The morning was very fine, and the whole company set forward immediately after breakfast. They were soon in sight of a very neat but small house, which they were informed belonged to the mother of Laura. A little white gate opened into a garden in the front of it. The grounds were so neat, and laid out with so much taste, that they all stopped to admire them, for the flowers and shrubs were tied up with the utmost nicety, and not a weed was to be seen in any part of the garden.
“This is Laura’s care,” said Mrs. Melvin; “her mother cannot afford to pay a gardener, but she hires a laborer now and then to turn up the ground, and, with the help of their maid, Laura keeps this little flower-garden in the order in which you see it. By inquiring of those who understand the subject, instead of fancying herself perfect in all things, she has gained so much information, that she is become a complete florist.”
They were shown into a very neat parlor, which was ornamented with a number of drawings. “Here,” said Mrs. Melvin, “you may again see the fruits of Laura’s industry and perseverance. She has had no instruction except the little her mother could give her, but she was determined to succeed, and has done so, as you may perceive. These drawings are executed with as much taste and judgment as could possibly be expected of so young a person, even if she had had the advantage of having a master to instruct her. The fringe on the window-curtains is entirely of her making. The pretty border and landscape on that fire-screen are of her cutting.”
Caroline began to fear she should not shine quite so much as she had expected to do. When Laura came into the room, and was desired to sit down at the piano, she was extremely mortified at hearing her play and sing two or three pretty little songs, so well and so sweetly, that every one present was delighted with her.
After they had amused themselves indoors, Laura’s mother invited them out into the garden, where the extreme neatness and care exhibited by Laura in its care was the theme of universal praise. One of the ladies of the party spoke in such extremely high terms of the beauty of the flowers, that Laura’s mother, who was now getting rather old and feeble, and was obliged to walk with a cane, picked a pretty bouquet and begged her to accept it.
Laura and her doings were so much the theme of praise from all, that Caroline found there was little opportunity of making the display she had expected to, and in fact felt her real inferiority, notwithstanding the many masters she had had, to the humble Laura, that she did not enjoy her visit near so much as she had anticipated to do. But her visit was of great service and benefit to her, for ever after she tried really to make good use of the instructions of her teachers; and it is therefore no wonder she became a better and wiser girl, casting aside her excessive vanity.
When my youthful readers attempt to show off, I think it will be of great use to them if they will remember this story of the vain little girl.