THE HAPPY PARTY.
In coming from the farm, they saw a very pretty sight. A lady, who lived in a pleasant cottage in the valley, was seated in her garden playing on a guitar, whilst her three children were dancing before her. In a moment Blanche and Kate had run through the gate to look at them. Their Aunt stopped at the paling, but told them to go on, and join the merry dance. "May we, Aunt?" asked Kate. "Surely, my love; we know these children and their mother well; and it is as much our duty to rejoice with them that rejoice, as to mourn with those who mourn."—"I am mighty glad of that!" said Blanche:—and behold them footing it away on the soft green turf. The Aunt joined the lady, and sang the merry air the latter played; the guitar sounded better, when joined by the voice. The dance was more mirthful when five, instead of three, threaded its mazes. It was a fine summer's eve, cool but dry, balmy and mild: time passed away quickly. After having been pleased and made others pleased, the group parted. The widow, cheered and happy, led her merry little ones into the house. The Aunt, gay and content, walked home with her young charge. "What a pleasant dance we have had!" cried Blanche. "Yes," said Kate, "I am glad we joined the party; we made them joyous, and ourselves so too. I am glad we joined them: are not you, Aunt?"—"Yes, my dear, very glad. Be happy and make happy, is, you know, my merry motto."—"I thought you meant to soothe woe and relieve distress, when you talked of making happy."—"That is one of the modes by which we can dispense gladness, to be sure; but it is not the only one. I am a great friend to harmless mirth; it gladdens the human breast, and opens the heart of man to man. To be cheerful together, is a sure and pleasant way of joining ourselves to our neighbours and friends. He who made the world so smiling, formed us also to be gay."
The Happy Party.
Pubd. May 1, 1831, by J. Harris, St. Pauls Church Yard.