Little Miss Joy

e long evenings to go down to the beach and pier, and listen to the bands playing

ird from her high window opposite Mrs. Harrison's, still she did not get dull or cross. "My Sunbeam!" her old friend called her; and there was nothing he liked better than to sit at h

ool-fellows, and there was one who use

never resenting unkindness. That little Miss Joy should choose this untaking girl as her friend was the cause of much discontent and

like a fright, and she can't add two and tw

s surprised at Joy's taste, had a faint noti

t of the kindness of her heart. She thinks the gi

she was ready for school. "May I, please? It's early closing day, and we have a half-holiday. Dear Goody P

on, my pretty one; the p

is so sharp, and tells her she is a useless fright, and thi

oyd l

y's suitor; he isn't

le Bobo; wha

e not one of them will be like Master Skinner, that's all. He's like one of the lean kine you read

tified, and repeated to

same as 'young man'

nocence! Yes, my dear

n old, old lady like Miss

is-well-not much short of fifty; that's a girl, you know

and oh! she said last night, 'I don't feel as if I wa

herring boats, with a share in one of the big curing houses where the bloaters are the best to be had in the trade. But my young man must needs be off whaling, and never came

hind the little dark shop for some thirty years, and now came forward into the light, blinking as an owl might blink in the brigh

o put into the child's head

dear Goody too; and you'll buy a plum-roll and

feast, see if I don't; an

ds, tea upstair

ran off gaily with her invi

the confectioner's shop at the end of the row, and returned with a variety of pap

the child wishes it; it's coo

ead my story a very enchanting prospect, bu

site, and here flowers were cultivated by those who cared to do so, linen was hung out to dr

was pressed into the service, and Uncle Bobo brought up an old flag, which Pe

off with the visitors, and the children making their sand-castles and houses, and paddling in the pools the sea had left. The tide was ebbing, and wide patches

r back against a boat, and the chi

rom her the husband of her youth, and the boy who was the light of her eyes. Why was she so tried? Why was her trouble always to be, as it wer

n along the coast and on the quay. He had made every

recollection of noticing a boy go aboard. Indeed, there were but few people who could have seen him, for few were stirring at that early hour, except those wh

ck's absence was a relief-she had been always treading, as it were, o

ady for battle; and the terror at every meal that there would be a scene between Jack and his aunt, with the effort to prev

away from so much that jarred and fretted him; but it is the silence and the t

e up; he had been watching her and the children for some minutes, and the sympa

eorge Paterson the painful contrast between the glad and happy and the sad and deeply-tried woman, whom he loved better than anything in the wide world. Oh

h importunity. He would never add a straw's weight

t's odd that little Miss Joy should choose for her friend that untaking niece

at home, so Joy tells me. It is just like he

s a little darling

We are to have tea on the leads at Mr. Boyd's. Will you come with us? for we ought to be getting b

e, that's certain. That fellow is

said quietly, "I have no reason to love him, f

to say what I think-but I believe

so, and put away the tho

Paterson said. "That man means to marry you

e on fifty, and Mr. Skinner

ladies of any age marrying young fellows who want their money? You may depend upon it, Skinner has this i

k," Mrs. Harrison si

be, I never thought you would have a wor

'll be back by Christmas;' and how many Christmases have c

en, as he saw Patience cover her face with her hands, he was sorr

ome or write, for he loved you; and how ca

ss Joy, having caught sight of George

big one. Put it to your ear, and listen to the sound of t

ng her ears, her rough sandy hair gathered into a little knot at the b

r whole soul. She dare not show it; she dare not lavish any of the ordinary endearments upon her. She saw the other girls at Miss Bayliff's kiss and fondle her; she heard her praised and admired; she saw little gifts showered upon her-but she did none of th

o danced into Mr. Boyd's large breakfast-cup full of tea. Before tea was over, however, the shop-door bell was heard to ring furiously, and Susa

Harrison, to go and keep the house, as she is off with Mr. Skinner

d to go back b

Uncle Bobo. "Don't you hurry, Mrs. Harrison, for

ncle Bobo, let it

orth in not very dulcet tones the f

-hulk, lies po

s than from his lips. But Joy was a delighted listener. Then she followed with one of Mrs. Alexander's "h

rk hill's

urple glea

to one

, both gree

old and i

ambs are go

weary tas

ut the cot

now in s

ry eyeli

ther throug

rom the o

ng her little hand in

Goody; and I know she must be glad I've

that she had been laid at Uncle Bobo's door as a Christmas gift, and that had been enough for her. But since she had been to Miss Bayliff's

before made Mrs. Harrison hasten away, and

ncle Bobo. That will be such a nic

, with his short, stout legs, and rosy apple face, singing out a cheery "Good-evening" to such neighbours as were about, and taking

poor Bet, Uncle Bobo. She lo

tle heart, and may no one ever say a cro

ile, and, putting her hand into