The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-03
Little Joseph. The Peace.Maker

affectionate, generous-hearted boy,
fond of play like most other boys, and
loved his sisters dearly. They were
both older than he was, and warmly /
attached to him. The sisters often
ouarreled with each other, but never
with him, for he never would quarrel
with them.
One day went to see them. We
were together in the dining room,
chatting pleasantly. Joseph had two
of Peter farley's books. He stood by
me showing me the pictures in one of
them. Eliza and Ann stood at a
little distance from us aud were look
ing at the other book.
i soon heard Ann in fretful manner
say: -,
"You shall not touch it," said Eliza.
II say I will" said Ann.
"Get along p Eliza you shall not
touch it until have done looking at
it,"
"I say I will" said Ann, "you have
looked at it all through BEFORE"
II don't care if have" said Eliza,
"you shall not have it,"
"Give it up," screamed Ann, trying
to snatch it away from her sister.
"Stand off," cried Eliza, and at the
same time struck her sister OIL the
head with the book.
Ann was full of anger, and struck
Eliza in the face. All sisterly atfec-
tion and gentleness were now forgot
ten.
They seemed full of hatred, and beat
each other like deadly enemies.
Joseph was grleved to see his sisters
angry and fighting, and he tried TO
divert my attention, so that should
not notice it. But when they came TO
blows I could not avoid seeing them.
What did Joseph now do? Did ne
take sides with either of his sisters.
and urge them to fight? No the kind
little brother rushed in between them
regardless of himself, and cried out,
20, sisters do stop fighting and love
each other"
"Let Eliza give up the book, then,"
said Ann, struggling.
II will not" screamed Eliza, in
great anger, and at the same time
pushed Joseph down. who had hold of
her arm, to keep her from striking
Ann.
Joseph sprang up, and again tried to
seperale them, and said dear sisters
do stop fighting and love each other,
and you may have both the books.
At last they stopped fighting, and
stood apart, regarding each other with
a most angry, unsisterly scowl of de-
fiance.
1 wish all children would view them
selves in looking-glass when their
faces become distorted with anger !;
1 am shure it would help to cure
them.
Joseph came back TO me, covered
his face with his hands, and wept.
II wish my dear sisters would not
get angry and fight,' said the gentle
boy, his heart ready 10 burst with
grief.
"Don't cry about it, Joseph" said I
"perhaps they will not do so any
more"
" would give them every thing I
have" said he, "if they would only
love each other, and not quarrel"
"Can we not do something to recon-
cile them," I asked, and make them
cheerful and happy in each others
love?"
"Do try to get them to love each
other," said the noble boy. ''See how
cross they look at each other, and how
unhappy they are. Do try and bring
them together"
"Ann, said I, twill you not come to
me- She stood and looked sullen and
wretched.
"Dear Ann," said, "do come to me
I want to speak with you."
After a while she came and stood
beside me as she did so, Joseph put
his arms round her and drew her close
to him.
"My dear GIRL" said I, "how sad
and sorrowful it looks to see two sisters
losing all sisterly affection, and fight
ing. You look most unhappy"
HEliZa would not let me see the book
said she.
"What of that" said I THAT does
not excuse your anger and fighting.
1t surely does not make you feel any
happier to fight. Do you think it
does, Eliza ?"
Eliza was standing in one corner Of
the room, looking very miserable.
She did not reply.
Do come here, dear Eliza," said I,
"and tell me do you think 1t Is pleas
ant thing to see two sisters fight.
ing?"
She hesitated. Joseph, in his gener-
GUS love, went to her, took her by the
band, and said, "Do come sister,
and stand clost to Ann, and let US
talk"
Joseph drew her along till she came
near.
"Sbe struck me and hurt me-" said
Eliza, by way of excuse.
II don't care, said Ann. "she would
not let me see the book"
10, dear SISTERS" exclaimed Joseph,
do not speak and look so cross at each
other"
There stood the little peace-maker
between his sisters, with an arm
around each, entreating them to be
reconciled.
"Well said I, "whoever saw two
sisters who eat and sleep together in
each others arms, look as you do now
Do, Eliza, put your arms around Ann,
and kiss her and be reconciled."
She would not it.
do kiss Ann" said Joseph.
Eliza was stubborn.
"Ann will you not kiss your sister?'
I asked.
She looked at her, but hesitated.
"Do kiss her, sister," said Joseph Il
"do kiss Eliza this once"
She refused.
"Well, Joseph my dear boy" said I,
syou will kiss Ann"
He threw his arms about her neck.
She struggled to get away, but he
would not be repulsed. |