St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, No. 06, April 1878: Scribner's Illustrated — John Shaqi
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, No. 06, April 1878: Scribner's IllustratedVarious
General
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, No. 06, April 1878: Scribner's Illustrated
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals; Children's periodicals, American
"For my other boy. He is going to church with me," and Miss Celia tied a
second knot for this young gentleman, with a smile that seemed to brighten
up even the rusty hat-band.
"Well, I like that--" began Thorny, in a tone that contradicted his words.
A look from his sister reminded him of what she had told him half an hour
ago, and he stopped short, understanding now why she was "extra good to
the little tramp."
"So do I, for you are of no use as a driver yet, and I don't like to
fasten Lita when I have my best gloves on," said Miss Celia, in a tone
that rather nettled Master Thorny.
"Is Ben going to black my boots before he goes?" with a glance at the new
shoes which caused them to creak uneasily.
"No, he is going to black _mine_, if he will. You wont need boots for a
week yet, so we wont waste any time over them. You will find everything in
the shed, Ben, and at ten you may go for Lita."
With that, Miss Celia walked her brother off to the dining-room, and Ben
retired to vent his ire in such energetic demonstrations with the
blacking-brush that the little boots shone splendidly.
He thought he had never seen anything as pretty as his mistress when, an
hour later, she came out of the house in her white shawl and bonnet,
holding a book and a late lily-of-the-valley in the pearl-colored gloves,
which he hardly dared to touch as he helped her into the carriage. He had
seen a good many fine ladies in his life, and those he had known had been
very gay in the colors of their hats and gowns, very fond of cheap
jewelry, and much given to feathers, lace and furbelows, so it rather
puzzled him to discover why Miss Celia looked so sweet and elegant in such
a simple suit. He did not know then that the charm was in the woman, not
the clothes, or that merely living near such a person would do more to
give him gentle manners, good principles and pure thoughts, than almost
any other training he could have had. But he _was_ conscious that it was
pleasant to be there, neatly dressed, in good company, and going to church
like a respectable boy. Somehow, the lonely feeling got better as he
rolled along between green fields, with the June sunshine brightening
everything, a restful quiet in the air, and a friend beside him who sat
silently looking out at the lovely world with what he afterward learned to
call her "Sunday face." A soft, happy look, as if all the work and
weariness of the past week were forgotten, and she was ready to begin
afresh when this blessed day was over.
"Well, child, what is it?" she asked, catching his eye as he stole a shy
glance at her, one of many which she had not seen.
"I was only thinking you looked as if----"
"As if what? Don't be afraid," she said, for Ben paused and fumbled at the
reins, feeling half ashamed to tell his fancy.
"You was saying prayers," he added, wishing she had not caught him.
"So I was. Don't you, when you are happy?"
"No'm. I'm glad, but I don't say anything."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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