WHAT IT ALL MEANS.
Now, dear children, I suppose you have guessed all my riddles, for they
are not hard ones; but I will tell you the meaning of one or two.
LIFE is the old fairy, that comes sometimes frowning and wretched,
sometimes smiling and lovely, but always benevolent, always taking
better care of us than we take of ourselves.
We should be silent, helpless dust, except for Life; and whether we be
great or humble, rich or poor, she gives us all we have.
Though she may seem to smile on you and frown upon your sister, be sure
it is not because she loves you best; the fairy may yet change into a
wrinkled dame, or the dame to a beautiful fairy.
When you remember her, beware how you grieve or slight any one. If you
are passing some poor beggar in the street, think, "Had I on Daisy's
spectacles, I should see under all these rags a child of the great God,
travelling on, as I am travelling, to live with him in the golden city
above. While this man seems humble to me, angels may bow to him as they
pass invisibly; for all the titles in this world are not so great as to
be a child of God."
When you are tempted to vex or laugh at some old woman, think, "Under
these wrinkles, lo! the great fairy, Life, is hid; and she can curse or
bless me, as I will."
The old dame's lantern, and the light in his breast by which Joseph saw,
were Instinct; which, if we could but keep it undimmed by the dust of
earth, would always light our pathway.
And the fairy bread is Kindness, which alone can comfort the poor and
sorrowful. They may use what we give in charity, and still be poor and
sad; but an act of kindness makes them feel that they too are children
of the same great God, and are therefore happy and rich, though they
must walk about for a little while in rags.
For they remember how, like us, they have a glorious home awaiting them
in the city whose streets are gold; and then it doesn't seem so hard
that they have less than we of the poor gold of earth.
The spectacles are Wisdom, which shows us all things as they are, not as
they seem--which we may learn, like Daisy, from insects, trees, and
clouds, or, easier still, from words that the wise have written.
Believe me, this wisdom, which may seem but a tedious thing, will show
any of you as wonderful visions as those I have told you about.
So, when your lessons are hard, and you long to play, and wonder what's
the use in books, think, "They are Daisy's wondrous spectacles, that
change our dull earth into fairy land."
Wearing these, you need never be lonely or afraid, but will feel God's
strong and loving arm around you in the dreariest place. The sun will
seem his watchful eye, the wind his breath, the flowers his messages.
You will know that all good and lovely things are gifts from him.
And you will not forget that the fairy, Life, is still on earth, and, if
we ask her, will lead us all to the wonderful city which Daisy saw far
up above the pines--where you, too, may be good and peaceful, like the
rest, and wear a crown of lilies and a robe of light.
PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & COMPANY
PUBLISH
PEEP AT "NUMBER FIVE;"
Or, A CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OF A CITY PASTOR.
BY H. TRUSTA,
_Author of_ "THE SUNNY SIDE," &c., &c.
_Twenty-fifth Thousand._
THE TELLTALE;
Or, HOME SECRETS TOLD BY OLD TRAVELLERS.
BY H. TRUSTA,
_Author of_ "PEEP AT NUMBER FIVE," "SUNNY SIDE," &c., &c.
_Tenth Thousand._
THE "LAST LEAF FROM SUNNY SIDE;"
By H. TRUSTA,
_Author of_ "PEEP AT NUMBER FIVE," "TELLTALE," &c., &c.
_Thirteenth Thousand._
FATHER BRIGHTHOPES;
Or, AN OLD CLERGYMAN'S VACATION.
By PAUL CREYTON.
_Uniform with "Peep at Number Five," "Last Leaf,"_ &c.
HEARTS AND FACES;
Or, HOME LIFE UNVEILED.
By PAUL CREYTON,
_Author of_ "FATHER BRIGHTHOPES," &c.
_Uniform with the above._
PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO.
PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING JUVENILE WORKS
ESTELLE'S STORIES ABOUT DOGS;
Containing six beautiful Illustrations; being original Portraits
from Life.
Printed on superfine paper. 16mo, colored engravings, 75 cents; plain,
50 cents.
LITTLE MARY;
Or, TALKS AND TALES.
BY H. TRUSTA,
Author of "SUNNY SIDE," "PEEP AT NUMBER FIVE," &c., &c.
This little book is charmingly illustrated, and is a very beautiful book.
It is made up of short lessons, and was originally written for the
practical use of children from five to ten years of age.
LITTLE BLOSSOM'S REWARD;
A CHRISTMAS BOOK FOR CHILDREN
BY MRS. EMILY HARE.
Beautifully Illustrated from original Designs, and a charming
Presentation Book for Young People.
PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO.
PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING JUVENILE WORKS.
By Francis C. Woodworth.
EDITOR OF "WOODWORTH'S YOUTH'S CABINET,"
AUTHOR OF "THE WILLOW LANE BUDGET," "THE STRAWBERRY GIRL,"
"THE MILLER OF OUR VILLAGE," "THEODORE THINKER'S
TALES," ETC., ETC.
UNCLE FRANK'S BOYS' AND GIRLS' LIBRARY
_A Beautiful Series, comprising six volumes, square 12mo, with
eight Tinted Engravings in each volume. The following are their
titles respectively_:--
I. THE PEDDLER'S BOY; or, I'll be Somebody.
II. THE DIVING BELL; or, Pearls to be sought for.
III. THE POOR ORGAN GRINDER, and other Stories.
IV. OUR SUE: Her Motto and its Uses.
V. MIKE MARBLE: His Crotchets and Oddities.
VI. THE WONDERFUL LETTER BAG OF KIT CURIOUS.
"Woodworth is unquestionably and immeasurably the best writer
for children that we know of; for he combines a sturdy common
sense and varied information with a most childlike and loveful
spirit, that finds its way at once to the child's heart. We
regard him as one of the truest benefactors of his race; for he
is as wise as he is gentle, and never uses his power over the
child-heart to instil into it the poison of false teaching, or
to cramp it with unlovely bigotry. The publishers have done
their part, as well as the author, to make these volumes
attractive. Altogether we regard them as one of the pleasantest
series of juvenile books extant, both in their literary
character and mechanical execution."--_Syracuse (N. Y.) Daily
Standard._
PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO.
PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING JUVENILE WORKS
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AT CHESTNUT HILL.
BY COUSIN MARY.
Containing fine engravings from original Designs, and printed
very neatly.
It will be found to be a charming little book for a present for all
seasons.
ESTELLE'S STORIES ABOUT DOGS;
Containing six beautiful Illustrations; being original Portraits
from Life.
Printed on superfine paper. 16mo, colored engravings, 75 cents;
plain, 50 cents.
LITTLE MARY;
Or, Talks and Tales.
BY H. TRUSTA,
Author of "SUNNY SIDE," "PEEP AT NUMBER FIVE," &c., &c.
This little book is charmingly illustrated, and is a very beautiful
book. It is made up of short lessons, and was originally written for
the practical use of children from five to ten years of age.