Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-12-18
hr.stiau Register.
Six and Sixteen.
RS MARY {. R,KTIFTT.

a. NiAtttu- dLI Harp!u was SA
was I" be Ms comforter, nurse. and mora
adyi>er-his mother in short-for fort
night But, though felt my responsible
ity kceny, it gave me no uneasiness Wa.
| not siItecn pears old:
one afternoon. the little fellow came
slowly into the library. where sat study.
Ing lie said not word, but, stopping at
the window. looked out listlrssly
What i il. Harold :" asked.
II brcakcd Mrs. Lincolns plate"
Broke Mrs. Lincoln's plate. why.
Harold How came YOU TO do such a
thing"
Il slipped it of on the moor ,hout know
Where was the plate:"
In the parlor, on the table. WAS wait.
in for Jimmie"
one Of those beautiful japanese plates.
Did you tell her about IT.
NO: she wasn't-,herc"
What did YOU do:"
II picked up the pieces. They fitted to-
gethtr. left en- on the table"
What rtry naughty boy 7" said /. 1t
is mean and cowardly to leave things in
that way You should have found Mrs.
Lincoln, ana told her at once. Perhaps.
now. she may think that Jimmie did il.
Harold began 10 cry. Il didn't mean to.
sister; and don't k1io,r Mrs, Lincoln So
i, nothing but an excuse Mrs Lincoln
ought to know il, and the sooner the bet
Ter. You must 90 over and tell her. IL is
your duty
At this stern word, Harold's sobs only
became more piteous.
:
HlsIse don't make me go"
You must go, Harry. You did the mis-
chief You must confess IL
II can't, cant, can't" he almost scream
ed II won't nerer break any more plates,
sister"
He clung TO me almost frantically
piiied him from the bottom OF my heart;
but felt that must be firm. 1t was my
duty
My little brother doesn't want to be a
co,rdrd. does he'" asked severely.
II don't want to tell Mrs. Lincoln.
Couldn't you just please tell her. sister,"
| put him down upon the floor. This
was the decisive moment.
Harold. said |, "y0u must go and tell
Mrs. Lincoln. Don't stop to think about
it, but go at once"
He threw his little arms about my neck,
with mute appeal. =
GO quickly. aud you'll lie back before |
finish my translation"
Rnt he did not stir.
.You are not sisters brave boy. after
all.
"Couidn't you just come with me-" he
asked ,earfuly.
II hate to leave my French" said |, half
Grossly I've lost good half hour now.
But suppose | may as well do it first as
last. Get your hat, and We'll start"
This consent, ungracious as it was,
seemed an immense relief TO him; and The
consciousness of a praseworthy action
made me almost forget my own annoyance.
We walked across the fields, hand in hand
We found Mrs. Lincoln at home. and
plunged at once into the unfortunate cause
of our visit.
Harold has come to tell you something
Mrs. Lincoln something that will max,
you feel very sorry, am afraid
Something that will make me feel sor
ry: What can it be-"
Tell her Harold"
But lie only cluug foolishly to me.
What is it, Harry" asked Mrs. Lin
coin.
NO answer
lie has come to tell you that he ha
been doing mischief" said |.
''Is il possible. What mischief"
Tell her, Harold" | repeated; but th
| child sat immovably silent.
He has come to tell you that he ha
| broken something"
Something of mine! Well, I'm sure h
didn't do it on purpose. What have yo
broken. Harry?"
why don't you tell herr" exclaime,
impatIently; but my words had not tn
slightest effect.
''He has broken one of your Japanes
| plates said |, at length, in desperation
He pulled it of the table. He tidnt mea
to, but he was very careless"
Harold glanced anxiously at Mrs. Lin
coin. What penalty could possibly atom
for such dreadful crime.
But to his great relief, she only laughed
II found the pieces on the table" sal
she. 1T has been broken three times b.
fore, and can easily be mended again. Ant
if it couldn't" she added in a sweet. motl
erly way which brought Harold to her sid
at once, lit wouldn't be worth one Q
these poor little tears"
She kissed him as she spoke, and
looked gratefully up into her face.
''If hadn't told you bout it, you migl
"a thought Jimmie did it, mightn't yot
Mrs. Lincoln!'
Our burst of laughter puzzled him Ii
tie; but he Joined in it merrily. Vel
happy were we both as We left Mrs. Lii
coins door. Her tender sweetness Il
ward the little culprit had reminded me {
mothers parting words. which had som
how forgotten
Harold will be trying, of course; bu
then. he is so little. Always think of tha
daughter"
And what wee mite of humanity
was, that trotted along SO contentedly B
my side, grasping my hand with lovin
pressure, which felt that didn't deserve
Lets take run up the lane, Harry"
Don't you want to do your FrenchT'
asked innocently.
) well let the French wait awhile" al
swered with a blush. Wen 60 up to Il
old rock. and see if we can see anything {
Miss Deborah Flanders"
"P-r-aps she'll be out feeding the hens
said Harold"
Perhaps"
We gained the rock. His cheeks we
rosy with exercise. and his blue eyes shoI
. with pleasure. But he had not fOrgott'
Mrs. Lincolns plate.