Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-03-20
= AN OBJECT LESSON.
Making Footprints Which Can Never BE
Ehaced.

Effaced.
Edith had just come in from walking;
and, as usual, she had a book under her
arm. For if Edith's walks did not lead
her near the library building, they were
apt to turn in the direction of some ac-
quaintance, or schoolmate, who was
ready to lend a perfectly splendid
book.
She hastily put off her wrappings, and
was soon costly nestled in an easy
chair, SO deeply in the new volume that
she never noticed %grandma's entrance,
much less thought to offer her the COM
Portable seat; so deeply interested that
she gave no heed to her mothers re-
quest to gut on little Fred his rubbers
and mittens, until the request was
twice repeated; and then, l am sorry
to say, Edith closed her book and went
with very bad grace, and a decided
frown on her brow, to attend to the
little brother.
And all through the evening, instead
of adding anything to the social enjoy
ment of the family, Edith sat apart, her
pretty head bowed over the book in her
hand. Uncle Will was visiting at the
house, and had noticed how
very much reading his young niece
seemed to accomplish. at first, he was
pleased; for Uncle Will was very fond
of books, and thought Edith was devel-
oping a good literary taste.
But when he talked with her about
standard works of history and fiction,
he was surprised to find how very little
she knew of his favorites. He was not
long surprised when he began to exam
inc some of the many volumes which
Edith brought home with such fire.
quency, among her school-books, bor-
rowed from other girls, or loaned from
the library.
The Bride of the Wreck, Ghost of
Ravens Hall, or Last Heir of Merton,
were not exactly the kind of reading.
Uncle Will thought best fitted to foster
a tine, pure taste, or make q young
mind and heart stronger and better.
He said nothing yet to Edith; but he
thought a good deal of his bright,
pretty niece, and his eyes were often
fixed thoughtfully Hpon her, as she
pored over her books, or sat dreamily
gazing into the fire when the shadows
grew too thick to see the pages filled
with such unreal but fascinating tales.
Uncle Will was perhaps a little
graver than usual this particular even
ing, after Edith was so u]ngracious in
performing simple duties.
"Have you any special engagement
after school tomorrow he asked,
when Edith babe him goodnight.
She looked up brightly, for Uncle
Will SO frequently had a nice treat on
hand.
"No, sir; only to take back Fanny
Merle's book, and get one Ellen Win
ton promised to lend me-"
II will send back the borrowed book.
and the other can wait, l am sure. I
want you to go to the museum with
me-"
"oh, thank you, Uncle Will! That is
so very NICE"
Edith was all ready at the appointed
nour. She had been to the museum be-
1ore-yes, many times-but going with
Uncle Will was quite different to going
with any one else: He had away Of
telling about the beautiful pictures and
%statuary, and various curiosities, that
made them seem something more than
mere canvas and paint, and marble or
bronze. ~
And SO to-day they went slowly from
one department to another, LOOKING at
the wonderful. beautiful objects. and
Uncle Will talked so pleasantly about
many things, and answered Edith'S
questions clearly and plainly.
At last they stopped before a case
tull OF many strange things.
Look, Uncle Will,"e said Edith.
"what is this piece of g%rey-lookino
stone with these funny marks upon itp5
Cannot you tell?' Look cIosalv >,
said Uncle Will. J'
Il don't think it is writing of .nu
, /! kind, said Ellen, peering into the cas a
They look like-yes. 1 am sure thar,
must be 6ird-tracks of some kind ny ny
% large" ~ oue
They are bird-tracks, nv dear. The
ioot,marks Of some great fowl t ln.
lived ages ago, when the stone W., ' sas
vas a soft, mity mass, on which tbese
siaW,pr1nts were easily impressed"
Elbow very strange said Faith ..o
hin that a bird living AZ lona w