Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-10-13
SPEAK GENTLY TO EACH OTHER,


Please to help me minute, sister,
said little Frank.
"Oh, don't disturb me-" l said: "Tm
reading"
'Bnt Just hold this stick. won't yon.
while 1 drive this pin through % said
Frank.
Il can't now, I want 10 finish this
story" said ], emphatically: and my lit
tle brother turned away with a dl.ap-
pointed look in search OF some one else
to assist him,
Frank was a bright boy Of zen years,
and my only brother. Hehad been us.
iting n young friend, and had seen n
windmill, and as soon AS he came home
his energies were all employed il making
small one; for he was always trying 10
make tops, weeelbarrows, kites, and all
sorts of things. such ms boys delight in.
He had worked patientl. all the morning
with saw and knife. and nov it only
needed putting together To complete it:
and his only sister had refused TO assist
him, and he had gone away with his
Young heart saddened.
thought of all this Immediately after
he left me, and my book gave me- no
pleasure. 1t was not intentional un-
kindness, only thoughtlcssness, for !
loved my brother, and was generally
kind to him; STILL had refused TO help
him. II would have gone after him, and
/ afforded the assistance, but / knew he
had found some one else. But / had
neglected an opportunity Of gladdening
childish heart.
In half an hour Frank came bounding
into the house, exclaiming: Come.
Mary, I've got it up Just zee how it
| goes !" His tones were Joyous, and
determined to atone by unusual kindness
l went with him, and sure enough on
the roof of the ont house was fastened
a miniature windmill, and the arms
were whirling around fast enough to
please any boy. praised the windmill
and my little brothers ingenuity, and
he seemed happy, and entirely forgctful
of my unkindness, and | resolved, as
had many times before, to he always
loving and gentle.
A few days passed by, and the shadow
OF a great sorrow darkcned our dwelling.
The joyous laugh and noisy elec wer,
hushed, and our boy lay in darkened
room with anxious faces around him.
his cheeks flushed, and his eyes unnat.
urally bright. Sometimes his temples
| would moisten and his muscles relax,
and then hope would come into our
hearts, aud our eyes would fill with
thankful tears. It was in one of thos,
deceitful calms in his disease that ~
heard the noise Of his little wheel, and
|
"Docs it make your head ache p
asked. "Shall we take it DOWN.
"Oh, no, he replied. 'it seems rs il
were out of doors, and it makes III,
feel better" He mused moment, ant
then added: Don't you remember
Mary, that wanted you TO help me fin
ish it, and You were reading. and tol,
me you could not But it didn't make
any difference, for mamma helped me.
Oh, how sadly those words fell upci
my ear and what bitter memorie;
they awakened How l repented as
kissed little Franks forehead that hat
ever spoken unkindlv to him! Hours 0
sorrow went by, and we watched hi
couch, hope growing fainter and fainter
and anguish deeper, until one wecl
from the morning on which he spoke Of III
childish sports, we had closed the eye
once so sparkling, and folded his hands
over his pulseless heart. He sleep
now in the grave, and home is desolate
but the little windmill, the work Of II
busy hands, is still whirling in tn
breeze, just where he placed il, upon tn
roof of the old woodshed: and ever,
time see the tiny arms revolving | re
member the lost little Frank and r.
member also the thoughtless, unkln'
words
Brothers and sisters, be kind TO on
another. Be gentle, considerate, an
loving. =