year, which she boiled, and hung up for use at any time. Two of those she now took, along with two portions of meat, telling Lucy to put them up, and have ready for Martha to take with her.

Lucy was busy brushing over the mince-pies and pastry with the white of an egg, to make them look shining. Then she got a basket, and put the things into it, and covered them neatly over, popping two of the pies into a corner. These were destined for Bessie, in addition to her mother's bounty; and Lucy gave Martha particular instructions to see that they were not crushed.

'That will I, Miss,' said the handmaiden, putting on her strong shoes, or 'clogs,' as they were called; which office accomplished, she pronounced herself to be ready. Lucy then entrusted her with another and more precious parcel, consisting of the pretty Bible she had bought for Bessie.

Lucy's thoughts went with the messenger, and she consulted Charlie every two or three minutes, if he thought she would have arrived yet, and he decided in the most business-like fashion the exact spot she was likely to be at the moment. Then the two had a whispered conversation over the fire as to the most approved method of presenting the shawl next morning; and after mature deliberation on both sides, they came to the conclusion that the best plan would be to place it

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on their mother's chair at breakfast in a neat parcel. So Lucy brought paper and string; and after many ineffectual attempts to make it neat enough, it was at last pronounced by both to be perfect, and to look exactly as if it had come out of a shop. There was to be no writing on it, or any clue whatsoever to the donor, and the pair were to look supremely innocent and unconscious as to the contents. While Lucy takes her work, and waits patiently for Martha's return, let us take a glimpse into Bessie's home, and see what is going on there.

K

CHAPTER V.

The Mother's Gratitude.

'Charity hath keen eyes, but the lashes half conceal them. Charity is praised of all, and fear not thou that praise: God will not love thee less, because men love thee more.'-TUPPER.

B

ESSIE and her mother sat by the fire; the former in her old listless attitude gazing into the coals, and building castles in the air. They had finished their frugal evening meal, and for the sake of economy they did without a light. Every penny had to be carefully saved and hoarded, for the widow had now been out of work for some time, and her slender stock of money was well-nigh exhausted.

'You've got a good warm pair of shoes and stockings on your feet, at any rate, Bessie, and they'll last you till I'm well again,' said Mrs. Higgins. And better than all, you've got a good friend; so my sickness has been a blessing after all. I'm sure they've been mighty kind to us both at the farm; God bless them for it. Ay, it's Him I ought to thank for it all, if I only could. I never believed in a providence before; but when I lay

E

in my bed thinking and thinking what was to come of us, I was glad to ask God's help, though He's little need to listen to such as me. But sure enough He sends the best and kindest of friends we ever had to take an interest in us poor creatures; and here I am nearly round again, and grateful, I hope, for his mercy.

'And there's Miss; what a real treasure she is, so gentle and kind as she is to everybody! Yes, yes, my illness has been a blessing in more ways than one, and

none knows it better nor me.'

I know too, mother, things has been very changed to me since I saw Miss Lucy,' said Bessie.

'I'm thinking you're a changed girl yourself, Bessie. Who'd have thought ever to see you porin' over the books as you do, like to read your very eyes out? It's a grand thing to be able to read, though; and I hope you'll do your duty to Miss in the way of gratitude.'

I'll do my best to please her, mother, and anything else that ever I can. If I was once like her, I suppose I couldn't be any better; but I don't see how I'm ever to be near that; and whiles I think there's no use o' tryin'.'

'Keep up your heart, Bessie, and never leave off the tryin', and I won't say but what you'll improve yourself some day. I don't deny that you need it, for you have