nicely done; and I had pleased myself much with the thoughts of seeing
both your works: is yours finished too, Miss _Fanny_? Poor _Fanny_ could
hold out no longer, but burst into tears. Her aunt was so good as to
explain to Mrs. _Grant_ the cause of her grief, and tell how very sorry
she had been: she likewise informed her of _Lydia_’s delicacy in not
chusing to make a parade of her work-bag, which was, however, very safe
at home.
You are a sweet girl, said Mrs. _Grant_, and will, I dare say, make an
excellent nurse; she then fetched the two cradles; they are both of white
sattin, the one had fine worked muslin curtains tied with blue, and a
muslin dimity quilt fringe; and in it lay a little doll dressed like a
little boy in a muslin robe, with a laced rose to his cap, and a blue
sash. The other cradle had pink Persian curtains tied with white ribbon,
and a white sattin quilt bound with pink ribbon; this contained a little
girl in a muslin robe likewise, with a pink ribbon round her cap, and
a pink sash round her waist. The goodness of your behaviour, said Mrs.
_Grant_, I think entitles you to the privilege of chusing first; take
which you like: Miss _Fanny_ will accept the other; and I dare say she
will not let the puppy come into her nursery.
Miss _Lydia_ begged leave to let Miss _Fanny_ chuse first, and pressed
her much to say which she liked best; but she constantly refused; till
after this friendly contest had lasted some little time, Miss _Lydia_’s
Mamma told her, it would be better for her to make a choice, as Miss
_Fanny_ could not be persuaded to determine.
The dear girl had pitied _Fanny_, and wished that she should be pleased
about the doll; and as she knew that she very much preferred the little
boy herself, she naturally thought that _Fanny_ would do so too, and,
therefore, left it for her, and took the little girl. _Fanny_ then took
the boy, and promised to guard it from puppies, and all other mischances.
I thought, said the elder Miss _Lively_, you were wishing but the other
day for a little boy doll. I expected you would have chosen that?
_Lydia_ said nothing. But Mrs. _Grant_, who guessed her reason, asked
_Fanny_ which she really thought the prettiest? _Fanny_ thus called
upon, said, they were both pretty; but she thought the little girl the
prettiest. Then pray take it, said _Lydia_; for Indeed I left the boy
because I thought you would like it best. And I, said _Fanny_, did not
like to say any thing, because I thought my cousin liked the little girl
best.
You are both charming girls, said Mrs. _Grant_, but I suppose, if you
change, each will have exactly what she wishes. The exchange was made,
and afterward the young ladies spent their time till dinner in nursing
their children, and putting them into and taking them out of the cradle.
Miss _Lydia_ had now quite left off whining and frowning, and was grown a
very agreeable play-fellow and companion; and as she and _Fanny_ amused
themselves, without any noise or bustle, it was a pleasure to see them
in the room. During the whole time they staid, they behaved in the most
pleasing manner; and Mrs. _Grant_ did every thing in her power to make
the visit agreeable to them. After passing a very cheerful day, they
returned home, and Miss _Lydia_ had the pleasure of seeing her little
friend in much better spirits than when she set out.
CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.
_THE BASKET OVERTURNED._
One day, as Miss _Lydia_ was walking in the fields with her Mamma, her
sisters, and _Fanny_, she saw a little girl standing near the hedge,
and crying very sadly. The voice of distress was never heard without
attention by Miss _Lydia_; she ran up to the girl, followed by _Fanny_,
and asked her what was the matter?
GIRL.
Oh! dear, what shall I do! my eggs are almost all broken! and my mother
will be so angry, I am afraid to go home!
LYDIA.
Do not cry, I dare say your mother will not be very angry: my Mamma would
not, I am sure.
GIRL (_still sobbing_.)
Yes, Miss; but my mother will, and beat me severely too. I was to have
sold them for a shilling, and carried back some butter and a loaf.
LYDIA.
I dare say you did not break them on purpose: how did it happen?
GIRL.
My mother put two dozen of eggs into this little basket, and wrapped them
nicely up in straw, and bade me go directly to town with them, and not
stop at all. She told me I must sell them for a shilling, and bring back
a loaf and some butter. I walked straight on till I came to this field,
and then the blackberries looked so nice in the hedge, that I longed to
get some; and I thought there could be no harm in stepping to the hedge
and gathering a few. I set my basket down because I wanted to reach a
very fine bough that grew in the back part of the hedge; but while I was
plucking the fruit, a great over-grown dog came and ran his nose into my
basket, overturned all the eggs, and broke a dozen of them; and now I
cannot buy the bread and the butter. My mother wants them for her tea,
and I do not know what she will do to me.
Mrs. _Lively_ and _Lydia_’s elder sisters had now walked up to them, and
Mrs. _Lively_ having overheard the girl’s discourse, said, I am sorry to
see you in such trouble; but you now find the consequence of not minding
your mother. Little girls are apt to think they know as well as their
parents; but they generally find themselves mistaken, and sometimes get
into a great deal of distress by fancying so; as you have done. Your
mother bade you go directly to town and stop nowhere, because she knew
if you got to play, or gave your attention to any thing but your eggs, a
great many accidents might happen to break them; and if you had done as
she bade you, it is probable your eggs would have been safe. Your mother,
therefore, will have great reason to be angry, when she knows how the
accident happened.
GIRL.
Yes, Madam, that is what will make her so angry; she would have forgiven
me a great deal sooner if it had happened any other way. A boy, who came
by just now, advised me to say, as I was getting over a stile the bar
gave way, and I tumbled down, and that so my eggs got broken; but I never
did tell her a lie in my life, and I should be very unwilling to begin
now.
LADY.
Your mother has at least been very kind to you in instilling such good
principles into you.
GIRL.
Yes, Madam, she always taught me to be honest, and never tell a lie upon
any account whatever; and if she were to find out that I deceived her,
she would punish me ten times more than she will now.
LADY.
Be assured you can never escape trouble and sorrow by being wicked;
you have already done one fault, and you feel how unhappy it has made
you; but, if you were to tell a lie, you would become a great deal more
naughty, and consequently be a great deal more unhappy. And though you
were not found out, I dare say your mother has taught you that God always
sees you; and if you try to save yourself by wicked means, you put
yourself quite out of the way of his blessing and protection. Now, you
are so good a girl, I dare say you will find your mother kinder to you
than you expect. Dry up your tears, and take this shilling; give me the
eggs that remain, go and buy your butter and bread, and then your mother
will not be disappointed; and as you are so good a girl, whenever your
mother has any eggs or chickens, you may bring them to me, and I will
give you your price for them; only remember to call at the first white
house as you come into town.
The poor girl received the shilling with equal joy and gratitude; and
when she was gone, Miss _Lydia_’s Mamma observed to her, that persons
often find a present reward in doing their duty: If this little girl,
said she, had taken the boy’s advice, and determined to tell her mother
a falsity, she would probably have turned back directly, and been in
another field when we came here, so that we should have known nothing of
her distress, and her story would, perhaps, not have been so well told
as to escape detection. I hope now the amends I have made for her loss
will abate the severity of her mother’s anger; and when the whole of her
conduct is known, she must, I think, receive her praises.
Just as she had done speaking, a beautiful insect flew by Miss _Lydia_.
Look, Mamma, said she, that fly is just like the picture in my book; is
it not? We will look, my dear, said her Mamma: and taking out of her
pocket the _Rational Dame_, she found the little creature under the title
of Dragon Fly; and little _Lydia_ read the description of it, and had
afterwards a full opportunity of admiring it, as it rested upon a leaf.
I am sure, said _Lydia_, I am much obliged to Mrs. _Teachwell_ for
writing so useful a book; it has taught me a great many things. And me
likewise, said her Mamma; we will never walk out without it; for the best
use we can make of our walks, is to acquaint ourselves with the works
of God; which in the fields and lanes are continually before us. And I
wish Mrs. _Teachwell_ would give us some little system of plants, with
their nature and uses, fit for such young folk as you; for I again say,
you cannot be too well acquainted with the works of God, who made you,
and made the little insects, and the slender flower which your eye almost
overlooks. God, my child, has spread before you two volumes, which are
each his work, and demand and deserve your most attentive consideration,
and most curious study; the _Book of Revelation_—I mean the _Bible_,
wherein you learn the way to eternal life; and the _Book of Nature_,
which is every where spread open before you, and which instructs you
every where in the wisdom and goodness of God. Let no opportunity slip
then of acquainting yourself with those wonders; and the more you learn
of “What great things God has done for you;” may your heart feel more
grateful to Him, and more ready to obey Him, and to do every thing He
commands.
CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
_THE BIRTH-DAY._
Miss _Lydia_ had several brothers as well as sisters, a good deal older
than herself; among the rest was _Gilbert_, a boy, who from the goodness
of his disposition, seemed formed to make his parents happy. Obliging to
all, he was particularly indulgent and kind to little _Lydia_. One day,
in the autumn, he joined a family party in the garden, and seeing some
fine alpine strawberries in a little garden which the elder ones had
given to _Lydia_, he asked her if he might gather some? No, pray brother,
do not gather them now, said _Lydia_; for I keep them to treat you all
with to-morrow upon my birth-day. Is to-morrow your birth-day, little
girl? replied he; then, as to-day is a half-holiday, I will go a fishing,
and try if I cannot get you a dish of fish for your dinner. I shall set
off directly: and pray, Mamma, do not mind whether I return to dinner,
for I do not care about that. Go then, said Mamma; and I will contribute
some tarts and a cake, as my share of the entertainment.
_Gilbert_ took his rod and his implements, and away he went. At dinner he
was not much expected; but in the evening his Mamma began to grow uneasy,
and was going to send a servant after him. However, just as she was
speaking to the servant, _Gilbert_ came in much tired, but without any
fish.
I am sorry, _Lydia_, said he, not to have any fish to offer you; but I
think when you know how it happened, you will not be displeased with
me. I had, said he, no success at all till evening; the fish then began
to bite, and I caught two very fine trout. I was coming home mightily
delighted with my prize; but before I had walked a quarter of a mile, I
heard the sound of somebody crying on the other side of the hedge, and
heard a voice say, Now your brothers and sisters must go to-bed without
their suppers; and poor things, I left them only a halfpenny roll in the
morning; and we had nothing, you know, but a few turnips yesterday.
The hedge was so thick I could not see who was speaking, till we came to
a stile, and then I saw the poor boy (who comes to the door sometimes
with fish) and his mother get over into the lane. I asked her, what was
the matter? and she told me, she had been about five miles to buy fish;
that she had almost starved herself and her children to save up two
shillings for the purpose, in hope of getting a little profit by it;
she had staid all day, and could not get any; and she and her son were
returning home. She had a hole in her pocket, and, therefore, had given
the shillings to the boy; and as they were going through a close lane,
she unguardedly said to her son, _Bob_, are your two shillings safe?
Just at that moment a great, big man jumped over the hedge, and catching
hold of the boy, said, Are you quite sure they are safe? let me take
care of them for you; and then ran his hand into his pocket, and took
away the two shillings: and now, said she, I have nothing to give to the
children! I intended to have bought a six-penny loaf, when I got home,
for this boy and I have tasted nothing to-day; and I should have tried
to get some fish to-morrow with the remaining eighteen-pence. She cried
so, added _Gilbert_, that I was ready to cry too. I had no money to give
her. I had nothing but my fish; and I asked her, how much she could sell
them for? O! dear Sir! said she, they are very fine fish! I dare say they
would fetch a shilling or eighteen-pence a piece. And do you think you
could sell them to-night if you had them? said I. She said, she did not
doubt that she could sell them; but should not think of taking my fish:
however, I begged her to take them; and if it had not been so late, I
would have gone back and tried to get you some more, _Lydia_; but I will
get up very early in the morning and go. Indeed, brother, said _Lydia_,
I beg you will not think of it; for if there are such bad men about they
may rob you too.
_Gilbert_, I believe, said Mamma, does not read _Horace_ yet, or he might
tell you that,
“Blythe sings the traveller with empty purse,
And in the robber’s sight pursues his course.”
But though it is certain that, if he has nothing he cannot be robbed, he
may be uncivilly used, and, therefore, I would advise him not to go; we
can, I dare say, procure fish without giving him any further trouble; but
I thought you had a shilling this morning, _Gilbert_; what have you done
with it?
GILBERT.
Pray, Mamma, do not ask me; it is a secret at present.
MAMMA.
Then I never desire to know secrets; and you, I am persuaded, will do
nothing wrong; and as I have no anxiety upon that account, I should be
ashamed, if mere curiosity made me desirous to know what you wish to
conceal. Nothing, I think, is so contemptible as that sort of curiosity,
which makes people want to know what every one says and does, and which
grows more impatient in proportion as we think the person wishes us not
to know.
GILBERT.
Nay, Mamma, I have no real secrets from you, only I wish nobody to know
just now—
MAMMA.
I am quite satisfied, my dear boy.
LYDIA.
I have a little secret, Mamma; my sister told me you would not be angry,
and nobody knows but her:—do not tell yet, _Kitty_.
MAMMA.
I dare say she will not, my love; and if she were going I would not let
her. You heard me say, I never desire to know secrets. I think no wise
person would; but I should be very sorry any body belonging to me should
not be able to keep a secret, if they were intrusted with one. But I will
tell you something that is no secret; which is, that your long walk has
tired you; and that you look very sleepy; therefore, I advise you to go
to-bed.
_Gilbert_ waked soon in the morning; and as the sun shone very bright,
and it was a delightful morning, he longed to take his fishing-rod once
more; but his Mamma having desired him not, he did not attempt it; but
before he went to school he went with his violin to _Lydia_’s door, and
waked her with a very cheerful tune, wished her many happy birth-days,
and then went away. _Lydia_ arose as soon as the maid came into her room,
and went to receive a kiss from her Mamma; she then walked down stairs,
and the first thing she saw at the hall door was her little lamb, with
a new blue ribbon round his neck, and shaking some little round bells
that were fastened to it. Away she flew first to her Mamma, then to her
sisters, to ask who had made her lamb so fine? but they could not give
her any information; every body in the house was asked to no purpose.
After a little while, I think, said Mamma—I guess! I guess too, cried out
little _Lydia_, it must be _Gilbert_; you know he said he had a secret;
that is it depend upon it: how kind it was of him! how dearly I do love
_Gilbert_! Every body must love him dearly, said his Mamma. I wish, said
_Lydia_, I knew how to make him some return. I wish I could do any thing
to please him.—Your wish is natural and amiable; but be satisfied, that
_Gilbert_ finds in the performance of such acts of good-nature and
kindness, a higher reward than any we could give him; believe me there is
a delight in being kind, and affectionate, and generous, that is beyond
any pleasure that relates merely to a person’s own self; and if the most
ill-tempered and selfish person in the world would but determine for one
month to say nothing but what was kind; and to be always doing obliging
and liberal things, he would find himself so much more comfortable, so
much better, not only in mind but in health; and so much more easy and
satisfied with himself, that mere self-love would make him continue such
a conduct.
LYDIA.
I am delighted even with seeing my little lamb happy, when I feed and
caress him. I think it is a great pleasure to have the power of making
any thing happy.
MAMMA.
Cherish, my dearest child, this disposition, and these feelings; and
if you should ever meet with unkindness from others, do not let that
incline you to be less kind and good. Bear always in your mind the text I
once taught you, “Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.”
And if you see persons by their ill-temper offend God, and vex every body
they are connected with, instead of making their bad behaviour an excuse
for your own, think what a sad thing it would be if you, seeing the
disagreeableness of their behaviour, were to become like them; and on the
contrary, think what an honour it will be to you, if, by your example, by
seeing you always patient, and kind, and disinterested, others leave off
disputes and selfishness, and grow good.
LYDIA.
Here comes the dear _Gilbert_.
MAMMA.
Here he comes; and I am sure you both feel far more joy than the mere
spending of a shilling could have given you; and the older you grow the
more I trust you will know and understand of that kind of joy.
CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH.
_THE SECRET EXPLAINED._
While Miss _Lydia_ was at work with her Mamma, a servant came in, and
said, a little girl and boy at the gate asked for Miss _Lydia_. _Lydia_
coloured; and upon her Mamma’s asking who they were? said, with great
eagerness, It is little _Sally_ and her brother, Madam: may I go down to
them? Pray let me go by myself? You shall see the little girl before she
goes home.
Mamma’s consent was soon obtained, and _Lydia_, having first stepped into
her room, and hastily taken a little bundle out of the drawer, flew down
stairs.
When she got to the gate, she saw _Sally_ holding a pretty little basket
made of rushes, with little tufts of silk at the four corners, and
covered at top with green leaves.
As soon as _Sally_ saw Miss _Lydia_, she presented the basket to her, and
told her, that the maid, who had bidden her to come to the house this
morning, told her it was Miss _Lydia_’s birth-day; and she had made that
basket, and taken the liberty to bring it to her.
It is a very pretty basket, indeed, said Miss _Lydia_; and lifting up the
leaves on the top, she saw the basket was almost full of little cakes and
lozenges, and on them Sally had put some bunches of services.
LYDIA.
Where did you get all these things, _Sally_? I will not take them from
you.
SALLY.
Yes, pray do Miss, I brought them on purpose for you. My mother makes
the cakes and the lozenges herself, and sells them; and my brother and I
were out all yesterday afternoon to look for services on the hedges; and
then I made the basket and put them into it; and I shall be very sorry if
you will not accept of it.
LYDIA.
You made that pretty basket, _Sally_! I wish you would teach me to make
such nice baskets.
SALLY.
That I will with great pleasure, Miss, if your Mamma likes it.
LYDIA.
I am much obliged to you for your nice present. I have something for you,
_Sally_; and that is the reason why I sent for you to come to-day. So
saying, _Lydia_ opened the band-box, and took out a new straw hat, with
a nice green ribbon round the crown, and one small neat bow behind, and
green strings to tie it. _Lydia_ desired the little girl to pull off her
own hat, and then sit down and let her put this on: nor had _Sally_ more
delight in being thus dressed, than _Lydia_ had in dressing her.
_Lydia_ then went again to her box, and took out a very pretty cotton
frock, which she put on the little boy, with more pleasure than she had
ever dressed a doll; though the little fellow was not quite so quiet as a
doll, but was moving and twisting about to see as much as possible of the
flowers upon his frock.
When their things were adjusted, Miss _Lydia_ led them to the door, and
desired her Mamma to step down.
Mamma, said she, I told you I had a secret; this is it. I read in the
_Children’s Friend_, that people should do some good-action on their
birth-day. Do you like _Sally_’s hat, Mamma?
MAMMA.
Yes, my dear, it is very neat indeed: but where did you get these things?
you could not buy them yourself.
LYDIA.
No, Mamma, my sister was so good as to get the hat and the ribbon for me
when she went to school, and to put the ribbon on for me. I have been
saving up my money a great while. Do not you remember I would not buy a
basket when the others did? and look now what a pretty basket _Sally_
has brought me! a great deal prettier than that at the door. Still I
should not have had money enough if my aunt had not happened to give me a
shilling the other day.
MAMMA.
But where did you get the frock?
LYDIA.
Do not you remember the piece of cotton Miss _Friend_ gave me to make my
great doll a gown? My sister said, there was enough to make the little
boy a frock, and she was so good as to cut it out and fit it for me, and
I made it up myself.
MAMMA.
It is very nicely made, I am sure; and you, my love, are a proof of what
I was saying just now, of the pleasure there is in doing kind actions;
you appear so cheerful and satisfied. I am sure you never had half so
much enjoyment of a new hat for yourself or a fine doll.
LYDIA.
Because the little boy and girl look so happy; and there is so much
pleasure in seeing people happy.
MAMMA.
Blessed indeed are those whose countenances, like a mirror, reflect the
brightness which shines in the face of their neighbour: or, to speak more
plainly, my little dear, blessed both of God and man are those who are
cheerful and happy, because they see another person glad; “Who rejoice
with them that do rejoice.” But, my dear, your little friends, I dare
say, are impatient to show the presents to their mother: you had better
dismiss them.
_Lydia_, who had now learned to mind her Mamma the moment she spoke,
thanked _Sally_ for her pretty basket, and told her she must come one day
and teach her to make such; and then desired them to go home.
_Sally_ made a dozen courtesies, and the little boy as many bows; and
thanked her again and again as they went away.
Miss _Lydia_ then put away her basket with cakes, saying, that should
make part of the feast in the afternoon.
A half holiday had been procured for _Gilbert_, so that he joined the
cheerful circle at dinner; and in the afternoon some young folk were
expected to tea.
Miss _Lydia_, therefore, was abundantly busy in setting out cakes, fruit,
&c. amidst which _Sally_’s little basket was introduced, and was to
_Lydia_ the most agreeable part of the entertainment, as it was connected
with the remembrance of a benevolent action. As she was not big enough
to cut the large cake which her Mamma had provided, one of her brother’s
very obligingly cut some slices for her, which she offered to the
company with great politeness and propriety.
Just before tea, a servant brought in a little box, and delivered it
to Miss _Lydia_; she looked, and saw it directed to her, and very
eagerly set about opening it; this was very easily effected, as the
nails were not driven very tight; and on lifting up the lid, the first
thing she saw was hay, that being removed, she found a complete set of
doll’s tea-china, a tea board, an urn, a tea-chest, a waiter, a pair of
tea-tongs, and half a dozen spoons; with a little note to tell her, that
these were the joint presents of her elder brothers and sisters.
Here was a fresh scene of pleasure to the sweet girl: her presents were
shown to every body; were admired; and her delight expressed in the
warmest manner, yet not so as to importune or disturb any body by her joy.