The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-12-06

faster she ran the farther away she
seemed from the open fields and the day
light. "Oh, what shall 1 do" she cried,
a" am afraid to stay here all alone"
"Take my hand" said kind voice
beside her, and will lead you out of
the darkness.
Oracle looked around and saw won
drously beautiful person. His garments
were pure white, and his face the kindest
she had ever seen.
ooh, sir" cried sGracie, joyfully, al
know who you are. You are my good
angel, and you will show me where the
yesterdays live, won't your
The angel smiled as he took Gracie's
hand, and then said gently Indeed 1
will, my child, if you wish it"
On and on they walked, but Oracle
was no longer tired nor afraid. They
came out of the forest at last, and de-
scending hill entered beautiful coun.
try. The fields were green, flowers of
rare colors dotted the meadows, and here
and there fountains were playing. The
sunlight was more beautiful, Oracle
thought, than she had ever seen it, and
she hoped that her friend would tell her
that the yesterdays lived here; but he
led her past that beautiful country, up
another long hill, then into large grot-
to, which was made of different kinds of
stone, very pretty to look upon. The
keeper Of the grotto, very grave per-
son, advanced to meet the child and her
friend
What do you wish ?" he said, in slow
measured tones, as the two entered his
domain
"This little girl, whose name is Grace,
would like to see her yesterdays" said
the angel.
The keeper of the grotto looked kind
ly at the child then tapping upon the
wall, he summoned Gracie's yesterdays.
First appeared bright figure, with a
face that would have been pretty had it
not worn disagreeable frown.
Oracle looked inquiringly at her COM
panion. "Ask this yesterday questions, "
said her friend, "and it will tell you
what you wish to know"
Oracle turned once more to the un-
Lowell y face and said yesterday, what
makes you look so CROSSE"
Little girl, this is just the way you
looked when your mamma asked you to
do an errand for her; and so l shall al |
ways wear this disagreeable look on my
face With these words this Yesterday
disappeared and others took its place
Two or three Yesterdays were strik-
ing each other, and when Oracle asked
them the reason they said "You struck
your little brother one day when you
were angry with him because he would |
not let you try the new swing as soon as
you wanted and so we shall always
quarrel with each other, for we can only |
do what you do"
ooh, what horrid creature is this?"
cried Grace, as an ugly, deformed Yester-
day came toward her.
"You need not turn away from me,
child" said the Yesterday, with mock
ing laugh. "You made me that day
when you were so jealous of your little
school-friend, Mary Gray, and said un-
kind words about her. You tried to in
jure her with your tongue, and your
heart at that moment was Just as hateful
to look upon as now am. l shall al
ways be an ugly Creature because Of what
you did that day"
Another Yesterday advanced with both
hands covering its face.
"Why don't you put your hands
down ?" said Oracle timidly.
" Because one day you deceived your
teacher, and you have never confessed
your fault, and for shame now wander
about, not daring to look at any one, al
ways seeking some place to hide Oh,
how miserable AMI cried the Yester-
day.
Oracle burst into tears and said to her
friend: ooh, sir, please take me away
don't want to see any more Yes
terdays. I didn't think they were SO
bad, so bad" :
But they are not all like these, thank
God" said the angel comfortingly.
Turning to the keeper he said, Bring
hither, now, some good Yesterdays"
Hardly were the words spoken when
a bright company advanced, waving their ]
hands joyfully to the little girl.
We are SO happy, little Oracle, " they
all said together. "What makes you SOP"
said Oracle through her tears
Because you denied yourself in order
to make another happy" said one Yes
terday.
"You helped your mamma when she
was very tired, and did it pleasantly"
said a second one.
You showed little playmate how to
perform some hard example instead of