Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-02-02
MAYS GOLDEN RULE.

MAYS GOLDEN RULE.
How much more impressive is truth
lived than truth taught! A.child pins a
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. 1t rises out of the dust of memo
ry, and passes over into experience and
is woven into character. The following
incident illustrates this point in a sim
pile, clear manner:
l have known the Golden Rule since
was a bit of girl, but have found
out this summer for the first time what
it really means. Mamma 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 a deal of looking after.
l sometimes wonder what little boys are
ever made for. Belle and 1 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 us SO many Old ladies
are. But to go 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 I hated these two most.
When heard this offer, decided to
leave the prize to some one who liked
hard work better than I did. But when
mentioned it at home, papa seemed
very much interested. He said 1 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 go. This from
papa, who is too busy, as most papaS
are, to care much about his children.
caused me to change my mind, and I
resolved to do my best. l studied right
hard. But it did seem to me I never
could remember the horrible names of
all those ugly rivers and cities in Asia
and South America. | 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! would rather 60
without the interest than do them.
l persevered, however, and by the
middle of the summer term felt pretty
sure l should win. It was decided, if I
was successful, that we should go to
Mt. Desert, and come home by the way
of the White Mountains. Ned, who is
the dearest brother in the world-how
I love him! [ 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 60 with
me. This made me the happiest girl in
the world. As old King David said:
g My cup runs over"
Examination day came, clear and hot
enough. The school-room was packed.
Mamma and Belle were there. just be-
fore the prizes were given I heard a
noise at the door. Who should I see
walk in but papa and Ned, who had just
from college. When it became
quiet Miss Brace, our teacher, rose. All
our eager eyes were on her. How still
it was! I was SO excited and anxious,
everybody must have heard it. Miss
oIdCS Stiio Gude DIT tIc CO1uluclCeIIlelG
IF the year she had promised to give
prize to the girl who should make the
most progress in arithmetic and geogra-
ply. Nearly all the girls had worked
but one had outstripped them
Ill. Not that she was very superior in
her scholarship, but had made the most
I now have the pleasure
If presenting the prize, this beautiful
yriting-desk, to Miss May Leland
When my name was called, and saw
papa and Ned looking so pleased, I was
Wild with delight. Iswalloweda dozen
hearts. wonder why peoples hearts
10 fly about SO in them! After reaching
home mamma said, with smile: "May,
We must be ready to start for Mt. Desert |
~ the middle of next week.
was busy enough packing my trunk.
Poor Belle tried to seem happy and |
,ontented. but 1 could see that she
ooked pale and sad, and that papa and
mamma seemed very anxious about her.
When returned Sunday afternoon from |
Sabbath-school, Ned met me in the hall !!
ind invited me to take walk with him.
We went on for some time without saw
ng word, until we came to a little |
grove. After finding shady spot we |
'at down. Ned put his arm around me |
md said, lovingly: MY dear little sister.
have bad news for you. Poor little |
Belle was SO sick this morning while we
we're in church that mamma sent for
Dr.. Clark. AS soon as he saw her he |
aid that she must GO to the sea shore |