I hope that none of my young readers will make the same discovery that Mr. Allen did, when it is too late to reap any real benefit.  Children and youth cannot possibly know as well as their parents, guardians, and teachers, what is best for them.  They should, therefore, be obedient and willing to learn, even if they cannot see of what use learning will be to them.

[Illustration:  “It is chain carrying for the surveyor.”]

[Illustration]

JAMIE AND HIS TEACHER

Among the scholars in a mission Sabbath school formed in one of our large country villages, was a little Irish boy, whose bright, intelligent face, quickness of mind, and earnest attention to the lessons, had awakened great interest in the mind of his teacher.

After a few Sabbaths, however, this boy was missing, and when sought by the visiting committee during the week, was never to be found.

Sometimes he was seen from a distance, looking with apparent interest, as the superintendent or one of the teachers passed by, but if they attempted to approach him, he would take to his heels, and spring over walls and fences with such agility that there was no hope of overtaking him.

Miss L., his teacher in the Sabbath school, was a young lady belonging to one of the wealthiest families in the village.  One cold afternoon in December, after Jamie had been absent from his class more than a month, he made his appearance at the back door of her father’s house, asking to see her.

“No, no,” said the cook, “ye needn’t be thinking the young leddy’ll come in the woodshed to see ye.  If ye have any message, ye can go in the house.”

“I don’t look nice enough to go in,” said Jamie, glancing ruefully at his torn trousers and coarse, muddy boots.

But it so happened that Miss L. was passing through the hall, and she heard and recognized the voice at once; so she came to the door to see what was wanted.

Jamie hung his head in confusion, while the young lady kindly took his hand in hers, and asked if he had been well, and why he had not been to Sabbath school.

“Me father wouldn’t let me come,” he sobbed out at last; “he bate me because I’d been to the Sabbath school.”

“Poor child!” exclaimed Miss L.  “But does your father know you came here this afternoon?”

“No, ma’am; but he said I might have every half holiday to go skating, if I promised never to go inside the Sabbath school again.  So I brought me Testament, and I thought mebbe you’d teach me here, ma’am.”

Was it not a bold request?  Did not Jamie know that with home duties and the claims of social life, his teacher’s time must be fully occupied?  Might she not think that her services on the Sabbath were all that should be required of her?

Ah, no; what were time, and strength, and fashionable amusements, to be compared with the value of a precious soul?  Miss L. could only thank God for so rich a privilege, and enter with joy upon the work of instruction.