Pleasing Stories for Good Children with Pictures

Excerpt

LITTLE JANE AND THE POOR MAN.

This is little Jane Anderson and her sister. They have been out this morning to take a walk. As they were coming home they saw a poor man lying upon the ground. He was lame, and unable to walk. Jane and her sister felt very sorry for him, and when they were about leaving they gave him a few pennies which they had in their bags.—This was very kind in the little girls. We were glad to see them so willing to part with their pennies, that they might thus enable the old gentleman to buy a loaf of bread or some cake for his dinner. We ought always to be ready to supply the wants of the poor. We know not how soon we ourselves may become poor, and need the aid of friends.

Did you ever learn the little hymn, which speaks about the poor? It is a beautiful hymn. We wish you and your little sisters to learn it by heart. Here it is—

Whene'er I take my walks abroad,
How many poor I see!
What shall I render to my God
For all his gifts to me?

Not more than others I deserve,
Yet God has given me more:
For I have food, while others starve,
Or beg from door to door.

How many children in the street,
Half naked I behold!
While I am clothed from head to feet
And covered from the cold.

While some poor creatures scarce can tell
Where they may lay their head,
I have a home, wherein to dwell,
And rest upon my bed.

While others early learn to swear,
And curse, and lie, and steal,
Lord, I am taught thy name to fear,
And do thy holy will.

Jane Jones was a very rude girl. One morning she wished to visit one of her companions. As she came to the gate, she found it was locked. Instead of going into the house for the key, with which she might have unlocked it, and gone through without danger, she undertook to climb over the fence! In the picture on the next page, you can see her falling head foremost to the ground. If her neck is not broken, she may be very thankful.

How strange that children will ever be found climbing over fences! The falls and bruises of their companions seem not to warn them of the danger of it. We can scarcely pass through the streets without seeing some upon the fence tops. Had this little girl just taken warning by what she had seen the day before, it would now have been well with her. But the fall of her school mate she soon forgot—sooner than she will forget the bruises she has now received.—Well, we hope that at least she will keep off from fence tops hereafter. It is really too bad for any girl to attempt to climb fences, and we are sure that none would wish to, after such a fall as Jane has had.

Jane was soon able to be about again: but O, what a face did she carry! Her cheeks were deeply scratched, and her nose was bruised almost to flatness. The little girls with whom she formerly played could hardly believe that it was Jane Jones, and although they loved her much they could but pity her. Jane was never afterwards seen upon a fence: O, no! she knew she had done wrong, and most carefully did she avoid going where she might get another fall.