tion will end on Wednesday, and I'm to have the honour of presenting the sled. But, do you know, I'm afraid Herbert half suspects, for he is in the greatest spirits, and says he knows something splendid that's going to happen before long. Some of the boys have got hold of it, too, I am sure, for one of them said to-day, 'There's something going on right under your nose, Pierre, but Dutch people never get their eyes open till four o'clock.' I was so happy I didn't mind it a bit, and only laughed to think how much wiser I was than any of them."

The great Wednesday came. Herbert and Pierre passed very fine examinations, and at the close Pierre arose to deliver the speech which had been carefully prepared for the occasion.

"Herbert Bell," began Pierre, but (how awkward!) there was Herbert coming forward, too, and beginning— "Pierre Vanderberg—"

"Keep still, Herbert," whispered Pierre, "I am about to make a speech and present you with a sled.”

"Just exactly what I am to do for you," whispered back Herbert, with à merry laugh.

Poor bewildered Pierre looked imploringly at Mr. Simmons, who, rising, said, "I believe I shall have to decide this matter, and say that the sled belongs to Pierre Vanderberg, who has ten more good marks than Herbert.”

'Oh, Mr. Simmons," cried poor Pierre, but entirely broke down, while Herbert shook his hand as if it were a pump-handle. Lois wiped her eyes in a corner, and the boys, who were all in the 'secret, made the old school-room shake with a perfect tempest of applause.-Youth's Penny Gazette.

The Old Herb Woman.

LICE found her one day resting under the cooling shade of a tree outside the garden gate.

poor herb woman.

"Do you want something?"

Alice.

asked

"Yes, dear child," she answered; "I want a new dress."

"A pretty calico?" asked Alice.

"That will soon fade," answered the

"That will too soon wear out," answered she.

"A silk?" asked Alice.

"I have nothing fit to wear with it," answered the herb woman, and Alice thought as much.

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A plain, beautiful plaid?" asked the child.

"That will too soon go out of fashion," answered the herb

woman.

"Do you care much about the fashion?" asked Alice.

"I want the dress to last me a thousand years or more," said the old woman.

"Oh!" exclaimed Alice, drawing back, for she half thought the poor woman was crazy; "do you expect to live so long? A thousand years is a great, great while, and you are pretty old now."

"I shall live longer than that," she said.

"I will ask mother," said the little girl, much puzzled, "if she knows what dress would suit you; and perhaps she'll buy it for you."

"Your mother is not rich enough to buy it, dear child," Isaid the old woman."

"My father is rich," said she.

"Not rich enough to buy me the dress I want," answered the old woman.

"Do you want a dress like a queen ?" asked Alice.

"No; but I want a dress like a king's daughter's!" "The old herb woman is crazy," thought Alice to herself; "she talks so queer. I don't know where you will get such a dress," said she aloud; something that will never

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fade, never wear out, never go out of fashion."

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"And never get soiled or spoiled," added the old herb woman; wear it when and where you may, it will always keep white and shining."

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Oh!" was all that Alice could say. "I should like such a one, I am sure.

Then she added, Could a little girl

have one? But a little girl would outgrow hers."

No;" said the herb woman; "the dress would let itself out so as to suit you always."

The child was lost in wonder. "Will you please tell me what it is, and where I can get one?" she asked.

you

man tenderly.

"It is the garment of salvation, which Jesus Christ has wrought for and for me, dear child," said the old wo"Christ came to take away the poor rags of our sins, and to put on us His pure white robe, and make us fit to be children of God, the great king, and live in his palace for ever. Should you not like to dear child ?”

"Yes," answered the child, "I do want to be one of God's children. I always wanted to. Will He give me a heavenly dress, do you think?"

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The best Scholar.

HO is the best scholar, or have you any best at your school?" I asked a group of school-girls.

"Lucy Towne," quickly replied three

or four at once.

"What makes her best?" I asked. "Oh, 'cause," bashfully answered one whom I looked at. As that proved nothing, I asked the others.

"She recites best," answered one.

"She's always ready, and never keeps the class waiting," said another.

"She never gets excused," said a third.

"She's never late," said a fourth.

"She keeps all the rules," said a fifth.

"She helps me," said the least.

"She's real nice at play, and never gets angry," said a

seventh.

"And something else," said one who had spoken before. "Ah, what is that? I asked.

"Mother says Lucy loves and obeys God," answered the child.

The secret, then, of her being the best scholar is because she is God's scholar, and is taught by the Holy Spirit those precious lessons of penitence, humility, and love, which cannot but make her a good scholar in any school.

"How old is Lucy?" I asked, becoming much interested in what I heard of her.

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'My age," said the chief speaker, "twelve this month."

"I suppose Lucy studied all the time. I am sure I can't do that," some little girl says. But I found afterwards

that Lucy had time for many things besides her books; for when she studied, she studied; and when she played, she played.

Her favourite place of study, in pleasant summer days, was the bank under an old oak in her father's garden. Here she used to go alone with her books, and before opening them she prayed to the Lord Jesus to help her to fix her mind on the lesson, and not waste her time over her books. So, if a lady-fly lighted on the page, she did not stop to talk to the lady-fly; or if a bird sung overhead, she did not attend to his concert ; or if a bee buzzed round a wild violet, she let it go about its business, and she minded hers. Thus you see, things which usually tempt heedless children to idleness and inattention, had no effect upon Lucy Towne, because she was armed against them beforehand, by having a distinct purpose in her mind, and by prayer for grace to carry it out.

And I well know, if all the children in the school would become God's scholars first, be taught of Him, mind His rules, and love His Word, and learn His lessons, all the grumbling, and fretting, and crying, which now cloud school life, would pass off, and school become one of the happiest and busiest spots on earth.-Family Treasury.

The Little Twig.

LITTLE twig scarcely an inch long, so tender that an infant hand could break it, rough and unseemly, without comeliness; and when I saw it there was no beauty that I should desire it.

It said," If I were comely and beautiful like those spring flowers I see, I could attract, and please, and fulfil a mission."

It said, "If I were like yonder oak or