Page images
PDF
EPUB

I am very glad that mamma shut me up in my own little room, where I have my desk, and pen and ink. I should be quite afraid all by myself so long, if I could not write, and had to sit still doing nothing!

It is getting very dark, and I can scarcely see my pen; but I must do something, for I dare not look into that corner of the room, where the lights are. Something keeps waving across them, and nodding its head at me. Oh! how I wish mamma would come, or Miss Ricketts! All this long day I have seen nobody, except Susan twice, when she brought my bread and water. I am tired of looking out of the window at those dark trees. And there is a strange white figure at the end of the avenue. Oh, I am so frightened! Mamma! come to me quickly! Wednesday evening.-I do not know what was the matter with me last night. I heard them whisper something about fainting, and somebody carried me along the passage; and when I awoke I was in bed, and kind aunt Caroline was sitting by me. She saw that I was awake, and she leaned over me, and put her sweet, cool face to mine, and kissed me. Dear aunt! I did love her so. I wonder why it is I love her so very much! But Miss Ricketts says that I am not to write any more, for I am not well enough. And indeed I feel very strange; and my heart beats fast.

saying to me the other day, "It is really of no use getting anything nice for so careless and dirty a child as you are. You are never fit to be seen, and I am quite ashamed of you." And yet, I try to be neat; but somehow I never can run about and romp like other children but I either tear two or three tucks, or hook my frock on a nail and make a great hole in it; or else I stumble into some mud and splash myself all when I am walking; and I am so pleased with Then my sandals always come untied the fresh air and the flowers that I never notice

over.

wet my

them, and they trail after me in the dust, and mamma says that is a sure sign of a sloven. I can't help climbing the hedges when I see a pretty flower; and I am certain to get entangled among the briars, or to slide into the ditch and things; they walk properly along, and when feet. Lizzie and Mary never do such they play it is very gently. After telling aunt Caroline all this, I asked her if it was worse to be untidy and careless or to tell stories and be deceitful. I confessed how very angry I felt sometimes when I knew what naughty things Mary had done; and all the time she managed so well to hide them that mamma thought she was quite a good little girl; and when there was any quarrel or anything wrong in the school-room, laid all the blame upon me. And it was of no use defending myself; for then mamma was more angry than ever, and said that I made false excuses, and that Thursday. This morning, quite early, I had I was jealous because Mary was better than such strange fancies. Aunt Caroline slept with I. I told aunt Caroline that I could not help me; and, when I awoke, I turned and looked at sometimes really hating Mary, and wishing that her. She was lying quite still, and her white something would happen to her, that she might eyelids were fast shut, and her pretty red mouth-get punished as well. I said how I had often a little open-showed two white teeth. She was longed to die, for then I should trouble no so pale and still, that, somehow, she reminded one; and perhaps after I was dead they would me of Miss Lyle, whom sister Lizzie took me to wish that they had been more kind to me. see after she was dead. I began to wonder But Aunt Caroline told me that I must be conwhat it felt like to die. It seems so strange to tent, and even happy to live; for that life was a lie still, and not see, or hear, or feel; and yet be great and glorious gift, conferred upon us by the same person. But sister Lizzie told me that our kind Creator, to be thankfully enjoyed and the soul was up in the sky. While I was think- carefully used and improved. She convinced ing about this, a bird began to chirp, in a low me how much it depended upon myself to be tone, and then another, and another; and by- loved-that no heart, however cold, could aland-by they sang louder, and it began to be very ways withstand affections-that I must perselight-with a strange, golden light. I felt very vere in trying to be kind and amiable, and faint, and it seemed to me that I was really useful to others. She told me that carelessness dying, and going to heaven. My heart beat so was a very troublesome fault; that it annoyed slowly, and stopped so often, that I thought it neat and orderly people exceedingly, and that if would soon quite stop, and I knew that then II really wished to please mamma, I should let should be dead. But I was not frightened, but felt very happy; and now I believe I should like to die.

Thursday evening.-I have been talking to aunt Carry a long time, while mamma and all the rest were out walking. I have been telling her all my feelings about mamma and Mary, which I am afraid have been very wrong. Aunt Caroline did not blame or scold me at all; but spoke very kindly. I wish I could write down what she said; it was a great comfort to me, and I wanted comfort very much. I first told her how mamma was always scolding me for being untidy, and about her

Mary's faults alone, however great, and endeavour with all my might to become tidy and thoughtful. That in so doing I should begin to know myself, and find how difficult it was to cure a bad habit; and thus learning humility, I should think mercifully of other offenders, and try to make them better, instead of indulging unkind feelings towards them. "My darling Annie!" she said, "do your best according to your knowledge: be humble, useful, and affectionate; and in time these clouds of your childhood will disperse, and the sunshine of a clear conscience will gild each day of duty and love." I remember almost every word that she spoke,

with her calm, gentle voice. When we had done talking, we went to take a little walk in the fields; and before we returned, the great yellow, full moon had risen, and its light mingled with the twilight, and all was so quiet and happy, that we walked home hand in hand quite silently. But I must not write any longer, for mamma will be displeased if I sit up late, and I am now going to do everything I can to please and make her love me.

Friday.-Something has happened so delightful! The doctor has been to see me, and he says that I am very delicate, and require change of air; and mamma and aunt Caroline have

settled that I am to go with my aunt to her pretty house in Devonshire, and pay a long visit. But what will become of all my resolutions about being good at home, and making mamma love me? Well, I must bear them in mind until my return; and I dare say I shall learn to be neat and tidy with Aunt Caroline; she has such a nice kind way of teaching.

Farewell, then, thoughts! I must lock you safely into my desk, and help to pack up; for Aunt Carry is wanted at home, and we are to set off early to-morrow morning.

[blocks in formation]

THE WORK TABLE.

PATCHWORK CUSHION.

MATERIALS:-Black Velvet Ribbon, one inch wide; rich purple Merino or Silk, of two shades, which must approximate; gold-coloured ditto, and a skein of narrow Russian Silk Braiding to match exactly with the gold and the lighter purple; 12 yards of gold-coloured chain gimp, and 4 tassels to match.

[graphic]

The diagrams being given of the full size, for every part, no difficulty can occur in cutting out the different sections. The octagons are formed alternately of stars, made in the purple material, and formed into the proper shape by means of gold-coloured diamonds, which fit in between the points, and octagons of gold-colour, braided with purple, and edged with black velvet ribbon braided in gold. Purple diamonds, braided with gold, or vice versa, fill up the spaces between the octagons; and sections of the same (halves and quarters) are used to form the whole

[blocks in formation]

it is of a bright tint, and that there is no great difference between the two shades, as they are intended merely to give the effect of light and shadow. The star consists of sixteen pieces, namely, eight of each shade, and the same number of gold-coloured diamonds. The yellow octagon may be either in one piece or in eight, the braiding being in four parts, meeting in the centre, as represented in the engraving.

In running on silk braid, it is often so difficult to obtain sewing silk to match, that it is very convenient to cut off a length of braid, and draw out the threads for sewing it on: this saves a great deal of trouble. Braid patterns

are marked, liked those for embroidery, by being first pricked on stout paper, laid over the material, and pounced.

4 diamonds.

4 diamond quarters, for corners.
8 half-diamonds, for the sides.

The other side of the cushion may be of pur

The cushion is accurately represented in the engraving: it consists of the following pieces-ple or gold Merino, or black velvet. A trimming of chain gimp, and four handsome tassels, complete it. AIGUILLETTE.

5 yellow and black octagons. 4 purple ditto.

[blocks in formation]

KNITTED MITTEN, WITH CUFF.

MATERIALS:-18 skeins of black Berlin Wool, 4 skeins of scarlet, blue, or any other colour, and a small quantity of black Pyrenees Wool, or Netting Silk. 4 Knitting Needles, Nos. 16 and 17.-Observe, these sizes will make an ordinary-sized Mitten for a lady's hand; but if it is desired smaller, Nos. 17 and 18 may be used, and Nos. 15 and 16 if larger, the size depending wholly on the needles used, and the degree of tightness of the work.

CUFF.-Cast on, with the finer-sized needles, 24 stitches on each of 3; with the black Berlin join into a round, and knit 2 rounds.

1st Pattern round (Scarlet and black). All scarlet.

2nd. x 3 scarlet, 1 black x repeat all round.

3rd. x 1 black over 1st scarlet, 1 scarlet over centre of 3, 2 black x repeat all round. 4th, 5th, and 6th rounds. All black.

7th. x 2 black, 1 scarlet, 1 black, 1 scarlet,

1 black x repeat all round.

8th. x 1 black, 2 scarlet X all round.

9th. 1 scarlet, 2 black x all round.

10th. Like 8th.

11th. Like 7th.

12th, 13th, 14th. All black.

15th. Like 3rd.

16th. Like 2nd.

17th. All scarlet.

Two rounds of black. No more scarlet. Knit 1 round of eyelet-holes, in which to insert an elastic, or a satin ribbon, by making 1 stitch, and knitting 2 together alternately all round. Put the wool twice round the needle to make one, that the hole may be sufficiently large; then knit 2 more plain rounds.

Take the coarser needles, and knit 36 of the stitches on one needle for the back of the hand, 6 on another for the thumb, and 30 on another for the palm of the hand. Observe that for the right hand the thumb needle must follow, for

the left it must precede, the one with the 36 stitches.

Knit plainly every alternate round.

1st. x k 4, m 1, k 2 t, k 3, X 4 times, on the needle with 36 stitches; the others to be knitted plainly until otherwise directed.

3rd. x k 2, k 2 t, m 1, k 1, m 1, k 2 t, k 2, X 4 times.

5th. x k 1, k 2 t, m 1, k 3, m 1, k 2 t, k 1, X 4 times.

7th. x k 2 t, m 1, k 5, m 1, k 2 t, x 4 times.

Repeat these, with the alternate plain rounds, once; then, continuing to knit this needle in the same way, begin to form the thumb on the needle with only 6 stitches, thus:

17th round (Thumb needle). K 3, m 1, k 3. 19th. (b) K 3, m 1, (a) k 1. Repeat from a to b, whenever these letters occur, the stitches that follow the a being the centre stitches of the needle.

21st. (b) K 3, m 1, (a) k 3.

23rd. (6) K 3, m 1, (a) k 5.

25th. x k 3, m 1, X twice, k 2 t, k 2, m 1,

k 2.

27th. (b) K 3, m 1, k 4, m 1, (a) k 1. 29th. (b) K 3, m 1, k 5, m 1, (a) k 3. 31st. (b) K 3, m 1, k 6, m 1, (a) k 5. 33rd. K 3, m 1, k 2, m 1, k 8, m 1, k 2 t, k 7, m 1, k 2, m 1, k 3.

[graphic]

.

35th. (b) K 3, m 1, k 3, m 1, k 1, m 1, k 2 t, k 4, k 2 t, m 1, (a) k 1.

37th. (b) K 2, k 2 t, m 1, k 1, k 2 t, m 1, k 3, m 1, k 2 t, k 2, k 2 t, m 1, (a) k 3.

39th. K 2, k 2 t, m 1, x k 2 t, m 1, k 5, m 1, k 2 t, x three times, m 1, k 2 t, k 2.

41st. K 2, k 2 t, m 1, x k 4, m 1, k 2 t, k 3, three times, m 1, k 2 t, k 2.

43rd. K 2, k 2 t, x m 1, k 2, k 2 t, m 1, k 1, m 1, k 2 t, k 2, x three times, m 1, k 2 t, k 2.

Repeat from the 37th row once or twice, according to the length of the hand; then slip 3 stitches from the sides of the thumb-needle on to the adjoining ones. Take two more knitting needles, and distribute the remaining thumbstitches on three; make 6 by casting them on, and form into a round. Repeat the pattern, gradually taking in all the 6 new stitches. About 8 rounds will do for the thumb. off, and finish the hand, taking up 6 stitches at the thumb when closing the round, leaving out the now completed thumb, and gradually taking in these six. In this way the tightness so often found at the thumb in gloves and mittens is quite avoided.

Cast

Trim with a lace, knitted with black Pyrenees wool; any narrow one will do. The following is very suitable

[blocks in formation]

MATERIALS:-Evans's Point Lace Cottons, with Boar's Head, Nos. 60 and 80. Evans's Mecklenburgh, No. 1, and French white Cotton Braid, No. 7.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »