"But mamma had to pay rent on Saturday, you know. Well, I think I'll play Sunday-school, George."

Play what you like," he said ungraciously.

She ranged the four chairs in a row, keeping the bench to sit upon herself. One she dressed up in her shawl, another was arrayed in the blue-and-orange table-cover, a third in a dingy water-proof, and, after considerable thought, she put her last week's dress over the fourth.

"Now, we will open the school by singing hymn the fifty-fourth," and she laid the open books in their laps. "Will you not help to sing, George?"

"I can't."

So Tip sang bravely herself. Afterward she said the Lord's Prayer in a low reverential tone.

"Now, you will please find your lesson. Do you remember what it was? Ah! the parable of the talents. Very good. I am glad you remember it. We will each read a verse."

The verses were read, and then Tip began with her questions. It was all fresh in her mind, for it had been her yesterday's lesson. How the five talents were doubled, and doubled again, and the two increased, bearing good fruit and golden sheaves. Then she came to the last.

"He had only one talent, and he went and buried it in the earth. I suppose it seemed so very little to him when he thought of the man who had five, and maybe he was afraid he should lose it. But if he had been doing his very best and met with any misfortune, God would have forgiven him; for, you see, God was trying him to find out whether he would work. I guess he didn't want the trouble. It's just like us when we can only do a very little thing. It looks so small beside what rich people and great people do, and we think it isn't worth while. But when the Lord came, I think he must have been a good deal ashamed. And then to have his talent taken away before them all-" “ I say, now, that was rather rough," interrupted George,

who had been looking out of the window. No one had come to put in Mrs. Brown's coal yet, and he might have done it so easily-perhaps earned the whole shilling. Some children were going along with blocks. Mrs. Jennings had promised him three-pence for every basketful that he would bring.

Tip's lesson struck hard upon something inside of him— maybe it was conscience, or the one talent rolled up in a napkin.

"Yes; for he might have lost it. Banks break, and speculators somtimes get cornered and lose, and—”

"He might have tried," said Tip softly.

"But it is the people who have a good deal who can do. It was something to have ten talents, but-two wouldn't have been much. I don't wonder that he didn't try."

"There's Bill Nelson-he puts in sixpence on a Sunday, and they pay five pounds for their pew. Bill has splendid clothes too; and he gives away his old ones to poor folks. And his mother goes around visiting the sick, and takes them goodies; and so it seems as if it was some use when you had something to try with. And I might have done ever so many things this afternoon if I'd had a pair of boots. I haven't even one talent."

"I don't know as it means-boots," said Tip slowly.

"But when you are poor there's always something in the way. Now, if I was Bill Nelson, what lovely things I could do for you and mother! She shouldn't go out washing—"

"O George!" interrupted Tip, "I do believe the one talent means all the little things, like getting water, and kindlings, and coal, aud saving mother where we can. And don't you remember about the widow's mite? The Saviour didn't despise her because she was poor. And if the man with the one talent had just done all that he could, or anything-"

George's face was turned toward the window again. "All

that he could, or anything "-the words, kept ringing through his brain like a church-bell. Tip went on gravely with her lesson.

He rose presently, and went to the closet. Oh! the kindlings were almost out, and the water-pail was empty. Of course Tip could get the water; she often did when he was out playing. He fumbled around until he found his mother's rubbers, and pulled them on over his home-made carpet slippers, which he always felt afraid the boys would laugh at. Then he took the pail and went to the pump. "Thank you," said Tip. "And now I must put on the tea-kettle. My Sunday-school will be out when we have sung another hymn."

But George was off in a twinkling-down to the new buildings to get some blocks and chips. Then he ran up the street with the basket on his shoulder.

"Mrs. Jennings, I have brought you some kindlings," he announced, running down the area way.

"I am a world obliged. Just run after another basketful, and I will give you sixpence."

It was odd how quick he went.

"I wish you would bring me some more on Saturday. And here is a piece of cake to take home to Tip. I saw her running home from school as bright as a button."

"Thank you." He had just time to fill his basket again before the six o'clock bell rang. On the way back he stopped at Mrs. Brown's.

"Anybody going to put in your coal?"

"No; I wish you would. A man asked me two shillings and that's too much to give."

"What'll you pay?" asked George, wondering if he could do it for one shilling.

"Yes; I'll take my blocks home and come back in a jiffy."

He shovelled away like a Trojan, not even looking up when he saw his mother coming home; and, as it was duskish, she hurried a little. Tip had dismissed her scholars, and was now setting table. The kettle boiled merrily, and the room had a clean, cheerful look.

"O, marnma dear!

cold your cheeks are!

you're tired to death; and, oh! how Sit right down here."

Tip drew the big rocker up to the stove, and carried away her mother's hood and shawl.

"Where's George?"

"I don't know. He brought the wood and the kindlings, and stayed in nearly all the afternoon;" enumerating each deed with special pride.

I dare say he has stopped to talk with the boys. Did he put on my rubbers?"

"Oh! yes," said Tip, looking.

Then she made the tea and toasted some bread, glancing anxiously at the door.

Presently they heard a scampering up the uncarpeted stairs-a boy without boots, surely.

"The very jol

"Hillo !" Boys will be boys, you see. liest go you ever saw! Here, I've earned one shilling and nine-pence, and Mrs. Brown sent this lovely chunk of corned beef because I wouldn't stay to supper; and Mrs. Jennings sent Tip some cake. Did you see it, Tip?—on top of the basket."

She ran to look. securely in white “

It had fallen down, but it was tied up tea-paper," so was none the worse. "And all without boots!" said George, with a droll twinkle in his eye, as if there was something at the back of it all."

"But how did you earn the money?

So George explained. Then he washed his hands and face, and combed out his curly, chesnut hair. Tip sliced

the corned beef, brought on a plate of beautifully browned toast, cut her cake, and they had a supper fit for a queen.

Tip washed up the dishes afterward. George carried some of them to the closet, though I think he had a shrewd purpose of his own in his apparent thoughtfulness.

You're the best teacher of them all, Tip," and he gave her arm a little pinch. "I'll come to your Sunday-school again. I begin to understand about it. And, after all, I don't know but one talent is about as good as forty. I didn't know you could do so many things with it." Didn't your feet get cold?"

"And without boots, too! "Not a bit; I had to run so glad!

دو

With that he gave Tip a kiss, and she was as happy as if some one had bestowed the whole five talents upon her. George went for his boots at nine o'clock, and then came thumping up the stairs with them.

66

Why, Mr. Benson has given you the wrong change," said his mother.

"No; I used my one-and-ninepence. No matter about it."

I hope you will have a nice time nutting to-morrow," his mother rejoined. "I do not believe they will all be gone."-New York Methodist.

THINGS WORTH KNOWING.

I know that my Redeemer liveth. Job xix. 25. I know-in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim. i. 12.

Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins. I John iii. 5.