Many a talk did Mrs. Kent and Ida have in her darkened chamber about the sick cousin. Every night, now, the little girl joined Josey's name with her own and Berty's, when imploring God's blessing. One day she remained unusually quiet. At last she said—
"Mamma, I want to write a letter to Josey. I can tell a letter, and you write it down."
Mrs. Kent, curious to know what she would say, brought her portfolio, when Ida began—
"DEAR JOSEY—I stay in a dark room; but I think of a good many things. I am very sorry you are sick. 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."
I have only a few more words to say. 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. Every day she used to walk out about the grounds of her son's pleasant home, and it was a privilege her granddaughter highly prized to accompany her. They conversed together; and her grandmother related to her many incidents of her early life, in which Ida found great delight, and about which her childish curiosity proposed many questions.
After a time, an answer came to Ida's letter, with which I must close my account of this little lamb.
"DEAR COUSIN—I can't write, you know; but pa puts down what I tell him. I am a better boy than I was before you came here. It's awful hard though to keep from screaming when Minnie and Susan won't do as I say; but pa helps me. Every time I conquer myself, he gives me a pretty book, and now I have five. Sometimes I get very red, and I would strike if I could; but pa and ma are so kind, I feel like trying to please them. Pa says this is the way to please God."
"I'm very, very sorry I scratched you so. Will you please to forgive me? I think when I go to see you, we shall be nice friends. Give my love to grandma, and Aunt Mary, and all the rest."
"Pa has bought a magic lantern for me to send to you. He showed us all the pictures. Pa prays with us every day in the parlor, and he's a dear, good pa."
"Your cousin,"
"JOSEPH MASON."