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"HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER, WHICH IS
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE."

EPHESIANS, vi. 2.

BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY PERKINS & MARVIN,

114, Washington Street.

1830.

PUBL

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

167711

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. 1900.

THE

COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE.

CHAPTER I.

A PARTY of young people having been permitted to spend the day with me as a sort of holiday, I thought it best to leave them to amuse themselves, whilst, taking a book, I sat in the same room, to be ready either to promote their happiness, should they require any help, or to check any purposes which might be mischievous.

I took a chair near the window, and drawing a little table before me on which to rest my book, endeavored to abstract my mind from their conversation. They passed rapidly from one subject to another, each contributing their share by relating the things they had either learnt or seen, and being soon absorbed in the study of my own book, I had become insensible to their engagements. A sudden pause in the sound of voices had the effect of recalling my attention to them, when I observed the eldest girl exhibiting to the admiring eyes of her companions a miniature picture, which was in a red morocco case.

See, cousin Mary, she said, I brought it on purpose to show you, that you might be convinced what I told you was true. Now, is not my papa a handsome man?

If he is like that picture, Anna, he must be handsome.

If he is like, Mary! do you think what I say is untrue?

No, Anna, I did not mean to say I thought so; but I have heard my mamma say, that pictures in general flatter very much.

Well then, Mary, I must say this picture does not flatter, for beautiful as these eyes and mouth are, they are not half so beautiful as his; and when papa gave it me, he said he would have it set in pearls and put a gold chain to it, that so I might wear it whenever I liked round my neck; and I am sure he looked so beautiful just then, you would say as I do, that this picture is not half so beautiful.

I believe it, Anna; for a living face is much more beautiful than a painted one; and I dare say when I see my uncle I shall think as you

do.

This seemed to satisfy Anna's ambition for the admiration of her father; some minutes were occupied in passing the picture round the little circle for their inspection, and as it was returned by one of the gravest of the party, Anna inquired of her,

Have you a picture of your papa, Isabella?

Mary started when the question was proposed, and hastily placing herself between Anna and Isabella, prevented a reply by saying, in a particularly sweet and soothing tone of voice,

Come with me, and I will show you my mamma's picture which hangs in the next room. Isabella gave her hand in the instant to Mary; but I saw her bosom heave as if she had suffered

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