The Penn's Grove record., 1915-04-02
BROUGHT THE JOY
OF EASTER Time
When the Spirit of Youth Came
to the Girl Who Had the
Foolish Thought That
She Was Tired.

EASTER time lay over the land-a
Il time of radiance and music, of birds
and flowers. Hearts beat happily in
tune to the joy of an awakening
spring, and the golden lily-hearts were
reflected in every smile.
1t was Easter time, the time of
youth and brightness and resurrection
hardly the time for WEAKNESS to
visit the girl; but with head bent
toward her he was leaning over her
chair, talking softly, pe~rsuasively in
her ear.
You're tired" he told her as his
old feet (for WEAKNESS is as old as
the world itself beat a tattoo on the
worn floor. You're bored, you want
something new"
I'm tired" murmured the girl gaz-
ing dreamily into space-for she did
not see WEAKNESS standing before her
I'm bored. l want something diff
ferent from this work-a-day world"
WEAKNESS sat down in the chair
and prepared for a comfortable chat.
He had made a good beginning and
he meant to improve his time.
"You dislike everybody, even the
strangers on the street" he prompted
with a thinlipped, disagreeable smile.
Il dislike everybody that / know"
said the girl with a defiant stamp of
her foot. Il dislike everybody with
not one exception"
HXoIt,rA I1s,,- xro1I 81, T.
with a chuckle. I'm proud of you,
girl. You're ~tired-you're bored. You
dislike everybody with no exception.
Perhaps nobody likes you"
Nobody loves me-" echoed the girl;
mot a soul. If l were starving no.
body would help me! If l were freez-
ing nobody would help me-"
Unpopular girl" said WEAKNESS
happily, looking across the room at
the bright hair and pretty features of
his companion. ITO look at you no
n would imagine it. Your y e are
blue and your hair isn't gray-it's
young hair. Isn't it sad that your life
should be so tragic?"
TT is sad" Again the girl stamped
her foot. ITS more than sad. it's ter
rible. I guess you'd think so too. If
you were me-" And she started to
cry, head on folded arms, shoulders
shaking convulsively. I'm tired" she
sobbed.
Outside the sun glowed over a world
OF lowers and springtime. Inside. the
sam sun, grown dusty, fell on the
crying girl and the cynical, world-old
figure seated before her.
The door opened softly and a breath
of air cool, bracing air stole in.
The girl, head in arm. did not notice
1t. But WEAKNESS raised his eyes to
the opening door and shifted at the
freshness of the breeze. And as he
gazed a figure came in with brisk,
quick step - the figure of a young
man, 1.-THE, and handsome, and smil-
Ing. A white fillet bound his crisp
black hair to his head, and a pair of
White-winged sandals chung to his feet.
WEAKNESS raised himself from his
chair and gazed at the newcomer.
Then he turned his eyes away and
yawned.
You're not wanted here" he said.
young man. She's discouraged. and
tired, and bored. She doesn't want
you"
she does want me-" said the boyish
one, but she doesn't realize it. | am
the Spirit of Happiness and Sunshine
and Love. Every young person needs
me, whether they know it or not. OF
course she wants me-"
WEAKNESS yawned again and
brushed his hand carelessly over his
eyes.
Who are your" he asked crosslv.
The young man drew himself IN
proudly, and stood before the bent
foem with the radiance of sunlight
SHINING out of his eyes.
a." he said, Am Youth" And he
turned swiftly and went over to the
crying girl and touched her on the
shoulder
Friend he told her, INV frierd. I
Am here with you"