The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-11-03
WHAT BETTY DID.

4
Little Betty Grey trudged along
through the streets of T. with
basket full of watercresses for sale
| The clock was just striking six. "pu
glad it's SO early" she whispered Il
| herself. "No one is out before me:
am sure Ishall sell them all to-day. =
And down she sat upon stoop near by
and commenced tying into bundles The
fresh greens, which had been gathered
only an hour before.
Although but twelve years of age,
Betty was doing her life-work, for she
was almost the sole support of an in
valid mother and little sister. Hel
mother had been a great sufferer from
rheumatism for many years, and Mamie
was just beginning to help about Their
humble home for you must know thai
it was q gerry humble place indeed
where Betty's mother and her children
lived. A low bed in one corner, two OF
three chairs and small sewing table.
with bit of a broken stove. made up
all the furniture.
Now you will wonder, my young
friends, how watercresses could ever
support anybody. But this was not all
that Betty could do for the dear ones
80 entirely dependent upon her. She
had conceived an idea that was worthy
OF an older head than hers, that in the
small plot of ground adjoining tie house
there might be planted great many
different seeds, which would spring up
into beautiful flowers. and that her
mother in the intervals of pain. as she
lay upon her bed, could tie them into
buttonhole bouquets, and that, after
her crosses were sold, she and her lit
tie sister might sell them to the many
guests that frequent the hotels, as the
village where they lived was q famous
summer resort, and upon Saturday
nights particularly, when ETY.. gentle
men assemble in large numbers at such
places.
Well, the seeds were planted and wa
tered, and to BettY's great delight she
found herself abundantly repaid for the
labor size had bestowed ON her small
garden, by seeing the flowers spring
up. one after another, which God
causes to grow, to reward even the
poorest of His children for their toll.
His rains and sun and dew are free to
all. Thanks be to His loving kindness
and tender mercy.
Aud now, with small basket, filed
with lovely little punches, in the hand
OF each. with dresses neat but spare and
thin, and underneath the sun -bonnets
such sweet young faces--except that
Betty's wore a look of sadness and of
care, for one of her tender years -they
Of q y-f0d on, bns
From stoop to stoop they offered their
flowers. The good people were all
sympathy. One bunch after another
was taken from the baskets, until there
was not one left. The feet that started
ont SO doubtful and SO tagging, in spite
OF Betty's determination to be brave
whatever might be the result, now ran
joyfully over the ground until they
the little brown house, where
the mother was praying for the success
Of ner children. 1t always seemed as
though Betty brought rays OF sunlight |
N with her, and everything wore Il
more cheerful aspect. But now. as she |
saw the radiant faces OF her children.
she knew that God had not only made |
he flowers grow, but had heard the
simple prayer so sincerely offered by
Betty, as she started on her way: |
: Please God. tell the people to buy
ny flowers Please God! what a les |
ION for children of alarger growth
children in Christ's school who find it |
70 hard to learn those two words, |
. Please God. y
Day after day. at its close, those I
children might be seen in the park, on |
he street, or at the door of some hotel.
ind day after day the baskets were |
'mptied of their contents. MANY 4 |
quarter, many a half-dolIar, was given |
or five-cent bouquet because OF the /
aithful service Of these little girls. All |
hummer long they went on with their |
ales, which amounted often to three or |
our dollars day, carrying home every |
'enny. excepting as Betty might STOP |
ometimes on the way to buy little I
ca or bit of meat, or some little deli
'acy as q surprise to har poor sick
mother.
wish you might see Betty and her
lister, and If You should ever visit this /
pot SO famed for its healing springs.
nd should look sharply for two little |
iris with bright faces and pretty WAYS. +
ou would find them, baskets in hand. /
'ffering their flowers. If they come to |
ou, do not refuse them, and, if Won |
an. give them little more than thew /
SIX for the bunch. remembering that
they that give to the poor lend to the |
ord" and that il we ssbear one an
Tiers burdens. we SO fulfill the law Of I
,hrist. = - :
Now, after what I have told ron. |
That IS your opinion of dear Betty
irey! Is any one made happier be-
ause she livesp Have you ever done
ne-half as much for anybcdyp
We often hear it said: What can 1
or I'm only little child.'' Well. I
here g > something for every living
oul to do. If you are not called to sell |
overs, you can do great deal in the
ONE where you live. You can be kind
nd helpful to your poor tired mother,
aklng care OF your brothers and sisters
tho may be younger than you; or you
an go and read to some poor old man
woman whose eyes are dim with ACE
the Bib'e. perhaps. And / am sure
aat IS . great deal to do. t