St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-02-04
~ 4 q. -. = !
THE GOLDEN RULE.


lived than truth taught! A child pins
Scripture passage upon memory with
little or no idea of its meaning. Some
exigency arises which puts that passage
into practice. Now it becomes vivid and
real. It rises out Of the dust of memo
~, and passes over into experience and
is woven into character, The following
incident illustrates this point in SIM
pie; clear manner: a. S'','
have known the Golden Rule since
I was bit of girl, butil have found
out this summer for the first time what
it really means. NAMING goes every
summer either to the sea-shore or the
mountains. My Oldest brother Ned
goes with her. The little boys, Bob
and Walter, visit grandma. As they
are careless and full of mischief, like all
BOYS, they need deal of looking after.
sometimes wonder what little boys are
eyer made for. Belle and go with
them. Now, grandma's is splendid
place to spend the summer. She lives
on large farm, with plenty of room
and lots Of fun, and is dear old lady,
not at all fussy as so many old ladies
are. But to 90 with mamma to the sea-
shore and see so many people, and have
such gay times, is much nicer.
| At the commencement of the year, our
teacher offered prize to the girl in my
class who would pass the best examina-
ton in arithmetic and geography at the
end of the summer term. Now OF all
my studies l hated these two most.
When | heard this offer, [ decided to
leave the prize to some one who liked
hard work better than did. But when
l mentioned it at home, papa seemed
very much interested. He said was
smart enough to win the prize, and if |
tried and succeeded that mamma should
take me with her the next summer,
wherever [ chose to 60. This from
papa, who is too busy, as most papas
are, to care much about his children,
caused me to change my mind, and l
resolved to do my best. l studied right
hard. But it did seem to me l never
could remember the horrible names OF
all those ugly rivers and cities in Asia
and South America. l don't see how
the water ever runs in them, nor how
the people manage to live there. Then
the sums in compound interest were so
long and stupid! I would rather 60
without the interest than do them.
I persevered, however, and by the
middle of the summer term felt pretty
sure | should win. 1t was decided, if |
was successful, that we should 90 to
Nit. Desert, and come home by the way
of the White Mountains Ned, who is
the dearest brother in the world-how
love him! I wonder if he was ever
little and mischievous, like Bob and
Walter-promised me all the sails and
rows | wanted. Mamma invited my
dearest friend, Dora Wells, to go with
me. This made me the happiest girl in
the world. AS old King David said:
my cup runs over.'
Examination day came, clear and hoi
enough. The school-room was packed
Mamma and Belle were there. just be
fore the prizes were given | heard 9
noise at the door. Who should [ see
walk in but papa and Ned, who had jus
returned from college. When it became
quiet Miss Brace, our teacher, rose. AL
our eager eyes were on her. How still
it was! 1 was so excited and anxious
nv heart beat so fast and loud tha
everybody must have heard it. Mis-:
Brace said g that at the commencement
of the year she had promised to give {
prize to the girl who should make thu
, most progress in arithmetic and geogra
, ply. Nearly all the girls had worked
} faithfully; but one had outstripped then
all. Not that she was very superior il
her scholarship, but had made the mos
improvement. now have the pleasur
, of presenting the prize, this beautiful
: writing-desk, to Miss May Leland
When my name was called, and / say
papa and Ned looking SO pleased, wa
wild with delight. swallowed a dozel
, hearts, I wonder why peoples heart
: do fly about SO in them! After reaching
/ home mamma said, with asmile: i" May
/ we must be ready to start for Mt. Deser
by the middle of next week"
, was busy enough packing my trunk
| poor Ro1la friaG tn soon, hanDv an