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Little Sunbeams.

V.

MAMIE'S WATCHWORD.


      *      *      *      *      *      *

By the Author of this Volume.


I.

LITTLE SUNBEAMS.

By JOANNA H. MATHEWS, Author of the "Bessie Books."

      I. BELLE POWERS' LOCKET. 16mo      $1.00
     II. DORA'S MOTTO. 16mo               1.00
    III. LILY NORRIS' ENEMY               1.00
     IV. JESSIE'S PARROT                  1.00
      V. MAMIE'S WATCHWORD                1.00
     VI. NELLIE'S HOUSEKEEPING            1.00

    _The Set in a neat box_, $6.00


II.

THE FLOWERETS.

  A series of Stories on the Commandments. 6 vols. In a box      $3.60

    "It is not easy to say too good a word for this admirable
    series. Interesting, graphic, impressive, they teach with
    great distinctness the cardinal lessons which they would
    have the youthful reader learn."--_S. S. Times._


III.

THE BESSIE BOOKS.

    6 vols. In a box      $7.50

    "Bessie is a very charming specimen of little girlhood. It
    is a lovely story of home and nursery life among a family of
    bright, merry little children."--_Presbyterian._


    ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
    _New York_.

      *      *      *      *      *      *


MAMIE'S WATCHWORD.

"Thou God Seest Me."

by

JOANNA H. MATHEWS,

Author of the "Bessie Books" and the "Flowerets"







[Illustration]

New York:
Robert Carter and Brothers,
530 Broadway.
1882.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
Robert Carter and Brothers
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.




CONTENTS.


                                  PAGE
       I. THE DOLL                   9
      II. HOW BELLE DID IT          27
     III. THE BREAKWATER            47
      IV. FORBIDDEN PLEASURES       69
       V. THE DUCKLING              88
      VI. POOR LITTLE WAGTAIL      110
     VII. THE FIRST STEP           133
    VIII. DISOBEDIENCE             151
      IX. ADRIFT                   172
       X. RESCUE                   190
      XI. REPENTANCE               212




[Illustration]




MAMIE'S WATCHWORD.




I.

_THE DOLL._


"MAMMA! can I have it? Can I, mamma? Buy it for me, buy it; will you,
mamma?"

"May be so, dear. I will see about it."

"No, not may be; not see about it, mamma! I must have it, and I know
you can afford it!"

The speakers were Mrs. Stone and her little daughter Mamie; the scene,
Miss Ashton's broad, shady piazza, where, at this time, a little fair
was taking place.

And what was the object on which Mamie's heart was so set; for which
she was begging so persistently, you will ask.

Why, just this.

A beautiful doll; a famous, much-talked-of doll, dressed as an infant
by Miss Annie Stanton, for the fair; a doll eagerly desired by all the
children present, as any little girl will readily believe when she
hears that seldom has a doll had such an outfit.

Mamie's eyes were fixed eagerly upon her as she pleaded and entreated
with her mother, holding fast to her hand, and almost dancing in her
extreme anxiety to secure the much-coveted prize.

"Perhaps I can, dear," said Mrs. Stone's rather languid voice, as she
looked smilingly down at her little daughter; "perhaps I can afford it;
but you know, Mamie, that the doll is to be sold to whoever shall offer
the highest price for her."

"Well, _you_ offer the highest price for her, mamma; do, oh, do! Offer
a great deal more than any one else, so I shall be sure to have her. I
want her so!"

"But it is not to be known what each one offers till the fair is over,
Mamie," said her mother; "then, whoever has said they will give the
most, is to take the doll."

"Ask Miss Stanton to tell you," pleaded Mamie.

Mrs. Stone shook her head.

"That would not be fair, Mamie; and Miss Stanton would refuse to tell
if I asked her. I will make an offer for the doll, but you will have to
take your chance with the rest, my darling."

Mamie was so little used to any opposition or contradiction from her
over-indulgent mother that she did not know how to meet it; and, though
it was made thus plain to her that it might not be within her mother's
power to give her the doll, she felt as though the possibility of
disappointment were more than she could bear, and as if it would be
altogether mamma's fault if the longed-for toy did