DEAN'S
Illustrated Farthing Books.
DOING GOOD.
LONDON: DEAN & SON,
11, Ludgate Hill.
46
DOING GOOD.
Little Alice arose one bright May morning just as the sun was peeringthrough the white curtains of her little chamber, and after offering[Pg 3]a simple morning prayer from the depths of her happy heart, sheprepared herself for breakfast. How beautiful the earth looked, allsparkling with dew drops, and how merrily the birds sang in the topsof the apple-trees! Alice's heart grew happier still as she looked outupon them, and listened to their sweet hymnings. All was astir in theyard below. The speckled hen bustled about her ten chickens, anxiousto pick them up a breakfast of stray worms and slugs; the big Shanghaistood on a stone and poured forth a blast from his clarion, which mighthave awakened an army. Alice laughed at his pompous, ungainly figure,which seemed still more uncouth by contrast with the stately peacock,which just then swept down the carriage walk. It was, indeed, a lovelymorning, and the little girl had arisen just in time to appreciate itsbeauties. It always makes us happier and better to sympathize withthe lovely and beautiful in nature. It brings us nearer to God, the[Pg 4]source of all true loveliness, and makes us love more dearly all thecreatures He has made.
"I will see if I cannot do good to some one this day," said Alice. "Iknow I am only a little girl, but I feel sure I can do something;"and with this good resolution in her heart, she descended to thedining-room, just as the bell rang for family worship.
When breakfast was ready, the baby worried and cried, and would not siton the carpet as usual, and amuse himself. Mother looked weary, and itwas plain her head ached badly.
"Please let me take Willie, mother?" said Alice. "I would just as soonwait, and I know he will be quiet with me."
"I should be very glad if you could divert him, Alice; he is cuttinghis teeth, and has worried all the night. Poor little fellow!"[Pg 5]
Alice borrowed Frank's marbles, and sat down with baby on the carpet.The bright-hued balls pleased him, and he loved to roll them about withhis little fat hands. His sister patiently gathered them up, when theyrolled beyond his reach, and thus the mealtime passed. She did not[Pg 6]envy her brother his warm breakfast; the thought of helping her dear,kind mother, was a hundred times more satisfactory. The influence ofa good example is often contagious, and after breakfast, the usuallycareless, whistling Frank sat down and played with the baby while Alicewas eating.
She did not conclude now that she had done enough for one day, butafter baby had drunk his cup of new mi