[figure description] Page 161.[end figure description]

A bachelor friend of ours was riding, upon a time,
through the state, when he overtook a little girl and
boy, apparently on their way to school. The little girl
appeared to be five or six years old, and was as beautiful
as a fairy. Her eyes were lit up with a gleam of intense
happiness, and her cheeks glowed with the hues of
health. Our bachelor looked at her for a moment admiringly.
She met his glance with a smile, and with an
eager voice saluted him with,

“Have you got a baby?”

He was struck aback by the question, and something
like a regret stole over his mind as he looked upon the
animated and beautiful little face before him.

“No,” he answered.

“Well,” she replied, drawing her tiny form proudly
up, “we have,” and passed on, still smiling, to tell the
joyous news to the next one she might meet.

What a world of happiness to her was concentrated in
that one idea — the baby! And in her joy she felt as
if all must have the same delight as herself; and it was
a matter of affectiionate pride to her, that lifted her little
heart above the reach of ordinary care; for in the baby
was her world, and what else had she to crave? Such
was the reflection of our friend, and he remembered it
long enough to tell it to us.

p677-183

Previous section

Next section