[Illustration: SOME OF MISS MERWYN'S SCHOLARS.]
[Illustration: The P. S. CORNER]
SEE here, my Blossoms, keep your thoughts carefully fixed on what I am
going to tell you, so that you will understand, and not have to ask me
any questions. Sometimes, you know, when mamma is talking to you, you
only half listen, and pretty soon you say: "O, mamma, what did you say?
I didn't quite understand." You mean, "I was thinking about something
else."
Now! Attention! If you, my Blossom, have received, with your badge,
a letter signed "Pansy" in which I have answered your questions, and
given you greeting, you of course will not expect me to reply to your
letter again in THE PANSY. Because people do not receive two replies
to one letter, now do they? But if, on the contrary, you have received
through my secretary, your badge, and a line stating that your letter
will be answered in THE PANSY, in due time, why, then look out for it;
though when its turn will come is more than I can tell you; the truth
is, there are at least a _thousand_ letters now awaiting answers! If
some of you get gray before I can reach you with a letter, you will not
blame me, will you? Because, really and truly, I am doing my _very_
best; and I answer privately all the letters I possibly can, so that
you will not have to wait so long.
Meantime, I expect each of you to show how patient and unselfish a
Pansy Blossom can be in this matter, as well as in larger ones.
I wish you a very pleasant Fourth of July. I hope it will be
"independence day" to you; that you will each prove yourselves free
from every chain which Satan can think of to try to throw around you on
that day.
If you feel like writing to tell me how you spent the day, and what one
thing you did in it to give some one a happy time, whom you thought
might else be forgotten, I shall be very glad to hear the stories.
Remember to send your letters to Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and
my secretary who is there, will see that I receive them promptly.
And now, good-by once more, until August.
Lovingly,
PANSY.
* * * * *
_Violet_ from Maine. So violets can blossom in your State in the midst
of a snowstorm! I am glad; and I hope it is a very sweet flower. Still
I see the weeds trouble you. The one you mention, grows very fast,
unless constantly watched. Don't let it hurt the perfume of your
blossom.
_Clintie_ from Massachusetts. Dear little boy, we welcome you to our
garden. Fretful words are troublesome weeds; and it is sometimes a
great temptation to use them to those who are _in_ our family, but not
_of_ it. I am glad you are pledged to watch their growth. Those who are
all the time away from their homes and friends, need our help in every
possible way.
_Emily_ from Connecticut. Dear! dear! these _tongues_. What shall we
do with them! And yet, what would we do without them? It is so easy to
think of some bright little word to say in return, at just the moment
when we ought to keep quiet. I read of a boy who kept a clothes pin in
his pocket, ready to clap on his tongue when he was tempted to speak
words which he ought not. But I think there are better checks than
clothes pins. Don't you?
_Lulu_ from New York. Another Blossom from the "Snow!" You are welcome.
"Slang" is a word which covers a very disagreeable habit indeed. It
astonishes me to see how many people who think themselves cultivated,
indulge in it. I have noticed that it is sometimes connected with the
other weed of which you speak. By all means get rid of them both,
keeping the "Whisper Motto" in mind.
_Bertha_ and _Stella_ from Iowa. It is natural enough to like to play
rather than to work. I presume men and women who work hard would often
rather play. The great difference between people is, that some of them
do what they would rather not, because it is duty; and some of them
do what they would rather, because they _want_ to. I am glad to think
of Bertha as belonging to the first class; for the others are rather
worthless people. As for the dear little Blossom who describes herself
in this way:
There was a little girl, and she had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead;
And when she was good, she was very, _very_ good,
And when she was bad, she was _horrid_,
truth compels me to say that she has a great many brothers and sisters!
But Stella is not to belong to their family any more.
_Mabel_ from New York. I once had a kitchen girl who was a source of
great amusement to my family because she fretted about everything. One
morning I said to her: "Rebecca, we are going to have a rainy day, I
fear."
"Of course we are," she answered; "as sure as I have a large wash,
and need sunshine especially _much_, it is sure to rain." An hour
afterwards the sun was shining brightly. As I went through the
wash-room I said to Rebecca, "It didn't rain after all, did it? See
what beautiful air for drying clothes."
"Oh yes," she said, "sun hot enough to bake me just as I am ready to
hang out clothes; that is always the way."
The fact was, poor Rebecca in her younger days had contracted such a
habit of fretting, that she really seemed unable to find a bright side
to anything. I am glad you are pledged against such an enemy.
_Agnes_ from Illinois. I think THE PANSY is a very nice present. I am
glad you agree with me. I agree with you that forgetful people are very
troublesome, and sometimes in danger. There was once a little girl who
forgot to turn out the gas in her room, but blew it out instead, as
though it was a candle, and lost her life in consequence. We welcome
you to the P. S.
_Mertie_ from Maine. "Foolish" questions are really very troublesome.
The other day I sent a boy to the cellar for a certain jar. "Which
jar?" he asked. "I told you there was but one," I said. "Oh, where is
it?" "In the cellar, as I told you." "Which cellar?" said this foolish
boy; and yet he knew as well as I did, that there was but one cellar in
the house.
This same boy once lost his breakfast because he did not get up when
he was called. I congratulate your mother because of your pledge.
_Medie_ from Michigan. Carelessness is a dangerous enemy. A careless
little girl set a bottle on a chair within reach of her baby sister,
and now poor baby is blind! It only took a moment to put the bottle in
the right or wrong place. So sometimes the carelessness of one minute
causes a life time of sorrow. Welcome to our garden. I am glad you mean
to work to extend the usefulness of THE PANSY.
_Hattie_ from Illinois. Did you ever read the story of the great man
who had a little dog named Diamond? I always admired his patience. If
you do not know the story, suppose you look it up. Will you kiss Marion
for me?
Your age? Let me think; I am not good at "guessing." Suppose I say
twelve? Is that it? When you get the missionary society in good working
order, send us a report of its doings.
_Ella_ from Pennsylvania. It seems to be a very hard lesson for my
Blossoms to learn--that of prompt obedience. It is well for the world
that so many are working hard at it. As for doors, I have heard them
slam when I did not think the wind was to blame. Hands can do wrong
as well as feet and tongues. The truth is, all our body-servants need
watching.
_Bessie_ from Iowa. I shall have to tell you a story about Neddie.
His brother Rob who loved him dearly, was tempted to tease him,
occasionally, "just for fun!" One day he said in a frightened tone: "O
Neddy! What is that great big bug on the back of your neck?" Poor Neddy
was afraid of all kinds of bugs. He gave a quick little jump from the
piazza where he stood, fell over backward, hit his head against a stone
pillar, and never spoke again! Poor Rob! Doesn't your heart ache for
him?
I once heard a good man say that "by-words" were side doors to
profanity. What do you think?
_H. E._ from Kentucky. You have left me to guess your name. Well, I
"guess" that it is Harrison Eleazar. Am I right? Never mind, you know
your own name; see that you do credit to it. I like your pledge. It is
a very common fault to speak ill of persons. I wish all the Pansies
would take a resolution against it.
_Jennison and Milton_ from Virginia. It gives me pleasure, my boys, to
know that you enjoy your badges, and that they help you. I earnestly
hope to hear that Warren and Jennison are able to wear theirs to all
appropriate places; yet I confess I wouldn't like to think of them as
being worn by boys who had not tried hard to do them honor. I expect to
hear good news from you _all_, next time.
_Albert_ from California. Obeying "after the third or fourth time," is
sometimes obeying too late. It does me good to know that one more boy
is resolved to cultivate the habit of prompt obedience. I know you will
make a better man because of this. There was once a boy who had a sharp
lesson on promptness. His uncle called two boys, Warren and Robert, to
come to the yard at once; Warren went on the instant, but Robert waited
to finish the page in the story he was reading. When he finally reached
the yard, he found Warren seated on a pony's back, and he shouted out
that the pony was his. "Yes," said his uncle, "I intended the pony for
both of you; but since Robert did not come I concluded he did not want
any pony; and gave it to Warren."
I think that was pretty hard. Don't you? But the truth was, Robert had
such a habit of waiting awhile, after being called, that I suppose his
uncle thought he needed a severe lesson.
_Walter and Harry_ from Rhode Island. Two brothers, one of whom is to
learn "patience," and the other means to "stop whining." Good resolves,
both of them. A whining face is never a pleasant one; and as for
patience, it is needed all the time to help us through this world.
_Minnie_ from Kansas. I don't like to be teased; do you? I'm sure I
hear you say, "No, ma'am." Then, according to the Golden Rule, you and
I ought not to tease other people; and I am glad you have resolved not
to do so. As to the finger-nails, of course they do not like to be
bitten. Only three Pansy Blossoms in your city? Why, that is too bad!
Can't you plant some more?
_Florence_ from Missouri. Give my love to my namesake, the dolly;
though I am afraid she will care nothing about it. After all, I don't
know how many cats you have, though you undertook to tell me. Can you
guess why I do not know? Please try.
_Minnie_ from Connecticut. Your letter was not at all "silly," my
little friend, but we only publish in THE PANSY those letters that
give interesting stories about people or animals, or places; something
which will interest all. You know one doesn't like to publish one's
_personal_ letters for others to read. I hope you will have your wish
and "change into a very good girl." In fact, I know you will, if you
wish it enough to keep daily trying, and trust in the great Helper.
_Maggie_ from Kentucky. How glad I am that we have another Blossom who
has resolved to guard her lips from the use of slang words! Think of a
flower speaking in any but sweet and refined language! Who would want
to make bouquets of flowers whose breaths were impure?
_Alma_ from Kentucky. You have taken a very important pledge. There is
hardly another so important. I hope every Pansy in our garden will be a
brave earnest worker for temperance; by which I mean the sort of total
abstinence which determines to "touch not, taste not, handle not."
_Mollie_ from Kentucky. How much I should like to hear that your pledge
had helped you to be present in Sabbath-school each Sabbath this year!
Wouldn't that be pleasant? But there are some absences over which we
have no control, are there not? Well, suppose we put it, each Sabbath
that you are not detained by sickness, or by some cause which you could
not help? Then let us hear at the close of the year, what success you
have had.
_Lizzie_ from Illinois. It is pleasant to hear of an entire class
joining the P. S. You can be helpful to one another. "In a minute" is
a very bad sprite, who gets many people into trouble; have nothing to
do with him. I think many persons who really intend to do the right
thing, are caught by Satan, in this way; instead of trying to get them
to decide against it, which he knows they wouldn't do, he coaxes them
to put the duty off until they forget all about it. I trust he will not
get the advantage of you.
_Lara_ from Illinois. So the meek little pansy on its satin bed has
done its duty and helped you? I am glad. Do you know, I think "little
things" are harder to bear than big ones? Someway, we make up our minds
to be patient and brave over real troubles, but little pin pricks are
likely to find us off our guard; so a pledge against just these "little
foxes" is very important.
_Elma_ from Dakota Territory. Dear little Blossom, what a sweet letter
you wrote me with your own hand! I think your lips must be very sweet
when they have a smile on them; but "grumbles" are almost sure to dress
themselves in ugly pouts. I would have nothing to do with them.
_Olive_ and _Hattie_ from Michigan. A "black" Pansy? No I do not think
"thoughtlessness" is black. It is my opinion it is a dull gray-brown;
such as my children in Sabbath school call dirt-color. Let us remember
that it is a weed, not a pansy, but has crept in among some of our
Blossoms unawares, and is to be rooted out. May you succeed in keeping
your corner free from its power. Hattie dear, I am sorry for your long
waiting. The first letter must have gone astray. What good news you
both gave me! May you shine so brightly in your home, that "baby May"
will early follow your example.
_Rose_ from ----. You forgot the State, little Rose, so I have to guess
at the place where you bloom. I think it is better to wear the badges
only on special occasions, and so to keep them fresh and neat-looking,
a long time. However, they can be renewed at ten cents each, whenever
the owners think they ought to have new ones.
_Gertie_ from Massachusetts. You are right, little girl. All over the
world, young people seem to be troubled with very much the same weeds.
Satan must depend a great deal on these "quick tempers," he has so many
of them at work for him. I rejoice over every boy or girl who resolves
to break from his power. How glad I am that THE PANSY helps you! That
is sweet praise. I am also glad that you send it on, to help others,
when you are through with it.
_Julia_ from Connecticut. Whispering tongues make a great deal of
trouble. Watch yours with care. Dear Julia, one who truly wants to be
a Christian has to bring her _will_ into the matter. Do you know what
I mean? As soon as we honestly determine that, whether it is easy or
hard, whether we are happy in it or unhappy, we will from this moment
give ourselves to the Lord Jesus to obey Him in all things, He comes,
and takes possession of our hearts, and makes them new. Take your
decision to Him, and He will help you.
_Helen_ from New York. I am much interested in your society. I think
you must have a very ingenious leader, to plan amusement for you. All
the pledges, too, are important. I feel sure there must be some happy
mothers in your neighborhood; for I have observed they are always glad
when they see improvements in their children. I hope you will write us
often; and give us the benefit of any new ideas which you get.
_Julia_ from Colorado. Oh, yes, we like to hear about the mountain
scenery in your grand State. I am glad you give time and thought to the
mountains, for they are among the wonderful works of God. Have you ever
noticed what beautiful Bible verses there are about mountains? Once I
made a copy of them all, and enjoyed it much. We shall always be glad
to hear from you.
_Walter_ from Massachusetts. Indeed you can "belong!" Boys used to be
rather scarce in our society. I used often to wonder why they were not
so eager to overcome their faults as girls seemed to be. But we have
a great army of them now. Your pledge is very important. I am sure
"mamma" will rejoice; and watch your improvement with a thankful heart.
_Edna_ from Iowa. Indeed I think you wrote a very nice letter. So you
want to "shoot" a great many things, do you? I think, with you, it is
very wise to overcome the habit of using that, or any other by-word.
To say the least, it is inelegant; and Pansy Blossoms should be very
elegant, to match their lovely dress, and general appearance.
_Louie_ from Maine. Dear little seven-year-old Blossom, we welcome you
with pleasure. Do the weeds of cross words trouble you? They are very
poisonous weeds; I would be glad if they were rooted out of all the
heart-gardens in the world. Look well after yours, my dear, and there
will be fewer than ever before.
_Mrs. V. R._ from Florida. Thank you, dear friend, for your sweet
bright letter, and for joining our P. S. and so giving aid and comfort
to the many little feet that are treading the same road. Indeed I know,
by experience, that if any one in the world has need of patience, and
finds it hard to lay in enough for each day's supply, it is a mother.
If all the mothers would join us in honest effort, it would be easier
to lead the children.
_Lelia_ from Minnesota. A "whining" flower! Wouldn't that be a
curiosity? I am so glad you are working to overcome. I know ever so
many Blossoms who ought to join you in that pledge. Can you not induce
some of them to do so?
_Louise_ from Dakota. Here is another "careless" Blossom whose temper
also troubles her. What an army of them we have! Every name added to my
roll gives me a feeling of satisfaction; I know there is just so much
less sorrow in the world, because of each pledge.
_Hattie_ from Connecticut. Thank you, my patient little girl, for being
willing to wait your turn for a letter. Not all the Blossoms are so
thoughtful. I shall now think of your "things" as always in place.
Shall I? How pleasant that will be! For I know just how trying it is to
have them lying around where they do not belong. I am glad you are also
a little worker for THE PANSY.
- - - - - -
_ABOUT BABIES._ (_Special to the P. S._)
NOW, my Blossoms, here is business for you. In the first place, pick
out the words which you think are improperly spelled; count the number,
and see if all the members of your society agree with you. The next
thing is, to correct them. I hope I shall have some good reports about
the fun you had, and the knowledge you gained.