The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-05-06
AUNT EMILY'S STORY.

AUNT EMILY'S STORY.
lone more day in which to be loving
and kind to each other,' said Aunt
Emily. 'At least we may hope so
when We see bright beautiful day
opening before us
"Only one, Aunt Emily! Why do
you say that?'
Il do not say only one, dears. !
trust that we may all have many days
and many more in which t. make each
other happy. But we are not sure OF
a day or even an hour, you know, 50 l
think we all have need to remember to
show our loving kindness while we
have time.''
Molly and Ruth and Nan looked q
little conscious, wondering if Aunt
Emily could have observed how ready
they were to quarrel over trifles, and
how little inclined to give up to each
other.
Il was led to think of this,' said
Aunt Emily, "by remembering some
thing which took place on this day a
number of years ago, in my girlhood. -
DO tell us about it, Aunt Emily, -
said the three, gathering about her to
listen.
Il do not know" she began, "tha
my little sisters and l quarrelled more
than other little sisters do, but it was
very sad and unnecessary that we
should have quarrelled at all. Looking
at it as do now. 1 cannot understand
how We could have taken pleasure in
disobliging each other, in speaking
angry words, in caring nothing for
each others comfort, keeping up an
almost constant state of irritation when
we might have lived in the sunshine of
loving words and deeds.
MY mother used to talk very
seriously to us about it. You think
little of it as the days 60 by, she would
say, but if God should see fit to take
one of you away you would all your
lives feel the bitterness of the sting left
by the memory of past unkindness.'
at is said that most people have TO
learn by experience-a great pity,
surely, if it is true. For how much
better off we should all be if we would
learn lessons from those who have
suffered, instead of waiting until the
same hard lesson has come to us.
think, however, there arc some chill
dren who, happily for them, arc wise
enough to profit by good advice, but my
sisters and l were not of the number.
for as far as can remember we kept
on much the same in spite of mother $
talk. And when. at last, the expe-
rience did como, it was bitter enoug oh.
"a picnic was in prospect to which
we had all been looking forward for
some time. But as the day, this day
years ago, drew near, some little all
ment seized me which led my mother
to think it best for me to stay at HON G.
1t was great disappointment. and
am sorry to say that bore it very
badly. I have sometimes thought since
that God sends these small trial, UPON
us to give us opportunity to show 4
spirit of patience and submission. but
could not have thought so then, for
made myself trial to every one who
was so unfortunate as to be obliged to
come near me, by my complaints and
my ill-temper.
''Mother gave up her share in the
days pleasure to remain with ne, and
l was sure of having everything to
help me through the day ut home, but
| chose to consider myself sadly ill.,
used and was probably little cros:rr
even than usual. The COMPANY were
going in open carriages, and at the
last moment my little sister Marian
came running to me.
'.Oh, Emily. l can't find my sun UNI
brella. Wont you lend ME yourso
I'm sorry enough you can, 90 TO use
it yourself, you poor dearr'
"'No, l won't l snarled. .You re
the most careless girl in the world
always losing your things. You'd be
sure to lose mine
"'Oh, l wouldn't. Please, Emily:
The sun is going to be 80 hot
81 can't help that You'd better
learn to be more careful of Your
things.
"'Comc, Marian,' they called from
outside, and she ran away. As |
watched them until they were out of
sight the last thing l could see through
the branches of the trees was Marian $
little hand waving goodbye to me,
and could not help feeling. too late. a
touch of self-reproach for my unkind-
ness.
But l forgot all about it until late
in the day there came a message in
haste, and mothers face grew white as
she heard it,
IAN accident! Some are hurt and
l must 60 at once Before I had time
to think she was gone, and l had to
wait for a dreadful hour before the
members of the pleasure party came
but not ALTO tell me-
''Jhe horses attached to one of the
carriages had taken fright and run
away, finally overturning and throw
ing ali who were in it out upon the
hard, graveled road. Our little Ma
rian was one of them, 'and no one as
yet knew whether she would live or
die.
''Oh, if l could tell you what 1 suf-
fered. How wandered about by day
and lay awake at night, remembering
all my unkindnesses to my little sister,
and thinking almost wildly, if l could
have, If it were only one day, in which
to tell her how loved her and to show
her my love in every possible way.
Every unsisterly word or act had ever
been guilty of towards her seemed to
rise before me in all their hatefu)ness
and ugliness until felt sure that God