Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-02-01
ay1onlhs' Column.
THE LITTLE MAN CON-
SCIENCE.

shine.
Christie was sweeping not such
short, careless sweeps as a less pro-
nounced character could be satisfied
to give, but Clearly strokes that at
once cleansed the carpet, and raised
but little dust in fact, just as ev-
erydody knew that Christie would
work.
Christie was curiosity to the
members of the household at once,
as simple and light of heart as
child, yet, on occasion, woman
upon whose judgment they could
rely, true and brave to great de-
gree.
On the particular day on which
you are looking at her through
strangers eyes she was in guam
Diary; her mind contained an unusu-
al burden, for she was not singing as
usual, and her big gray eyes had a
look of trouble that was so intense
that 1t seemed to bring a suspicion
of tears to them.
Some of the family would say that
tears and Christie's eyes could never
be seen together. But more folks
than she have many sad moments
mixed in with the gay ones for life
is made up of sunshine and shadows,
and if the dark clouds never come
overhead we should never know how
bright the sun can shine.
In sort of unconscious way
Christie swept over and over a figure
of green and gold that was worked
into the carpet; then she paused,
and clasping both hands over the top
of the broom, rested her chin upon
them, still thinking upon the bother.
Just then a gentle knock at the door
and the turning of the handle dis
closed to view the face of little
Jackey, Christie's especial pet.
"Can l come in, Christie?" he
asked.
"Not when the cold is coming into
the windows at such a rate, my dar-
ling
"But aren't you cold, Christie?"
"No, little kid, my dress is thick
er than yours, and I have silk
handkerchief over my ears, and a
pair of mlttens upon my hands.
Whereas, if you become too cold you
might turn into big icicle.''
Jacky gradually disappeared be-
hind the door, and Christie continued
her work. She was thinking just as
hard, but there had come into her
eyes a more hopeful look that dis
persed the mist of tears. 81 know
how to settle it-Jacky shall decide
for me-" So, when the windows were
closed, and the room had become
warmer, she called the boy, and
perchlng him upon the table, she
kneIt beside him.
"Jacky, little man, do you know
what judge does?"
"Hasn't he a court, Christie? |
think papa said so to John last even
ing"
eyes, you are quite right. Now
room is the court; you are the judge
and 1 am the prisoner. Do you I'M
derstand?''
eyes
"And you are to pass sentence
upon me-"
ooh! But Christie, you would not
do what 1 told You unless you chose
to, and l couldn't make you, you
know"
eyes, | will"
"What is the matter, prisoner?'
asked Jacky with mock dignity.
"Just this. | am invited to go to
place of amusement this evening
| and"
"And won't mamma let you gop'
81 have not asked her yet"
"Well, why don't you?'
II am not quite sure that it is
right for me to go; how shall I fine
out?"
G Oh, Christie, don't you know
Papa says that everybody, big and
little, has in his head a little man
Conscience, that can help him every
time. You had better ask him.
81 ought to know that without be-
ing told by baby like YOU"
"Ask the little man if it is rig hit, anc
if he does not say yes very quickly
then he means that you had bette
not do it,
"That is just it, pet"
"And papa says to ask the ques
ton quickly, and to take his first an
swer, because he likes 10 be played
with sometimes, and then we @
wrong"
Il thank you much, darling yol
have given me lesson that I vii
never forget. And hereafter I will
not need the help of any one excep
the little man, Conscience, to shoy
me what is best to do"
And so Christie did not 60 to tn
theater that night, for the '''littl
man" told her that between thos
who were called by Christ's nam
and those who made no profession
there ought to be a strong lin
drawn. And when she knelt III pray
Ell that night she asked God to fol-
give her for not SO deciding at once