ELLA'S SELF-DENIAL.
I WANT to tell the children a true story about little Ella, and I hope you may all learn a lesson from it. She is a little motherless girl, who was adopted, when a babe, by a kind doctor of L. She knows no other father or mother than the doctor and his wife, who love her very dearly. A short time before Christmas she told her papa that she wished she could have a new doll for a Christmas present.
The doctor was called to visit a poor sick man, who lived two or three miles out in the country, and had a little girl about Ella's age. While there, he asked the little girl, whose name was Lily, what present she expected " Santa Claus " would bring her. Her mother replied for her, " We wanted to get her a new doll, as she never has had one; "
“but," added she, "her papa is sick now, and we shall not be able to buy her one this time."
That night the doctor took Ella in his arms and told her about poor Lily, who had never owned even one little doll in all her life. Ella thought of her four old dollies lying in the cradle, but they were small and the best one she had played with a whole year. She wanted a large new dollie very much; but after thinking seriously for a few moments, she told her papa that if he would buy a new doll for Lily, she would play with her old dolls another year. So down to the store he went, and bought a nice doll, and Ella's mamma very kindly dressed it for the little girl.
The doctor told Ella she might go with him the next day to carry the doll herself and give it to Lily.
I will not stop to tell you how the bright eyes danced as Lily clasped the beautiful doll in her arms and was told by her little friend that it was all her own to keep always. As Ella arose to go away with her papa, she turned to Lily and said,
"You must play with your dolly, and take all the comfort with it you can."
"Dear unselfish child! She shall be well repaid for this sacrifice," thought the doctor.
In the town where Ella lived there was bustle and excitement, for it was Christmas Eve, and many were on their way to the church where stood the Christmas tree in all its glory; the good doctor with his wife and little Ella, were among the number. On entering the church, the first thing that attracted Ella's attention was a splendid doll, almost as large as a real live baby. "I wonder" said she, " what little girl will have that lovely doll." Soon the presents were passed to those whose names were marked on them, and what was her surprise when the beautiful wax doll was found to be marked Ella M, and passed over to her.
Her bright eyes sparkled with joy, as she took the precious gift in her arms, and looking up to the doctor, said, "O papa, I saw it hanging on the tree, but never once thought it was for me."
"My dear child," said the doctor, "if you had been selfish, and not given the poor little girl your doll, you would never have had such a nice one as this."
Remember, children, that sacrifices are never lost; and although they may not always be rewarded as soon as Ella's was, yet sooner or later they will bring their own returns.
MRS. R. WEATHERLY.