Stories for Helen

Stories for Helen by Eliza Leslie is a collection of moral tales aimed at young readers emphasizing the importance of discretion integrity and the consequences of one's actions. The excerpt provided includes two stories: The Tell-Tale and The Boarding-School Feast. In The Tell-Tale Rosamond Evering is a young girl with a penchant for repeating everything she hears often with embellishments. Her indiscretion leads to a series of unfortunate events including the loss of a valuable family servant the alienation of a neighbor and ultimately her father's financial ruin. Through these experiences Rosamond learns the hard way about the repercussions of her actions and eventually reforms her behavior. In The Boarding-School Feast Henrietta Harwood a new student at Mrs. Middleton's boarding school introduces her peers to the idea of organizing a secret feast. Despite the school's excellent provisions Henrietta's influence leads the girls to indulge in a clandestine gathering. Isabella Caldwell a conscientious student initially resists participating due to her commitment to helping a poor washerwoman. However she reluctantly contributes to the feast fund sacrificing her charitable intentions. The story highlights the tension between peer pressure and personal values ultimately showcasing the importance of making ethical choices. Both tales serve as cautionary narratives illustrating the significance of honesty responsibility and the impact of one's decisions on themselves and others.