acquainted with the mother of these orphans, some years previous to her death, and had recently heard that the children had been removed from the place where their parents died to that in which she resided. They were placed in families living only a short distance from each other, a son and daughter together. The eldest daughter was placed with her younger brother, that she might take care of him, while the other brother and sister were allowed to dwell together in the other family. After Janette had left her house, Mrs. Howe reflected upon the object of her visit, and felt perplexed in regard to her duty in relation to these helpless children. She mentioned the subject to her family, each of whom expressed a wish that she should befriend these unfortunate ones. 'I intend to befriend them,' answered the mother; 'still I do not feel certain that I ought to do as much as I wish, to assist Janette.' 'I wish, mother,' said James, the young man who was sick, that you would invite this poor lonely girl to spend a few days with us, and have her little brother here too.' 6 'That I can do,' replied his mother, without giving offence to those with whom she resides;' and the kind lady immediately sent an invitation for her to come with the child, and spend a week or two at her house. The relatives with whom she lived, understood that Mrs. Howe had been a friend to the mother of the orphans, and were very glad to get rid of them for awhile, by accepting the invitation. Janette was overjoyed at the thought of leaving the place where she knew that she was unwelcome. As soon as Mrs. Howe beheld the little one, she saw that his situation was critical, and did all in her power to arrest the progress of the disease which threatened his life; but it was all in vain, and he sunk rapidly into the arms of death. Janette mourned sincerely for the dear little one, yet rejoiced that he had been placed in a situation where he had received kind attention and care, and had at last expired in the arms of her benevolent friend. After the death of the little one, Janette returned to the home she so much dreaded. It was not long, however, before she received various hints that led her to feel that her presence in the house was regarded as an intrusion. The disposition of the poor girl was naturally confiding and affectionate, and she felt that now her parents were gone, she found not one among those she had fondly thought would be to her as parents, who seemed to regard her with any apparent interest. Her spirits sunk beneath the weight of sorrow she daily felt pressing upon them, and she was often tempted to wish she had never been born. Mrs. Howe saw, with pain, the state of her feelings, and deprecated the cause of her sadness. She was apprehensive that, if obliged to remain long under such an influence, it would seriously injure the moral feelings of Janette, by leading her to regard all those she met with distrust. This kind friend of the lonely orphan was desirous of removing her from her present situation; still, she knew there were obstacles in the way of doing so, which she was fearful she could not easily surmount. She was aware that a prejudice existed in the minds of the family in which Janette lived, against herself, on account of her maintaining a reserve towards them. They could not say that she had ever treated them otherwise than well. They were conscious that Mrs. Howe was their superior, and that led them to regard her with a feeling of envy. This lady feared that if she proposed having Janette live with her, they would spurn the suggestion, and endeavor to make it appear that she was officious. This they did at the time the little boy died at her house, though it was far from being the case. At length, she resolved, if practicable, to gain the confidence of the relatives of poor Janette. This she found no easy task; but by dint of perseverance, she ultimately accomplished her wishes so far, that they cheerfully consented to allow Janette to become an inmate of her family, and very soon threw the whole responsibility of providing for her support upon her generosity. James died soon after Janette entered the family of his mother. His end was peaceful, for his life had been pleasant and useful; and it was long, for it had answered 'life's great end.' 'In vain our fancy strives to paint The moment after death, Thus reflected those who stood beside his dying bed. His mother mourned his death, but was consoled by the remembrance of his calm and happy exit from earth, and she realized that one less tie bound her to this state of suffering and change. Janette improved rapidly under the care of Mrs. Howe, and constantly, as her character was developed, pleasing traits were discoverable, not only to the eye of partial friendship, but to all around. Circumstances occurred soon after the death of James, which convinced Mrs. Howe that it was her duty to undertake the care of the brother and sister of Janette. Accordingly, she received them into her house, and treated them as her own dear children. The sympathy cherished for these friendless orphans by each member of the family by whom they were heartily adopted, made it a pleasant task to each to do all in their power to dispel every feeling of sadness that found a lodgment in the breasts of these early-stricken ones. Time glided away for many years, with the occurrence of little that would be strikingly interesting to the reader, if narrated. The children of Mrs. Howe were all settled in life, with families of their own, some very remote from their childhood's home. The mother, by some unforseen and uncontrollable circumstances, was obliged to be dependent upon her children, some of whom were not in situations to do for their parent as they desired. 6 At this period in her history, she who had not been unmindful of the deep-drawn sigh and burdened heart of the afflicted and parentless, was cheered and comforted by finding that bread upon the waters,' which she had cast there many days before. Yes, those very objects of her kind solicitude, were the instruments of illumining her pathway through the remainder of life. Fortune smiled propitiously upon those who had in youth stood so much in need of friendship and counsel, and they delighted to manifest their grateful remembrance of the favors they had received from their much loved benefactress, by bestowing upon her, in the most delicate and affectionate manner, the means of an ample support. These offerings of gratitude were exceedingly welcome to her who had long regarded the givers with maternal tenderness. She realized that there was something ineffably delightful in these expressions of thankfulness for past favors; and considered herself more than doubly repaid for all her past toil and anxiety. Mrs. Howe was far from being alone in her experience of the pleasant truth that it is far more blessed to give than to receive;' and she was governed at all times by this assurance. In putting forth acts of kindness, she placed not that value upon gold that is attached to it by many, because she felt that those who could boast but little of this world's goods, might impart to their suffering fellow-beings much that would gladden the aching heart, and wipe away the flowing tear. Surely, none need be unhappy, or unblest, in a world like ours, since enduring happiness is ever to be found 'Where'er a tear was dried, a wounded heart |