With words kindly spoken
    She gave her nice food,
  And clothed her with garments
    All clean, warm and good. 
  This done, she was leading
    Her out, when she heard
  Willy coming down stairs,
    Like a fluttering bird.

  A newly bought leghorn,
    With green bow and band. 
  And an old, worn out beaver
    He held in his hand. 
  “Here! give her my new hat,”
    He cried; “I can wear
  My black one all summer—­
    It’s good—­you won’t care—­

  “Say! will you, dear mother?”
    First out through the door,
  She passed the girl kindly;
    Then quick from the floor
  Caught up the dear fellow,
    Kissed and kissed him again,
  While her glad tears fell freely
    O’er his sweet face like rain.

THE GOOD SON.

Little Martin went to a peasant and endeavored to procure employment, by which he might be able to earn some money.

“Yes,” said the peasant, “I will take you for a herds-boy, and if you are industrious, will give you your board and ten dollars for the whole summer.”

“I will be very industrious,” said Martin, “but I beg you to pay me my wages every week, for I have a poor father at home to whom I wish to carry all I earn.”

The peasant, who was pleased beyond measure at this filial love, not only willingly consented, but also raised his wages much higher.  Every Saturday the son carefully carried his money, and as much bread and butter as he could spare from his own mouth, to his father.

  Children, love and gratitude
  Always please the wise and good,
  But contempt and hate from all,
  On the thankless child will fall.

THE SICK MOTHER.

A mother once lay very sick, and suffered great and constant pain.  Her children were all very sad and melancholy, and the large ones often kneeled down together, and prayed that God would restore their mother to health once more.

The youngest child would stand all day by the bed of her mother, and with tearful eyes, anxiously inquire when she would be well and get up again.  One day this little child observed a glass filled with some dark fluid standing by the sick bed, and asked, “Mother, what is this?” The mother answered, “My dear child, it is something very bitter; but I must drink it, that I may get well again.”  “Mother,” said the good child, “if it is so bitter, I will drink it for you; then you will be well again.”

[Illustration]

And the sick mother, in all her pains, had the comfort and consolation of seeing how dearly all her children loved her.

  Parents, joy and comfort find
  In a child that is good and kind;
  But their hearts are very sad,
  When the child they love is bad.

CORNELIA’S PRAYER.