“‘Alas! alas!’ cried she, ’where is the pretty path I used to tread,—­where are my flowers, my shrubs,—­where all my joys and happiness?  Gone! gone! and left desolation and misery in their stead.  I cannot repair this damage, I shall no longer have pleasure in my work, for one storm has undone the toil of months; and now our cottage must stand in a wilderness, our garden must be overgrown with weeds, and my chickens must die of starvation!’ then, wringing her hands, she sank on the earth and wept.

“How long she wept I know not, but she was aroused by a gentle pressure on her shoulder; and, raising her eyes, she beheld a beautiful female, whose cheerful, good-natured countenance put to shame the tears of despair which bedewed the cheeks of the fair Eva.

“‘Why weepest thou?’ said she; ’why not be up and doing?  What has been done, can in like manner be again effected.  Arise, and follow me.’

“‘But I am alone,’ remonstrated the weeping girl; ’and without assistance am unable to repair these ravages.’

“‘I will assist thee,’ replied her beauteous visitor; ’fear not, together we will accomplish much.’  So saying, she led forth the gentle girl, and in a few hours their voices might be heard in one united stream of flowing harmony, filling the air with delicious sounds, and the heart of the aged woman with rapture.

“For many days, Eva worked in company with her angelic friend, until, at length, Desolation acknowledged her power, and disappeared.  Her garden was restored to its pristine beauty,—­the path was cleared.—­her favorites flocked around her; and again kneeling in thankfulness at her grandmother’s feet, she read her evening lesson, and praised Almighty God, who in love and mercy sent ‘Peace on earth, Goodwill toward all men.’  Now, my child, who thinkest thou was Eva’s helpmate?”

“I know not, dear mamma, unless it were Perseverance.”

“No, my dear,” replied Mrs. Wilton; “Perseverance might have hindered instead of assisting her; she might have persevered in her resolution to await the total destruction of her little property.  No, her heavenly companion was ‘Goodwill.’  Entreat her aid, Emma, set about your task with renewed energy, and certain I am that you will be successful.”

Emma Wilton appreciated her mamma’s kindness, and the result of her labors will be seen in the following pages.

“I see one of our number missing,” said Mr. Wilton, as he opened the large Atlas.  “What has become of Dora Leslie?”

“She is slightly indisposed, my dear,” replied Mrs. Wilton; “but Emma will be her substitute.”

“What an industrious little girl!” exclaimed her papa; “and you are really going to supply the meeting with information sufficient to prevent us from feeling the loss of your friend.  You are resolved we shall not be becalmed, eh?”

“Ah! papa, you know not what has happened.  I have been nearly becalmed, but, in a lucky moment, mamma sent a gentle breeze which filled my sails, and carried me gaily on my course, or I fear I should have been ill prepared to supply the deficiencies to-night.  If the members approve the following plan, we will act upon it.  I propose, that we start from England, cross the North Atlantic Ocean, enter Baffin’s Bay by Davis’s Straits, and following the coast, work our way round to the other waters in America.”