Gem of neatness
Date: 2023-12-02T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Christian life -- Juvenile fiction; Children's stories; Girls -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Orderliness -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Juvenile fiction; Sanitation -- Religious aspects -- Juvenile fiction

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Gem of neatness

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Gem of neatness

Or, the cousins

Author: Madeline Leslie

Release date: December 2, 2023 [eBook #72280]

Language: English

Original publication: Boston: Andrew F. Graves, 1872

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/72280

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEM OF NEATNESS ***

Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.

SPARKLING GEMS
BY MRS. MADELINE LESLIE.

Gem of Neatness:

OR,

THE COUSINS.

BY

MRS. MADELINE LESLIE

"Let all things be done decently and in order."—I COR 14:40.

BOSTON:

ANDREW F. GRAVES.

20 CORNHILL.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872,
BY A. R. BAKER, D.D.
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

J. D. Flagg & Co.
51 Walter and 57 Congress Sta.
Boston.

LIST

OF

SPARKLING GEMS

FOR YOUTH.

SERIES FOR GIRLS.

VOL. I. GEM OF COURTESY.

VOL. II. GEM OF COURAGE.

VOL. III. GEM OF FAITHFULNESS.

VOL. IV. GEM OF NEATNESS.

VOL. V. GEM OF TRUTHFULNESS.

VOL. VI. GEM OF EARNESTNESS.

LIST

OF

SPARKLING GEMS

FOR YOUTH.

SERIES FOR BOYS.

VOL. I. GEM OF UPRIGHTNESS.

VOL. II. GEM OF SELF-DENIAL.

VOL. III. GEM OF PERSEVERANCE.

VOL. IV. GEM OF TEMPERANCE.

VOL. V. GEM OF SELF-CONTROL.

VOL. VI. GEM OF GENEROSITY.

DEDICATION.

MY DEAR LITTLE HARRY:

I HAVE DEDICATED THESE SMALL VOLUMES TO YOU,
PRAYING THAT THE GEMS OF WHICH THEY TREAT, MAY
ADORN YOUR CROWN IN THE CORONATION DAY OF CHRIST'S
BELOVED.

Your affectionate grandmother,

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

THE author of these volumes recently attended the commencement of a seminary, in which sparkling crowns were placed on the heads of such of the graduates as had been distinguished for diligence, faithfulness, neatness and other virtues. Being very much pleased with the design, I have appropriated the idea in these small volumes.

On the illuminated title page, the teacher and pupils appear. He holds up to their view a sparkling gem, just taken from his cabinet. We may imagine him explaining to them, that these precious stones are used in the Bible as emblems of the different graces which adorn the character of Christians, even as God says: these graces "shall be as the stones of a crown," put upon their heads.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. EMILY'S BUREAU

CHAPTER II. OLD FRIENDS

CHAPTER III. MILLY'S ARRIVAL

CHAPTER IV. MILLY AT PRAYERS

CHAPTER V. MILLY AT TABLE

CHAPTER VI. MILLY'S REQUEST

CHAPTER VII. GRANDMA'S ARRIVAL

CHAPTER VIII. THE MISSIONARIES

CHAPTER IX. ORDER FROM CONFUSION

CHAPTER X. MILLY'S CHAMBER

CHAPTER XI. A DRIVE TO THE BEACH

CHAPTER XII. MILLY'S ESCAPE

GEM OF NEATNESS.

CHAPTER I.

EMILY'S BUREAU.

MRS. MORGAN stood at the door of her little daughter's chamber, a bright smile of satisfaction illumining her countenance. Presently she stepped back into the hall, and, leaning over the balustrade, called out:

"Cousin Mary, come up here a moment."

A light step on the stairs, and cousin Mary stood by her side.

"This is Emily's room," said her mamma—"just as she left it for school. Everything has a place, and is in its place."

Mrs. Roby, who was cousin Mary, entered the neat chamber, her eyes beaming with pleasure.

"It looks just like Emily," she said in an enthusiastic tone.

"See! That book-rack,—How very even the row of volumes, and not one speck of dust on them;—and this tiny vase, with one carnation-pink! Priscilla, your daughter is a jewel of a girl as our old Pat used to say. Her habit of neatness and order will be worth a fortune to her."

"She is naturally neat and orderly," added Mrs. Morgan. "When she was not more than three years old, she used to want to help when I dusted the parlors. I always take that duty on myself, you know. So Emily must have an old veil tied over her golden curls, because mamma wore a veil to keep off the dust; and she must have a piece of silk for a duster. It was too funny to see her fly from one chair to another, just as soon as I had dusted it, and rub, rub, with all her strength."

"Does she take the entire care of her room?"

"Yes, now she does," answered mamma. "Hannah used to open the bed, and turn the mattress; but she was so anxious to do it all; and sometimes she had to wait for Hannah to get through with other work, so her father had the mattress carried to the upholsterer's, and cut in two parts. She can lift it now without any difficulty."

While Mrs. Morgan was speaking, her cousin had gone toward the bureau, and with her hands on the knobs of the upper drawer asked:

"May I look?"

"Certainly."

It was, indeed, a beautiful sight. A box in one of the front corners contained a pile of pocket handkerchiefs. Another at the left was filled with ribbons of various colors used for her hair and her neck. Each piece was rolled up nicely and laid by itself. Then there was a tiny box, holding a pretty brooch,—her last birthday gift from papa. A black silk apron and two or three white ones neatly folded lay at the back part of the drawer.

The next two contained different kinds of under clothes, each variety in a pile by itself.

"She puts everything away herself," explained her mamma. "Hannah lays her clean clothes on the bed, as they come up from the wash; and when she comes home she takes care of them without being reminded to do so. But look here?"

The lady opened the underdrawer, and displayed a beautiful wax doll covered with a small quilt pieced from tiny scraps of bright-colored silk. Miss Rose Standish lay with a sweet smile on her round face; and well she might smile, for there within her reach at the back part of the drawer was every thing in the shape of a wardrobe which the most extravagant dolly could desire. There was a set of white furs, muff and tippet to match; and another set of gray with the cunningest little wristers you ever saw. There were hats with plumes, and hats with velvet trimmings, and sacks, and skirts, and shoes and parasol to shade the little Miss from the sun. Oh, it would be easier to tell what there was not!

"It's a perfect show," exclaimed Mrs. Roby. "It's as good as Barnum's baby show. I wonder what aunt Lydia will say to it."

"The best of it is," added mamma, "that she has made the most of the clothes herself. I used to cut and baste for her; but of late, she has had a pattern and cut them herself. Her father says he hopes she will play with dolls till she is married. He is enthusiastic on the subject. Why, you'd laugh to hear him talk. He believes that, the dressing and undressing of dolls, and disciplining them, as Emily does hers, is the very best preparation for the duties of a mother that a child can possibly have. He would give Emily any amount of money she would ask to buy materials to make up for Miss Rose. By and by, I must tell you a story about that gray set of furs."

"Tell me now, please. I'm sure," added Mrs. Roby laughing, "if I had ever disbelieved in hereditary traits, I would give up my doubts after this."

"What do you mean?"

"Why from the stories I've heard Aunt Lydia tell about you, I think Emily is just her mamma over again."

"Yes, I used to be ridiculously fond of dolls, there is no denying it; but in those days, a wax doll was a thing unknown. My best doll was a beauty though. She had eyes that shone like diamonds, and painted curls. I used to call her Esther, after Queen Esther, I suppose; and I was very proud of her."

CHAPTER II.

OLD FRIENDS.

MRS. MORGAN shut the bureau as she spoke, saying with a smile: "Emily will know in a minute, that somebody has been to her drawers."

"I had better confess beforehand then. Are you going to sew now?"

"Yes, I'll be ready presently."

Ina few moments, Mrs. Morgan joined her cousin in the pleasant sitting-room. But before I tell you what they talked about, I wish to explain who these two ladies were.

Mrs. Morgan was the wife of a gentleman of good fortune connected with the great Express lines from north to south. They were both members of the Episcopal Church; and it was their earnest prayer that they might be not professors only, but possessors of vital godliness. During the first years of their married life, they went much into company, attended balls and concerts night after night. By this means, they lost much of the fervor of their religion.

Indeed, so conformed were they to the world and its pleasures, that they could scarcely be distinguished from the world's people. But their Father in heaven was watching over them. He saw into their hearts, and he knew that even while involved in this round of gayety, they were not satisfied. He knew there were times when they turned with loathing from all this hollow friendship, and longed for the quiet happiness they once enjoyed. God in his abounding kindness had a purpose of mercy toward these his wandering children; and he took means to bring them back to himself.

He removed first a beautiful babe who had scarcely opened its eyes in this world, to his paradise above. Then, when this did not wean the mother from circles of fashion, from the theatre and opera, he took another child, a darling boy, the pride of both parents, to swell the song of infant worshippers before his throne. A few months later, and while their hearts were still bleeding with sorrow, Emily their first-born and best-beloved was seized with scarlet-fever, and lay for days hovering between life and death.

Now, when the waves and the billows of trouble were rolling over them, they began to call upon God for help. But to their aching hearts, he did not seem a refuge near at hand. He appeared to be afar off, so far that their cry could not reach him. But if not to their heavenly Father, to whom could they go in their deep distress? Then they began to feel that they had sinned.

In their days of prosperity, they had forgotten to give thanks. They mourned together over the sinfulness which had led them far away from real happiness; and then in infinite compassion, their elder brother, their Saviour appeared to comfort them. The gracious spirit suggested words of cheer: "Return unto me, and I will return unto you."

By the bedside of their sick and apparently dying child, they renewedly consecrated themselves and all that they had, to the service of their Saviour. They bowed in sweet submission to the will of God. They cried indeed "Spare her, Lord," but from the heart they added, "if such be thy holy will."

And a merciful God did spare the child. She was gradually restored to perfect health. From this time her parents commenced a new life. They were constant at church. They took classes in the Sunday school. They visited the poor and afflicted. They did all in their power to stay up the hands of their faithful pastor.

All the energy and activity they had before displayed in the invention of new pleasures were now employed for the good of those about them. They were indeed a blessing in society; and in blessing others, they received a rich reward in their own hearts. One glance into the serene countenance of Mrs. Morgan showed that her soul was at peace.

Sickness and sorrow might come as it comes to every one; but she felt that all events for her were ordered by a Father's hand. Emily was their one treasure, spared to them from the grave. Is it strange that she was taught from her earliest recollection that her chief aim in life should be to love and serve her Maker and Preserver?

Mrs. Roby, own cousin to Mrs. Morgan, had married young, and gone with her husband to the West. He had been successful in business, and had now come East for a few months, his wife improving the occasion long desired, to revive her acquaintance with those so dear to her. She had only arrived the day before; and every moment that her cousin was at liberty was improved in asking questions about herself and other friends.

Aunt Lydia was Mrs. Morgan's mother who usually passed a part of every year with her, greatly to the delight of Emily.

CHAPTER III.

MILLY'S ARRIVAL.

THERE is another member of Mr. Morgan's family not yet introduced. Her real name is Amelia Lewis; but everybody seems to have forgotten it; and she now answers to the names Milly, or Mill. She is an orphan niece of Mr. Morgan, the child of his favorite sister, who went to India with her husband, and died there shortly after Amelia's birth.

For seven years, her father kept the child with him in Calcutta; and then she was sent home to his mother, where she remained until the old lady's increasing infirmities made the care a burden.

Mr. Morgan, hearing at last of Milly's destitute situation, consulted with his wife as to what was best to be done with the little girl. He proposed a boarding-school, and offered to be answerable for all expenses; but Mrs. Morgan, with great feeling, exclaimed:

"No, George, never to a boarding-school with my consent. What she needs is a home, where she can be loved and taught her duty."

"But we know nothing about her habits, and I cannot have our sweet Emily exposed to influences which may corrupt her pure mind."

"Listen a moment, George. Somebody certainly owes a duty to the poor orphan. If it is ours, we will undertake it, trusting in God to preserve our child from harm. We have endeavored to teach her to love her Saviour, and to pray to him to shield her from temptation. Now we must have faith to believe he will answer prayer."

"But, Priscilla, think how Milly has been brought up. You know what life in India is, from poor Ida's letters. And without a mother, the child has been tossed about from one native servant to another. I really can't see the way clear; and then think what a care for you!"

"Give me twenty-four hours to reflect," said the lady, cheerfully. "I will tell you then whether I will undertake it."

The next evening, a letter was written inviting Milly to make her uncle a visit; he volunteering a promise to pay her expenses for a year, either at his own house or at a suitable school. A week later, Milly arrived, in company with a neighbor of her grandmother, and quite a sensation did her debut create.

Milly was now in her tenth year, eight months younger than Emily. She had eyes that shone like stars; and a complexion dark as an Indian. Her form was slender, and her movements graceful. Her limbs were so supple that she could throw herself into any attitude and did so to the alarm of her aunt, who feared every moment that she would dislocate some bone.

It would be difficult to conceive a greater contrast than existed between the cousins. Emily was of fair complexion, with deep blue eyes and auburn hair. In her person and dress, she was the picture of neatness, while from her birth her parents had carefully guarded her from every breath of harm.

Milly, on her arrival from a day's journey in the cars, looked like a wild girl. Her face was covered with dust; her hair which floated loosely over her shoulders, looked as though unacquainted with a brush; her hands were grimy with dirt; her nails even had a deep border of black; her dress was buttoned awry; her boots were only half laced; and the strings hung dangling around her ancles, threatening every moment to trip her up.

When the child had carelessly bid the neighbor who accompanied her to the door good-by, without a word of thanks, and then, no ways abashed, stood in the centre of the room gazing curiously at her new found relatives, Mrs. Morgan cast a despairing glance from her husband to Emily.

The little girl, in the meantime, was trying hard to convince herself that this poor, neglected creature was the dear cousin, for whose arrival she had been so impatient. She blushed crimson as she noticed the slovenly hair and soiled dress; all desire to have Milly share her room and bed vanishing on the instant. She could not endure the thought of a kiss from a mouth with teeth so entirely a stranger to the brush.

But Milly did not notice the neglect. Alter one long, searching gaze into the faces of her relatives, she threw her hat into a chair, tossed back with a quick jerk of her head the locks fallen over her face; then with a loud yawn, exclaimed:

"I say, isn't it hot? I'm awfully hungry, too."

This appeal changed Emily's aversion to sympathy. She stepped forward eagerly, and seizing her cousin's hand, said:

"Come with me to your room and wash. Supper will be ready in a few minutes."

She led the way to a small chamber on the opposite side of the hall from her own, saying as she did so, "I'll help you to dress for tea."

"Oh dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Morgan, throwing up her hands when the children were out of hearing, "Isn't she a real Hindoo? Can she ever be civilized?"

Mr. Morgan sighed repeatedly. "Oh, Ida!" he murmured, "How your child reminds me of you! So like, yet so different; impulsive and careless, but with a warm heart!"

They were interrupted by a loud, prolonged laugh from the chamber; and in a few minutes the cousins came down stairs hand in hand, just as the bell in the hall called them to supper.

CHAPTER IV.

MILLY AT PRAYERS.

IT was evident that Emily had attempted to improve her cousin's appearance. Her face and hands were clean; and one lock of hair next her face had been brushed smoothly, and tied back with a cherry ribbon, from Emily's drawer. An apron and collar had been added from the same place.

At the door of the dining-room, Milly snatched her hand from her cousin, and dashed up to her aunt, asking, in a loud voice, "Say, doesn't I look smart? May I keep this red ribbon for my own?"

At the table, while her uncle said grace, Milly folded her hands to be sure; but her eyes wandered from one dish to another. She did not wait till the plate of biscuit was passed, but snatched one, and commenced eating it, biting a huge piece off the side as a dog would have done.

Emily blushed. "Wasn't it dreadful?" she asked mamma afterward.

"Did you have no dinner, Milly?" inquired her uncle, greatly annoyed.

"I had a paper bag full of doughnuts and cheese," answered the child, talking with her mouth full, and showing all the process of masticating her food, occasionally using her tongue to disengage the bread from her teeth. "Martha made them on purpose. You know old Martha, don't you?"

Mr. Morgan gravely bowed assent. Every moment he was becoming more convinced that Milly must be sent away to school.

When Mrs. Morgan passed the visitor a glass dish of currant jelly, she smacked her lips, and glancing in her aunt's face with a smile, she burst out:

"I say, isn't this red stuff jolly good?"

"I'm glad you like it, my dear," was the kind reply.

Mr. Morgan pushed back his plate, saying in rather a petulant tone, "My appetite has gone."

"Oh, papa!" said Emily, "You've only eaten one biscuit."

When the tea had been removed, Emily carried the Bible and hymn books to her father, taking the opportunity, as she leaned over his shoulder, to whisper to him:

"I love you dearly, papa."

He glanced in her anxious face, nodded pleasantly, and then named the hymn they would sing.

The exercises which followed appeared to interest Milly intensely. She listened to the reading with open mouth, her keen gaze being fastened on her uncle till he closed the Bible.

During the singing, her expression softened, till the tears stood in her eyes. But after the first verse, she hummed an accompaniment, entirely ignoring the words, her voice, as they all acknowledged afterward, being as sweet and clear as a nightingale in his native woods.

When they rose from their seats to kneel, Milly squatted awkwardly down in front of her chair, her chin resting on her hands. Her eyes were at first fixed on a beautiful painting of fruit which hung above her; but presently her attention was arrested by the petitions:

"Help us, Lord, to be kind to the poor orphan who has this day come to us. May she be docile and affectionate; and may we be patient and faithful. May we always bear in mind that she has not been so highly favored by Providence as we have been, and may we, both by precept and example, teach her that the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

When the prayer was finished, Milly stood still for a moment, while Emily, as usual, gathered the books and restored them to a shelf in the bookcase. Then, with a sudden impulse, the poor little stranger dashed to the side of her uncle, exclaiming:

"I like you. I thought at first I shouldn't; and I like to hear you talk to God as you did just now."

"Stop a minute, Milly," cried her uncle, as she was darting away. "I want to speak to you. Do you know," he added affectionately, taking her hand, "that your mother was my sister Ida, whom I dearly loved? For her sake, and for your own, too, I hope we shall do everything in our power to make you a useful and happy woman. But tell me, Milly, do you ever talk to God? Do you ask him to take care of you, and make you his child?"

"I did once, on board ship," returned Milly. "A man told me God made everything on sea and land; but I don't believe he made Juggernaut. It's such a horrid creature, and kills so many people under its great wheels."

Before Mr. Morgan could say any more, the child darted away.

CHAPTER V.

MILLY AT TABLE.

IT was not an easy task for Mrs. Morgan to tame this wild creature; but when her husband said, hopelessly:

"It will take years, Priscilla; and in the meantime Emily will be ruined."

She answered, in a cheerful voice:

"God has given us the work, George, I would not dare to refuse it."

There were many times every day that she was ready to despair. Milly had not one idea of neatness and order, and could not be made to comprehend that it was of any consequence to put her clothes, books and toys in place. Her hat as often was tossed on a chair in the hall, her sack on the doorstep as on the hook and shelves allotted to them. In her room were a bureau and closet. Her aunt showed her Emily's clothes, hung or folded so neatly; but when she asked kindly:

"Won't you try, Milly, to keep yours in place?" the only answer was the laughing one:

"I can't bother with things. Let the servants do it."

"My poor child," said the lady tenderly, "it would be much easier for me to send Hannah to dress your bed, and make your room tidy, than to teach you to do it. But can't you understand that I do it for your good?"

"If you do not learn to be neat now, while you are young, you never will be likely to learn at all. If you have a house of your own, you will not be able to find anything. You remember what an inconvenience it is every day not to find your hat, your gloves, your jumping-rope, your hoop-stick; and how much time it takes to hunt for them, when, if you had a place for every thing, and kept every thing in its place if not in use, you would—"

"Oh!" interrupted Milly, "I say, what's the use of learning so many things, when, as soon as I'm grown, I'm going back to India to live with father. There are plenty of servants in the bungalows, and if I did the work, they would have nothing to do, but chew betel nuts, which makes them lazy."

"But, Milly, you know the Bible is God's word. God, our heavenly Father, who loves us and preserves us from harm, tells us—"

"Yes, I know about him. The man on board ship told me that he is not cruel and hateful like the gods the Hindoos worship. I like him first-rate."

"Well, my dear, our God tells us what we must do in order to get into heaven when we die. I'm sure you want to please him and go there."

Milly nodded her head in a decided manner.

"One of his rules is this: 'Let every thing be done decently and is order;' and a writer has told us—'Order is heaven's first law.'"

"If we don't obey the law of God, we displease him."

"But he won't tell anybody to throw us to the crocodiles. The man told me that, or else I shouldn't like him. The man says he forgives everybody."

"He does, every man, woman and child, who pray for forgiveness; but not those who go on breaking his laws. That would be only mocking him."

"Oh! There's Emily, home from school."

And before Mrs. Morgan could put out her hand to detain the child, she had darted away.

Two weeks passed. To Mrs. Morgan, it did seem as though there was a slight improvement in the habits of the motherless girl. Her looks and dress were decidedly better. Her hair had been shortened, and showed a disposition to curl. She was required to brush it carefully several times in a day. Her face, hands and neck, were examined thoroughly by her aunt before she was allowed to leave her room in the morning, and her cousin's influence had made her more thoughtful concerning her dress.

Since the first evening of her arrival, she had never eaten at the table with her uncle, though. Unless they had company, she took her dinners with her aunt and cousins, Mr. Morgan being absent in the city. She had taken daily lessons, and not without some effect, in the handling of her knife and fork, keeping her elbows off the table, keeping her lips closed while eating, waiting until the food was passed her by a servant, asking when she wished anything, instead of making a dive at it. When she had cured herself of these uncouth habits, and learned to eat like a lady, instead of like a dog, she had been promised the reward of going to the table with her uncle.

At first, Milly said she'd rather not eat with him; it would be a great deal jollier to sit down with Hannah and Phebe in the kitchen. She wished she could go there; but when day after day she was sent from the room, and heard outside the pleasant talk, and the merry peals of laughter from Emily, she changed her mind, and really tried to do as her aunt wished.

CHAPTER VI.

MILLY'S REQUEST.

WE have left Mrs. Morgan and her cousin a long time, and must now return to them.

When they were seated at their sewing, Mrs. Roby said: "I have been wishing to ask you about Milly. What a very strange child she is! It is a perfect fascination to watch her."

"Yes, one never knows what she will do next. She has always been governed by her own impulses, good or bad. I am glad to say many of them are good. She is capable of the warmest attachments. I never knew until lately, how much she loves Emily. The poor child fell a short distance from home, as they were going together of an errand, and sprained her ancle. Milly actually tried to lift her cousin and bring her home; but finding she had not strength, she rushed back in her furious way, crying as though her heart was broken, to tell me Emily was hurt. Then, when Emily fainted, I thought Milly would faint too, she was so terrified for fear her cousin would die. I had to take her up stairs, and leave her with Hannah for a time. When I had bathed and bandaged Emily's ancle, I went to Milly, who was sobbing bitterly."

"'Oh, Aunt Priscilla, I wish it had been my ancle! Emily's so good and kind. Oh, dear! I'm so sorry I've vexed her so many times, I never, never will again. I'll let her things alone. Will she get well, aunty? Will she? Oh, I'd rather go back to India! Things are always happening here to make me ache,' putting both hands to her heart."

"I improved the opportunity while her feelings were tender, to talk with her about herself. I told her we were all growing to love her very dearly; and that, when she tried to be good and polite and tidy, it made Emily and all of us very happy."

"She fixed her keen, black eyes on me as she asked:"

"'Truly, truly, Aunt Priscilla, are you beginning not to be tired of me and thinking me a bother, with my things thrown all about?'"

"Truly, truly, I am beginning to like to have you here, and to be able to say, Milly is improving every week."

She covered her face with her hands, and laughed till she shook all over, when suddenly she spoke again.

"'But I never can be like Emily; never in this world.'"

"Why not, Milly?"

"'Because she is a real Christian. When I struck her once, she did not get angry. She said:'"

"'Oh, Cousin Milly!' And then she went in her own room, and locked the door. I listened at the keyhole, for I heard her talking; and I thought she was telling you of my badness. But, oh dear!—beginning to sob again, 'she was telling God that I was a poor, motherless girl, and that the Hindoo ayah's hadn't taught me any better; and then she asked God to forgive me. Isn't that being real, truly good?'"

"It is indeed, my dear child; and then I kissed her. But here they come."

Mrs. Morgan smiled as she glanced through the window. The cousins walked side by side, engaged in animated conversation, Emily at the time being the chief speaker. Milly's hat was, as usual, hanging by the elastic on the back of her neck; and her hair was in wild confusion.

"You will see," said mamma softly, "that Emily will coax her cousin to the chamber, and make her presentable, before she comes to the parlor."

And so it was, but they had business in hand, and Milly never was patient under delay. They came down stairs together, talking in subdued tones, when the ladies heard Milly say:

"Uncle George has come home; and I'm going to ask him now."

"Oh, would you, so quick? He's always tired at first."

"Yes, I am," in Milly's decided voice, "I hate waiting for things."

So into the library Milly went, while Emily sat on the stairs in the hall, waiting and blushing with eagerness.

Mr. Morgan had just entered the library. Seeing his niece with nicely brushed hair, and clean muslin apron, he smiled so pleasantly, that she plunged into her subject at once.

"Oh, Uncle George! I want to talk to you a few minutes."

"I'm quite at your service, Miss Milly," he answered, throwing himself upon the lounge, as was his habit after his walk, "but where is Emily?"

"She's somewhere; but Uncle George, would it cost a great deal of money to go to the shore? Emily and I want to go awfully. It's a secret and you must be sure not to tell Aunt Priscilla."

"Indeed, why is she to be kept in the dark?"

"Won't you tell truly, truly, if I whisper something?"

"No, I promise to keep your secret."

"Oh, Uncle George! I want to talk to you a few minutes."

She put her mouth close to his ear, "Emily says Aunty's birthday is coming pretty soon, and she says I'm not so bad as I was, and I'm trying hard to be good. See how smooth my hair is and my clean apron on. I like her ever so much now; and I put my things in the drawers. I mean, I do when I don't forget; and then Emily reminds me. So I want to make Aunt Priscilla a present; and I know how to do mosses, the woman on board ship showed me; and that's the reason we want to go to the shore."

Milly stopped to recover breath, and then went on, eager to explain:

"Aunt Priscilla can go with us, of course; because Emily and I can pick the moss while she isn't seeing us, and then I can do them at home for her birthday."

Mr. Morgan smiled pleasantly.

"There, I knew you would. I'll go and call Emily. She said I might ask you, 'cause it's going to be my present."

"When do you wish to go, Miss Milly?"

The child laughed merrily; and then in her impulsive way began to kiss him, eyes, nose and mouth. "When your eye twinkles, I love you dearly, Uncle George."

"There, Milly, you looked just like your mother when you said that; and so for her sake, and because of your smooth hair, and your clean apron, and your attempts to be neat, I will take you to-morrow afternoon, if it is pleasant."

Milly jumped a foot from the floor, laughing and clapping her hands, in great glee. Then, she ran out to communicate the good news to her Cousin Emily.

CHAPTER VII.

GRANDMA'S ARRIVAL.

UNFORTUNATELY, the next day was rainy. And the following, Mrs. Morgan's mother arrived, and they could not leave her.

Milly's patience was nearly exhausted when the second disappointment came. She knew nothing about this grandma, and could not sympathize with Emily's joy at seeing her once more. Grandmother Morgan was very feeble and often irritable. Milly had never become attached to one who was always lamenting that Ida's child should be exactly like a Hindoo girl, and finding fault with her for not doing things that the poor, neglected Milly had never heard of.

Grandma Harris was fatigued with her journey, and lay down for an hour keeping hold of Emily's soft hand all the time, even when she fell into a short doze. But she came from her chamber quite refreshed, and gave a willing consent that Milly should come and hear the story she had promised to tell.

Everybody said, Grandma Harris was a great story-teller. It was certain that when she was at her daughter's, she had a great many stories to tell. She had heard all about the motherless child, and heartily approved of Priscilla's intention to befriend her. Now, when Emily urged that her cousin should be invited to join them and listen to the story, the old lady smilingly consented.

Milly never in all her after life forgot that interview. Grandma was sitting in her favorite chair, a deep seated maroon-covered one without arms; a narrow fold of delicate gauze framing her beautiful silvery hair. Her dress was black silk, the rich, heavy folds lying on the carpet by her side, the waist open and turned back at the neck to show the snowy muslin kerchief folded across her bosom.

At first, Milly saw nothing of all this, except as a part of the beautiful picture. She only saw the kind eyes, and the welcoming smile.

"You must be my granddaughter too, my dear, and give me a kiss," she said, taking the child's hand and patting it softly. "Say, will you be my little girl as Emily is?"

Milly's face expressed great emotion. It was a very tell-tale face. Now it looked pleased and penitent, and astonished by turns. At last, trying to wink back a tear which the loving words brought to her eyes, she answered softly:

"I'm not good enough. Emily can tell you what a bad girl I am; and when everybody is so kind, too."

"Indeed, Emily has told me nothing of the kind. She says you're her own darling cousin,—that she loves you dearly,—and that you are trying so hard to be good."

"Yes, I do try sometimes. I mean, when I think of it. But I'm not nice and clean like Emily. Aunty has a great deal of trouble with me, though my bed looks real smooth to-day, and all my clothes are hung up."

"That is very cheering. Emily tells me you wish to go back to India. It will be very pleasant to your father to have a neat, thorough housekeeper."

Milly's face crimsoned. "Not till I'm grown up," she exclaimed eagerly. "I can't leave Emily for a good while yet."

"I suppose the Hindoos are not very neat."

"Oh, no! I never thought about it till I came here; but the bungalows are awfully dirty. The people have to bathe in the water tanks made for them. That is one of their laws; but they are filthy after all."

"That is true," said grandma, "of all people who do not have the Bible to guide them. One of the first changes which the poor heathen make when they learn about God our heavenly Father, and his Son our Saviour, is cleanliness."

Milly started up and clasped her hands, her eyes shining like stars.

"I know it I know it! One of our women went to the sahibs, that means missionaries, and learned to read the Bible. Everybody said she was better than before. She always wore such clean sarrees, that's the kind of dress Hindoo women have. I used to wear them, too. And she kept her hair smooth. I never thought though about its being the Bible that made her so much nicer."

"Yes, Milly, that is always the effect of true godliness."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MISSIONARIES.

"SHALL I tell you a story about an Indian girl, who lived this side of the Rocky Mountains?"

"Is that near Calcutta, ma'am?"

"No, it is our own country. She belonged to a tribe called Cherokees, and her name was Iwassee."

"Until some good missionaries went to her tribe to tell them about the great God who made the sun and moon, the boundless forests and the swift running rivers, Iwassee knew nothing what would become of her soul when her body was tied up in a tree for the birds to pick the flesh from the bones. She lived in a kind of tent without glass, with a hole in the top to let out the smoke when they kindled a fire on the heap of stones inside."

"Her parents had no money; but her father used to go out to the forest with his bow and arrows, and bring home some wild fowl or a deer on his back. Her dresses, when it was cold enough for her to wear dresses, were made from the bark of trees. On her feet, she wore moccasins of deer skin. In the winter, her mother worked moccasins with wampum or bead-work, to be sold to visitors."

"Iwassee, as she grew older, helped her mother to tan the skins of the bears, wolves and deer, which her father killed. These skins were their beds and seats. They were thrown on the floor or ground inside the tent. Iwassee herself, her father, mother and all her tribe were savages. They lived from day to day only to eat, sleep and carouse. They knew nothing of the pleasures which Christians enjoy. They quarrelled, stole from each other, told lies to cover their guilt, and broke every one of God's commands. They were filthy, too, filthy in their own persons, in their dress, in their food, and in their tents. They thought it quite too much trouble to wash their clothes often, or to keep their tents in order."

"Their arrows were hung in a quiver near their bows, on a peg in their tents. The kettle they cooked their venison in, was hung there too, unwashed from month to month. They would have thought it very foolish to sweep out the floor of the tents, about which the vermin were running, or to have washed and cleansed their own bodies. They much preferred, when their work was done, to lounge on the grass in the sun and think of nothing."

"Poor Iwassee lived year after year in this way, until the missionaries, I spoke of, went to the tribe. It was a terrible trial for the wife, who had been brought up so delicately, to settle down in the midst of such pollution. Even the touch of the filthy women and girls, whose soiled garments were alive with vermin, was dreadful. Nothing but their love to Jesus Christ, and their desire to tell these poor heathen about him could have induced this intelligent Christian lady to remain there a day."

"But this love was so strong, they were glad to obey his command to preach the gospel of salvation to every creature. The missionary put up his tent in the wilderness, and then called the people together to talk to them in their own language about God. Iwassee was one of the first who went to hear the talk. When she learned of the love of Jesus Christ for poor sinners, tears of joy ran down her swarthy cheeks. Her heart began to swell with love and gratitude to him. She could not leave the spot. She went to the missionaries' tent early and late to beg them to tell her more; and when Mrs. Johnson assured her that Christ was waiting to be her friend, she threw herself on the ground in a transport of joy. She was the first of the tribe who accepted Jesus as her Saviour; but she was not the last; for the labors of the good missionaries were greatly blessed."

"When Iwassee had once felt her need of pardon and had found her Saviour, she did not stop there. She saw how comfortably the tent of the Christians looked; what a contrast to the filth and confusion in her father's. She told the Missionary's wife her trouble, and the lady encouraged her to strive after cleanliness, as one of the first of Christian virtues. She opened the book which contains God's word and read: 'Wo to her that is filthy!' She told her that everywhere in the Bible, sin and uncleanliness are named together, while order and cleanliness follow holiness."

"Iwassee listened and remembered. The next time she went to the Missionaries' tent, she looked so different, that the lady scarcely knew her. She had always been in the habit, like other women of her tribe, of oiling her face with bear's or other grease, and staining her nails. Now she had bathed in the stream which ran through the settlement, and in the best manner she could, had made herself tidy."

"This was very cheering to Mrs. Johnson. She took courage to talk with other women of the tribe. In two or three years, there was a wonderful change. Many of the men and women had become earnest Christians, and took the Bible for their guide. It was of course very hard for them to give up their old habits; but when they found that God requires it, when Mrs. Johnson read to them such passages as these: 'Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness and all your idols will I cleanse you;' they did make great efforts to be clean. If any stranger visited the tribe, and walked along by the tents, it was not necessary to tell him:"

"'Here lives a man who has become a Christian.' He could see that for himself. Everything about the small home looked thriving and attractive. The tents were better too. Sometimes a log hut had been made, set in a small garden. Sometimes too, there were bright-colored blossoms before the doors. When the people assembled on the Sabbath either under a tree or a large tent, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson no longer shrank from their touch. They were clean and dressed according to their fashion, in neat garments."

CHAPTER IX.

ORDER FROM CONFUSION.

"So you are at your old business of telling stories, grandma," exclaimed Mr. Morgan.

Milly caught the old lady's hand, kissed it, and ran from the room.

After half an hour, her aunt found her in a grand hurly burly of clearing up. Her cheeks were brilliant with excitement as she cried out:

"Oh, Aunt Priscilla! I'm going to make my room look as nice as Emily's. I never knew before that only the heathen were so disorderly. That's the reason Emily is so neat, and has her drawers all fixed up, because she is so very good a Christian."

"But, Milly, it will take a day at least to restore your clothes to their places. Why did you not arrange one drawer, or one shelf at a time?"

"Because," answered Milly, her eyes sparkling, "I wanted to do it quick. Do you think when I'm done, Emily's grandma will look at it?"

"Yes, indeed, it was her story, then, that suggested such a grand overturn?"

"Yes, aunty; and I'm going to try real hard to keep my things in order."

"That's right, dear. Did grandma repeat to you this verse? 'Let all things be done decently and in order?'"

"I didn't hear it. I wish the Hindoos knew about the Bible. They're awful; but I didn't think about its being bad, till I came here. When I go back, I shall tell them what God says."

"Milly, Milly, where are you?"

It was Emily's voice in the hall. Naturally amiable and affectionate, she had become greatly attached to her cousin, whose ardent, impulsive nature, and stronger traits harmonized well with her gentler ones.

Mrs. Morgan with a glance of dismay around the chamber into which one could scarcely find a standing place, was just returning to the parlor, when she stopped to see what Emily would say to all this confusion.

"Why, Milly Lewis! What are you doing?" exclaimed the little girl, holding up her hands in surprise.

"I'm fixing my room up," answered Milly, coloring at Emily's tone.

"Don't you want me to help you? But I forgot, Papa's going to take us to ride, I came to call you."

"Oh, dear! What shall I do? I'm sorry I began to be neat to-day."

"Come and ride," suggested Emily, "then I'll help you put away your things."

"Well, I will."

"You must make yourself look nicely, you know," urged Emily, archly. "Where's your brush?"

"I don't believe anything is anywhere," was the mournful reply. "I laid my sack down; but I can't find it, nor my hat either."

"Emily! Milly! Come, now, if you're going with me," called papa from below.

Milly flew about throwing the clothes with which the chairs were covered upon the floor.

"Oh, that is not the way to find anything! Where did you see your sack last?"

"Milly," said her aunt, coming to her aid, "I will give you your choice to go to ride and leave your room in this confusion, or to stay at home and take a lesson from me in order."

"I want to go with Emily," began the child. Then with a face full of resolution, she added:

"No, Aunt Priscilla, I'll stay at home."

"That's a dear child," said her aunt, kissing her. "Now run and carry this shawl to grandma to tuck around her, and then we'll go to work in earnest."

"Now," added the lady, when Milly returned, "We will make a beginning by hanging all the dresses in the closet. After this, remember that it is not a good way to turn closets and drawers inside out. Take one thing at a time; or what is better yet, keep everything in place so that there is no need of such an overturn."

"I must put all the skirts in the closets, too," exclaimed Milly. "Oh, here's my lost sack! Where shall I hang that?"

"Fix upon one hook and always hang it there. Then you will not be in danger of losing a drive, because you can't find it."

"I'll keep it on this one, because it's low, and my thick sack can go on the next hook."

"Here are two shelves, Milly. I would take the upper one for my school hat, and the lower for shoes. There, the closet begins to look in order. Run to Hannah for her hand brush and pan. The bits of paper must be swept up."

CHAPTER X.

MILLY'S CHAMBER.

"OH, Aunt Priscilla! You're so kind to help me. Doesn't it look beautifully? What shall we do next?"

Mrs. Morgan paused and looked around her. They had made a beginning; but it was only a beginning. Every article was taken from the drawers; the books from the rack were tumbled over the floor.

"Why did you take down the books, my dear?" she asked mildly.

"I saw Emily dusting hers this morning, so I—"

"But you did not see her throw down the volumes in this way. You should take down two or three at a time, dust them and then put them back. You'll remember after this."

"Yes, indeed, Aunty."

"Perhaps we had better do the drawers first; and then we can have space to walk around. But what is this? Crumbs?"

"I put my cake there, the day my head ached; and then I forgot it."

"Oh, what a pity! See how it has soiled this pretty ribbon. I wouldn't bring cake up stairs. Hannah will take care of any such thing for you."

"I won't do it again. I'm going to be real good. Do you think, Aunt Priscilla, that I can be as good us Emily?"

"In what particular do you mean?"

"Why, as good a Christian. If I was, I'd be neat and kind as she is, of course."

"I hope, Milly, that you already love the Saviour. You know he came to wash and cleanse us from all sin. If you pray to him to help you conquer all your bad habits, he will do it. He always helps those who try to obey his commands; and you are trying now to do all things 'decently and in order.' You must remember that Emily has been taught to be neat from her babyhood."

"And I had nobody to tell me about anything good," exclaimed the child, with a burst of feeling.

"God our Father knows all that. He never expects from us more than we can do. While you were ignorant of the duty of cleanliness and order, he was not displeased with you for being untidy."

"But now he will be. But what if I forget?"

"No doubt you will occasionally; but every day your habit of neatness will be strengthening until it will never occur to you to throw your hat on one chair, your sack on the hall table, and your books somewhere else. You will hang your sack on this hook, put your hat on the shelf, and your books in the place I gave you for them."

"Oh, aunty! There's the door-bell. I do hope nobody will call to see you; but I could go on by myself now; at any rate I'd 'try, try again,' as the verse says."

"Mrs. Lang to see you, ma'am," said Hannah, opening the door.

Mrs. Morgan looked as though she was sorry; but Milly insisted that she could do the rest.

"Finish one drawer at a time then," said her aunt. "Find all the articles that go in it, and then take another."

"I'll sweep up your room for you," said Hannah, kindly. "There'll be a good many scraps about."

"Thank you, Hannah," and Milly began to sing at the top of her voice one of her favorite songs:

"Flowers, wild wood flowers."

At length, the upper drawer is in order. The child stands and gazes into it with pride.

"It looks just like Emily's," she murmurs. "Now, if I can only keep it so; but it is so hard when I am in a hurry, to stop and put back the things. I'll lock it till Emily comes. I'll ask her to bring grandma in here. Oh, what a nice grandma she is! What good stories she tells. Oh, here is the Chinese puzzle, Uncle George gave me!"

On the floor, she drops to put together the pieces of the game. Five, ten, fifteen minutes fly quickly away; but she is so absorbed in making squares and oblongs and parallelograms out of the smooth, ivory pieces, that she knows nothing about the time.

"Are you ready for me?" asks Hannah, coming in with a broom and dust pan. "Why, Milly, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Hannah." The child's tone was humble, and her countenance expressed such real regret that the girl could not scold, as at first she felt inclined to do.

"I've done one drawer, and it looks real nice; but then I found my puzzle, and I forgot. I'll fix the rest just as quick as I can."

"Well," said Hannah, "you ought not to have stopped to play till your work was done; but it can't be helped now. You just bring me all the under clothes, and I'll fold them for you. Seems to me I wouldn't toss everything about so again."

"No, I never shall. I'm beginning to be neat, now. Grandma has been telling us a story about it. You know the Hindoos and the Indians, and everybody who don't have the Bible, are filthy. The Bible says so," she added, earnestly, seeing Hannah smile. "And just as soon as they begin to be good, they clean their houses and wash themselves, and make their hair smooth. I knew a girl who did so in Calcutta. Her name was Waroo. She used to worship an idol. It was a little brass thing. She kept it hung on the wall. After she learned of the missionaries about God, she threw away her idol; and then she began to look real nice. Her sarree was clean; and her face washed. Papa asked her what had come over her, and she said 'I'm trying to be like the missionaries and worship their God.'"

CHAPTER XI.

A DRIVE TO THE BEACH.

By the time Mr. Morgan, grandma, Cousin Mary and Emily, returned from their drive, Milly's room looked as neat as possible. Hannah seemed almost as pleased as Milly; and when the little girl, in an ecstasy of delight kissed her thanks, she said, encouragingly:

"It's a picture to see. If I were you, I'd keep it just so."

To complete her pleasure, grandma and Mrs. Roby came in, on their way to their own chambers, and praised the little girl for her own self-denial in staying to arrange her room rather than to go out for a drive.

Every drawer and shelf were opened for inspection, and received great praise.

The next morning, at the breakfast table, Mr. Morgan, after a roguish glance at Milly, said:

"This afternoon, I propose to take you all to the seashore. We must have dinner at twelve, so that we may have time enough for a ramble on the beach."

"Can we all go in one carriage?" asked mamma.

"I will provide seats enough," Uncle George answered, adding in a mysterious tone, "If there are any persons here who have been housecleaning of late, those persons are especially invited."

"I know who you mean, papa," said Emily, laughing. "You mean Milly."

"I mean any little girl who is trying hard to correct her faults."

Milly's face crimsoned with pleasure, while her poor little heart fluttered and beat fast with love to everybody.

"It's a beautiful world to live in," she said to herself, running to bring her uncle's daily paper from the door, "and God is just as good to me as he can be."

During the forenoon, Mrs. Ward, a relative of Mrs. Morgan, called to see grandma, who was a kind of aunt to her.

"We have been anticipating a visit to the beach for a long time," she said, when she heard of the contemplated drive. "I'll go directly to my husband's office, and ask him to go this afternoon. Why can't we have a fish chowder on the beach?"

"We can. I'll go at once, and tell cook to pack whatever will be necessary."

"I'll carry a hamper of crackers, cake and coffee, with milk for the children. Ernest will be crazy with delight, when I tell him. We'll meet at Ruggles street, where we turn off for the beach. Whoever gets there first will wait for the other. By the way, I'll send over directly, if William can't go; but I hope he can. Good-by, till afternoon."

Everything turned out in the most satisfactory manner. Mr. Ward declared himself delighted with the project, said it was just the day for the shore and for chowder. The hampers were packed, not forgetting a great iron pot and the potato-cutter. On reaching Ruggles street, Mr. Morgan saw Mr. Ward looking out of a carriage which contained his wife, his sister, and his three children.

Mr. Ward called out as he turned his horses out of the street, "We've only been here five minutes. All right. Drive on."

When, after a delightful ride, the party came in sight of the ocean, with the foamy billows, rolling up, and breaking on the sand, Milly could not restrain her delight. She laughed and clapped her hands exclaiming:

"I love you, good old ocean!"

Emily, who was much less enthusiastic, gazed at her cousin with some surprise, asking, at last:

"Why do you love it, Milly?"

"Because it's so blue and so beautiful. Oh you don't know at all by seeing it now, how the water looks at sea! The waves are as high as mountains, and instead of looking quiet and blue like this, it is dark green. The ship goes up and down this way. You couldn't help loving the sea, if you had sailed on it as long as I have."

"Uncle George," whispered the happy child, catching him by the coat as he was helping her out last of all, "I've got a basket for mosses. Please, don't tell anybody when you see me picking them."

CHAPTER XII.

MILLY'S ESCAPE.

THE person to be thought of first of all was grandma, who was an old lady, and not very strong. Mrs. Morgan proposed that she should have a room in the public house close by the beach, and lie down while the gentlemen caught fish, and others made ready for the famous chowder. But she said the salt air strengthened her; and she wished to breathe all she could of it.

So, instead of having the horses taken out at the stable, Uncle George drove down to a great rock close by the high water mark, and then had the hostler unharness and lead the horses back.

Mr. Ward thought this a capital idea, and did the same. Then, with the cushions of both carriages, they made a most comfortable lounge on the back seat, where grandma could lie and watch everything that was going on.

Mr. Morgan and Mr. Ward then took their fish tackle, and started off for the rocks to catch rock perch, while the ladies unpacked the baskets, and the children gathered stones into a heap to set the kettle on, and plenty of sticks for the fire.

All were amused to watch Milly, running here and there in search of a stone of the right size, then tugging it toward the pile, her eyes shining, her checks rosy, her hat off, and her hair streaming behind her.

At last, the small chimney, as Ernest called it, was built. And Milly took her basket and wandered off in search of bright mosses; leaving Emily and Ernest to gather sticks to make the pot boil.

The other children being too young to run round by themselves, played around the carriages, or gathered stones and shells within their reach. Emily and Ernest wandered here and there till they were almost out of sight of the great rock near which the carriages stood. They had each gathered an armful of broken pieces and were about to return with them for the fire, when Ernest threw his down and kneeled upon the sand, calling out to Emily to come and see what he had found.

There, on the smooth, silvery beach, lay a large, round, slippery-looking creature, basking itself in the sun. Earnest did not know what it was; but by the description, his father afterwards told him, it was called a jelly fish. It was a disgusting creature; but the boy didn't care for that. He took one of his sticks, and punched it; and then, as it did not stir, he told Emily it was dead. When they had examined it as long as they wished, and Emily had filled her pocket with smooth, bright stones, Ernest picked up his sticks again, and they went back to the rock.

"Where is Milly?" inquired Mrs. Morgan.

"He took one of his sticks, and punched it."

"I thought she would be back here by this time," answered Emily. "She did not go with us."

"Which way did she go?"

"Round the other side of the rock."

The lady looked very anxious. "I'm afraid she will be lost," she said. "Some of us must go and look for her."

Cousin Mary Roby, and also Mrs. Ward's sister Jennette, at once volunteered to make the search. So taking the sun umbrellas, they started off in the direction Emily had seen her cousin go.

But neither in this, nor in any other direction, could they find her. They inquired of children coming and going, if they had seen a little girl with a basket; but no one had noticed her. At last, they were obliged to return without any intelligence of the wanderer.

"What shall we do?" exclaimed her aunt, in real distress. "It was very wrong of her to go out of sight."

"Oh, mamma! Don't say so," urged Emily. "I'm sure she didn't mean to do wrong."

"Did you call her name, Mary?"

"We tried to; but the roaring of the water quite drowned our feeble voices."

"I must go at once," said Mrs. Morgan, taking a broad rimmed hat from the carriage. "I do wish George would come."

Just at this moment, there was a loud shout from behind the rock.

"Emily! Emily!"

"Oh, that's Milly!" screamed her cousin. "I'm so very glad."

"So am I," added her mother. "I was really alarmed."

"Why, what have you been doing!" exclaimed Emily, as she caught sight of her cousin whose clothes were dripping with wet; but whose face was beaming with delight.

"I was almost drowned," said Milly calmly. "But I've got some beauties. Look here!"

She held up her basket, lifting two or three bright red pieces of moss.

"But, Milly, you'll take cold with those wet clothes. Come right to mamma."

"Well, I will, if you'll put this under Uncle George's seat. Don't let any body see you. I'll show them to you when we get home."

Poor Milly was indeed a sight to behold. She had lost the ribbon that tied back her hair. And by constantly putting up her wet hands to push the locks from her face, she had covered her forehead with sand; her boots were saturated with water, and her skirts dripped with wet. Nobody seemed to know what to do with her, till grandma proposed to take off her wet garments, wrap her in a shawl, and let her stay in the carriage till her clothes dried, which they would in a few minutes, if hung in the hot sun.

Lying on the seat beside grandma, with the roaring of the billows to lull her, Milly's tender heart was at rest.

She told the old lady that she jumped on a rock to look at the waves, and staid there so long that the water came up all around her. At first, she thought it would go away again; but it came up higher and higher, until it covered her feet on the rock.

"How did you feel?" asked grandma, greatly moved. "Were you afraid?"

"I was at first, but not after I asked God to take care of me. He knows I've been trying to be good. Then I thought of Emily; and I felt awful bad when I said 'I shall never see her again.' So I shut my eyes, and jumped right into the water, and a great wave came and pushed me right up on the beach. Wasn't God real good to answer my prayer so quick? It makes me love him dearly, dearly."

"He was indeed, my dear child, I hope you will never forget it."

"No, ma'am, I never shall. When I go back to India, I shall tell my father. I know he'll be glad, too. I mean to go as soon as I can, so as to tell the poor Hindoos about God. When they know how to read the Bible they'll learn to be neat, you know."

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GEM OF NEATNESS ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 41 Watchung Plaza #516, Montclair NJ 07042, USA, +1 (862) 621-9288. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

Table of Contents

- Gem of Neatness:

- CHAPTER I.

- CHAPTER II.

- CHAPTER III.

- CHAPTER IV.

- CHAPTER V.

- CHAPTER VI.

- CHAPTER VII.

- CHAPTER VIII.

- CHAPTER IX.

- CHAPTER X.

- CHAPTER XI.

- CHAPTER XII.

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE