The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-02-17
A VALENTINE AND A MISSION.

A VALENTINE AND A MISSION.
Electa Eliza was never seen without
that b. by. Ever since it was three
weeks old-it was born in August, and
now it was February-she had taken
the who e care of it every day, except
ing Sundays, from morning until night.
Mrs. Googens, her motherLher IA
ther was dead--when she wasn't out
washing and ironing. was washing and
ironing at home, and having no other
children besides Electa Eliza and the
baby. of course the care of the small
boy fell almost entirely on his sister.
This was rather hard, for she was on
ly twelve years old, aud lame besides.
and itrequires.a great deal Of patience
and good nature to mind baby, espe-
cially a lively, wide-awake baby who
jumps, and ."pat. a-cakes,' and "goos,"
and "guggles," and wants TO go "day-
day. all the time.
1t wasn't pretty baby, and it wasn't
an ugly baby. 1t had round blue eyes,
round red cheeks, round wee nose, and
a very bald head, and sometimes il
looked so Wise you couldn't help think
ing it wasn't a baby at all, but a 10 ly,
lazy old gentleman dwarf just making
believe to he one. to be carried around
and waited upon.
Electa Eliza had gone to school be-
fore the baby came, and had been a
very good scholar at the head of her
class, in fact; but ever since she had
been DBL ged to stay at home altogeth-
er, and it was but seldom she got o
chance to look at her books.
Now around the corner from the
house where Electa Eliza lived was a
church, and on the steps of this church,
sheltered oy the porch, she often rested
when tired walking with the baby.
Indeed, it was her favorite resting
place, and even when the weather was
quite cold, she spent many hours there,
watching most of the time the house
directly opposite, at whose W ndows
often appeared another girl and another
baby ~ . uUf
This young girl, who was about three
years older than Electa Eliza, and
whose name was Theodore Judson, and
her little brother were her mother s
only children, Just as Electa Eliza and
her baby were her mothers only chill
dren.
But, ah! how far apart their paths in
life were!
The Judson baby had nurse maid in
constant attendance upon him, his sis
ter only playing with him when she felt
so inclined; and Miss Theodore had q
French and German teacher, and a
music-teacher, and a riding master, be-
sides being one OF the day pupils at
a celebrated academy famous for its
excellent scholars. And her father and
mother were the most indulgent of par
ent', refusing her nothing that she de-
sired. arr
But yet Theodore was not contented,
but was continually wishing to be some
thing that would make her OF more i'm
portance in the world, and wondering
when, if ever, she would lind a mission.
On st. Valentines morning-Valen
tines Day happening that year to fall or
a Saturday--she was holding forth, as
she had held forth a hundred times be
fore, to her mother, who was listening
patiently, as mothers usually do, on the
subject which always lay nearest hel
heart
"Pd like to become famous" sale
Theodore, her eyes sparkling and hel
cheeks glowing; "be an artist. or al
author, or an inventor, or somebody
great. 1t seems so hard to live in this
big world, and be woman and nothing
more. To paint lovely picture, tC
write beautiful book. to make dis
covery that would gain me the praise
and thanks of thousands of people-ah
if | dared to dream l should ever dc
any OF these things, should be perfect
ly happy"
my DEAR" said her mother, mildly
''there are many other ways beside:
..x.l. \
which praise, and thanks, and love, anC
happ ness can be gained. 1t ism easy
to become famous, but it is easy-that
is, if ones heart is in the work-to dc
great deal of good to ones fellow
beings. Young as you are, ha, Q ne
dc. b. there are many sad hearts yol
might gladden., and many gloomy home,
TO which You might bring brightness. y
"OI, mother, can you show me onee'
said Theodore, eagerly.