The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-03-22


for times when we may be com
fort to those we love. for the time
may never come. Our only safe
way is to do our very best every
day, don't you think so ~
"Yes, ma'am," said Margie.
"DOn't forget it, dear child" said
her friend, very earnestly. at is
a sad and bitter thing TO have to
look back upon days in which we
neglected the duties which should
have been our delight"
Margle walked on with more
thoughtful face. Why did Mrs.
Hartley speak so! Did people re-
ally think mamma very i'll? How
many tlnes she had worried and
lretted her, when she might have
been, in very truth, the comfort
which Mrs. Hartley spoke of.
"Oh! I'm going TO be; I'm going
to-" she declared to herself.
She could hardly keep herself
from running back to give her an
other kiss, but went on, forming in
her heart many good resolutions
for the future.
"Where are you going, Margle ?"
called a voice, as, ten minutes la
ter, she was passing house, and a
little girl bounded out to the gate,
I'm gong over to Miss Lanes, "
said Margie.
"Oh! want you to go with me
for wild flow ers. It's just the
iIme."
"I'd like to-" said Margie; but
| must do mammals errand."
"See here" said Susy, "we could
90 over to Ivy Hollow: and you
come by Miss Lanes on your way
home. 1t wouldn't be much out of
your way"
Margie felt a little tug of con-
science which told her it was not
being faithful to duty to turn aside
from what she was sent to do. But
1t was such a temptation. The
morning. was so bright, and The walk
to Ivy Hollow such a delightful
one.
IL can bring mamma some wild
flowers" she said to herself. "She
likes them so much. Pm sure she
will be glad | went"
But she was not so sure OF it as
she wished, as she said:
"Well, Susy, PIl go.'
Somehow The walk did not seem
so pleasant as il had several months
ago when the little girls had taken
1t for the last time to gather bright
autumn leaves TO decorate the
rooms at home. 1t could not be in
the birds or the sun or the soft
wind, for they were doing their best
to make the spring day all 1t should
be.
Little children, did you ever feel
weight at your heart which took
all the sweetness away from the
sweet things around you? And
did you realize thatlt was the heav-
mess which always comes with the
consciousness OF wTong-dOing?
The wild flowers were beautiful,
and Margie tried to persuade her
self that she had done very wise
thing in going for them. But the
morning hours went by and it was
past noon before she found herself,
tired out, at Miss Lanes door.
Miss Lanes mother opened it for
her.
"You wanted 20 see LOUSY, didn't
you?' she asked Margie. well,
I'm sorry. Hope it wont make no
difference 10 your mother"
isn't she at home ?" asked Mar
gle.
mo; she's gone over to sew at
farmer Jamlson's. Yes, she was
expecting them buttons your moth
er said she'd send this morning, but
when most noon came, and the
buttons want here. she said she
guessed you mother'd got over her
hurry. She's to be gone all the
week. Sorry if IT'S goin' to put
your mother out"
Margie was thinking ruefully to
herself that it would be likely TO
put her out very much indeed when
she heard the cry of a child IN the
next room. 1t was such a heart
rending little wall that she asked
about it in great concern.
30, that poor little Polly Jones'"
said Mrs. Lane. "Her mother died
last night, died sudden, and we
brought her over here to try TO COM
fort her, but she won't be comfort
ed, no ways, all we can do. GOinY
You'd better sit and rest a spell, |
guess"
But Margis thanked her and went
out. 1t seemed as if she must get
out of hearing of the cry of the
motherless little girl.
ut makes sore place IN my
heart" she said, tears coming To
her eyes as she hastily walked
away. III want to get home to
mamma. o dear, | wish had gone
straight TO Mrs. Lanes"
Many thoughts crowded on the
little girl as she hurried towards
home. What If her mother should
dieg What if she never, never
have more chances of being kind
and loving 10 herr Would she ever
be happy again as long as she livedl
Mamma had been looking so i'll
lately, and she. heroine little dangh-
ter, had not tried with all her might
to be a comfort TO her. Often and
often she had been Pettish and dis
obligng