Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-05-21


The weeks went by and Nellie had fitted
easily into the ways Of st. Agathas. She
was bright and quick In her studies and
stood we'll in her classes, and SO had gain
ed the respect which Is always given to
workman who knows how 10 nsc his tools;
but. more than all else. she had won the
love and goodwill of every girl In the
school More than one girl, slower and
dulIer than others and ready to despair
over some problem In arithmetic or alge-
bra that wouldn't come right, would feel
soft cheek touch hers as Nellic's head bent
beside her-and in few minutes light
would come out of the darkness, and a
happy girl would shut the book and think
that life was still worth living and when
some other had not had any letters from
home, and was homesick and miserable in
thinking they had forgotten her,-how she
would listen as the gentle voice made kind
excuses and was sure it would be all ex-
planned, until the tears We're wiped away
and the home-lov was shining again
around her, and before the first week was
over the younger girls-''tbe little tacs.
a. the older girls called them-,ild not
| think any OF their little plans for fun were
complete until Nellie had been called into
council. No one knew just how it came
! about, but everything seemed brighter aud
| SUMMER when she came in; and 1t was
! whispered that even the Mother Superior
| had been heard To say one day that "Dur
| little Nellie is our sunbeam
! But Nellie herself was unconscious of it
/ all. 1t was only loving heart that went
| out in love and help to every one in trouble,
and was always happest in sharing in the
pleasures of others. Sunbeams never think
about themselves, they only light up dark
| corners, and chase away the shadows from
our hearts, and bring cheer and good will
and seem to shine for very love of the
| light which God gives them. OF course
she had her special friends, and Monte and
Virginia were numbered among them aud
on the first Sunday afternoon after her ar
| rival the three girls were sitting together
Its awful prosy," said Monte, who had
been reading the Lives of the Saints" for
the last half hour, and now closed it with
sigh.-''it's awful prosy!"
Awful" assented Virginia, not mean
ing the book; but as her opinion of things
in general on Sunday afternoon.
What is prosy, Noniel" asked Nellie,
looking up from, thezbook she was read
ing. '' 74''l'
.'Oh. everything-saints and medita-
tions, and their praying for hours on stone
floors, and fasting, and things. 1t must
be awful hard to get to heaven."
Poor souis.' said Nellie, with real pity
in her voice. They did make it hard !;
but it wasn't Gods fault. He made
the way 80 bright and happy through the
fields and flowers. and they went instead
by dark and sad ways underground.
think they were sincere, but they were so
dreadfully mistaken, and they made it so
dreadful for themselves and everybody
else''
Both girls looked at her in surprise
''You think" said Virginia, "that it's easy
10 go to heaven?"
Far easier than to 60 the other way"
replied Nellie, thoughtfully. 1.-The way
of sin and wrong is very miserable,
wretched way, and it brings nothing but
sorrow and regret at every step of it; and
no one ever tried TO be kind and good
without finding that it was the best and
happiest way"
But" said Monte, doubtfully, ''Chris-
tians, real good people who believe the
Bible, have lots of trouble, and" She
stopped and colored up. for she suddenly
remembered that Nellie had not been
brought up among those whom she ac-
counted as regular Christians"
But Nellie did not seem to notice her
hesitation. Yes" she replied. Chris
tians have troubles like other people, but
there is always comfort in their hearts
and light on the road. 1t is just as it was
with Jesus; he had troubles, too, but his
Father was always with him. aud he was
so busy in helping the poor souls who had
no friend that he never seemed to think
about his own"
They were silent for q while. Then
Virginia said, with a puzzled look in her
blue eyes, sis religion just being kind to
peope?"
Il think. dear" replied Nellie, "that re-
ligion is the trying to be like Jesus; and
he was always kind,-he loved people 50
much that he died for them, and St. John
SAYS that I'VE ought also to lay down our