The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-08-04
FARMVH.LE, yA~ FRIDAY. AUGUSTA 4. 1893.

SHOW
her. Irene was much interested.
"Are these yours?" she asked Maude.
as the little girl brought forth min-
iature tea set decorated with pink rose
buds.
Maudc looked a little puzzled.
"Ihey are ours, Mabers and niue.
Why" and her round face grew
thoughtful, they are yours, too, cause
burs win mean you now"
Irene made no reply. Instead she
took up one of the dolls and began 10
change the Turkey red Mother Hub
bard for party dress of pink cambric.
Mabcl helped her. handing her the
various articles and chatting merrily.
Maude, left somewhat TO herself. adj
vanccd TO the box of Irene's TOYS and
lifted the cover. The child never
dreamed that her act might De consid-
cred rude. Irene was one Of them now,
and were not an things. by the law of
love which ruled that household,
course" She lifted a layer of paper
and q rapturous exclamation broke
from her lips.
"Oh what beautiful doll!" she
cried, carefully lifting out a fancifuly
dressed Chinese doll. Irene ! think
you"
The sentence was never finished.
Irene sprang up and snatched the doll
from Maude.
Don't touch that or anything else.
They are mine"
But you have our things Maude
replied spiritedly. "Why shouldn't
see those?"
because they are mine." Irene said,
putting the doll back i'm the box. 81
never let anyone have my things"
Maude's checks were very red. "Thcn
you needn't ever touch ours. l think
you are selfish, Irene Brown, and I'm
sorry you've come here to live, so
thcre,"
Irene began to cry, and Maude rushed
down 20 tell the story to her mother.
Mrs. brown was much grievcd and tried
TO show both little girls their mistake.
Irene opened her big black eyes in won
der.
"Why they are mine, Aunt Marie,
and my things are just for me-"
TO Mabel and Maude this was a new
idea. Mabel tried to excuse Irene, but
impulsiye Maude refused to overlook
her cousins conduct. There was no
Quarreling; Mr.. and Mrs. Brown would
not allow that. but there was an entire
lack of the sweet spirit of generosity
and oneness which had hitherto gov
crncd that home. Irene loved Leon and
would sometimes allow him TO use her
toys. Again, She would snatch some
thing from him, crying: That's mine,
Leon There was no trace of justice
iu her sellshness, for she never hesi-
tated TO join in the pleasure of others.
A month passed. One hot August
afternoon, when the fields were lying
ail parched and brown under the fierce
rays of the sun, Baby Leon woke, cry
ing, from a brief sleep. lie was fever
ish and fretful. Before night it was
evident that he was really III. The SIM
pie remedies given him by his mother
did not relieve him, and a doctor was
summoned. lie shook his head grave
ly. The little girls did not care for
play. They tried to help i'm various
ways, especially delighting in doing lit
tie things for Leon. Almost uncon-
sciousiy Irene was learning the beauty
of doing for others.
The days went by and there was no
change. On the evening of the fifth
day Irene stole softly into the room /
where her aunt sat by Icons crib. The /
little form was wasted. and fever had /
burned The freshness from the rose |
tinted face. Irene stopped and put her /.
hand on the tiny one that lay on Icons /
breast. Slowly the golden lashes lifted /
and the blue eyes looked into her face.
doe Way, Rene" Leon lisped;
s. Rene say mine to baby"
lie closed his eyes. Mrs. Brown
looked into the face of her little niece.
her own grief, the
mothers heart went out to the startled .
child. She put out her arms and drew
Irene TO her I'm close embrace.
as 10 true, Aunt Marie?" the little
Girl asked when tears had relieved her
and She could speak. Does my want
ing my own things for myself keep
Leon, and all the rest Of you, from
loving me?"
Very gently Mrs. Brown tried TO show
Irene that a selfish lifc could not be
happy one. She told her of the heaven
ly Fathers love for all, and His COM
mand that we love one another. Irene
listened in silence. A little later she
went out on the porch where Mabel and
Naudc were sitting.
"Pleasc, girls" she began, the Grim
SON fight of the setting sun staining
her face with its glow, "please, won't
you let me say ours; 'our little Leon
and everything? ] haven't any mine
aow IT is all ours"
Mabel and Maude were ready to for
give their cousin and assured her that
they would commence over. When they
went downstairs the next morning they
ound that Leon was better. lie smiled
ip I'm their faces with something Of his
,ld sunniness, and did not draw away
when Irene pressed many kisses upon
bis lips.
Ircne's lesson was well learned. Her
oys are not alone her own now, but
d common with those of the entire
ou,tI, - Detroit Free Press