A GOOD RESOLUTION.
"I am resolved to be happy this day," said young Matthew. "It is a holiday. My lessons for to-morrow are all ready; so I have nothing to do but please myself; and happy I will be."—"Who can be happy such a day as this?" replied Frederick. "What is the matter with the day?"—"You stupid fellow! Can't you see? It is going to rain."—"I see clouds; but clouds are not certain signs of rain; so, till the drops begin to fall, I shall to the field, and fly my kite."
Away went Matthew and his kite. Frederick staid in the house; but, after an hour's sullen murmuring, he followed his brother into the field. Matthew had had a long and joyous sport; and his kite was up, almost out of sight.
Frederick, vexed at the time he had lost, began impatiently to prepare for sport. In his hurry, he entangled the line: fretted at the delay, he cut and slashed away all impediments with his knife. The string, in pieces was disentangled—the kite rose, but had not length of cord to rise high. Frederick fastened on fresh pieces: one of the knots gave way; and the wind bore away the kite, never to return. Frederick abused kites, strings, and weather; and was recalled to patience by a cooling shower.
"Ah!" cried he exultingly, "I told you it would rain."—"But I have had two hours' good fun before it came," said Matthew, drawing in his kite.
The boys ran home. "Now for home amusement!" exclaimed Matthew. "Fred, will you play at chess with me?"—"No, I hate chess."—"Draughts then?"—"Worse and worse—I detest draughts."—"What say you to shuttlecock?"—"You are sure to name something I dislike."—"Well, then, as I like every thing—I mean almost every thing—choose for yourself."-"Oh! I like cards."—"In the morning?"—"Ha, ha! master boaster! Just now, you said, you liked every thing!"—"So I do—I like cards very well: but, you know, mamma does not approve of our playing cards, especially in the morning."—"I know you are precise, Master Matthew."—"Oh! I'll play cards."—"For how much?"—"For money, brother?"—"To be sure; who cares for cards else?"—"Well, have your way." Frederick played and lost—threw the cards into the fire, and vowed there was no fair dealing.
Matthew only said, "I played fair, and that's all I have to do with the affair." The rain continued; so he took up a book. After it became dark, he amused himself with his flute. More than that, he amused with it his little sister. She liked the merry tunes; and she sang, and danced, and was so gay! "You are a precious blockhead," said Frederick, "playing to please that silly baby."—"I please myself in pleasing her," said Matthew; and the smiling child put up her little mouth to "kiss thanks," as she expressed it.