A Cure For Discontent.


AMY was very fretful and discontented one

morning.

"I do wish I had some new play, or something

to amuse me, Aunt Susan," she said,

discontentedly, as she tossed aside her box of

toys, quite heedless whether they were broken

or not.

"Nothing would amuse you in your present

frame of mind, dear. Happiness is within,

not without, us. Come, we will take a half

hour's walk before dinner; it will do us both

good."

Amy got up from her little rocking-chair,

quite reluctantly, and went for her hat and

cloak. As they turned down a long street,

they passed many rows of factory houses, all

under one roof, with a few feet of door-yard

in front, covered, for the most part, with

tangled grass and weeds.

In front of one house Aunt Susan paused a

minute and said to her little companion,

"There is a lesson for you, Amy. See how

little it takes really to make one happy."

A poor crippled child of not over four years

of age, was hobbling along on two crutches,

his face was pale, and his sunken eyes told of

sickness and suffering. But the poor little

fellow was having a merry time with his one

plaything. It was the box of a little toy

wagon, without any wheels. There was a

string attached by which he tied it to one

crutch. So he hopped along as fast as he could,

looking back at the wagon, with a pleased

face, every few steps.

Amy forgot her own discontent in her pity for

the poor child, and eagerly asked her aunt if

she might not bring him some of her own playthings.

"Here is this cunning little china

baby in my pocket, auntie; will you please

let me drop it into his wagon? I know it will

please him.

Aunt Susan gave her consent, and both

smiled when they saw the bright glow of

pleasure that spread over his face at this

addition to his treasures.

''See how little this poor child has to make

life pleasant. Yet I am sure he has spent a

happier morning than some children whose

parents give them every comfort. Let us remember

him, Amy, when we again feel discontented.

It often helps us a great deal, to compare 

ourselves with those to whom God has not 

given the same blessings we enjoy.

We learn to appreciate them better, and to

thank the hand which showers so many mercies

upon us. It makes us more considerate

toward the poor and suffering, and teaches

us to share our good things with them."

Amy spent a very pleasant afternoon in

thinking about the poor lame boy, and in

planning some little gifts for his pleasure.

Her mother knew the family well, and approved

her projects; so she had the pleasure

of carrying them out before she went to sleep

that night.


 YI