Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-08-06
For THE SPECTATOR.
TNELLY'S LESSON.

"Nellyl Nelly'H Susy, just listen, there
is Grandma calling me. Oh, if she only
kew how / hated that knell in my ears
fifty times day, she would stop it. Just
throw Josephine and Eugene in the box;
DO more play for ne to-day. "Nelly Nelly
don't you hear me? / never saw such a
child, don't mind my calling no more than
if dog was barking. say, Nelly Nelson,
if you don't answer me, / will punish you
severely" Yes, mama. am comirg, "You
come right along, aud hem these towels;
for they will all b, needed next week. The
Convention meets, and your PAS house
will bs crowded; SO the towels will all be
needed" Nelly asked Susy to stay; but
grandma eying Susy all over said:-
"Bet er run home, Nelly can't play to-
day." So there were two sad, little hearts
that Saturday afternoon. Snow, miss, get
your thimble, and come down IN the sitting
ROOM" Why is it (soliloquized Nelly) 1
feel as if grandma's voice strikes chord of
discord every time she asks me to do any
thing2" 81 try to say soft words; but hard
ones come. know she can be kind in sick
ness, and trouble; but in the busy days she
stirs up strife" On opening the sitting
room door, such pleasant smile illumin-
ates the face of Nelly. You could not be-
lieve the frown and discomfort could vanish
so soon. "Why, Ruthyl 1 did not know
you were here" Yes, your mama sent for
me to help with the table linen, for you
know large crowd is expected on Mon
day. 81 am so glad you are here, I feared
would be alone hemming towels; now that
you are here all is right. am going to
help mama all can for she looks so tired, !"
In little while Nelly felt as if it was just
as much her interest to work, as her mama's
to do 80. Their pleasant voices sounded
like a lullaby to Mrs. Nelson, while she
was trying to soothe Harry to sleep. Com
ing in softly she laid her hand on Nslly's
head and said, "Darling, I am sorry you
could not play all afternoon" Why did
Susy go homer" Grandma told her she
had better go; for had to work. 1t was
too bad, for we had planned to be together
to. day, to read the fe of the two Emper-
ors. Well, we find in everyday life, ("His-
tory repeats itself'') disappointments follow
us through life as well as crowned heads.
Susy and Nelly have found it so to. day, but
if we overcome our rebsllious feelings, it is
better than ruling countries or kingdoms.
Mama, that is the hard part, to gently sub
nit, and own I am rebel in heart often;
but when see you and hear your patient
voice, it softens me. am going to try to
govern myself. Oh! what disappointment
it will be, my children to try to govern self,
but with help from the Lord, you can over
come all, meant that, mama. Then: dar-
ling, never forget it at home or abroad, with
those you love to be with, or those who
irritate or annoy you.
I forgot my disappointment when l found
Ruthy here, and she is going to tell me
how Columbus discovered America, as well
as she can remember. He was SO discour-
aged. When he first talked about it, he
was miserable, but after while he deter
mined to go. He did not act like Cortez,
when he went to Mexico among the lowly
people, who fell down and almost worship
ed the white man. Then, when they
planted the Cross on its shores, they, in
their innocence, were ready to kneel at their
feet; SO humble did they feel, in the pres
ery followed their whole course
through Mexico; their Montezuma loaded
down with chains, their plans of wickedness
to get their gold for their own use. 1t was
all for their Religion; but their hearts were
not right in the sight of God. The love of
God casts out all fear, but these poor, trem-
bling Indians hid away from their sight.
Now. Columbus reasoned with Ferdinand
and Isabella about the wonderful discovery
be hoped to make. He told some of them
(who had chafed him as to the absurGity
of the scheme) that he could make an egg
stand on end, but they answered saying,
"Prove it and we will believe in your dis
covery of new country" Columbus
broke the egg slightly at its base, and stood
it on end. Such was the simple and frail
encouragement to build upon an egg. A
frail shell of a vessel to encounter the dan
gers of the deep. See the mighty results.
Contrast your home life with one l am
going to tell you Of.
La little village, in the lovely Valley of
nestled at the foot of hill, lit
Ia cottage covered in summer with morn
ing glories, with it's white.washed fences.
An old oak tree stood at it's front; the
wooden benches at the door seemed to in
vite the passers by to stop and rest. The
old oaken bucket in the well and bse hives
hid among the currant and gooseberry
bushes. 1t was an humble home. Miss
Ellen Doughless lived there, with her faith
ful Sukey, who had been infirm fer years,
old, almost blind, while Miss Ellea was
refined Christian lady. Sukey was an
humble follower of Jesus. Left alone 10
her old age, with but slender income,
they lived a life of peaceful happiness.
Sukey had been servent in the Doughless
home, and now they are the last of their
family on earth. Aunt Sukey did the trad
ing for their home. All they had to sell
was bought by the tavern'keeper. Vege-
tables, small fruit, eggs, and sometimes
wont to market by Sukey's
hands. One day she came home frustrated
and she said: "Miss Ellen, l don't know
what to think of that no-account Sally
down there. She beats that little gal of
hern dreadful, slapped her ears and den
banged her for crying. Why does de good
Lord give sich folks children, I wonder.
Poor little pitful gal with its little lame
foot. She just comes to me, and
took her up, and got her an apple, and
she fell asleep. l axed Sally where l must
put her "Don't care, take her home if you
want her." Miss Ellen,I just want ed to do
it, but would ak you first. l laid her
down bundle of rags in de corner of de
room. l axed old Joe, what was de matter
of Sally? He said 'she was going to marry
a drover, and he cid not want the young
one."
Miss Ellen's thoughts were on that poor,
little child only four years old, bearing all
the troubles, aud trials of weak mortals.
Its own mother against it, No father to
care for it, poor little one. ''I will take it,
old and feeble as we are. Sukey, we will
divide the trouble for this outoast."
On Saturday afternoon a kind neighbor
called to take Miss Ellen cut driving.
"rake me to Bro wn's Tavern, 'she SAID, and
told the old Doctor and his wife her inten-
ton. The mo.her was to relinguish all
claim to the child. Miss Ellen asked her if
she was in earnest, when she told Sukey to
take her home. She looked confused, and
then replied: "Shs is always in my way"
s'Sally," said Miss Ellen, &c did you think of
what might befau your child if Sukey alone
had charge of it. Old, comparatively help
less, your child would be left to grow up in
Ignorance and no one to restrain it? Much
as you have erred from the path of right,
would you be willing to see your child fol-
low in your footstep? I cannot think any
mother could be 80 heartless. / have come
to rake your child, aud will try to be
helper to her in every thing which concerns
tho int rest of her immortal soul''
Now in her new home, she is such a
nlaaet1ra tn AunfEllan and Sukev and THAR