CHAPTER VI.

COUSIN STUART'S STORY.

"RUSSELL," Stuart began, "do you remember telling Sarah yesterday morning that you didn't want your face washed,—it was no use? I'm going to tell you a true story about a boy who had his face washed, and what happened in consequence.

"Early last fall, on Sabbath morning, one of the teachers of our mission school was walking to St. Mary's Church, when she met a poor boy, who was rubbing his fist into his eyes. He had been crying, and rubbing his tears with his dirty hand had made his face look very badly indeed. But the lady, whose name was Allen, pitied him, and so she resolved to try and make him feel better.

"'Good morning, young friend,' she said, cheerfully. 'Are you taking a walk?'

"He looked at her, but did not answer.

"She held out her hand, smiling. 'Will you come with me to Sunday school?' she asked.

"Billy thought she looked very pleasant, so he nodded his assent, and they walked along. By and by they arrived at St. Mary's. Behind the church is a room for the mission school; and there Miss Allen led her young charge. I don't think you can guess what was the first lesson she gave him."

"About Adam and Eve in the garden," said Helen.

"No, 'bout God making the monkeys," exclaimed Russell.

"I guess she told him about the little baby in the manger," lisped Lily.

"No, none of these. She took him into a bath-room, where there were bowls with water flowing into them, and plenty of soap and clean towels at hand. There was a woman here, with her bonnet off, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and a wide apron buttoned over her dress.

"She had just finished scrubbing one little fellow, and was waiting for another, as Miss Allen came in.

"'Oh, dear!' she exclaimed, as she saw Billy's face. 'Oh, what a sight!'

"She laughed as she took down from a nail a small mirror, and held it before the wondering boy.

"'Look sharp!' she exclaimed, good-humoredly, 'or you wont know yourself next time.' Then she turned to Miss Allen and said, 'There's one more jacket; shall I put it on him?'

"'Yes, and then send him to my class.'

"Poor Billy stood ready to cry as she left; but he had other things to attend to, for the woman turned a faucet, and the hot water began to pour into the boat-shaped tub; then, from another faucet, cold water, until by thrusting in her finger she found it was just right.

"Before he knew what she was about, Billy found himself stripped of his soiled, ragged clothes, and seated in the bath.

"Then began the scrubbing. It was evident Mrs. Varney was used to the business, and didn't mind a little spitting and spluttering when the soap got into the eyes and mouth. She rubbed on the soap wherever there was need of it, and then scrubbed with a vengeance.

"When his head and face and neck and ears were finished, Billy began to like it. It was a new and delightful feeling to sit there, and have the tepid water all around him. He thought Sunday school a tip-top thing, and wondered he had not heard of it before.

"Mrs. Varney generally talked all the time she was at work. You may be sure, she exclaimed a good deal when she saw a great red ridge across Billy's shoulders, and again when she saw his black feet.

"'Say, Billy,' she cried, 'were you ever washed in your life?'

"'No,' was the meek reply. 'I never know'd how good it felt; and then we don't have these things,' touching the tub, 'where I live.'

"By and by the boy was on his feet again, his face shining, and as clean as soap and water could make it. His eyes had done smarting long before this, and twinkled like two stars. His hair, which had been in one solid mat of tangled curls, was nicely combed, and lay, not smooth indeed, but in fine ringlets all over his head.

"Mrs. Varney was much pleased, and she stooped down and gave him a hearty kiss.

"'There, Billy,' she exclaimed, in a triumphant tone, again holding the mirror before him, 'look there, and tell me who that is, if you can; I guess you never see that boy afore.'

"Billy's eyes opened wider and wider. He looked at the clean white face and sparkling orbs with delight; but he did not feel at all acquainted with those features. Then he gazed down on his new jacket and laughed.

"Mrs. Varney laughed, too; but she knew by this time Miss Allen would be expecting her scholar; so she said, 'Come, I'll show you the way.'"