The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-29
Lost Opportunities.
AzALEA G. REED.

Our boy Jim did such thoughtlesa
act last fall. A little thing, to be sure.
but you know it is the little things
which really make or mar the per-
feet character.
We live out in the country, and Jim
goes to the high-school in town, two
miles away. He always has to walk, un-
less some one of US is going to town,
or some kind teamster gives him q lift
now and then. ss
One beautiful day in early October.
l sat by the south window, looking
down the hill from where our house
stands, across the hollow or ravine,
and up the opposite hill, watching for!
Jim. All sorts Of vehicles passed,
from a two.wheeled cart to heavily
loaded lumber wagon.
Pretty soon q wagon, two brown
horses, and two figures on a high;
spring seat came in sight. The horses
trotted quickly down the hill and
across the hollow, t.the driver pull.
ed them up short at the turn, where
teamsters often drive down through.
the brook by the bridge, to let their!
thirsty horses drink. I observed him:
stop to uncheck his team before drfV-
ing into the brook. Then I noticed
the two figures on the seat-the driyes
a man of fifty or thereabouts, and%e
Jim. How lucky for Jim to ge
ride, thought.
Just then I saw him leap light 6
from the wagon, and I felt a glow
pride as said to myself, II am sd
glad Jim is going to get out and un-.'
check the mans team" But my
glow of pride changed to feeling 0f'
shame as he started swiftly up The;
hill never Offering to render the simple.
service, but leaving the driver to clam
ber out and attend to it himself.
I felt so sorry, and when Jim came;
in, said, "Why didn't you uncheek'
that mans team? ?"
He looked surprised, and exclaimeds,
in a regretful tone, II never thonght
of it," 49,
Never thought to do what not only
should have been pleasure. but wass
really his duty! Little acts Of kind
ness and thoughtfulness, however
trifling, are never forgotten by the re-
ceiyer, and cost the doer nothing but
remembering to "lend hand"
But boys are not alone in losing OPP.
portunities. Here is also q true sketch
for girls:
. Last summer the youg ladies' mis-
sionary society, "The Earnest Work
ers," gave missionary tea at Mrs.
Benefits. 81;
Mrs. Lacy, who lives over on the
hill, across the hollow, had
been sick a long time. She was GET
ting able to walk about some, and to-
ride considerably. AS she is very
much interested in missionary work.
and they were to have some excellent
I asked her if she couldn't go
for a little while, if I came for her.
with Dick and the phaeton. After;
some hesitation she consented. =
agreed to take her home as soon as she:
got tired. She was considerably:
wearied by the ride when we arrived
at Mrs. Benefits so she lay down to;
rest while. When she some time;
after entered the room where the ladies'
were assembled, looking as pale and
fragile as a lily, I felt twinge OF con-
science for urging her to come.
There was but one vacant chair In
the room "a stiff. straight-backed one,T
only fit for a perfectly well person TO:
sit in. There were five easy-chairs.s
all occupied, two by old ladies and
three by healthy rosy-cheeked young
ladies. And yet all three of those,
young ladies sat placidly by, and saw:
Mrs Lacy walk the length of the
room and take that stiff, hard chair:
without ever offering her one OF the:
l sat in speechless indignation, feel
ing vexed enough to shake each one OF
them. Mrs. Lacy got paler and paiersss
and looked so tired that I had just
got up to propose to take her homes
when one of the old ladies, noticing
how pale she was getting, offered her
the easy-chair she was occupying.i
Still there sat those young ladies'.
evidently thoroughly enjoying them-
selves indeed, they never got up
during the whole afternoon, but held
those chairs until the close OF the
meeting.
TO be sure, it was only thoughtless-
ness; but we must remember that issgs
EVIL is wrought by want of thought,
AS well as want of heart" ssSsg
Pittsburgh Christian Advocate.