Transcriber's notes: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the
public domain.
[Illustration: AUNT HATTIE'S LIBRARY]
The Golden Rule.
BY AUNT HATTIE
_[MADELINE LESLIE]_
AUTHOR OF THE "BROOKSIDE SERIES," ETC.
_"All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye_
_even so to them."—CHRIST._
[Illustration]
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY HENRY A. YOUNG & CO.
NO. 24 CORNHILL
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by
REV. A. R. BAKER,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of
Massachusetts.
To
NELLIE, ROLAND COTTON, ANNIE, AND FULLER APPLETON,
CHILDREN OF MY BELOVED NEPHEW,
THE REV. JOHN COTTON SMITH, D.D.,
THESE SMALL VOLUMES ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,
WITH THE EARNEST PRAYER
THAT THEIR LIVES MAY PROVE THEM TO BE LAMBS IN THE FOLD
OF THE GREAT AND GOOD
Shepherd of Israel.
CONTENTS.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER I. CHARLEY'S POLITENESS
CHAPTER II. CHARLEY'S PLAN
CHAPTER III. CHARLEY'S SICKNESS
CHAPTER IV. WICKED OSCAR
CHAPTER V. GOOD FOR EVIL
CHAPTER VI. OSCAR'S SORROW
CHAPTER VII. OSCAR'S STRUGGLES
CHAPTER VIII. CHARLEY'S REWARD
CHAPTER IX. CONCLUSION
THE GOLDEN RULE.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER I.
CHARLEY'S POLITENESS.
"LITTLE boy! Can you tell me which is the road to Norwich?" asked Mr.
Bryant.
Oscar Russel stood by the side of the road, with his fingers in his
mouth. He heard the gentleman's question; but, instead of answering,
he only stared at the carriage, the persons seated in it, and at the
horse, pawing in his impatience to be gone.
"Are you deaf, child? Is this the direct road?" again inquired Mr.
Bryant, feeling annoyed at the boy's obstinacy.
"There's a sign-board on ahead," said a woman, opening the door of the
house opposite. "You'll find the way by that."
"That child has never learned politeness," remarked the lady in the
carriage, smiling.
They rode on for another mile, when they came to a neat cottage set on
the side of a hill. There was a pretty garden in front with cowslips
and other flowers, all in bloom. At the side of the house there was a
wide gate which stood open, and a cart, loaded with gravel, was rolling
toward the barn, while the fat oxen drawing it were steaming from their
toiling up the hill.
Mr. Bryant's horse went slowly, and both the lady and gentleman gazed
at the rural scene. When they were opposite the front gate, a pleasant
face, surrounded by dark auburn curls, peeped out at them from among
the flowers.
The little fellow had a tiny cart, which he was filling with pebbles;
but he stopped suddenly when he saw the travellers looking at him.
"What is your name?" asked Mr. Bryant, stopping the horse.
"Charley Monson," answered the child, his cheeks growing very rosy.
"Well, Charley, you are very busy, I see. What are you going to do with
your stones?"
"I'm going to help Abel make the walks look pretty."
"Who is Abel?—Your brother?"
"Oh, no, sir!" Charley laughed. "He's our hired man. There he is
tipping up the load."
"Can you bring me a tumbler of water, Charley?" asked the lady,
pleasantly.
"Oh, yes, ma'am!" He ran toward the door; but returned in a minute,
asking, "Don't you like milk? We've got plenty of nice, fresh milk."
"If your mother can spare me a glass of milk, it would be very
refreshing."
"What a lovely boy!" she said, when he had darted into the house.
"It is easy to tell that he has a good mother," Mr. Bryant said, gazing
at the neat orchards and nicely tilled fields.
[Illustration: Charley's Mother teaching him the Golden Rule.]
In about five minutes Charley appeared again. In one hand he held a
pitcher, and in the other a tumbler.
"Take care and not spill the milk," said a soft voice, just inside the
door.
Mr. Bryant threw the reins on Dolly's back (Dolly was the name of the
horse), and took the pitcher from the boy.
"Thank you, my fine little fellow," he said, patting Charley's head.
Then he filled the tumbler and passed it to his wife, who said she
hadn't tasted such nice milk for many a day.
"Wont you have some, too?" urged Charley.
"Oh, yes, indeed!" And he made a funny bow, at which Charley laughed
and blushed.
"Now, how much shall I pay you for the milk, my boy? It's a great
treat, I assure you."
"Oh, we don't want any pay, sir!" Charley's cheeks grew rosier than
ever, as he drew back his hand, into which the gentleman was trying to
put some money. "Mother was very happy to get it for you."
"Then, Charley, we'll accept it with many thanks."
"Tell your mother," said Mrs. Bryant, "that her son has honored her
this afternoon by his good conduct."
The little fellow ran in with sparkling eyes. When he had carried the
empty pitcher to the kitchen, he sat down by his mother and told her
all about his new friends.
"I hope I shall see them again some time," he said; "they're real nice
people."