The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-16
Little Bessie's self-Denial.

Christmas Day and the holidaysare not sc
long gone by but that the happy children
can recall their gifts and the various pleas
ant incidents connected with the time, a:
we'll as the general indulgence and loving
checrfulness that seemed to pervade the
household.
If you should ever visit the play-room Of
child who had plenty Of fond relations
you would see such a profusion of toys
dolls and elegant presents after Christina:
that you would feel sorry that some less IA
vored-perhaps neglected or sick-pool
children could not have some of the last
years toys belonging to the owner of al
these new ones.
Such thought occurred to the mother Of
certain little darling named Bessie or
the day after Christmas.
Bessie had arranged her beautiful gift:
about the room that was 'her own" and
then she had pranced down to mamma and
had pulled and otherwise enticed her to
come up and look at all the things Kri:
Kringle had brought her.
Her mother admired all the articles very
cordially, especially those which had been
surprises" to Bessie, having been duly hid
den Tor days or weeks in the darkest closet
properly bestow them.
"And now, my little Bess," said mamma,
"what are you going to do with all your old
toys, to make room for the new ones7"
"Guess we'll put them in the garrett"
"All of them, Bessie2 Wouldn't you like
to give some of them away to the poor little
children who have no Christmas gifts al
all2"
Rass;o 1oobaJ xyarx,
"Then they would go away out of the
house, mamma," she said, sand could not
go and look at them everl'
Suppose you put the toys out on the
floor, darling, and we will take look at
them"
The little girl ransacked her drawers and
her closet-shelves, and out came whole
bushel of dolls and animals and toys, ali Ia
with great deal of play to be got out OF
them yet.
"Now this hat-nosed doll, Bessie, might
be"
"0h, mamma, that's my Oldest daughter;
she can't gol" cried Bessie.
"Then here is one with broken arm"
said her mother
"Well, mamma, didn't you know that
ice? Why she's just got home from the
'ospital."
"How about this elephant, Bessie? Is he
done WITH"
"Oh, no, mamma; my wax doll that
shuts her eyes always rides out on the ele-
phant."
1t seemed as if nothing could be convent
emily spared.
Az laet ,,oop,p,o toolr mn n 1a,-h that rvae
covered with real lambskin, soft and woolly.
Timber inside Of its leecy covering.
"Can you give me this lamb, Bessie2"
said her mother.
"You, mamma2" said the child, laughing
"What will you do with it2'
81 know dear little girl, who is both
poor and sick. She has no toys of any kind.
l would like to give it to her, if you give it
to me-" said her mother.
"But mamma, 1 love that lambi' and
Bessie's eyes filed with tears.
'Do you not see that still larger one on
the table that your Cousin Henry gave you
this Christmas?"
"Yes, mamma, see it. but don't love it
yet" said Bessie, sadly.
"Now want to tell you what self-denial
means. my little Bessie"
what is it, mammal something nicer"
"You will think it is nice when you have
learned to practice it as you grow older, /
hope; but il means doing without something
that you like, in order that some other per-
son may have the comfort or the pleasure it
would have given you. Now if you give me
this lamb that has made you happy for a
whole year, and that you still love to own,
and take it to the little girl told you of,
don't you understand that you will be deny
ing yourself to give her your pleasure2"
Eyes, mamma, / guess 1 know; but does
she want me to give her my lamb7" said
Bessie, still sadly.
"Poor little thingl She does not know
anything about it yet; but you will be glad
if you let me have it for her before this week
is out, my DEAR
"Will l, mammal" said Bessie, brightly;
"then you shall have it, for you always tell
me the truth truly. Here it is"
Mamma kissed her little seven-year-old
darling, and left her with her new toys and
her selfdenial about her old one.
On New Years Day she had Bessie dressed
warmly ito take walk with mamma"
Such skipping and capering could hardly
be called walking, but it was not long before
the two arrived at small house in a court
and mamma knocked at the door.
1t was opened by tidy-looking woman,