"No, I do not care, for you know there are no ghosts. Mamma used to say it was very wrong to talk about such things, for when we die our spirits go to God, and our bodies must remain in the grave until the last great day." "True, my love, it is indeed very wrong of nurse to talk so; there is nothing in a churchyard to alarm even the most timid; on the contrary, every one may gain some instruction in such a place. But tell me, Kate, do you remember your mother ?" "Remember dear mamma!" replied the little girl, in a tone of surprise; "how can I ever forget her ?" "And your papa too?" "I do not remember him so well, for he died a long time ago; at least, I don't know exactly what he was like, though I recollect he used to take me out with him in the evenings to sit under the trees, and watch the beautiful birds fly past; and then he would tell me that, though they were so gay, they did not sing like the little plain English birds; and do you know, I like our dear robins and nightingales much better than those grand birds. Well, poor papa died, and we left our beautiful house, and went to another, which I did not like half so well. After that dear mamma became ill, and had to lie on the sofa all day; she was so pale and thin, I used to think she looked like the angels clothed in white that are mentioned in the Bible. She would call me her little treasure, and tell me that I must meet her and papa in heaven; and one day she gave me this text to learn, 'When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.' I always wear it round my neck now; and if I am unhappy I read it over, and it makes me better." "Then are you not happy here, Kate?" I asked, anxious to ascertain what the child's feelings were. "Oh yes, I am happy generally; but aunt is angry with me sometimes, and I am sure I deserve it, for I am so dull and stupid. I cannot learn my lessons as Rosa does." "And do you love Rosa ?" "Oh yes, I try to love everybody; you know I could not be one of Christ's lambs if I did not," was the sweet answer. As the evening had become chilly, we now returned home. A few days after this, as I was seated at my work, Mrs. Clifton came into the room, holding in her hand a very handsome volume, several leaves of which were covered with inkspots. "Did you ever see anything so provoking?" she exclaimed; "you know how I valued this book, and see the state I have just found it in." "It is indeed a pity," I answered; "but who can have done it ?" 66 "I must ask the servants," she said, ringing the bell violently; whoever has done it has acted in the most deceitful manner, for I found it hidden under a pile of books. Jane," for the servant now entered the room, "do you know anything about this book ?" The girl coloured, and stammered as she answered, “Yes -no, ma'am." "Don't attempt to deceive me," said the mistress, perceiving her embarrassment; "did you do it ?" 66 No, ma'am, I'm sure I did not." "Then do you know who did? speak out, girl!" "Why, marm, you know nobody goes into the library before breakfast but Miss Kate, and this morning when I was sweeping the hall I saw her come out, and she looked so pale that I thought sure she must be ill; but when she caught sight of me she turned as red as your ribbon, marm, and ran up stairs." "Well, that will do, Jane; I shall speak to Miss Kate. Now," said Mrs. C., turning to me, "I always thought Kate was a little deceitful child, and this proves it." "But perhaps there may be some mistake; we must not condemn her too hastily." 66 'Oh, there is no doubt at all about it; I shall punish her most severely." The next morning, when breakfast was over, Mrs. Clifton desired the children to remain in the room, and rang the bell for the servants. As she placed the damaged book upon the table, I observed both Rosa and Kate changed colour, the latter looked imploringly at her cousin, who quickly turned away her head. Mrs. Clifton now spoke. "You all know," she said, "how I value this book, and that I do not allow any one to touch it. I found it in this state in the library, concealed beneath a pile of things, in such a way as to convince me that the person who damaged it intended also to hide her fault; however, falsehood will be of no avail, for I am determined to discover who has done it; therefore speak out plainly." The servants all denied it, and Mrs. Clifton then turned to her daughter. "Rosa did you ink this book?" The little "Do you hear me? did you ink this book?" "No, mamma." girl was silent. "Do you know who did ?" Happening just then to glance at Kate, I saw with surprise that her face and neck were completely crimson, while she vainly strove to check the tears which were rolling down her cheeks. My conviction of her innocence was shaken, and I began to fear that, having perhaps accidentally upset the ink upon the book, she had allowed the dread of her aunt's displeasure to overcome her sense of right. Clifton then asked her if she had injured the book. “No, aunt.” 66 Do you 66 know anything about it, then ?" Please, dear aunt, I would rather not say." "But you must say, child; I insist upon it." Kate was silent. Mrs. "You have done it yourself, you deceitful little thing! but tell me, did you see Jane this morning when you came out of the library?” Kate with many tears confessed that she had, but added: "Indeed, dear aunt, I did not touch the book." My friend looked at me, as much as to say, was right." "You see I "You may all leave the room," said she to the servants. "I am convinced Miss Kate is the guilty person, and I shall accordingly punish her severely." 66 Oh, aunt, dear aunt!" said the poor child, "do believe me! I never told a story in my life." "Then you tell one now. Go immediately to your own room, and remain there until you are inclined to tell the truth. Rosa, stay here; you need not follow your cousin ; she is no longer a fit companion for you." I went up to Kate in the course of the day, but the only answer I could get from her was, "Indeed I would not tell a story." I knew not what to think, and soon left her, saying, "Remember, Kate, there is One who is now looking into your heart, and He knows whether the truth is in you; you can hide nothing from Him, though you may from us.” After she had been in the room a couple of days, Rosa begged her mamma to release her, which she consented to do on condition that she spoke to no one. She therefore went into the schoolroom as usual. One morning I noticed her looking very pale, and asked if she felt unwell. "My head aches sadly," she said; "but I dare say it will soon be better." "I think you shall leave your lessons; I will ask Miss Chambers to excuse you to-day." On mentioning the circumstance to Mrs. Clifton, she said the child was always pale and ailing; there was nothing particular the matter with her. Time, however, proved that she was really ill, and before night we judged it proper to send for the doctor, who immediately had her put to bed. By morning she was in a high fever, and I trembled as I felt her burning hand, and marked her short, uneasy breathing. She was delirious many days; and it was then, as we listened to her expressions, that we learned the secret of the book: "Oh, Rosa, why did you not say you spoilt it? Why did you let aunt punish me? It was so unkind of you;" and then her restless fancy would wander to her mother, and once I heard her repeat several times, "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." Mrs. Clifton was sadly grieved when she learned the truth, and deeply reproached herself for her injustice, for she felt that in many things she had not acted a mother's part to the poor orphan intrusted to her care. Meanwhile the physicians gave little hope of Kate's recovery; for should the fever subside, they said, it would leave her system too much exhausted ever to rally again. The fever did leave her, and she lay pale as a stricken lily; she could not live above a day, they said. The last rays of the sun were just fading from the landscape as we knelt round her bed; she could scarcely speak, but her lips moved as if in prayer. "Kate, my darling," sobbed her aunt, "say you forgive me, my child, my child !" The eyes of the dying girl brightened, as with a sudden effort she threw her arms round her aunt's neck, and said distinctly, "God bless you, dear aunt." A sweet smile passed over her countenance, and with one gentle sigh her loving spirit went to join her Father above. Dear little Kate! the grass grows over your quiet grave, and the flowers bloom and fade; but the promise of the Almighty God to each orphan heart shall stand fast for ever, "When thy father and mother forsake thee, then the Lord will take thee up." God's Statutes our Songs. HY statutes," says the Psalmist, “have been my Dr. Chalmers says, "I should rank this verse among the notable sayings of Scripture." Both these godly men made it the exclamation of a joyous experience long acquired. 1 Psa. cxix. 54. |
