted her
perfectly; her new winter suit had Just
come, and everything about it was precisely
to her taste, and she was to go with her
mamma and Dell to the concert in the
afternoon.
The father was away and Dell read the
chapter al prayers Jessie always listened
more carefully when Dell read, and the words
seemed to drop right into her heart and stay
there. This morning she heard one verse
as if that low, sweet voice of Dplls was
whispering it just for her, for Jessie, " Bear
We one another's burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ"
1t troubled Jessie; she wanted to make
the most of her own happiness, aud not
have it spoiled 10y other peoples burdens.
o dear why must people have burdens
and if they had. how could any one else
bear themp
"But will, if must" thought Jessie;
and before she went to school she carried two
red apples to old Mrs. Dowey.
Mrs. Dowley only grunted at the apples,
and said
"What good be apples to an old bod,
withou, tooth in her head 7 II only
could have good relishin pinch o. snuff, il
would b. some comfort
So Jessie went away quite discouraged
clearly she had not succeeded in bearing
Mrs. Dowley's burdens, and she made sew
eral attempts at burden-bearing during the
day with no better results.
But When she came home she had for.
gotten her troubles, and danced into the sit.
ting.room to find Dell upon the sofa, with
handkerchief bound about her h,id--a sure
sign of one of her dreadful hradachrs.
90 Dell !" said Jessie, pressing the hot
temples with her COOL soft hands, "ynui
poor head and to-day of all the days"
Yes" said Dell. trying to smile, | did
so want to hear Miss Carey, but it cannot be
helped. You and mamma must listen for mp.
After dinner. as she was going upstairs
to dress, Dell called hel.
"Jessie," she said, " I've thought of some
thing lovely. There's that dear little Mollir
Floyd she never had a good time in her
life, aud she is a wonderful singer for such
a child. | want her to have my ticket. and
go with you and mamma. Go ask mamma
ii she will take her.
Here was a chance for Jessie TO Tighten
Dell's burden by helping her give to another
h pleasure she could not herself enjoy.
No one need think i'll Of Jessie because
she liked to be hand, omely dressed, and
part OF the pleasure of the concert to her
was sitting among the wel-dressed people
and feeling sort of quiet satisfaction iu
herself her mother, and her beautiful sister
But when she thought OF Mollic Floyd
with her outgrown cloak, aud her faded
dress that showed where the tucks hal been
let down, and her hat that turned up just
where it ought to turn down, aud her clumsy
gloves aud shoes; Jessie really began to be
miserable and to feel that everything would
be spoiled. She Almost hoped her mother
would see some objection to the plan but
no, her mother approved it heartily, and
bade Jessie dress as quickly as possible, aud
go herself for Nlolle.
Do you think, mamma" said Jessie,
that Mollie will have anything to wear p
Certainly" said her mother; - why not
her aunt always dresses her comfortably"
Mollie's aunt looked suspiciously at Jessie,
but, after all, she made no opposition, and
even laid down her sewing To braid Molie's
hair. As for Mollit herself, Jessie felt like
laughing and crying both together to see
the color tremble in her face, aud her great
brown eyes grow bigger and darker with ex
citement that was almost more than she
could bear. She was ready at last, and AS
the two children stood together there really
was great contrast III their appearance
which Mrs. Fluyd's critical eyes were not
slow to perceive, aud .ancying little re-
gretful look on Mollie's face, she said, AS she
closed the door:
Mind now, you're not to be trcked out
in any borrowed feathers. If they take you
at all, you go in your own clothes"
.Jessie's disappointed face clouded in an
Instant, but Mollie did not see it, She had
not a thought for her clothes, aud would
have gone contentedy in an army blanket.
Never mind" said Jessie's mother, when
she heard what Mrs. Floyd had commanded /;
"after ALL that is the wisest way, and Molie
will have Just as good time
And so she did, but Jessie did not. She
scarcely heard the wonderful music that
brought the tears into Alollie's eyes, and
made her lips culver, and her fingers clasp
each other in an ecstasy of delight. What
did Mollie care for hat or cloak while that
voice sang TO her
When the concert was all over, Mollie
rode home in the carriage with Mrs. Leigh
and Jessie, but said very little on the way.
You must come in and see DELL" said
Jessie; "she will want to know how you
liked the music !" and, in fact, Jessie her
self wanted TO know just what Mollie would
say about it.
Dell was still on the lounge, a little easier,
but looking very pale and weary. She was
Mollie's Sunday-school teacher, and the child