Madeline Leslie

“ When Ida got well, she sometimes forgot herself for a moment, and would give way to her old passion; but she was always much ashamed, and never failed to ask God to forgive her once more, for her dear Saviour's sake. Every time she conquered herself, it was easier to do so.
Aunt Mary was no longer afraid to introduce her pet to her friends; and Ida, with Rosa her dolly, became a favorite with all.
In the quiet of her new home, grandma's health returned. ”

“ The little girl sat in a high chair by the side of her father, diligently engaged in eating her bread and milk.
"I know what kind of storms you mean," said Berty, laughing.
"Yes, I suppose so," answered his father. "You are quite a man, you know."
"There were never such storms in his day," remarked Aunt Mary, glancing kindly in the face of her favorite nephew.
"Please, aunty, give Ida some cake!" asked the little girl, holding out her plate.
"Yes, dear;" and then added, "I wish her mother could see her now."
"We have a nice young lady at table this evening," remarked Mr. Kent. ”

“ I want to send you some orangeade; but mamma says it couldn't go so far. I'm sorry I struck you, and called you ugly boy. I've asked God a good many times to forgive me, and I think he has. I pray for you every night. I used to be very naughty once; but I'm trying hard to be good now; and mamma says God always helps little children when they try to do right themselves. When you get well, I want you and your mamma and all the family to come and see us; and I'll show you all my playthings; and we'll have fine sport. That's all. From—"
"IDA KENT." ”

“ When the children ran in to see her, she always received them with a smile; but Berty noticed that she threw a towel over something she had in her lap. It was near the close of the week of their visit before he found out what she was doing; and then it came out that she had made a beautiful ball for him and a doll for Ida.
I think Aunt Mary had been in the secret; for Rosa, as the dolly was called, had a full suit, which the child could take off and put on, and a nice night-gown for her to wear to bed. ”

“ Her passion grows worse every day."
"I have always hoped she would outgrow it," answered Mr. Kent; "but I see something must be done."
"If you'll tell me what, I'll thank you," murmured the mother in a discouraged tone.
The next week a lady called to see Aunt Mary. Ida was playing quietly with some blocks in the corner of the room, when the visitor caught a glimpse of her.
"Oh, what a darling little girl!" she exclaimed. "Come and see me, my dear."
Ida obeyed, walked slowly across the floor, and glanced shyly in the lady's face from under her curls. ”

“ I won't!" screamed the naughty child, at the top of her voice, clinging at the same time to the bedpost.
"Go this minute, Ida," said her mother, holding her throbbing head between her hands. "And Mary, take off those new shoes. She mustn't wear them till she can behave better."
The naughty girl gave a scream of passion, and was carried out of the room by Aunt Mary, who was obliged to hold her hands to keep her from scratching anywhere she could reach. ”

“ It was scarcely ten minutes from the time they left the room till they returned, the child talking gayly about some dandelion curls her mother had promised to show her how to make.
"I don't see how you can govern your temper so," began Mrs. Mason, when the children had gone out to play.
"Of what use is it to try and govern our children, if we cannot control ourselves?" asked the lady, with a smile.
"If you had Joseph to deal with, you'd find it different. Why, I should consider it almost a miracle if he'd give up as easy as Ida did just now. Well, everybody has their trials ”

“ Josey usually sat in a high chair; but now his mother had put a large book into a common chair to raise him. When he saw Ida sitting in his, he caught hold of the back and jerked it so rudely that he almost threw her to the floor.
"Get out, you ugly girl!" he screamed, striking her in the face.
Mr. Mason caught the child and shook him till he could not stand. Then calling the servant, in a loud, angry tone, he said—
"Take Joseph upstairs and lock him in his room." ”

“ Every year makes them more stubborn, and the lesson more difficult."
"I'm not fond of children as Mary is," said the mother, sighing. "Sometimes I think we don't manage ours right; but it's hard to know what to do."
"Pray to the Lord for strength, my daughter," said grandma, solemnly.
"Mr. Mason, you know; isn't a praying man," she said, trying to hide her emotion by a laugh, "and I've given up trying with Joseph long ago."
CHAPTER VI.
JOSEPH'S PASSION.
FOR two or three days, grandma had been much occupied in her room. ”

“ As the old lady was only a boarder in her own house, there was nothing to be done, after her clothes were ready, but to turn the key in the lock of her door. This her daughter did, after removing to the chamber all her mother's treasures lying about the rooms. ”

“ And Ida looked the picture of self-complacence.
"Yes, dear, no one can be better than you, when you try; but I am sorry to say you don't always try. Do you know the good God in the sky looks down upon you then, and is very much displeased?"
"Then, what do you pray to him for?"
Mrs. Kent sighed. "Because," she answered, "I am afraid, if my little girl does not try to correct her naughty temper, that God will punish her. I ask him to forgive you, and help you do right; and then ask him to give me strength to govern you according to his will."
"I won't never be naughty again, mamma ”