Soon after he reached home in the evening, the two kind ladies came to his mother’s house with a foot-boy, who brought a basket filled with bread and meat, and some things fit for the poor sick woman.

They told Mary Jones how they had met Ned in the lane, and what he had told them; and she thanked them for what they had brought, and said that she hoped God would bless them for their goodness to her.  They then asked about Ned and Tom, and said they would get their father to do what he could for them.

The young ladies then went home, told their father and mother what they had seen and heard, and thanked God that they had been able to make a poor woman and her two sons happy.

HOSPITALITY.

* * * * *

There was a poor woman named Rachel Jenkins, who lived in a very little cottage at some distance from any other house.  She was a widow, and very poor, but she was very clean and careful; so that her cottage had always a look of neatness and comfort.  She used to spend most of her time in spinning.

She had one son, whose name was Harry.  He was twelve years old, and used to carry a basket filled with tapes and thread, pins and needles, and other things of that sort, which he sold to people who lived near.  He used to go out in the morning and return in the evening; and you may be sure his mother was always glad when the time came for him to come home.

One evening, as he was on his way home, about half a mile from his mother’s house, he saw an old man sitting by the way-side, who was very tired, and seemed as if he was not able to walk any further.  His hair was quite white, and his face and hands were thin and wrinkled.

Harry said to him in a kind voice, “You seem tired, father; have you got much further to walk.”  The old man told him that he had to go to the next town, which was twelve miles further; but that he was so tired, he was sure that he should not be able to get there that night.  On this, Harry said, “I wish you would go home with me; for I am sure my mother would be very glad that you should sleep in our house.”  The old man thanked him and said he would go with him.  So he rested his hand upon Harry’s shoulder, and walked slowly towards the house.  Harry’s mother met them at the door; and when Harry had told her how he had met with the old man, she said she was glad to see him, and asked him to walk in to take some tea.

After tea, the old man told Sarah Jenkins that he was going to see his son, who was laid up in a hospital in the town to which he was going.  His son was a soldier, and had been in the West Indies for some years; but he caught the yellow fever, and was sent home sick.

The next morning the old man went on his way, and blessed Sarah Jenkins and Harry, because they had done good to him who could make no other return than to thank them and pray for them.