“Good advice and counsel sage,
And ‘I never did so when I was your age;’”
and the companion sentiment of the younger sister,—
“‘Sister, don’t!’ and ‘Sister, do!’
And ‘Why may not I as well as you?’”)
Miss Ward,—she was always called Miss Ward, poor little dear! and her dolls were taken away from her when she was only nine years old, that she might better feel the dignity of her position!—Miss Ward rebuked the little sisters, and bade them lay aside their foolish toys and improve their minds by composing poetry. Louisa shook her black curls, and would not,—moreover, did not, being herself a child of some firmness. But little sweet Annie would try, to please Sister Julia; and after much thought and labor she produced the following pious effusion:—
“He feeds the ravens when they call,
And stands them in a pleasant hall.”
I never can recall these lines without having an instant vision of a pillared hall, fair and
Julia Ward.