The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-10-04
MATTE SCOTT'S HELPFUL DAY.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.


she was selfish she would have been apt
to burst into tears and feel that she was
very hardly used. She would certainly
divide her cake with her sisters, and
even give her only orange to the poor
little sick baby in the shoemaker's shop.
She shared everything she had quite
willingly, for she was not greedy or
mean, but for all that she was selfish
without knowing it.
Her mother was not very rich. She
had but one servant who did the hard
work in the kitchen, and there were lots
OF little children, but Matte never
thought to hold the baby, or dress the
little ones, or go Of an errand, or put
the rooms in order. She obeyed when
she was asked to do these things, but
she did it unwillingly and escaped as
soon as possible; and it seemed so dis
agreeable to her, that her mother did all
she could herself and seldom called
upon her. She could not bear to see
the dimples fade out of her cheeks and
her mouth turn down at the corners.
So, while her mother did everything,
Matte, q great girl of twelve and half,
played and enjoyed herself and never
noticed.
But ut last one day Mrs. SCOTT was ill
and the doctor was called. She lay in
bed two days. and then got about again,
but she was pale and had headache.
Matte was sorry and frightened and
that evening. instead of going to Kitty
Psul's to play croquet, she sat upon the
little bench under the dining room
window, crocheting cap for her doll,
and keeping as quiet as a mouse, she
~-t nd
father sat within the room, talking to
each other, and Matte heard every word
they said.
my DEAR" said Mr.. Scott.
''Perhaps do said Mrs. Scott. "but
how can help it? There are so many
things to do. We can scarcely afford to
pay Bridget. and I must do the rest;
there is no one else"
could not Matte help you little?"
asked Mr.. Scott. "Sbe seems to do
nothing but play. At her age my sisters
were OF great assistance to my mother. "
"Oh, husband" said Mrs. Scott,
"girls are so different. Matte loves me
dearly, but she feels SO badly when !
keep her in to help me, that think she
can not be we'll. I have not the heart to
do it."
will break down." said Mr.. Scott. II
shall lose you, and the children will lose
their mother. What terrible thing it
is to be poor, Fannie. Perhaps We could
board"
with Ave childrenl Oh, William!"
cried Mrs. Scott, land such an uncom.
Portable, unhomelike life. Do not
worry, my dear. No doubt I will get
strong again."
Matte heard her father sigh, and .
terrible fear came into her heart. What
II she should lose her dear mother? 1t
was too horrible to contemplate. It had
never occurred to her before that her
mother had too much to do; and she
knew very we'll that she had not looked
cad and solemn whom called upon to help
because she was i'll or weary; she wanted
70 play-that was all. Now she remem-
bored how her mother had caught her
breath at the head Of the stairs; aud it
did not hurt her to run up and down q
dozen times.
"Oh, how wicked have besnr she
thought; land how selfish! But to.
morrow will begin to do differently. l
will let papa see that I am not an idle
girl. will show mamma how I love
her"
Then Matte. to begin overnight, went
into the dining.room and asked her
mother il she might not put Kate end
Jennie to bed; the two little ones were
already gone.
II will make them cay their prayers
and tuck them in nicely" abe said, land
viii tell them stories II they want
them"