Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

CHAPTER I.

"I WISH the holidays were here!" said Frank Grey, to his schoolfellow, George Grant, "for I want so much to see The Crystal Palace;' and I know grandma will take me, if I ask her."

6

"Ah! it must be a jolly place, I'm sure," said George; "but I shall never

see it, I dare say."

66

Why not?" asked Frank; "just

tell your grandmother, and she will take you, too."

"But I have no grandmother," said George, despondingly; "I never had, as long as I can recollect."

"Oh! then I don't know what you are to do, I'm sure," said Frank; "unless you have an aunt or uncle who will take you: for you have no mother, have you?"

"Why, certainly, I have," replied George, laughing, "and a father, too; but then he is always busy in the factory; and mother, she is mostly poorly, or shut up in the nursery with the little children, and often says, she's sorry that she has neither time nor strength to take me sight-seeing."

"That's rather vexing, though," said Frank, shaking his curly head. "I think I should not like to change

with you; is it ? "

but that's not bragging,

"Why, no; what made you think of that?" asked George, astonished. “Because grandma has often told me, that to boast is rude, unkind, and wicked," replied Frank.

[ocr errors]

Ha, ha! how very odd!" cried George; "whatever could she mean ?" "I know," said Frank.

66

66

Then, tell me; do."

No, no; for you will only laugh, and then I shall feel vexed: so, say no more about it," returned Frank.

"But I will not laugh, upon my word," said George, who felt his curiosity excited.

66

Well, then," said Frank, looking

a little shy; "she says, that it is

rude, because it seems as if I thought myself above my school-fellows; and it is unkind, because, by doing so, I pain their feelings; and it is wicked, because God expects us to be humbly thankful for all the good things He gives us; and not to pride ourselves upon them, in the least."

"I can't see any good in it," said George. "I know, that I am very proud to show my presents, when I get any; and I see no harm in it, I'm sure.'

[ocr errors]

"But my grandma knows more than you about it, a great deal," said Frank; "and so she shall tell you, when you see her; for I mean to ask her, if you may go with us, to see 'The Crystal Palace.""

"Oh no;

I think you had better

« PreviousContinue »