happyhearts00isleiala_bw

7/29/2019 happyhearts00isleiala_bw

1/68


2/68

CHILDREN'S BOOK rjCOLLECTION $LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIALOS ANGELES


3/68


4/68


5/68


6/68


7/68

ftttU

tes


8/68


9/68


10/68


11/68

HAPPY HEAETSBY JUKE ISLE.

CINCINNATI:PUBLISHED BY POE & HITCHCOCK.

E. P. THOMPSON, PBINTEB.


12/68

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864.

BY POE & HITCHCOCK,ID the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United State

for the Southern District of Ohio.


13/68

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER. PAGE.I. WHOM HAVE WE ALWAYS 9

II. FRITZ DEAD, YET LIVES 29III. How? ANSWERED 41IV. WHAT THE STARS SAW 47


14/68


15/68

HAPPY HEARTS.

CHAPTER I.WHOM HAVE WE ALWAYS.

R. and Mrs.. Payson( had three.littlechildren,

^j who werevery dear to

-, ,them, and whomthey amused and instructed inmany pleasant ways.One Spring, just as the leaves


16/68

10 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.were bursting open and the birdswere filling the air with gaysongs, Mr. Payson told the chil-dren he had bought a home forthem in the country.

This pleased the little ones,and they talked from morningtill night about what they woulddo in their new home.

In- the pretty country theywatched 4he birds building theirnests, and saw them feeding theiryoung and teaching them to fly;and then they saw them in greatcawing, twittering, flutteringswarms moving off to warmerlands when the yellow Autumnleaves to fall.


17/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 11y But when the Winter windssung through the old pine trees,the children began to talk aboutChristmas."I wonder if Santa Glaus will

come away out here, with hisgreat pack of toys," said Eebeccaone -day. " I am afraid he willforget us, he has p many chil-dren to remembe'ff""He m$y perhap* forget us,"said Joshua; "for cousin Nelly^ays that he, one time, forgot toput any thing in her stocking,although she hung it where hecould find it."

"But," said Eebecca, "Nellysaid it was a


18/68

12 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.and they lived on a hill, andthe wind blew so hard theywere afraid it would blow thehouse down. And I think SantaGlaus was afraid the wind wouldupset his pack of toys if he wentup on aunt Judd's roof."" I .think," said Joshua, "we hadbetter send Santa Glaus a letter,telling him that we have movedfrom town out into this prettypine grove, then he will knowwhere to find us.""That will be a good way,"said Rebecca; "for I rememberwhen Mrs. White, who lives inour house in town, was here lastweek, she told mamma that


19/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 13persons had called there since weleft, and asked for Mr. Payson.Now, if the people do not knowthat we have moved away, SantaGlaus may not; so he may gothere and slide down the chim-ney, and, without asking anything about it, put all the nicethings, which he has in his packfor us, in Tommy and JennyWhite's stockings."

"I will write to Santa Glaus,"said Joshua, "as soon as I canfind time."

Joshua said this in rather ofa large way, for he wished totalk like a man of business.

"I will run and slate


20/68

14 MAPLE QEOVE STORIES.now/ 1 said Kebecca; and she sooncame with the slate and pencil.

They all sat down and Joshuatook the pencil to write; but hefound he could not do much, ashis mamma was not there to spellthe words for him."Let us ask papa to sendword to Santa Glaus/' said Ke-becca."And let us ask Mrs. White/'said Newton, "to watch, and,when Santa Glaus comes to her"house, tell him where we live.""But Mrs. White might watch

all night, and then not see him/'said Eebecca; "for I think SantaGlaus never makes any noise


21/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 15till lie is just going out of sight;then his eight tiny reindeersjingle their bells as they scam-per away with the sleigh full oftoys."

Mrs. Payson came into thenursery, and the children toldher what they had been saying." Santa Glaus shall be toldwhere to find you/' said Mrs.Payson, "and you will have ahappy Christmas if you arehappy in your own hearts. Youshall have a Christmas tree,and we will invite some friendsto come and enjoy its fruits withus. But I wish you to remem-ber, my darlings, if you have


22/68

16 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.naughty thoughts you can nothave a happy Christmas.""But if some naughty thoughts

come, what can we do?" askedEebecca."Try to think about some-

thing good and pleasant," saidMrs. Payson, "and ask God tohelp you. Yesterday, when Iheard Joshua telling Newton,in an angry way, that hehoped Santa Glaus would notbring him any thing, I thoughtmy dear boy's thinker waswrong."

"I know, mamma," said Josh-ua, "that I wish to beBut, if God lets me be naughty,


23/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 17what good does it do to ask himto help me?""God will help you if youask him in the right way, and ifyou watch yourselves," said Mrs.Payson. "If we wished to behappy ourselves we must dosomething to make others so;and even little children can domuch good if they try."" When we are trying to makeothers happy," said Joshua, "weshall have good thoughts.""A little verse which you re-peatJ*' said Mrs. Payson, "saystruly that

' Satan finds some mischief stillFor idle hands to do.'


24/68

18 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.Now I wish to hear what you,my children, have to do beforeChristmas.""We must get our gifts ready

for the tree," said Eebecca."And we must learn our les-

sons, every day," said Joshua."And I must learn all my let-ters, so papa wil^ give me a rock-ing-horse," said little Newton."That is all right," said Mrs.Payson; "but have you notsomething more to do?""0, yes!" said Joshua, "weare to ride to town and inviteour visitors to come and have anice time with us in the holi-


25/68

HAPPY HEARTS. . 19"But, are there not otherswhom you can help to be happy

and good?" asked Mrs. Payson;."those whom we always havewith us?"

"I do n't know," said Joshua,"as there are any persons thatare always with us. Bridget hasbeen here onty a . few months,and she says she must go awayafter New-Year; so you do notmean her. And John will leavenext Spring ; so you can not meanhim.""When you were learning your

Sunday school lesson a few weekssince," said Mrs. Payson, "Iheai 1


26/68

20 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.of Christ, 'Ye have the poorwith you always; and whenso-ever ye will ye may do themgood.'"

"0, yes, mamma, I did notthink of that," said Joshua."But, there are so many poorpeople, how can we do themgood?" *"We can do our little," said

Mrs. Payson, "and if we onlymake one sad heart glad we havedone a good deed, and we shallbe better and happier ourselveswhile we are helping others."" When Mrs. Blake comes hereto see you, mamma," said Eebecca,^


27/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 21how much she does for them.But Mrs. Blake does not seem'to be happy; and she says thereis no use in helping the poor,for if one begins there is no end."

"Mrs. Blake," said Mrs. Pay-son, "has not a pleasant way of-talking; but I think she enjoysdoing good to others in her owncross way. Yet, if we would behappy ourselves in making othershappy, we must love to do it.If you should give little HarryGrant a pair of mittens becauseI told you to do so, while youwere fretting because you wishedto keep them yourself, you wouldbe neither better nor happier for


28/68

22 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.doing it; and you would notspeak gently and kindly to thepoor little fellow, and so make hisface and your own bright bypleasant words. Mrs. Blakespends much time and money inhelping poor people; but sheforgets that she should

( Speak gently, kindly to the poor.' "

"I have some toys, mamma,"said Eebecca, "that I can giveto Mrs. Grant's lame Harry; Iam stfre they will make his littlepale face smile.""And I should like to giveWillie a pair of shoes," saidJoshua; "for his are very rag-ged."


29/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 23"Shall I give him my sled,mamma?" asked Newton.Now Newton thought more of

his sled than he did of any otherplaything. It was painted greenand yellow, and had a brightcolored strap which he called thereins. The runners were verysmooth, and he expected to havea gay time with it all Winter.So, when Newton asked aboutgiving his sled, he knew he wasgiving what he liked best."No, my darling," said Mrs.Payson; "keep your sled. But,we will see what we all can dofor Mrs. Grant and her children,by- the time Christmas comes.


30/68

24: MAPLE GROVE STORIES.She is a good woman,, and wecan do much to make her happywhile her husband is gone to thewar."Then there is Mrs. Fisher,who lives near town; can wedo something for her?" askedMrs. Payson."Mr. Fisher gets drunk," said

Joshua; "and Mrs. Blake says itdoes no good to try to help them,for he sells things that are givento his wife to buy whisky.""But shall we leave poor Mrs.Fisher to suffer?" said Mrs.Payson. "Shall we try to donothing for her and her dearchildren? They are often cold


31/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 25for want of clothes and a fire.They are often hungry, becauseMr. Fisher gets drunk, and isunkind to them."With so many good thingsaround us, shall we not try tohelp the little hungry childrenwho have an unkind father?"

"0, yes, mamma!" said allthe children at once."May I give something to

Martha Kelly," asked Eebecca,"who says she never has anypresents?""Poor little Martha is not

much older than you are, mydaughter," said Mrs. Payson;"yet she is obliged to work


32/68

26 MAPLE GROVE STOEIES.quite hard; for her mother issick and her father is poor.But she has a sweet ; smiling face,and she lives in a happier homethan many children of rich par-ents."

" I know, mamma," said Joshua,"Martha always looks pleasant,even in a shabby dress.""Mr. Kelly is a very kindand good man," said Mrs. Pay-

son; "and I hope, before anotherChristmas, he will be able to givehis family a better home."They look happy because

they have good thoughts andtry to do their duty. None canbe happy, even in beautiful


33/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 27homes, unless their thoughts areright.

"I hope you will select apleasant book for little Martha,my daughter, and I will sendsome articles to her mamma."

"It is now your bedtime, mydarlings. To-morrow we willbegin to prepare our Christmasgifts for the poor."The children kneeled downand thanked God for being so goodto them, and asked him to helpthem to be kind and obedient,and to speak the truth.

After they had said theirprayers, Newton ran to hismamma and kneeled down again


34/68

28 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.by her side, and said, "Will Godplease to help the hungry littlechildren to smile, for Christ'ssake ?"


35/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 29

CHAPTER II.FRITZ DEAD, YET LIVES.

next day,after the chil-dren had fin-ished their

tell you alittle sto-

ry, showing howa child can do much good."Many years ago, I knew alittle boy who could not walk.

His nurse let him fall, when he


36/68

30 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.was a baby, and hurt his back,so that he grew out of shape,and could not stand on his feet."The little boy's name was

Fritz Eitter. His parents livedin a pleasant home, and did allthey could to make their darlinglame boy happy." They taught him to read, andwrite, and to draw pictures."But Fritz said, 'That is notenough. I have dear friends,who do every thing for me.Now, I must do something too.'"His father kept a man to

draw him about in a little wagon;BO Fritz kne ry all the streets intown, and visited the machine-


37/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 31shops and mills to see how thingsare made. Almost every onelooked kindly on his sweet, paleface, and wherever he went thepeople would talk with him andshow him what he wished to see.

"As he rode about the city hesaw many poor houses, and hun-gry and ragged children."One night, when his mammalaid him in his little bed, she

saw that he was sad and quiet." ' What is the matter with mylittle boy to-night?' she asked."'I have seen so many poor

little children on Stone Alleyto-day,' said Fritz, 'who wereragged and I wished they


38/68

32 MAPLE GEOVE STOEIES.had good homes and good mam-mas.'

" ' I am sorry for all poor littlechildren who are ragged andhungry/ said Mrs. Bitter. 'But,as we can not give them pleasanthomes we must do what we canfor them; for you know Christsays, "The poor ye have always;and whensoever ye will, ye may'do them good." '

"Fritz turned his face awayand shut his eyes as thoughhe was tired. But he was nottired; he was only thinking."He had stopped many timesat a little shop, in the edge of

town, where baskets were made;


39/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 33a man, and a woman, and severalchildren worked there, and theymade many kinds of baskets;some of them very fine andpretty." Fritz had sat in the shop along time that day, and he askedthe man if he might come everyday, and learn to make baskets."Now, in his little bed, withhis eyes shut, he was thinkinghow he would make them and

sell them for money to help poorchildren."The next morning Fritz told

his mamma what he had beenthinking about."She was pleased with hisr


40/68

34 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.plan; for she thought it wouldamuse her darling little lameboy.

"Fritz went to the basket-maker's shop all Summer, and bythe time cold weather came hecould make very beautiful bas-kets. Some merchants in townsold them for him, and byChristmas time he had laid upseveral dollars, which he said heshould give to poor widow "Wil-cox, who looked sick and pale,and had two children.

"Mrs. Hitter gave Fritz alittle room at home for his shop;and his papa put into it all thematerials necessary for making


41/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 35baskets; and there Fritz spentseveral hours every day at hiswork."He was happy and said,'Now I am of some use, as I

can help to make others goodand happy.'"Widow Wilcox and her chil-dren had food, and a fire, andclothes in the cold Winter weath-er; and it was the little pale-faced lame boy who gave themto her."Jim and Dora Wilcox learnedtheir books because Fritz wishedthem to do so. They would notplay any more with bad childrenon the streets, because Fritz told


42/68

36 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.them they must not. And whenJim promised that he would tryto remember and not use anymore naughty words, Fritz toldhim he would give him all thebooks he would read to Dora -andhis mother.

"Finally, Jim went every dayto Fritz's little shop, and learnedto make baskets. He was sohandy that, by the time anotherChristmas came, he was able tocarry to his mother money thathe had himself earned.

" Fritz was about ten yearsold when he began to make bas-kets. The Lord allowed him tolive only two years longer; but,


43/68

HAPPY HEAKTS. 37in that time, many poor childrenloved him, and thanked him forhis kindness. When he diedmany tears were shed in thealleys and back streets, wherethe dear pale-faced boy hadtried to make others good andhappy.

"Little children went in agreat company, when he wasburied, and threw flowers intohis grave."We believe that when Fritz'sgentle spirit left his poor, crookedbody, it went to the happyland, to grow in beauty forever.But he is not forgotten on earth;and now, many years after, there


44/68

38 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.are those who bless the dear lit-tle lame boy.""Did you know him, mamma?"

asked Rebecca, with tears in hereyes.

"Yes," said Mrs. Payson. "Itwas when I was a young girlthat I attended the funeral oflittle Fritz.

"Mr. Wilcox, who keeps thegreat store of baskets in town,where you have sometimes stop-ped with me to see how beautifulthey are, is the little Jim whomFritz taught to be good and use-ful."He has always taken tender

care of his mother, who is now


45/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 39so old she remembers but little;but if you ask her about Fritzshe will talk a long time abouthim, whom she calls 'God's dearchild.' "

"Your true story, mamma, isbetter than made-up ones," saidJoshua, as he walked away tothe window."When I look at my littlework-basket, mamma," said Ee-

becca, "that you bought of Mr.Wilcox, I shall think of Fritz,and the basket will help me tobe good.""So you see, my darling,"said Mrs. Payson, "when our

bodies are turning to dust in


46/68

40 MAPLE GROVE STOEIES.the ground, the deeds which wedid may be helping others to begood or bad."


47/68

HAPPY HEAETS. 41 -

CHAPTEE III.HOW? ANSWEEED.

the familywere gath-

i ered in theparlor, afterdinner;Mrs.

: Payson said,"We willnow see howwe can helppoor Mrs. Fisher;

' for there are nonewho more need kind words anddeeds than helpless ones whoma bad husband and father leaves


48/68

42 MAPLE GEOVE STORIES.to suffer, and sometimes to per-ish, with hunger and cold.""But how can we give Mrs.Fisher any thing, if her husbandsells it?" asked Joshua.

"There is an honest womanliving next to Mrs. Fisher's," saidMrs. Payson, "who has washedfor me sometimes. I will hire aplace in her little yard for coal,and send some there. I will giveMrs. Fisher tickets for getting ahalf bushel at a time, when sheneeds it, so she can have a fire.""And I will give her tickets

for getting bread at the bakery,and meat and potatoes in mar-ket," said Mr. Payson. "She


49/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 43must get a little at a time, andnot keep any in the house forher husband to carry off.""That will be good/' said

Eebecca; "the little hungrychildren will smile."

"I will give half of my mon-ey to buy some shoes for DickFisher," said Joshua."And I will give half of mineto buy a flannel petticoat for

Mrs. Fisher," said Eebecca."Here is my money, mamma,"said Newton, who had run to

bring his little box.

"May we send the childrensome of our toys?" asked Eebecca."You may send what you^


50/68

44 MAPLE GROVE STORIES.please," said Mrs. Payson. "Wewill put them in a basket withenough food for a good dinner,and you may carry all to her,Christmas morning, with thetickets."

"0, mamma," said Joshua,"it will be pleasant to see howsurprised and happy they willlook.""Now, what shall we do for

Mrs. Grant?" asked Mrs. Pay-son."Several neighbors have prom-ised to join me in giving ' hercoal, flour, and meat, as long asshe needs such help," said Mr.Payson.


51/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 45"I will prepare some clothes

for herself and her children,"said Mrs. Payson."And we will give them some

toys and books/' said Joshua."Will you please, papa/' said

Newton, "send word to SantaGlaus to carry his pack to thetop of Mrs. Grant's chimney?And I will tell little lame Harryto hang up his stocking."

"Yes," said Mr. Payson smil-ing, "I will send word to SantaGlaus to have his eight tinyreindeer jingle their bells rightmerrily over Mrs. Grant's chim-ney."

That night Mr. Payson's three


52/68

46 MAPLE GEOVE STOEIES.children went to bed feelingvery happy; for they were try-ing to do something to makeothers good and happy.


53/68

HAPPY HEARTS.

CHAPTER IV.WHAT THE STARS SAW.

stars were^ T ^~^L yet winking

f through thepine trees onChristmasmorning,' when the

BB^,- _^_Pf Httle Pay"**$n/ji& sons went''^^li/ shouting their

"merry Christmas" through thehouse.

Santa Glaus had filled theirstockings with just what they


54/68

48 MAPLE G-ROVE STORIES.most wanted. Strange that heshould know so well !

There could be no more morn-ing naps now, and while thestars were shutting their eyesBridget prepared -the early break-fast, so the children might gowith their happy hearts andtheir gifts to gladden those whoneeded kind words and gooddeeds.

After the family had joined intheir morning worship, Mr. Pay-son said, "JSTow, my children,we will go and see some sadfaces .smile, while mamma pre-pares the Christmas-tree; for shesays we must not have a peep


55/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 49at it till our friends come thisevening."By the time the sun was

looking over the tree tops,Mr. Payson and the childrenwere riding toward Mrs.Grant's with a basket of goodthings and a great many kindwords.They found the little Grantsin quite an uproar. They had

hung up their stockings for thefirst time in their lives, and nowthey were spreading out SantaClaus's wonderful gifts with greatglee.The basket was carried in,

and Mr. Payson told Mrs. Grant9


56/68

50 MAPLE GEOVE STORIES.what more would be done forher every-day comfort.

Tears came in her eyes whenshe thanked him and the chil-dren.

"It almost made me feel likecrying," said Kebecca, when theyhad left the house, "to see poorlame Harry's face look so happy."At Mrs. Fisher's they found a

gloomy and unhappy scene.Mr. Fisher sat with his hair

falling over his half-shut eyes,while the hungry and cold chil-dren were huddled around thehalf-warmed stove on which theirmother was trying to cook some-thing for breakfast.


57/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 51"My children have come to

bring some smiles to yourselfand your little ones this Christ-mas morning," said Mr. Paysonto Mrs. Fisher, as they steppedinto the miserable home.

" Mamma says, will you pleasehave a good dinner?" said Re-becca, as she and Joshua carriedthe basket to Mrs. Fisher, whoseeyes filled with tears at this un-expected kindness.

Mr. Payson gave her the tick-ets for coal and food, and toldher that his wife would callsometimes and see how she en-joyed them.Mr. Fisher hung his head in


58/68

52 MAPLE GEOVE STORIES.shame as the bright faces of thelittle Paysons left. But a rayof light had shone into thatgloomy home, and Mrs. Fisher'ssad face smiled when she sawher children spreading out theirChristmas gifts. Each one hadbeen kindly remembered and wasbright with happiness.

Joshua, and Eebecca, and New-ton rode toward home, carryinghearts filled anew with love, andgentleness, and kindness.Mr. Payson next knocked atMr. Kelly's door. Mrs. Kellywas sitting, wrapped up, in arocking chair, sick, but havinga smile. Little Martha


59/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 53was doing the morning work,and looked with surprise at theearly visitors and their goodgifts.The children soon had the

food spread out for Mrs. Kellyto see what a nice dinner shewould have; and Martha fairlydanced around the room ; hold-ing up a good Sunday frockfor herself and a pretty storybook.

"This is a happy Christmas,"said Eebecca as they rode home."We learn, my children/ 7 saidMr. Payson, "that those whotry to do their duty may be richin happy hearts and smiling


60/68

54 MAPLE GROVE STOEIES.homes though they are verypoor."But bad hearts and badways make the sunshine seemgloomy in the finest parlors."

"When the sun went down thatnight, friends, both old andyoung, gathered in Mr. Payson'sparlors, to pluck gifts from thewell-loaded Christmas-tree.Fruits from all parts of theworld were hanging in itsbranches, and toys and bookspeeped out from the greenleaves.When little eyelids were

closed in sleep that night, thestars winked and smiled over


61/68

HAPPY HEARTS. 55little hearts that were brimfulof love ; because, by giving, theyhad grown rich.


62/68


63/68


64/68


65/68


66/68


67/68


68/68

happyhearts00isleiala_bw

Documents

Transcript of happyhearts00isleiala_bw