Demos eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 744 pages of information about Demos.

Demos eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 744 pages of information about Demos.
that they would grow up kinder and more self-reliant if they were in the habit of thinking that we are ever dependent on each other for solace and strengthening under the burden of life.  The most elaborate of her stories, one wholly of her own invention, was called ‘Blanche and Janey.’  It was a double biography.  Blanche and Janey were born on the same day, they lived ten years, and then died on the same day.  But Blanche was, the child of wealthy parents; Janey was born, in a garret.  Their lives were recounted in parallel, almost year by year, and, there was sadness in the contrast.  Emma had chosen the name of the poor child in memory of her own sister, her ever dear Jane, whose life had been a life of sorrow.

The story ended thus: 

’Yes, they died on the same day, and they were buried, on the same day.  But not in the same cemetery, oh no!  Blanche’s grave is far away over there’—­she pointed to the west—­’among tombstones covered with flowers, and her father and mother go every Sunday to read her name, and think and talk of her.  Janey was buried far away over yonder’—­she pointed to the east—­’but there is no stone on her grave, and no one knows the exact place where she lies, and no one, no one ever goes to think and talk of her.’

The sweetness of the story lay in the fact that the children were both good, and both deserved to be happy; it never occurred to Emma to teach her hearers to hate little Blanche just because hers was the easier lot.

Whatever might be her secret suffering, with the little ones Emma was invariably patient and tender.  However dirty they had made, themselves during the day, however much they cried when hunger made them irritable, they went to their aunt’s side with the assurance of finding gentleness in reproof and sympathy with their troubles.  Yet once she was really angry.  Bertie told her a deliberate untruth, and she at once discovered it.  She stood silent for a few moments, looking as Bertie had never seen her look.  Then she said: 

‘Do you know, Bertie, that it is wrong to try and deceive?’

Then she tried to, make him understand why falsehood was evil, and as she spoke to the child her voice quivered, her breast heaved.  When the little fellow was overcome, and began to sob, Emma checked herself, recollecting that she had lost sight of the offender’s age, and was using expressions which he could not understand.  But the lesson was effectual.  If ever the brother and sister were tempted to hide anything by a falsehood they remembered ‘Aunt Emma’s’ face, and durst not incur the danger of her severity.

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Project Gutenberg
Demos from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.