The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14

However when night came, the lady
found she had taken but three pellets
In all the day. She had found 1t i'm
possible to feel good tempered oftner
than that.
Next day she tried again: but 1t did
seem as II the hours Just flew by; 1t
was always time to take pellet. 'At
this rate" she told herself, II shall
never have any time to be Ill tempered"
She felt herself like soldier. ever on
the battlefield, fighting against evil
jealousy and malice.
Her foes seemed SO strong and SO
able to cope with her good resolutions,
that she began to fear she should not
take all the pellets in the jar, during
her lifetime; but she was resolute wo-
man, and having undertaken to 'over-
come" she kept at it. Then 1t really
did seem as II every pellet helped her.
At the end of a week she thought her
| skin looked a shade less sallow and
(did she imagine it?) the corners of her
mouth had lost q little of the droop.
Once In while she caught herself
| smiling between medicine time.
Now wonderful change began to
work In this woman's surroundings.
She first noticed it In her servants; they
| became more attentive more eager to
SNA'S hS', thiiu clit ltit Htlstll UtElIl-
ming to sympathize with their troubles
and little trials In q manner quite for
| eign to herself.
Before this. the flowers In her garden
had often run to seed. (She had so
many Of them.) 1t had never occurred
| to her to give them away; but now, she
| found 1t 30 convenient when she took a
| pellet, to think Of a sick or poor person
| who would enjoy having some flowers.
| Then when her fruit was ripe, she sent
| 1t forth to gladden. others, and yet there
was moro than enough left. why
do believe" she thought, giving away
only increases ones abundance"
One day, as she was taking a pellet,
an idea suddenly struck her. "There
are a great many people I meet that
do not need my gifts; now why can't I
smile on them and give them a good
thought?" She was SO pleased with
this idea that the pellet slipped. gently
| down her throat. almost before she
| knew 1t.
She rode out that afternoon and all
the people she met she smiled upon
and gave them a good thought.
She was surprised to see how kindly
they looked at her.
At the end of two months she went to
the old alchemst's. 'I've taken the
last pellet" she said. "and I want some
more. Why Il feel like new woman.
l never knew before there was so much
pleasure in life."
"And you begin to look like new
woman" said the old man. "Only take
my pellets for year, and I'll guarantee
you will be made over"
At the end of six months people be-
gan to talk of the change In their rich
neighbor. Isn't it strange" they said,
1--WE used to think her such q plain, i'll
tempered woman! but now we've got
ten acquainted with her we think her
| beautiful! She smiles so pleasantly
when she passes one. and somehow you
feel as If she were thinking good about
you"
These compliments began to reach
the ears Of the rich lady. She looked
| Her eyes were bright. her cheeks rosy
and her mouth curved with smile.
"Oh, those wonderful pellets!" she
cried. How can ever repay that old
man?"
At last the year was up So much
had happened to the lady that she
could scarcely believe 1t was she who
had once been counted plain and ILL
tempered. Happiness and Joy had come
into her life and love; for a prince
among men had wooed and won her.
ut Is not for my wealth, you would
wed me?" she asked tremulously. And
he replied: mo: 1t Is for very love Of
you. You are SO sweet and beautiful.
You do not give the world frowns but
smiles: and smiles are what we all need.
dearest"
In her Joy that night she drove to the
alchemist's cottage.
The old man met her.
"The year Is up" abe said, "and your
wonderful medicine has brought me
everything to be desired. As you told
me, I am no longer plain and sad feel
joyous and young. 1t Is no longer an
effort for me to smile, or to plan good
for others. I will take your pellets as
long as I live. Come, tell me what I
can do to repay your"
"Do?" said the old man smiling; "Oh,
you can bring me down a rosebud or
two for my business Is increasing.
"The pellets you took were only dried
rose leaves from the lucky rosebush.
You seasoned them with your smiles,
dear lady, overcame your Ill temper.
When evil Is really vanqufshed, Ut Is a
law Of the universe), good always sur
rounds us. You have fought grand
battle and overcome the enemy"
"Oh, to think, said the lady as she
rode homeward: every woman In the
world might take dried rose leaf pei
lets and learn 10 smile-and to be
happy"
Carbondale, Pa.