Part 33 (2/2)

”Pretty soon one came along and said, in a voice that seemed like sweet music in my ears, for I hadn't found much real sympathy, although the boys were all good to me in their way: 'You've been having a rough time of it, and you must let me help you out.'

”I looked up, and there stood Jim Kendrick, with his month's pay in his hand. He took out from the roll of bills a twenty-dollar note and held it out to me.

”I knew he had a sickly wife and two or three children, and that he had a hard time of it himself to pull through from month to month, so I said, half-ashamed of the tears that were still streaming down my face, 'Indeed, I cannot take the money; you must need it yourself.'

”'Indeed, you will take it, man,' said Jim. 'You will be all right in a few days, and then you can pay it back. Now come home with me to supper and see the babies. It will do you good.'

”I took the note and accepted the invitation, and after that went to his house frequently, until he moved away, and I gradually lost sight of him.

”I had returned the loan, but it was impossible to repay the good that little act of kindness did me, and I guess Jim Kendrick's little girl here won't want for anything if I can prevent it.”

Then turning to the child, whose bright eyes were wide open now, the engineer said to her:

”I'll take you home with me when we get up to Wayne. My wife will fix you up, and we'll find out whether these Vermont folks want you or not. If they do, Mary or I shall go with you. But, if they don't care much about having you, you shall stay with us and be our girl, for we have none of our own.

You look very much like your father, G.o.d bless him.”

Just then the eastern train whistled, Engineer Frank vanished out of the car door and went forward to the engine, wiping the tears with his coat sleeve, while the conductor and pa.s.sengers could not suppress the tears this little episode evoked during the twenty minutes' stop at Allen's Junction.

THERE IS A TONGUE IN EVERY LEAF.

There is a tongue in every leaf, A voice in every rill-- A voice that speaketh everywhere, In flood, and fire, through earth and air!

A tongue that's never still!

'Tis the Great Spirit, wide diffused Through everything we see, That with our spirits communeth Of things mysterious--life and death, Time and eternity!

I see Him in the blazing sun, And in the thunder-cloud; I hear Him in the mighty roar That rusheth through the forest h.o.a.r When winds are raging loud.

I feel Him in the silent dews, By grateful earth betray'd; I feel Him in the gentle showers, The soft south wind, the breath of flowers, The suns.h.i.+ne and the shade.

I see Him, hear Him, everywhere, In all things--darkness, light, Silence and sound; but, most of all, When slumber's dusty curtains fall, I' the silent hour of night.

LET US GIVE THANKS.

BY ELLEN ISABELLA TUPPER.

For all that G.o.d in mercy sends: For health and children, home and friends, For comfort in the time of need, For every kindly word and deed, For happy thoughts and holy talk, For guidance in our daily walk-- For everything give thanks!

For beauty in this world of ours, For verdant gra.s.s and lovely flowers, For song of birds, for hum of bees, For the refres.h.i.+ng summer breeze, For hill and plain, for streams and wood, For the great ocean's mighty flood-- In everything give thanks!

For the sweet sleep which comes with night, For the returning morning's light, For the bright sun that s.h.i.+nes on high, For the stars glittering in the sky; For these and everything we see, O Lord! our hearts we lift to Thee For everything give thanks!

<script>