The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-03-20

Dear ChiIdren-A few mornings ago l had
1 call and l don't think you could guess
who was nv caller 1t was friend
Ernest Willie" and | cannot tel you how
sorry / was not to be able to see him. for
I have been quite sick and am still under
the doctors care, and shut up in my room,
SO I could not see our dear friend; but he
brought me one of his beautiful books, and
il has been my constant companion, TO cheer
and comfort my sick and weary hours
wish you couId own one OF these DOCKS ana
if were you Id so to work and make
money enough to buy one. The girls could
sell eggs and the boys cut wood Tor ther
neighbors or make money in SINE way.
neighbors or make money in some way;
There never was a truer saying than that
for l have always noticed that II people
want a thing very earnestly they are very
ant to get it, At any rate it is a good rule
for Young people to accept and work up to-
n will make YOU strive harder to attain
what YOU desire. Now, if all the boys anu
girls who are old enough would go to work
and make the money to get one OF Earnest
Wilie's" books. just think of how you
could help him. while you are helping your
self With his book, he brought me let
Ter her had written to you, for he is always
working for the good of the young folks.
i know you will enjoy his letter.
AUNT SUSIE"
Constitution Boys and Girls: Did you
know this is my birthday? Yes, ] am nine
years old today. Nine years this morning
since, a new kind of life which | mad never
dreamed of daWned upon me. DO you ques-
dion? 1t is just nine years today since |
was hurt-since that fall in which | went
down the rosy dreams that gladdened
youth the shining castles that inspired
me. and the singing hopes that led me on
lid, or
appointments keen and heavy to bear and
virtores happy and thrilling, crowd upon
me, as the past with d wealth Of unique
trial and experience looms up in inspiring
panorama before me.
1t was a. cloudy morn when l fell while
prosecuting my labOrS on the farm but
life, with all its inviting promises, spread
out before me with all the brightness with
which the golden glory Of this heavenly
sabbath breaks around me today. Could l
but then have lifted the veil that shut the
future out. All human nature can't I'M
derstand it all: but | am happy to trust
happy to follow Tom +. McBeath's words
of tender beauty and wise consolation:
Work, watch and watt
And trust His tender love Whateer befan."
know one lnlng-i have been happy
during all these years of trials, and ! am
happy now Many friends have been gra-
cious enough to tell me that God has been
pleased to bless my invalid life and make
1t more fruitful of good than it would have
been had l continued in health and strength.
If this be verify true, then i thank God
for my attlictiOn. The glory Of His name
and the uplifting and Frightening of hui
manity-thls be my burning wish-my
browning ambition, if | know my heart
Another thing 1 knoW-if | had never been
hurt. my book would never have been felt
thought and written. And the sweet, beau
tful and happily cheering letters | am re-
as Sche, bearing concentrations twice as
hiSn as | expected, humble me and gratify
pleased to bless my invalid life and make
me nope that before many months | Will
be free from the debt which the large edi-
uon brought upon me. and then be better
prepared TO enlarge that sphere of useful
ness which l earnestly hope and prav may
WIDEN ana deepen every day.
The completion of my book ..tarpast
Willie, or Echoes from A Reclusa" :,
volume OF nearly $50 pages (about which
our generous Aunt Susie so sv,a.+Iy o,oI
tenderly told you some time ago. is The crvs
tallizatlon of one of The brightest dreams
that mas inspired my head and heart during
all the years of my invalid life. It seems
that even yet l can hardly realize tba+
1t Is finished at laSt-so ,nnct, 80
anxious labor, prayers ana anxiety snniIos
and heartthrObs the preparation Of il ho
cost me. Ii viii not 90 Tor AM, ora -. 80
M.
written by an invalid it is a vnIIImo 81
somDre Shades and contains a gloomy MI
ancholy story. Far from it. / have haa,,
happy myself during all these wears and
/ have tried to put myself in my book 80
/ hope IL VIII be happy, too. / nave earn
estly sought TO reflect in its pages that nan
pnesS and hope which God ana nv friends
bless their noble heartS-haye put into NV
heart and life. '
Now, after all my work, you can imagine
how gratifying to me are letters like This
from far-Om Texas: Dear Earnest Willie:
Here is $l.50 for your handsome and de-
lightful book. | visiting relative and
saw it there, and much did it's CHEEKY
yet earnest pages inspire me that | felt |
must have d copy, too. 1t seems sad for
you to be so afflicted, but after seeing and
reading your book | can but thank God
that He gave you TO us just as you are
Just imagine yourself in my place and
you will partly understand how happy and
sweet ana gladdening assurances make my
heart.
Allow me to thank in this way all who
have written me such cheering letters,
which my meaSer strength rendered it inn
possible for rne to answer. Each letter
composites its mission of cheer and inspira-
ton. And to those who have said such
beautiful words to me about my poem,
Mother at Fifty watt a special mes
sage of thanks. Every boy and girl, Of
course. feels like he or she has the best
mother in the world, but it seems to me
that | just know it. During all my years
on bed / had a better opportunity to realize
a mothers love and blessing than most boys
and girls have had And the memory of