“I have no time to spare to clean knives," answered William. "No time!" exclaimed his mother. have you to do?" "Why, what 'Why, mother, I have so much business to attend to, I have no time for anything," said he. "What business have you on hand to occupy your time, my son?" "Why-why-mother, I must attend to my play." "But you can clean the knives, and then have time enough to play," said his mother. "Mother, the truth is, I would rather play than clean knives," said William. "But the knives must be cleaned." "Let Edward clean them," said William. "He is in the meadow, making hay," said his mother. "Let him clean them when he comes in," said William. "He will be tired after working in the hot sunshine all day, and will wish to sit down and rest when he comes in," said his mother. "Mother, why do you urge me to clean the knives, when you know I want to play ?" said William. "Because you ought to help to do the work," said his mother. "I am willing to help to do the work when I do not wish to play," said William. "Edward can clean them when he comes in." "Do you think it is right to leave this for your brother to do when he is tired?" said his mother. "You do not seem to love Edward much, or you would not leave all the work for him to do." "Mother, I wish you would not talk to me so. I do not like to hear it," said William. "Why?" asked his mother. "Because, mother, I do not feel happy when you talk to me in that way," said William. "Well, dear William, it seems to me that you want your brother to do all the work, that you may have full time to play. If you think it right to do so, you may go and play, and I will clean the knives," said his mother. William took the knives, and cleaned them. A TRUE HERO. PAUL and James were brothers-one was nine, the other twelve years of age. They attended the same school. James, the younger, was ill-tempered and obstinate, but much beloved by Paul. The teacher, one day was about to punish James, when Paul stepped up and said to him "I wish you would punish me, and spare my little brother!" The teacher was surprised, and said, "My dear Paul, you are one of my best boys. You have done nothing to deserve punishment. I cannot punish you." "But," said Paul, "I shall suffer more in seeing my brother's disgrace and punishment than I should from anything you could do to me. My brother is a little boy, younger than I am. Pray, sir, allow me to take all the punishment. I can bear anything from you, sir. Do take me, and let my little brother go." "Well, James," said the teacher, "what do you say to this noble offer of Paul?" James looked at his brother, and said nothing. "Do let me be punished, and let my brother go," urged Paul. 'Why, my dear Paul," said the teacher, "do you wish to receive the stripes instead of James?" "Jesus gave his back to the smiters," said Paul, "and received stripes for the good of his enemies. James is my brother. Oh, sir, do forgive him, and let me be punished." "But James does not ask me to forgive him," said the teacher. "Why should you feel so anxious about it, my dear boy? Does he not deserve correction ?" "Oh yes, sir," said Paul; "he has broken the rules, and is sullen and wilful. But do take me, and spare brother." my Paul threw his arms about his brother's neck, and wept as if his heart would break. This was more than poor James could bear. His tears began to flow, and he embraced his generous brother. The teacher clasped them both in his arms, and blessed them. So would our heavenly Father fold all his children in his arms, and shelter them in the bosom of his love, if they would all love one another as Paul loved his brother. Then what a sweet and pleasant world this would be! Then would there be "peace on earth." THE STICK OF CANDY. THOMAS and Gerald were brothers. One cold day, when the ground was frozen, they were out driving a hoop. Both boys were following and driving the same hoop. This is rather dangerous, as the boy who runs behind is in danger of throwing the other down. As they were driving their hoop down the street, running as fast as they could, Thomas, who was foremost, struck his foot against a stone, and fell headlong upon the frozen ground-coming down with violence upon his bare hands and face. Gerald being close behind, and running fast, could not stop, but came down with his whole weight on Thomas This hurt Thomas still more, and he was angry with Gerald for falling on him. They both rose. Thomas began to scold and storm at his brother, and to beat him. What did Gerald do? Did he cry out and strike in return? He did no such thing. He put his hand into his pocket hurriedly, fumbled about, and soon drew out a stick of candy, which he thrust into his brother's mouth, as he was scolding and beating him. Thomas instantly stopped scolding and beating Gerald, and he looked confused and ashamed. His brother urged him to take the candy. He took it and began to eat-evidently feeling very sorry that he had struck his generous brother. Thus his wrath was disarmed, and his blows were stayed by love and kindness. What boy or girl does not know that a stick of candy is a better weapon to fight with, and more likely to insure victory, than a stick of wood, or a fist? COME AND GO. R. S. SHARPE. DICK DAWDLE had land worth two hundred a year, But he never felt satisfied how it could be. The raps at his door, and the rings at his gate, And the threats of a gaol he no longer could bear; So he made up his mind to sell half his estate, Which would pay all his debts, and leave something to spare. He leased to a farmer the rest of his land For twenty-one years; and on each quarter day The honest man went with the rent in his hand, His liberal landlord, delighted, to pay. Before half the term of the lease had expired, The farmer one day, with a bag full of gold, Said, "Pardon me, sir, but I long have desired To purchase my farm, if the land can be sold. "Ten years I've been blest with success and with health, With trials a few-I thank God, not severe I am grateful, I hope, though not proud of my wealth, But I've managed to lay by a hundred a year." 66 "Why how," exclaimed Dick, can this possibly be?" (With a stare of surprise, and a mortified laugh); "The whole of my farm proved too little for me, And you, it appears, have grown rich upon half." "I hope you'll excuse me," the farmer replies, "But I'll tell you the cause, if your honour would know; In two little words all the difference lies, I always say come, and you used to say go." แ "Well, and what does that mean, my good fellow?" he said. "Why this, sir, that I always rise with the sun;" You said 'go' to your man, as you lay in your bed, I say Come Jack with me,' and I see the work done." HELON; OR, THE THIRST FOR GOLD. MRS. BANKS, Authoress of "God's Providence House." "But woe unto him that heapeth up wealth in abundance, and rejoiceth alone in the possession thereof! The curse of iniquity pursueth him: he liveth in continual fear; the anxiety of his mind, and the rapacious desires of his own soul, take vengeance upon him for the calamities he has brought upon others." ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE. HELON had toiled through life in the pursuit |