The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-03-28
DOING UNTO OTHERS.

Its fuB. What makes you Jump SOP"
cit frightens me worse every time you
do it. can't help jumping"
The truth is, the startled scream and
jump were exactly what Cassie delighted
in. As many times a day as she found an
opportunity she waylaid this timid sister,
sprang out upon her with a "Bool' or a
whoop and then laughed at her sudden
terror. Cassie had often been rebuked for
this.
at is very hurtful to be SO frightened, y
her mother said to her one day. Little
lane isn't strong and you only make her
more nervous every time you do it,"
"But she's SO silly. She never can
learn it's only me. She is always talking
about wolves and Indians, as If she
thought there was one around every cor
ner."
"You give her no time to think. She is
a very trusting little sister, and you must
not impose upon her"
"I'll try not. said Cassie gaily. But
l believe it's good for her. After a little
she'll learn to be drawer"
"You wouldn't like her to be lying in
wait at the fence corner If you were run
ming by. Nor would you like her to be
flattened against a tree, nor hidden behind
a BUSH"
II wouldn't care. I'm not afraid"
'But it isn't pleasant. You must do as
you would be done by
well, mamma, | will try-Fli try very
hard"
This last conversation had taken place
some weeks before. But now Cassie had
forgotten her mothers warning, and had
gone back to her old tricks. Anything
she could laugh at was a great temptation
to Cassie. OF late she had frightened
jamie at least once a day.
Little Jane did not get up from the
grass.
Come" said Cassie, pulling at her
arm. you're not afraid yet, are you?"
my heart beats so d%readfully, l must
sit STILL"
Cassie was conscience-stricken at once.
80 Janiel I'm SO sorry. Please don't tell
mamma, for she said l must never scare
you again"
mo, l won't tell her. But wait till l
get rested, then I'll play"
But jamie did not get rested. She seemed
weak and all the zest had gone out of their
play. Finally she went into the house
and lay on the sofa, where at length she
fell asleep.
Cassie watched her a~nxiously. She was
greatly distressed. What would her
mother say if she knew she had latterly
disobeyed her so many times. How hard
it was to do right.
"After this I surely will be good she
resolved, Il surely will"
She was worried until jamie awoke, and
was relieved when she found no harm ex-
cept the temporary weakness had come
from her prank. But her alarm served to
make her more considerate after that, for,
needless and fond of a frolic as she was,
she was yet tender-hearted. Throughout
the whole summer she was careful never
to startIe jamie again. jamie was very
happy at the change.
"You don't plague me any more. do
you, Cassie ?" she said.
Summer passed and the t wilights fell
early. Ninny, the nurse, who had always
put the children to bed, had leave of alb
sence for two weeks. So Cassie and jamie
for almost the first time in their lives were
trusted to go to bed alone. In their room
was a large closet. Every night when
they went Up stairs jamie would ~anxiously
ask Cassie If she thought anybody could
be Hidden in there. Cassie was thoroughly
yexed at her for asking the same question
over so many times.
"Why, no, you little goose, who is there
to hide ?" But jamie needed constant re-
assurance. "How foolish you are, jamie.
Sometime I'll hide in there myself and
spring out at yon, If you don't stop asking
the same old question" said Cassie,
sharply. I'm sick of hearing it."
SO, no! don't, sister-please don't, .
pleaded jamie.
Cassie really had no idea of doing what
she threatened. But the next night she
found herself up stairs before jamie. The
gas was lighted, but turned low. A sud
den impulse seized her to carry out her
menace. She stole ON tip-toe 10 the closet
door, opened it softly and stepped inside.
| She cou Id hear Janie's voice at the foot of
the stairs, calling out Good night-Good-
night" 20 her father and mother, and then
break into a blithe little song as she as
ce nded.
AS Cassie slipped beh ind the closet door
her foot trod on something soft. Instantly
there was a snarling, kissing sound, a
frenzied rushing back and forth in the
closet, a scratching, a wild yowl. Cassie
had shut the door, and whatever it was
| rushed against her ankles and tore at the
sides of the room. 1t seemed as if there
were half a dozen things trying to get out,
or trying to rend her into pieces. A cold
SILVER, as if icy water had been dashed
upon upon her, ran up and down her back.
Her heart seemed to have stopped entirely.
Then she shrieked-not once, but over and