Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-06-23
SPEAK GENTLY TO EACH OTHER.

"Please to help me minute, sister"
20, don't disturb me, I'm reading" wa:
the answer.
"But just hold this stick, won't you, while
I drive this pin through ?"
II can't now, 1 want to finish this story,
said I, emphatically and my little brother
turned away with a disappointed look, in
search of somebody else to assist him.
He was bright boy of ten years, and my
only brother. He had been visiting young
friend, and had seen windmill, and as
soon as be came home his energies we're all
employed in making a small one; for he was
always trying to make tops, wheelbarrows,
kites and all sorts of things, such as boys
delight in. He had worked patiently all the
morning with a saw and jack.knife, and now it
only needed putting together to complete it,
and his sister had refused to assist him, and
he had gone away with his young heart sad
dened.
l thought of all this in fifteen minutes af'
ter he left me, and my book gave me no
pleasure. 1t was not Intentional unkind'
ness, only thoughtlessness, for loved my
brother and was generally kind to him still,
l had refused to help him. I would have
gone after him and afforded the assistance
he needed, but knew he had found some
one else But had neglected an opportuni.
ty of gladdening childish heart.
In half an hour he came bounding into
the house, exclaiming, "Come, Mary, I've got
it up just see how it goes !"
His tones were joyous, and l saw that he
had forgotten my petulance, so / determined
to atone by Unusual kindness. I went with
him, and sure enough, On the roof of the
wood house was fastened miniature wind
mill, and the arms were whirling around
fast enough to suit any boy. l praised the
windmill and my little brothers ingenuity,
and he seemed happy and entirely forgetful
of my unkindness. and l resolved, as had
many times before, to be always loving and
gentle.
A few days passed by, and the shadow of
a great sorrow darkened our dwelling. The
Joyous laugh and noisy glee were hushed,
and our merry little boy lay in darkened
room with anxious faces around him, his
cheeks flushed and his eyes unnaturally
bright. Sometimes his temples would mois'
ten and his muscles relax, and then hope
would come into our hearts, and our eyes
would I'll with thankful tears. 1t was in one
of these deceitful calms in his disease that
he heard the noise of his little wheel and
said:
II hear my windmill"
"Does it make your head ache p l asked.
"Shall we take it down ?"
"Oh no." replied he, lit seems as if l were
out of doors, and it makes me feel better"
He unused moment, and then added :
"Don't you remember, Mary, that I wanted
you to help me fix it, and you was reading,
and told me you could not ?" But it didn't
make any difference mamma helped me"
30, how sadly those words fell upon my
ear, and what bitter memories they awaken
ed |! How l repented as l kissed little
Franks forehead, that I had eyer spoken
unkindly to him. Hours of sorrow went by,
and we watched his couch, hope growing
fainter, and anguish deeper, until one week
from the morning on which he spoke of bis
childish sports, we closed the eyes once 80
sparkling, and folded his hands over his
pulseless haart. He sleeps now in the grave,
and home is desolate, but the little wind.
mill, the work of bis busy hands, is still
swinging in the breeze, just where he placed
it, upon the roof of the old wood.shed and
every time I see the tiny arms revolving l
remember the lost little Frank and re-
member also the thoughtlessness and unkind
words!
Brothers and sisters, be kind to each other.
Be gentle, considerate, and loving.-Er.
aminer.