The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-10

il hard to be patient. She longed to 90
out and battle In the beautiful su might,
and one day after she had su dered much
she said sweetly: al hope. mamma, |
shall live to see the flowers bloom az ain"
Mrs. Barker shuddered Was her house.
hold going TO be broken2
Hereafter when she counted her lock,
would one OF her birds have flown?
The thought was agonizing; but she
said nothing and the child went on: Il
think, mamma. in the fall when the little
songsters are leaving that | shall go too;
then you will not forget me-"
Forget you, my darling child, your
words are killing me. We must think of
other things"
''All right, mamma, do not want to
grieve you, but when the flowers bloom,
will you bring some in to me?"
Certainly | will, but it will be several
DAYS vet before they will blossom"
To Naomi the time seemed end
less. she longed to lay the flow
ers on her breast and breathe
in their fragrance Gentle spring soon
completed her work then her room was
full of flowers. they were strewn
around her couch and placed in her hot
hands. and she thought all the while that
they were the last she would ever see on
this earth. Summer wore away; autumn
came, but Naomi did not die. A marvel
Gus change came over her all at once. She
grew stronger and was again able to attend
school.
Although the girls OF the neighborhood
had never visited her during her long and
severe illness, yet she believed they would
treat her more kindly since she had sui
fered so much. But she was mistaken.
Before she reached the door oil the
school-room she heard some one say,
There comes the infant. by this time
she'll be in the A B G class"
NaomIs heart throbbed with pain and
disappointment. She pushed her way
through the crowd and almost fell into q
seat. Her tormentors. however, were not
satisfied. They followed her into the
room. and sleepy, listless girl said in q
lazy way, Tine paper you have been
scribbling for has offered prize of 500
for the best story. ! suppose you are
fool enough to try for it?"
Eyes, will try" replied Naomi calmly.
"Eh hal ha! won't you get it, though.
Going to try for the prize; you have a bet
ter opinion OF yourself than we have"
Il see no harm in trying" exclaimed
Naomi; we never can accomplish any
thing unless we make an Tort"
"Do you think you will accomplish
much ?'
I'VE will leave that for time to answer"
was the quiet reply. Il shall make an
honest effort" and so saying she found q
book and began to read.
That night when she reached home she
said prayer; then trusting in a higher
power, commenced her story. She
worked bravely, sometimes becoming dis
cOuraged, though never giving up. she
often remarked 20 her mother: "What q
relief it would be if only the school mates
would encourage me-" But instead of do
ing this they Dracticed every scheme to
| dishearten her They grew more unkind
every day and would say tauntingly /:
"When you get the prize. let us know"
Sometimes it seemed to Naomi almost
unbearable; then she would remember
that victory could not be won through
dependency, and if she hoped for success
it must be secured by fighting.
These thoughts encouraged her, and
she worked bravely for a few weeks, then
sent her story away with a prayer on her
| lips. After that che was almost afraid to
receive mails.
Would her story be returned2 In turn
she hoped, doubted. feared, believed,
prayed. but did not know. The waiting
was terrible but one beautiful night her
suspense was ended and this was the
way it happened: Chase, Helen and
Oscar had come home for a rest,
and they were sitting on the
front porch having a lively time
| when the teacher of the Sod Town school
! came slowly up the walk. He had been
to town, and as his road lay by their
house he had kindly brought them their
mail. Naomi glanced at it. 1t was a
letter for her. With trembling hands
she broke the seal her heart never beat
so fast; her face grew crimson. then pale.
She tried to sneak and could not
What is it?" asked her mother, noting
the paor of her face
Il give God the glory" she cried. Il
| have won the prize"
"Can that be possible?" said Mrs. Barker,
rising from her seat.
"Ies. il is true, mamma come and see
| for yourself"
| Mrs. Barker looked over her daughter
shoulder, and found it as Naomi had
said.
My noble daughterI" she exclaimed.
/ throwing her arms around Naomi s
neck, and weeping with Joy. "You have
overcome many difficulties and your sue
cess is truly deserved. 1 assure you my,
! precious child. that your hardships have
made your victory none the less bright
''No indeed" said Chase, and up went
| Oscars hat
1--WE think you are a real heroine" said
| Helen, dancing for Joy. Well, in all II
was day never TO be forgotten, mother
! leaning on her daughter crying with jov.
| Loving brothers and sisters jumping
around her. and father praising her with
| his trembling voice.
The next morning when she started
to school her heart was lighter
than it had ever been before
! Her path had been rough and
stormy but now it was clearing and every
thing seemed brighter. Even the wild
flowers along the road looked fresher, and
do you wonder that Naomi sang:
| ''God moves in a mysterious way
| His wonders to perform;
| lie plants his footsteps In the sea,
| And rides upon the storm"
She did sing until she reached the door
of the schoolroom. Then she stopped and
looked around with amazement. What
hat happened to the children of Sod
Town? They did not rush up and kis!
her face as she expected; but all were
very silent and shame faced. At second
thought the mystery was not so hard Ia
solve, for when Naomi learned that
she had succeeded in getting the
prize. she answered her mother
in such loud voice that Mr.. Strong, the
teacher, heard her SO that morning hC
told his school that she had won the prize
They were very much abashed and real
4 e. 81 81 sAae 81. a