Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-01-02


ternoou i'm midsummer. Sunday
school was just over, and Minnie
benton came from the church with
several of her young companions.
They were talking very earnestly,
and you could tell by their happy,
smiling faces that tney were sA-
pecting some rare treat.
Minnie came tn her gate first,
sud with CHEEKY "GOod-by, girls, "
ran iuto the house and into the
pleasant slttingronm. where her
mother was rocking the 'sSSg.
"Oh, mother, 7" said Minnie, 1--WE
IRE gong to have picnlc. Don't
you think it Will be nice? itS 60
ing TO be week from next Wed
nesday il it don't rain, aud | hope it
will not. We arc going dewn TO the
lake and have dinner in the grove.
can go, can't mother ?"
II hope YOU may" said Mrs. Ben
ION, smiling, ''siuce you want SO
very much 10. But there is the
dinner-bell ; nov come 10 dinner
and we will talk about The picnic
come other time
The days passed very slowly to
Minnie, as they do to us all when
We are waiting for something we
WsnL Ninnie's basket was pack
ed, and >sae had everything ready
for an eStiy start. Sne had watch
ed the sun se: and felt sure it would
DO pleasant next dsy.
When Minnie awoke In the morn
ing she jumped out of bed and ran
20 the window. II was o beautiful
morning, not a cloud TO be seen
anywhere in the bright blue sky,
Minnie thought the day had Ger
! taitiy begun IS pleas ant rs any one
j, could wish.
When she went down to the
breakfast room she found her father
eahd'mother talking very earnestly.
Jagt as she entered the room she
heard her mnther say, "Poor little
girl! am very sorry for her."
What is it, mosherl What is
tho matter ?" asked Minnie.
"D1 you remember Annie White,
The little girl we used to go and ses
last winter when her mother Was 10
sick p"
Yes, mother"
"Wtn, Mrs. White has been here
this morning. Her brother, An.
Mes uncle Charles, is very sick,
and he has sent for his sister TO
come 20 him to-day. Annie will
hay. 10 stay at home from the pic.
ric and take care Of her little broth
er. Mrs. White will not be home
until night, aud she cannot take the
baby with her."
''Oh, MOTHER" said Minnie,
''isn't 1t too bad +? I am sorry fo-
Anuie. Sic almost always has TO
stay at home and take care OF the
baby when the other girls are play
ing and having good time. She
felt sure she could 60 to the picuic
this time now she viii not 0nly
have to stay at home, but her uncle
is sick too, and she must feel 90
yery badly about that, for her un-
c.e Charles is always so kind to her.
wish, mother, I could d. some
thing for her, 80 the day would not
seem SO long and lonesome.
'.Do you really want to make her
happy, Minnie 7"
"Oh, mother, how could 4
What could | do ?''
II think you can, il You choose,
make this day pass very pleasantly
for Annie but if you do, you will
have to give up something you want
very much"
''Do you mean give up the picnic,
mother - said Minnie, her eyes
filing with tears. "Tsr't there any
other way {? Coulda't I take her TO
the picnic with me ?"
mo, dear, she cannot 60 to the
picnic ; and il you decide to try
and make her enjoy the day, see
TO other WY than to give up the
picnic yourself and go and stay with
her. You may take your basket
with you and have q little picnic
there I an nos going TO tell you
10 60 you may do just as you
please. You had better think about
tt, and come and tell ms after break.
fast what you will do. IL you 80
and stay with Annie, yDu must 90
eieerfully, and not make her feel
that you are giving up SO much for
her sake. 1t would be better not to
10 at all than TO 60 as though you
did pot want to-
Minnie vent oqt and sat down un-
der tree where she could hear the
birds singing. How coult she give
up this picnic Of all others ?-she
had thought 80 much about it, and
- WIS such beautiful day.