The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-02-20
What Was the Secret?

DalSy UalSy GreSOry!
It was weak little voice that called
her; but Daisy turned about, and
walked back to the wee girl who own
ed it.
"What is it Gracie?" she said; for
Gracie's eyes were red with crying.
Would you please go back home
with me, Daisy, and not mind? Some
of the boys called me Humpy, as l
came along, and Pm afraid"
Dyes, indeed! Take right hold cf
my hand, and don't be afraid, I'll fix
those boys"
There was dangerous light in the
big black eyes, as Daisy spoke and the
proud little head, set SO gracefully up
on the firm shoulders, was held trlt1e
more erect.
AREN'T you ashamed of yourselves,
Willie DuLton and Frank Turner, to
call poor little lame girl names? |
should think God would hear you, and
be very angry and perhaps make you
lame to punish you. L would, II l
were he. And you needn't put any
more oranges in my desk, Willie OF
bring me any more flowers, frankie.
Mamma tells me, to have nothing to
do with boys who are not gentlemen" J"
Then, having said her say with flash
ing eyes, Daisy held the little hand
tighter, and drew Oracle along past
the boys-who hung their heads,
blushing rosy red with shame-and
never let 60 her grasp until she had set
the little one down at her mothers
door then kissing her gently, and tel
ling her not to mind, because Jesus
knew all about it and in heaven she
wouldn't be lame any more, she ran
toward home.
"Daisy, will you please come in a
minuteD called Susie Sherman, as she
passed her door. II cant get this sum
right, and I have been trying 30
hardu
ayes, indeed! Let me help you,
then. Mamma says we must always
try, before we get help, to see what we
can do.
Daisy's pencil flew fast along the
slate, and there was the troublesome
example which she had solved that
morning for herself.
"Thank you so much," said Susie.
"You are always so good. You always
seem to love to b clip, Daisy"
"Well, tits fun to make people hap
py. Don't you think so? 1t pleases
God, you know, too. Now must run
home, for mamma'll be wondering
where am and I never like to worry
her, and she worries easy. Goodbye.
"What can do to help you, mamma
dear?' she said as she finished her din
ner. Not word of the new book she
was longing to begin.
"Could you take care of the baby
while have little nap, dear? My
head aches. 1 was up with him So
much last night"
"Yes, indeed! Come, darling, come
to sister,"
The hot little hands were held out so
gladly and the teething baby's head
soon dropped upon her shoulder, as
she walked back and forth to still his
crying.
"Could you help me make kite,
sister Daisy ?" said her brother Char
lie, just as she sat down on the broad
window seat, to read two hours later, l
want one so much?"
Daisy's face bore no trace of annoy
ance.
"Yes, Harry" she answered.
"Bring your things. I know how to
make a splendid one; for I helped ia
mie make his"
"Can you read the paper to me lit
tie while, daughter?" said the tired
father, coming in, and throwing bim-
self down on the lounge, q1ite exhaus-
ted. "Just the principal news"
Daisy knew what this meant, but
she cheerfully laid her book aside.
" don't know how I could live with
out my little daughter" he said, as he
drew her down to kiss the rosy cheek.
"That is all the pay I want, papa,
answered Daisy.
"It's easy enough to be good where
Daisy is," said Charlie, who was put
ting an extra bob to his kite. Pm the
envy of all the boys. They every one
think she's the handsomest and the
incest girl in school; and they're
right, too.
Daisy's face grew crimson. "You'll
all spoil me, I'm afraid" she said.
"But Pm so glad you love me! Pm
sure don't know why; but I'm the
happiest girl in the world"
Refined and graceful manners are