The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-29


Yes, mammal
Miriam laid the last plate down in the
wooden sink to drain, wiped her hands
dry, took off her dark calico apron, and
ran into her mothers room.
What is it, mamma? ?"
Won't you take Elsie up, dear, and
try to get her to sleep again She isn't
half through her nap hated to call you,
but she has been fretting some time
Now Miriam was only very human
little girl, and had everything in her
small world to do and if a murmur of
discomfort rose to her lips, we will not
blame her, since it was crowded back at
once by the sweet answer:
Never mind, mamma. I'll walk
round with her, and she'll soon drop off
again"
Thank you, dear
How that pays for everything !"
thought Miriam, as with the heavy lit
tie sister in her arms, she trod back and
forth, back and forth again. How glad
she was that she had beaten Satan once
more She wished that she could be
good without trying SO hard; that it
came easy to her, as it must always have
uone TO ner mOther.
Poor, dear little mamma" she said
as she passed her, touching her soft,
brown hair lovingly with one hand. =" l
wish | was half as good and patient as
you are"
Mother thinks you are patient, dear,
she said, smiling in the little face as she
spoke. You are mothers com fort and
help. God will make it all up to you
sometime, Miriam dear" And the moth
er's thoughts sped far away to the time
when she hoped to be we'll again, and
Miriam would be free to run and play as
other girls did. You will have moth
ing to be sorry for, dear, when you come
to look back on this trying time, but can
always remember what a good little girl
you were.
Thank you, mamma. I'll try harder
to deserve what you say. Baby is asleep.
Ill lay her down, and go out and finish,
unless you want me for something else >"
No, dear. I'll sit here and watch
for my Sunshine to come back again.
Miriam's heart grew very light as she
went about her homely task again. To
be like the beautiful, warm sunshine to
anybody was worth so much 1t had
looked so gray and dark in the kitchen
before; but now it was as if the heavenly
light was streaming in.
wonder if God does really love me
better for washing Dishes Miriam
thought. Every thing is so different in
heaven; it is so beautiful there, and so
clean, without working all the time to
keep nice; and the angels can always
wear pretty white, too" And Miriam
looked down at her homely calico dress, as
she wiped big yellow dish on the I'M
derside.
But the angels do Just what God
wants them to do up there, as do down
here; and [ am sure it must be great
deal easier"
Miriam swept a stray tear-drop from
one corner of her eye with the back of
her little fat hand. Somehow the shall
ows were. falling again, for the hated
homework was never done.
There's no place VIII IRE earthly sorrows
Are so felt as up in heaven"
sang her mother, in a feeble voice but
every word came through the crack of
the half-open door.
There's the answer that God sent, |
thought Miriam. He's always sending me
answers to help me along. And if m
good and patient, and try to love his
will, as well as to do it, mamma says he'll |
make it all up to me some time. Who
knows but he'll give me a piano, and
lots and lots of books to read, and plenty
of time to read them in? Who knows?"
There was knock at the door. Mir
lam opened it, and there stood tall
bright-taced girl, with big basket in
one hand and beautiful bouquet in the
other.
"I've brought dinner enough for every
body, and dear new story book and
I'm to spend the day, and help take care
Of your mother and the baby and every
thing, Miriam, dear. Mamma said she
knew you'd be glad to see me. You
blessed child You don't mean to say
you're crying for joy2 You know we
all think that you are the dearest girl in
the world, and the bravest, too. / Just
had to come. That's all there is about
it."
And know who sent you" anwered |
Miriam, kissing her warmly, and wiping
her eyes Well Spring.
Jamie's Garden.
I'm going to have the incest kind ofl