Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-05-20


Stones rolled from under her feet j;
annoyed wheE the sun shone fierce
ly, even more annoyed when sud-
den squall of wind and rain drove
full in her face. However, she did
reach the top, and there, as before,
was the Kings messenger,
This, my child he said. is to
be your present
She drew back her hand. It was
a little wooden Cross, but wreathed
with nettles.
- I cannot carry that she an
swered, in voice hdf OF vexation,
half of fear. ss
Listen to me,' he said again.
take it bravely; it will hurt at
first-I must speak the exact truth
it WILL hurt at first, but only for
a short time. Believe what I say:
grasp it firmly, and the smart will
soon pass away. 1t is not my
choice for you it is the Kings
and He knows what IS best and
dearest 1Or you.
She took it. 1 am afraid, rather
snllenly, and began to go down the
hill. l dare say the pam WAS rath-
er sharp at first. l dare say her
hand did smart. But little patience
she had to bear the string. She had
scarcely passed over the brow of the
mountain, when she said out loud,
This is past endurance, and flung
the cross away. Ah! foolish child !
l wonder if know any who at this
mOment-
But to go on.
'At all events ohe thought to
herself. I will make mp. There
are plenty Of these gems that lie
about if I get together good
number, the King will be quite as
well as if I brought the two little
bits of wood. and that only by
bli~tering my hands,
Ny children, two little bits OF
wood, if they only make your
Cross, and hands hlistered by bear
ing that Gross, may bo an Offering
you little know of how much
value-in the eyes of the King Of
kings.
Thus it was that Amanda came
home: thus it was that Dorothea
heard her story.
oh, Amanda she cried !;
what have you donea Yon knoao
what the messenger said. You re-
member how plainly and cl' a 'ly he
told us that uless we first bring the
present the King Himself has Civ
en- Us back to Him, nothing else
will lie pleasing to Him.
Yes, yes; I heard, Dorothca, as
well as You. Bat two bits Of
wood, with il weed =
90 Amanda, l dom. think yon
should SO speak of anything that
the King sends
Well, a weed, then; what can
He care for such things? You
must have taken a great deal OF
pains over your little basket but |
think you must allow that my crys-
tails ar. the largest and the
brightest
'Allow ita They are indeed
l only wish I could have found
such as you have found. But still,
Amanda, you will not be angry
will YOU? Ii say that am alnlos'
afraid
No, will not be angry for you
shall not say any more. You are
tired, and SO am I +; to morrow we
shall know whom the King will
accept must dearly"
Now of Vincent l have not mucl
to tell you. He did slowly, care
fnl!y, though not doing the very
best he might have done, climbed
the mountain. There he too fount
the messenger; and received fo
his present that was to be, what d.
you suppose? mere comno1
stone.
| think that if Dorothea had re
ceived this, she would have bee
all the more eager to find some +,
those precious crystals that lay b.
the way. Since that dear Kin
has loved me SD much, oh, wha
can | do TO show my love for Him
But Vincent took that which Wa
given him carefully. reverend,
quietly; and went down the hil
scarcely stopping here and there
! gather up a little gem.
= So the three met: he, Dorothe'
+ and Amanda. And as yet Urba
!. had not come. While they we,
wondering what this might mea'
a light f''otstep outside, ali cage
hand on the door, and hc entcre,
= oh, how late | am, am | not
:. he said.
Il We'll, and what have you?
Why, ,'he answered, what shoul
you say, it | had notllings'
r Nothing;' cried Vincent in tc
ror, how nothings'
d Because l have never been L
d the mountain at ALL