Little Mittens for The Little Darlings

"See here, Mr. Jeweller, here are all your breastpins, and I am very much obliged to you; but I want you to give me one, for a darling."

"What kind of a darling, Mrs. Aunt Fanny?"

"Well, she is four years old, and has rosy cheeks, dark brown hair, large blue eyes, and a little dimpling, dainty mouth, full of small white pearls. They are not set in gold, like the pearls in your glass case. No, indeed! they grew fast in her dear little head; and she eats bread and milk with them.

"But let me tell you, Mr. Jeweller, that she has something far more precious than what I have been relating. Shut up in her innocent breast is a beautiful heart, which is full of love to all around her; and it gently whispers to her, 'Ilken Annie, be obedient to your parents, kind to everybody, and faithful in praying night and morning, to the dear Saviour, to watch over and protect His little lamb, and all she loves.' Oh, Mr. Jeweller, you cannot find such a precious jewel as ilken Annie's heart, in all your store."

Something came into the good jeweller's eyes, and fell upon his cheeks. They were two bright tears; and he softly said, "No; I have no such treasures here, and none now in my home; for, not long ago, God took my one little white lamb, my wee darling. She has gone to heaven, and my house is empty."

I felt very, very sorry for him – but I could not speak. He wrapped up the breastpin in a piece of paper, and gave it to me for Annie; and I sent it to her with this fine poetry:

My dear "ilken" Annie,
Your loving Aunt Fanny
Has got this fine breastpin
On purpose for you;
So that, when in town,
With your new hat and gown,
And this red and white breastpin,
You'll be quite a view.

Then the girls and the boys
Will make a great noise,
And cry, "Goody gracious!
What a breastpin! just see!
'Tis the color of roses!
And real, I supposes;
I wish your Aunt Fanny
Would buy one for me."

Then you'll say, "But she can't,
For she isn't your aunt,
But my little auntie
That lives down the lane;
And I'm ilken Annie,
So winsome and cannie,
With my 'hankfun' and 'too bad!'
'And try, try again.'

"I have a dear màmma,
And good and grave pàpa,
And such a kind grandmamma,
Gentle and sweet,
And my three, four, five brothers,
Like three, four, five mothers,
To love me and tend me,
And guide my young feet."

And now, little maiden,
With so much love laden,
I pray that to you
May all "good gifts" be given;
And happiness rare,
Without shadow of care;
And then – this life ended,
Your home may be – Heaven.

And so ilken Annie got her breastpin from me; and I received in return some kisses from her; and I think I had the best of the bargain. And what is more – I do believe, if you will go down to Staten Island and call upon her, she will show you the garters, which must be finished by this time; and the breastpin, if it isn't lost; and the poetry; and Grip, the dog; and the stone young lady in the garden; and the cunning little bridge; and ever so many dimples in her sweet face; and be so kind to you! Perhaps she will say, "Shall I read the Bible to you." Wouldn't that be lovely? Come! let's you and I go down together, this very minute! Oh, dear me! I quite forgot that the boats don't run in the evening. Never mind! we'll go some other time.

Till then, don't quite forget

    Your loving
    Aunt Fanny.

When the reading of these little stories was finished, it was found that twelve more pairs of nice warm mittens were ready for our brave soldiers; and the Little Mother sent them to George, with so much love, and so many prayers for his welfare, and the safety of his comrades – that it did seem as if God's blessing would rest upon every soldier who wore them.

And now, little darling, reading this, or having a kind mamma or friend to read it to you – won't you pray for the soldiers? Will you say this little prayer to-night:

"O my Heavenly Father: Please watch over all the soldiers. Send Thy Holy Spirit into their leaders: then love and peace will surely come; and there will be no more of this dreadful war. I pray for this, in the name of Jesus, my dear Saviour. Amen."

End of the second book

notes

1

A fact.

2

Sarah is called the "Doctor."