ing labour, or making the bodily vigour and strength they possessed available for their own comfort.

And thus it is with many a poor emigrant, whose wants have driven him into the Western world, whose means are all consumed in the mere getting there, and whose want of education and habits of life have totally unfitted him to act for himself. Alas! that even his religion, superstitious and cruel to his own soul, should, in so many instances, have been used further to degrade the man; and, instead of exalting and purifying the spirit, should have been, in the hands of a crafty priesthood, subservient only to the deepening and darkening of the benighted, sinful heart, and to the stupifying of every sensibility, so that he can be led, like a beast, hither and thither, at the will of those who stand between God and his soul!

How easily such can fall into the hands of the wicked and designing, it is not difficult to see. But, thanks be to God! better influences may also be successfully exerted upon them. A well-disposed, honest, benevolent employer, one who gives work, not charity; who, by a timely word, encourages habits of industry, and gradually lays the foundation for increase of knowledge and the growth of good principles; and who, by his example, is constantly making known the benefits of well-directed labour, integrity, and uprightness,-such a man is doing a missionary work; a work in which the hearts of all lovers of their country must bid him God-speed; a work which is laying deep and sure the foundations of national prosperity. And his influence is felt, not only over the few with whom he personally comes in contact, but over all who are witnesses of the rapid and sure improvements that usually follow his endeavours to do good as God gives him opportunity.

Nor is "the bread thus cast upon the waters" never found. In a country where progress is speedy, where

change follows change in quick succession, the "many days" dwindle to a few; and already had Mr. Moreton begun, not only to feel repaid for his trouble and the risk he had run in engaging to employ one who seemed so ignorant, so poor, and so needy, but he was also receiving the first fruits of the promise, “He that watereth shall be watered also himself," in the earnest and successful endeavours of Patrick and Winne to make themselves useful to their employers, and to please their benefactors.

Though their first object was now to testify their gratitude, yet, under its influence, there were springing up pleasant manifestations of neatness and steady application. They began to think more of each other's comfort, and to feel as if their children were of more consequence. A praiseworthy ambition was aroused, and they were willing to seek for information and advice from those who had proved themselves friendly. Patrick was bound by no promise to Mr. Moreton; nor was Mr. Moreton obliged to retain him longer than he was willing to work. The rent of his house and his family's support from the farm were his wages for the first year, with the understanding that either the house or its worth in money should be given him at its close, if he was faithful to his employer. After that, he was to be paid, with a regular yearly increase of wages, in such way as they might, at the time, agree upon. But it was not in wages alone that Mr. Moreton's family helped Patrick M'Coney. Susan showed Winne how to fit neat dresses for herself and the children, and, out of her own wardrobe, helped their deficiencies. Mary's voice directed about the scanty furniture of the cabin, showing how it could be cleansed and made more available for comfort. Robert helped to put the fence in order in front of the house, and promised little Pat a penny a week to keep the pigs out of the yard. Henry sold the old horses and waggon, and somehow made the money received for them go far enough to

buy a cow and two young steers, that, in a few years, would be of great value to Patrick. Annie would look after the toddling little one, when Winne came to the house to work, and taught it and little Patrick their letters from one of her own story-books; while Mrs. Moreton patiently drilled the mother into the best way of doing house-work, and taught her how to prepare food-accomplishments in which, like too many of her country women, she was strangely deficient.

Thus it was that they sought to insure their confidence and gain their respect, hoping that, these being secured, they might be instrumental in leading them in the way of life; and that, while they trusted them as friends who were solicitous for their earthly welfare, they would also learn to view with favour any efforts which they might make for their personal conversion. Ignorance and superstition have ever gone hand in hand, and he is wise who seeks Almighty aid before attacking its strongholds in the heart of one who has been trained in the papal faith. Daily were these benighted ones remembered before God, as the Moreton family assembled for domestic worship; and strength and wisdom were asked for themselves, that they might each of them so live as to recommend the religion of Jesus, the religion of the Bible, to those around them.

CHAPTER XIV.

NEIGHBOURS.

IN this century of the world, and in our own beloved country, it is difficult to find, and more difficult to retain, a home without neighbours. Very few are there to whom companionship and social intercourse are undesirable.

Man is (as has been often said) "a gregarious animal," drawn to his fellow-man by ties of sympathy and interest. He needs his assistance-he craves his friendship. A life of seclusion has few charms for a healthy, vigorous mind: it has no attractions for a man who is intent on bettering his condition, and on rising in the world. Thus we see, in the great West, that a farm near a settlement is always sought for. If that settlement is likely to increase and become of importance, so much the better. As farmers, men are there necessarily scattered and hidden from the sight of travellers, as well as from each other; but an election-day, a court-week, or a national celebration, will draw together, in any county, many men, women, and children, who, living a little on one side or the other of the highway, are seldom seen save on such occasions. It was the number drawn together on a national holiday that first gave our friends any idea of those by whom they were surrounded. Without any arrangement for their entertainment, there was a general feeling among the people that it should be a day of recreation, and a resort to the village was as natural as it was certain. Here they loitered about, lingering at the tavern, strolling up and down, chatting with each other, until a party of young people arriving, who had a violinplayer with them, they had a dance in the court-house! The grocery-store was a place of attraction to the men; and Mr. Blake's bar-room had many in it who went away less sober than they came. But there was no quarrelling. What of evil appeared was from want of something good or useful to do; and Mr. Moreton's eye was quick to discern this, and his heart as quick to resolve that another year, if life and health were granted him, it should be otherwise, and that they who came together should, at least, have the choice between evil and good.

But, this time, he could do little but obtain an introduction to some of the people; and then, going home, he,

with his family, sought a pleasant place in the adjoining woods, and played gipsy-life, by boiling their tea-kettle and spreading their table beneath the green trees; while Charles, Willie, and Alice, wandered off, and soon brought back a plentiful supply of field-strawberries. Before they partook of their repast, they were all crowned with garlands of bright flowers, made by Mary's skilful hands, and fantastic wreaths were about the shoulders of the little girls; while Frank, with a huge bouquet in his buttonhole, made an extempore address on Liberty; and, joining hands, they all, with great energy and zeal, sang to their mother, who was their only auditor, and who afterwards returned her thanks for the great honour they had done her, and invited them, one and all, to partake of the feast spread for them. Before they were through, who should come but Patrick and Winne, who had heard the voices, and were drawn towards them by their desire both to see what was going on and to help if they could; and they were just in time to have their share of the supper, and to gather up for them the things brought from the house.

Thus passed their first holiday in Indiana. But it was not of this we designed only to tell. Their pleasures this day had been shared by none but themselves, but thus they did not desire that it should always be.

Their immediate neighbours on one side were few, for their farm was a large one; but between them and the village there were several families, and the village people themselves were not far away. For the first few weeks all advances made towards acquaintance were on their part. They showed themselves to be friendly by a pleasant recognition of those whom they had ever met, and by a manifest desire to extend their knowledge of those around them; and in due time this course had the effect to draw out the good feeling and hospitality of others. Mrs. Blake, the landlady of the village inn, has already