Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-06-13
LUCY REYNOLDS EYES,

CJOo WIN AOhS sWeGplHS ldSneS, anu
delicately penciled brow. Lucy Rey
nolds was not what is generally called
a pretty child, for she had not fair
skin, nor rosy cheeks, nor coral lips in
a nest of dimples; no beautiful curls,
only glossy, black hair, soft and fine,
out perfectly straight. Do you admire
herP Perhaps not-but l am sure that
you will soon learn to love her. If we
had seen her among her schoolmates,
with such a grave and quiet face, we
might have thought her plain; but
those eyes that looked so serious and
thoughtful were perfect mirrors of the
world within, for in their depths we
have glimpses of Lucy's soul, which is
her real self. Let us look at her a mo-
ment-she is poring over her lesson,
quite absorbed and intent upon her
studiesi the eyes are very earnest, but
there is nothing remarkable just now
IN their dark gray softness. The hour
OF recitation has passed and out in the
playground none are more joyous than
Lucy, her eyes flashing with merriment,
and now we should call them certainly
black. Then Lucy had the faculty of
seeing beauty where others saw naught
but the commonest every day things
the merest weeds, the toughest stones,
which some would toss aside with their
little feet, she would stoop to admire,
and if it were only simple, wildwood
Hover, would touch it almost caressing-
ly with her dainty fingers.
We wish to become well acquainted
with Lucy and will join her in a walk
with her cousin, Matilda Gray, with
whom she is spending few weeks in
the country. They are about to set out
IN search of pond lilies, and Lucy
could scarcely repress a smile, when
she looked at her Cousins delicate
lawn, her fine kid boots and fanciful
little hat. Matilda in her turn, glanced
contemptuously upon Lucy's blue ging-
ham, straw hat and thick boots, Just
the rigging for the summer sun and the
bramhies in the woods.
Lucy remarked kindly:
am afraid, Matilda, that you will
tear your thin lawn, for we have many
fences to climb, and brambles to tramp
over, before we reach the pond"
All my summer dresses are thin,
Lucy; my mamma would not think of
dressing me IN glngham.
Lucy with her basket and Matilda
with her light blue parasol, started for
the woods. The former made excellent
headway, for when q bramble caught
her dress it was very easy to disengage
the strong fabric, but poor Matilda's
pleasure was soon spoiled by the rents
in her delicate fiounced lawn.
"What are you scrambling after,
LucyP" said her cousin, as down upon
the ground the eager child was push
ing aside some bushes that hid her
treasures.
"The loveliest ferns, Matilda, Just
look at them! Did you ever see any
thing more beautiful than those
leavesP'
- see no beauty, Lucy. They are
really nothing but weeds!'
"How can you say so, MatildaP
And just look at these dear little blue
flowers, and those white blossoms.
Who can say that wild flowers are not
prettyP'
"What fuss about nothing! Itseems
to me that you find beautiful things
anywhere
"Well, Matilda, is it not SOP Is not
our Fathers world full of beautyP 1 am
sure that it is to me-"
Lucy is off again, and with beam
ing face she is rejoicing over bed of
soft moss under large tree, where
birds are singing their joyous songs.
" Haven't you pretty parlor, sweet
birdiesp" said Lucy, looking up.
"Such levely green carpet, and moth
ing to hurt your delicate little feet"
Why, Lucy, you talk as if you knew
them," said her cousin.
The little girl laughed. and taking
small bag from her pocket she made
low musical whistle, at the same time
scattering her seeds.
"Now be quiet, Matilda, and you will
see my little pets"
Down came one little brownie and
then another, standing a minute on one
foot, blinking the bright black ewes.
and then, as if assured of safety, pick
ing up the nice seed scattered by the
little friend.
"How did you make them so tame,
LucyP"
"Just coming every day to the same
tree, scattering the seeds quietly
around, until we are quite good friends
now"
On went the pair, Matilda complain
ing Of the brambles, of the heat, of her
torn boots and her ruined dress-Lucv
finding beauty at every step, really
sorry for her cousin.
we are in sight of the pond lilies,
Matilda" said the happy child.
:" How in the world are we TO get
nyP"
you'll see, Cousin Matilda" said
Lucy, laughing, and down upon the
grass the brave little girl took off her
shoes and stockings and looped up her
skirts.
"You are not going into the pond,
LucyP''
~ guess sor' measuring her slow
words by her cautious steps. 81 have
been there before, and there is really
no danger"
The child then cautiously felt her
way out to where the lovely white
flowers floated in their green cradles.
Armed with a long pole, she sue
ceeded in drawing number within her
reach, and, wading back, she handed
the sweet flowers to her cousin, saving:
What do you say to these lilies, cozp
aren't they worth the painsP''
"They are very pretty; but / am
sure l never should have waded after
them, for they are only flowers, at
best"
s'Only flowers, Matilda! The love
liest things that God has made"
All the way home Lucy was search
ing still for beauty, and Matilda said to
her Aunt Mary:
+" never saw such pair of eyes as
Cousin Lucy has. | saw only grass
and weeds, but she saw beauty in what
she called flowers, and ferns and COM
mon moss"