The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-09-12
LITTLE ANIcE.

LITTLE ANlCE.
How She Learned that 1t Takes Some-
thing More Than Fine Feathers to Make
One Happy.
The dearest thing on the face of the
earth to- John Dane was his little
daughter Anice. His wife had died when
Anice was baby, and he had had to
be both father and mother to the little
girl. An old woman who lived next
door came in every day TO prepare the
meals; but Anice was very proud of be-
ing called her fathers "little house,
keeper" and was anxious to grow tall
and strong that she might do all the
work herself, the better to deserve the
name.
She was usually very happy and very
well contented with her lot but one dav
she came home from school with cloud
upon her face
whats the matter with my sun
shine?' asked John Dame
Anice was silent a moment, then she
said slowly:
"a new girl came to school to-day.
papa. She is the daughter of DIR. Pond,
who has moved into the big house on
the hill, and she won't get acquainted
with me because you are only cobbler.
And she wears such lovely clothes,
papa wish had silk dress
HAS she alovely disposition asked
the cobb,er.
''No; Jennie Wright, who has known
her ever so long, says she has a dread
full temper and does very rude things;
but all the girls think her clothes are
lovely, and I'm most ashamed to have
to wear this old gingham dress before
her. And do wish zoe lived in BIC
house, papa"
There are more rooms in this one
than we can use. Anice," said the cob
bier, ''and good disposition is worth
more than costly clothes. Fine feathers
do not make fine BIRDS you know. Be
unselhsh, kind-hearted and sweet-tem-
pered and you will win love even
though you wear nothing better than
gingham."
Anice listened attentively to what her
father said, but she could not forget lit
tie Sybil Ponds silk dress, blue sash,
bronze boots and dainty embroidered
handkerchief, and she began to look
upon herself as very ill-used because she
had no pretty clothes, and her father
was only poor cobbler.
The feeling grew stronger with every
day, for the doctors little daughter con-
tinued to excite the envy and admira-
ton of her school-mates by appearing
in pretty, costly dresses, and wearing a
different sash with every costume. And
she utterly refused to recognize Anice as
her equal She was very silly Ii tie
girl, and had been very much spoiled,
or she would certainly not have been SO
rude and unkind.
IL wish you would let me stay home
all the time, papa" said Anice. IL don't
like to go to school, now"
But her father would not consent to
his.
Now is the time to learn" he said.
ut would be very foolish for you to
stay at home because the doctors
daughter dresses better than you can"
Then Auice began to feel more i'll
used than ever, and to, think that her
father did not love her any more.
She was standing at the little garden
gate one afternoon. thinking about it.
when she saw q lady and gentleman
coming down the street. The lady was
very handsomely dressed, but had a
weary, pecyish look, as il she was dis
contented with life.
perhaps this child can tell us the
way to the Glen County Orphan Asy-
lum," said the gentleman. 1--WE can't
have much further to go. I'm sure"
what lovely little thing she is!'
said his companion. albert. did YOU
ever before see such beautiful golden
hair, and such big blue eyes. They are
like pansies. She looks like a wax doll
Now, why wouldn't it be better to take
this child than to go to the asylum after
one? l am sure we would not find one
prettier than this"
The gentleman laughed. "You speak
of taking this child as if You could pick
her up without asking" he said. ..Shc
probably has parents, who would not
consent to part with her.
'tWouldn't you like to come and live
with me. my dear?'' asked the lady.
taking in close clasp one of Anice's
dimpled little hands. Il would give
you everything you wanted You
should have plenty of candy and cake,
and all sorts of dolls and pretty toys"
Anice was very much pleased at be-
ing thought so pretty. She hal never
before been so openly admired, and
thought the lady must be very kind and
good to speak so pleasantly to her.
''Would l have silk dresses and
bronze b0ots?" she asked, land would