THE BUTTERCUP FIELD.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 45

THE BUTTERCUP FIELD.

It was a broad fair meadow, and just as my story begins it was covered with bright golden buttercups. It had a path— a long, sloping, pleasant path — runniug right through the centre, and Farmer Jones often allowed the children to get a nice bunch of buttercups. But just now he would not let anyone have any except near the path and at the sides, for the children went on the grass to get them, and then they trampled it down so that ib would not be fit Lo make use of. Two little girls, named Nellie and Mary Brown, were walking down the path, when Farmer Jones came along and said to Nellie, "Please do not go on the grass." As they both wanted to get some buttercups, especially Nellie, they did not like this. Nellie said to Mary, " I shall go on ifc." Mary tried to stop her, but as soon as Farmer Jones was out ot fiighfc she darted on to the grass, and, forgetting herself in the hurry to gather the buttercups, she went right into the meadow, leaving Mary behind on the path. Nellie heard Mary calling her, but she took no notice. ' Suddenly she heard a step behind her, and Farmer Jones was at her side. He took away her buttercups, and told her to go off the grass immediately. Nellie did as she was told, but you can judge of her surprise and anger when Mr Jones gave Mary all her buttercups and said, " You are a good girl for keeping off the grass when I told you to do so." Nellie was very angry, and though Mary offered her half the bunch she would not look at or speak to her. The children's mother, Mrs Brown, was dead, and their father was away during the day ; so Mary and Nellie were left to the care of nurse and Miss Mair, their governess. Nellie had been ill at the time her mother died, and had gone to stay with her Aunt Lucy, who had spoilt her, letting her have whatever she wanted ; but under Miss Mair Nellie had been gradually getting rid of her selfish ways. When nurse heard of the buttercups she drew Nellie to her and said, "Would it not have been better to stay off the grass, dear ? " But Nellie burst out crying, so nurse put her to bed, tucked her up, and kissed her good-night. Mary was a gentle and honest child, and when her father came home she went downstairs with nurse to put his slippers ready for him, and what she called a treat was to dine with him. Nurse explained about Nellie, and he was so sorry that his little girl should have been so naughty. Next day, after lessons, Miss Mair took Nellie to her room and had a long talk with her, which did the little girl good. In the afternoon they went for a ride on their ponies with John, the groom ; but John's pony shied at some stones on the road, and Nellie's pony took fright too and threw her to the ground. Help was at hand, and Nellie was carried into the house. Her leg was broken, and it would be some time before she would be about again. The next day Nellie was a little better, and Mary read a nice story to her. When it was finished Nellie burst into tears, and when nurse asked her what was the matter, she said : " I am go sorry I went on the grass in the buttercup field when I was told not to." "Nevermind; I know what to do. I will gather some pretty flowers, and you can arrange them, and I will give them to Farmer Jones from you," said Mary. Nellie driid her eyes, smiled, and said it was a good plan. Nexb day the flowers were arranged and given to Farmer Jones, who was so pleased that he asked&he children to come and see him, for he- had a nice place by the riverside. Nellie elowly got better, and was soon able to walk with the aid of a crutch. While she was lying on the sofa Miss Mair used to come and sit by her and read her a story or do anything to make the time pass away. Nellie promised her father to be a better girl, and not to give trouble when she was well again, and she kept her word. Nexb summer they were invited to Miss Mair's wedding. They did not know who she was to be married to. Miss Mair was telling them she was going away, when Mary clung on to her neck, asking her nob to go away from them as they had no mother to love or kiss them. Miss Mair said : " But if I should stay here always you would get tired of me." "No, we won'fc," they cried. Then Miss Mair told them she was going to marry their father, and she was going to be their mamma. They were very glad, and were still more glad when they heard Miss Mair had arranged for them to be two of the bridesmaids, with Miss Mair's sister for tho other. They had wreaths of real buttercups, for the buttercups wore out again. They often afterwards went to the buttercup field, but now Nellie had not j to be told to keep off the grass.