One dull night I sat by my window watching the people as they passed to
and from the market. The wind blew hard, and the rain was beginning to
patter against the window panes, and make large drops on the pavement.
Soon I noticed two little colored girls hurrying past with an empty
basket, and I heard one of them say: "Oh, be quick, for it is going to
rain hard, and the chips will all be wet."
"Yes, I'm coming in a minute," said the other, who lingered behind--for
what purpose, do you think?
Leaning against the lamp-post at the corner of the street was a
poor old woman, bent with age and infirmities. In one hand was her
market-basket, in the other a bundle, and she was trying to open an
umbrella. The wind blew against her, the bundle slipped from her poor
old fingers, rolling into the gutter, and the umbrella would not come
open.
But the quick feet and fingers of this little girl soon set things
all right. First she hastened to rescue the bundle, and restore it to
its owner; then opened the umbrella and placed it securely in the
old woman's hands. She waited for no more--hastening on after her
companion; but, amid the falling rain, I heard the old woman say, "God
bless you, my child!"
Ah! it was a little deed, but done so cheerfully and quickly that I
knew the child had a kind heart. Was the act not seen and noticed by
our Father in heaven, and will He not bless the child who helps the
aged and infirm?
Dear little ones, do not let _one chance_ of helping another, or of
doing good, pass by.
If your eyes are open, you will see these opportunities _every day_,
and oh, how happy you may make your own heart, and the heart of
some other, while your dear Father in heaven will smile upon your
efforts.--_Angel of Peace._