The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-24
MAMMALS SUNBEAM.


Between Cheerful and Joyous and .
4 fearful and Fretful Behavior.
Willie was one of the dearest little
boys when he was happy, and was loved
devotedly by his papa, mamma and
two aunts who lived in the family. The
house in which they all lived was in
the country, and had windows on all
sides. Willie played out-of-doors every
pleasant day and was not happy when
the weather prevented his being out-of-
doors. He had never been a very
strong little boy, and his mamma was
compelled to keep him in many days
when he could not understand the rea-
son, and he was not very patient on
such days, and sometimes made all
who loved him sorry because he would
not be consoled by any means in their
pOwer-he wanted to be out-of-doors,
and nothing else would do.
Now, Willie's mamma was not at all
well or strong, and when she heard her
little boy worry so, 1t worried her and
made her head ache worse. Aunt
Susie, who loved Willie almost as
much az though he we're her own little
boy, thought Of way to make Willie
see how unhappy he made everybody
in the house when he would not accept
his mothers decisions as best.
One bright, sunshiny day in April
Willie was out-of-doors, running and
playing with his dog. He was perfect.
ly happy, and had been SO sweet and
lovable all the morning that Aunt
Susie thought: This is just the day to
show Willie the difference between
having a bright, sunshiny boy about
the house, and q fearful, fretful one.
The spare room shutters were closed,
and the room would have been very
dark and dreary If one stray sunbeam
had not found its way through the
shutters, making bar of gold across
the floor and dancing spirit Of gold
on the wall. Aunt Susie found the
place in the shutter through which the
sunbeam came. and covered it mp,
making the room perfectly dark, and
then she called Willie in, and took him
upstairs into the room. After they
were seated she asked Willie: "How
do you like this room, WillieP"
II don't like it at all, Aunt Susie;
it's all dark"
Then you would not like to stay
herep'
mo, no, Auntie Susie. want to 60
out-of-doors."
Aunt Susie went to the window and
took away the towel fastened over the
crack in the shutter, and in danced the
lovely sunbeam.
"Oh, oh!'' said Willie. "how pref.
ty!" and he ran and stood on the car.
pet where the sunbeam lay. Then he
knelt down and held his hands in it.
Aunt went up to him, sat on the fiool
and took him in her lap. Then, very
sweetly and lovingly, she said: willie
this room is just like mammals life, and
you are the sunbeam. When yoy
worry and are cross. her life is like
this room without the sunbeam"
Willie big blue eyes grew large and
sorrowful, and the tears gathered ir
them, and then. with a little sob, h,
put his head ON Aunt Susie's shoulder
and said: I'm member, Auntie Susie
I'll member" Aunt Susie took hin
by the hand, and soon they were play
ing out-of-door again as happy as ever
Two weeks had passed, and all in tn,
house were impressed with the grea
change in Willie. He had controlled
himself whenever he was deprived of
pleasure it was not best he should have
and Immediately interested himself il
whatever substitute was offered. Tw,
or three rainy days had followed eacl
other, and still Willie had been de
light and comfort to all in the house
One day, when everybody had grow
tired of the wind and rain, Willie cam
quietly into Aunt Susie's room an,
stood by the window for some time
Crossing the room to Aunt Susie, h,
whispered: "Auntie Susie, hasn't
been mammals sunbeam since you toll,
me?" Aunt Susie took him in he
arms and kissed him again and again
You have, Willie, darling, you hav
been sunbeam for us all" With
little sigh Willie nestled in her arm
and said: Use tried, Auntie Susie, Is
tried" And for years after q frowl
on Willie's face would disappear, o
the cross tone from his voice, when h
heard the question:: where is mann
mas sunbeamp"- Christian Union.