Lydia And Her Brother


LYDIA was sitting in the room, and her little

brother Oliver was out in the yard, drawing his

cart about. Their mother went out and brought

in some peaches, a few of which were large, 

red-checked rare-ripes, the rest small, ordinary 

peaches.

The father handed me one of the rare-ripes,

gave one to the mother, and then one of the best

to his little daughter, who was then eight years

old. He then took one of the smaller ones, and

gave it to Lydia, and told her to go and give it to

her brother. He was four years old. Lydia went

out and was gone about ten minutes, and then

came in.

"Did you give your brother the peach I sent

him?" asked the father.'

Lydia blushed, turned away, and did not answer.

"Did you give your brother the peach I sent

him?" asked the father again, a little more 

sharply.

"No, father," said she, "I did not give him that."

"What did you do with it?" he asked.

"I ate it," said Lydia.

"What! Did you not give your brother any?"

asked the father.

"Yes I did, father." said she: “I gave him mine."

"Why did you not give him the one I told you

to give?" asked the father, rather sternly.

"Because, father, I thought he would like mine

better," said Lydia.

"But you ought not to disobey your father,"

said he.

"I did not mean to be disobedient, father," said

she, and her bosom began to heave, and her chin

to quiver.

"But you were, my daughter," said he.

"I thought you would not be displeased with me,

father," said Lydia, "if I did give brother the

 biggest peach;" and the tears began to roll 

down her cheeks.

"But I wanted you to have the biggest," said

the father; '' you are older and larger than he is."

"I want you to give the best things to brother."

said the noble girl.

"Why?" asked the father, scarcely able to

 contain himself.

"Because," answered the dear, generous sister,

"I love him so I always feel best when he gets

the best things."

"You are right, my precious daughter," said the

father, as he fondly and proudly folded her in his

arms. "You are right, and you may be certain

your happy father can never be displeased with

you for wishing to give up the best of everything

to your affectionate little brother. He is a dear

and noble little boy, and I am glad you love him

so. Do you think he loves you as well as you

love him?"

"Yes father," said Lydia," I think he does, for

when I offered him the largest peach, he would

 not take it, but wanted me to keep it; and it 

was a good while before I could get him to 

take it."




YI