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KATIE'S SACRIFICE

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 13.

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KATIE'S SACRIFICE.

CLEARING up after breakfast was always Katie's work, and so, too, was the care of the dining and sleeping-rooms. So brisk and systematic was she in her work that eight o'clock generally found Katie's tasks performed, and she at liberty to start on her walk to the pretty little school-house half a mile distant.
This morning it was not quite eight, yet beds had been aired and made, dining-room swept and dusted, and fresh flowers picked for the vases, and Katie with lunch-basket and books in hand started to find mamma for the good-bye kiss. She hunted some time in vain, but her mother was at last found in the basement kitchen with a pile of pie plates flanking the pan of flour on the long kitchen table, and another pan of mixture which gave promise that pies were under way.
Katie noticed how weary mamma looked, though so early in the morning, but said nothing to her about it. As she came up to the main kitchen, she was met by intense heat accompanied with the odor of roast beef, which was cooking for dinner. "I should think mamma would expire, working all the morning in this hot kitchen!" Katie exclaimed, going to the table to get her basket, which she had left there while searching for mamma. She paused in dismay. "Such a looking room!" A pile of milk-pans, the unwashed churn, with dripping dasher and ladle tilted across its top, and a table full of dirty dishes all waiting till mamma should find an opportunity to wash them added to the confusion; and that pile of shavings Frank had made while whittling a boat to be used on the pond that day at school, added to the chaos; and the overturned basket of chips—the combined work of the two pets, Jack and Jill—helped in the clutter.
"It is early—better help her by putting the room in order," whispered Conscience. "You'll have plenty of time before school, and think what a relief it will be to her when she finds it done."
A look of disgust passed over Katie's usually bright and happy face. "It is not my work to attend to the kitchen, and it is so hot; it isn't my fault if the kitchen is all in a clutter."
And out she started, but the words of her morning verse came to her mind with unusual force, "Bear ye one another's burdens." "Why should that Scripture verse flash in mind? I have hurried so fast all the morning to finish my work, that I might walk to school before the sun gets so scorching; besides mamma doesn't expect me to help her here."
The little voice continued, "Give her a surprise as well as rest, by putting things to rights before she comes in." "Bear each other's burdens" seemed to grow larger and larger before Katie's eyes. "I'll do it. Mother's hands will be full with the pies, dinner, and little sister May, who, although good, requires some attention." All this for only one pair of not strong hands!
The hat, dainty cuffs, and apron came off, and in its place, covering the neat school dress, went on her big gingham work-apron. She hoped mamma would not finish her work down-stairs until hers was all done and she gone. How broom, dish-cloth, and wing flew in that next half hour. The hand of the old clock pointed to a quarter of nine before the jaunty hat was again donned, and Katie, feeling truly happy, tripped merrily along on her way to school.
"I wonder what mother said when she came in and found the revolution in the kitchen," was the thought that filled her mind until she took her place at her desk, where, amid the difficulties of mathematics, and bewildering dates of history, her morning kindness was forgotten.
"My good, thoughtful, and unselfish child! God bless her!" was what her tired mother exclaimed, as she entered the kitchen, wearily thinking of the work that must be done there before dinner.
It was such a help, and so restful, for that hurried mother to find all things properly arranged in the crowded, untidy kitchen of an hour ago. Katie little knew how often she was in her loving mother's thoughts that day, and how her thoughtful attempt to lift a burden from her mother had made her heart happy all day, as she worked unceasingly; for love lightens labor, and we never forget, never overlook or cease to hunger for expressions of love and sympathy from the dear ones of our homes to whom we daily minister.
School was at last dismissed, and as Katie wended her way up the drive, her heart gave a bound of joy as she saw mamma sitting in the cool of the piazza, with little May playing at her knee, looking so rested and happy. She felt her little sacrifice of the early morning was doubly repaid.
Mamma's kiss that afternoon was accompanied by a long embrace, and a heart-felt, "Thank you, my dear daughter, for your loving help this morning, and may He who watches over you each day fill your heart with a desire to fulfill your Scripture lesson of to-day, not only to mamma, but to any who may cross your path, so that you will never, when the tired hands are still and the lips make no response to your loving entreaties, awake, too late, to the fact, that you never helped them to bear a burden."
When Katie knelt that night to pray, she asked God to help her to keep the morning lesson ever before her, that she might never again be tempted to slight even the lightest burden that she might help another to bear.
Her prayer was answered, for soon her school-mates exclaimed, "Katie Deans is the most lovable, helpful girl in school; she never wearies of helping us with our tiresome lessons."
By her patient perseverance in the right way she brought several of her most selfish schoolmates to feel that this burden-bearing instead of being a sacrifice proved a blessing, as it will to all who will practice it. Let us each one, therefore, endeavor to carry out this divine injunction, as we have opportunity.—Presbyterian Observer.