The Worthington advance., 1880-09-09

Count no chickens till they're Matched out;
Even then, you are able,
Dream no dreams Of fessts until you
See them smoking on tho tahla
Little Harry's lnEratitude.
Little Harry Erstine and another little
boy were playing on the greensward in
the rear Of Mr.. Erstine's house. Harry
had a new rocking horse his father had
presented him the day before, and he
was ashide its back, yelling with the
full compass Of his voice, "Get up, get
up" but, having neither bone nor mus
Gle, the poor pony could not bulge an
inch so Harry hastily jumped from its
back, giving it a blow that broke in one
of its sides. Then he laid down on the
grass, screaming with all his might, and
denouncing his father for not getting
him live pony that could run and kick
up its heels, especially when he struck
it, as he had the poor stupid thing then
beside him.
The other boy viewed Harry's conduct
with astonishment, and thought if his
papa could afford him 80 nice q present,
he would not treat it in such a way.
While Harry was crying and tumbling
on the ground in the height Of his an
ger, maiden lady whom all the chill
dren of the neighborhood called Aunt
Sybi,, came along. She was on her way
to Mr.: Erstine's house, where she in
tended to spend the day: Harry would
rather any one, unless it was his par.
ents, would have seen him in such
plight, for he loved her very much, and
dreaded frown from her more than he
could tell but he had worked himself
into such passion he could not recover
from it at once. Aunt Sybil, learning
from Hary's playmate how matters
stood, approached the angry boy very
gently, saying softly: "Here, Harry,
are two nice peaches, and I want you to
sit down and eat them while tell you a
story"
Harry was in no mood to eat or listen
just then nevertheless, Aunt Sybil be-
gan:
"Once while I was living in the city,
a terrible fever sore came on my arm,
and went to hospital to be treated
for it, in order to avail myself of the
attendance Of skillful surgeons. / was
placed in the surgical ward where there
were twenty other patients lying on
their beds. I had been there few
days when frankie Willard, a little boy,
was brought in. He was well, except 4
soreness Of the scalp, which the doctor
said could soon be cured. His mother
was very i'll in the medical ward in an
other part Of the hospital. Of course
he was not allowed to remain in the
ward where the sickest patients were,
for he was noisy little fellow, so he
was put in with us. And even there
some Of the women were very fdgety,
and complained if he made the least
noise. He was full of life, and naturally
wanted to play; but when he became the
least unmanagealle he was taken to the
dining-room by the nurse, or the Sister
Of Charity who had the oversight Of our
ward, and there punished and perhaps
thrust into dark closet. Think, Harry,
how differently you are situated from
that poor boy. He had no home, when
his mother was well, except to go around
to places with her when she did house,
work. Neither had he any playthings
save broken. headed doll, and little
tin cup while he was in the hospital. I
used to lie on my bed and see him play
ing with these and cry to myself. not
daring to call him to me lest he might
make more noise and disturb the pa
tients. Don't you think the little fellow
would have been happy, Harry, if he
could have had such nice home as you
have got, with everything to eat, play
with and wear that you can desire, be-
SIDES the kindest aud best of parents,
who are constantly trying to make you
happy and good !? Oh, my little boy, I
fear you are not half grateful enough for
all the blessings God bestows upon you !;
and He will be displeased with you If you
do not act differently !"
Harry had for some moments been an
attentive listener to Aunt Sybil, and he
now spoke for the first time, asking if
she thought God would put him in
Frankie's place for doing as he had? II
do not think He will, if you repent Of all
your naughty acts and do right hence
FORTH" Harry assured his alntie he
would, but how was he to make his
parents believe it? Aunt Sybl promised
to intercede for him.
So as soon as she entered the house,
she related all that had happened to Mr.:
and Mrs. Erstine, and all there agreed
to say nothing to Harry about the mat
ter when he came in, as they were sure
he would acknowledge all before he slept.
After he came into the house, they all
treated him as if nothing had happened;
but he appeared downcast and unhappy.
When dinner was announced, and his
chair awaiting him at the table, he re-
fused to sit down, and began to sob and
cry as if his heart would break. His
papa drew him to his side, asking him
what was the matter? Then he told of
all his naughtiness, asking his parents
to forgive him. and begged Of Aunt Sybil
to pray to God to never put him into
little Frankie's place. Then he wiped
away his tears, and appeared to be one
Of the happiest Of boys the remainder
of the day: His temper sometimes got
uppermost, afterwsrd, but, on the whole,
he was . much better boy than here
totore.