214 THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

wished mama had not given me per-
mission to go, forgetting the promise I
made her, of learning my lessons after
my return, I said it was very strange
that no one had picked up my books,
arid I thought Ellen ought to have been
ashamed to tell me wrong. I made no
effort to do better, reasoning most false-
ly, and saying, ‘“‘Itis no use to try to do
better to-day,” as if one fault made an-
other more pardonable. At recess I
told Mary G. that Ellen D. had said
something about her, and made them
both ery, and if I could have found any
relief in knowing that I was not alone in
‘my misery, I should have been com-
forted. After recess I blotted my own
writing-book and that of a companion
who was always very careful, and though
I was really very sorry, I felt too ill-
natured to say so, and tried to think it
‘was all because one of the other girls
had shaken the desk.

I can assure you I went home a’ most
unhappy being. One glance of my
mother’s earnest eye revealed to her my
feelings, and I saw a shade of sadness

-gteal over her calm face; but company
prevented her from coming to me imme-
diately. I went to my room and cried
whtil I was unable to go with papa on
an excursion which I had been anticipa-
ting for months.

I cannot tell you all the conflicting
thoughts which occupied my lonely
hours, nor of all that passed after 'ma-
ma came tome. She talked gently, but

‘geriously with me ; she mourned over
‘my’ unhappy temper, but showed me
that I could subdue it; she urged me
“to resolve anew, but warned me not to
‘expect an immediate victory ; and above

‘all, she told me where to look for aid.

‘She openéd the holy Bible, and ‘read
the words of Solomon, “ He that ruleth
his own ‘spirit is greater than he’ that
taketh a city;” and ‘her silver-toned
voice fell upon my troubled soul, like the
holy “Peace, be still,” uttered so long
ago on the sea of Galilee.

“The darkness vanished, the storm
slept.” “My mother then took the pre-
cious necklace of her own dark: hair,
with the words, “My Mother,” en-
graved upon the clasp, and put it upon
my neck.

“My daughter,” said she, “let this be
your talisman. Let it ever remind you
of this hour, of the resolves you have
made, and may God grant that your fu-
ture may no more be clouded as your
past has been.”

Her prayer was answered. My trials
were many, My temptations strong, but
the memory of that solemn hour, my
mother’s word, and the talisman, were
ever with me, and I triumphed.

Could this’ be as a talisman to one of
you, my dear children, and help you to
tear away this serpent, which if it is
not strangled in infancy, will surely eat
out the heart’s happiness, Grandmama
Hoaryhead will not have written in vain,

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 

Hints to Young Men.

tways have a book within your

reach, which you may catch up

P\{. at your odd minutes. Resolve

to edge in a little reading every

day, if it is but a single sentence. If

you can give fifteen minutes a day, it

will be felt at the end of the year.

Regulate your thoughts when not at
study.— Selected.