Part 49 (1/2)

Ben stayed to supper with the family that night, and all was bright and happy as the merry party sat round the board laughing and joking to their heart's content.

Archie is a young man now, and has outgrown his gloomy, brooding disposition. He is a clerk in the office of a rich corn merchant in Oxbridge, the nearest market to Wynne, and shows every tendency to become a successful and respected business man.

Occasionally, when things do not happen to his satisfaction, and he feels the old spirit of discontent rising, he checks it by reflecting on his early unhappiness. If his mother or father are harsh or angry with him, or if Mr. Gayton, his employer, speaks quickly or loudly to him, he stifles any tendency to sulk and become angry by thinking of Ben Huntly and the story of the wreck.

A WISH FOR WINGS.

O dear little birdie, how nice it must be To be able to fly Far away to the sky, Or to sit on the toss-away top of a tree.

I wish you would lend me your wings for a day.

I have two little feet That can run on the street, One step at a time, but I can't fly away.

I would fly to the woods if I only had wings; Over house-top and tree, Like a bird or a bee, And sit by the side of the thrush while she sings.

I would count the blue eggs in her snug little nest; I would stay all day long, To hear her sweet song, And bring home a feather of gold from her breast.

MRS. S. J. BRIGHAM.

CONSEQUENCES: A PARABLE.

The baby held it in his hand, An acorn green and small, He toyed with it, he tossed it high, And then he let it fall!

He sought for it, and sorely wept, Or did his mother know (Though sweet she kissed and clasped her boy) What loss had grieved him so.

Then he was borne to other lands, And there he grew to man, And wrought his best, and did his most, And lived as heroes can.

But in old age it came to pa.s.s He trod his native sh.o.r.e, Yet did not know the pleasant fields Where he had played before.

Beneath a spreading oak he sat, A wearied man and old, And said,--”I feel a strange content My inmost heart enfold.

”As if some sweet old secret wish Was secretly fulfilled, As if I traced the plan of life Which G.o.d Himself has willed!

”Oh, bonnie tree which shelters me, Where summer sunbeams glow, I've surely seen thee in my dreams!-- Why do I love thee so?”

ISABELLA FYVIE MAYO.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MATCHES.]

COMFORTABLE MRS. CROOK.

BY RUTH LAMB.