scenes of sorrow and distress she had seen that day; and though her merry laugh was heard in the cheerful group that gathered round the blazing logs that evening at the farm, the pale face of want flitted before her like a shadow, making her say within herself, ‘What am I more than these, that I should be thus cared for?' And should it not make you thankful also, dear readers, that you have a comfortable home, warm fireside, plenty of food and clothing, and kind parents and friends to watch over you, when there are hundreds and thousands of houseless wanderers with no shelter from the storm that rages, and no one to wipe away their bitter tears, and bid them be of good cheer, as they help them on life's journey?

How many a weary one sighs for rest, and longs to have done with the battle of life, which seems such a weary, useless struggle! Yes, we all long for rest; and there remaineth a rest for the people of God,'—a rest from all trouble, anxiety, and doubt, which shall never be broken-a calm repose which shall never be disturbed.

But still, this Christmas-day had been a very pleasant one to Lucy, for she knew she had helped to brighten more than one home, and send a gleam of sunshine into more than one heart; and this feeling always brings peace and gladness.

'I wish I were a sunbeam,' Lucy said to her mother

A KIND THOUGHT.

83

as she bade her good-night; and then I would shine on for ever into all the poor, dismal rooms, and make every one glad and happy; and I would shine on all the poor, cold children till I made them quite warm.' 'Kind little deeds are all so many sunbeams, dear, and their rays are quite as cheering.'

'Then I might be one, after all,' thought Lucy, all unconscious that to many she was what she wished to be, a bright thing of light and joy, that left a shining track in the sands of time.

'Here, Lucy,' said Mrs. Mason one afternoon, as the child-teacher was about to set off; 'take those three shirts to Mrs. Higgins, to sew for Charlie. She may as well have them as any one else; and I daresay she'll be glad of something to keep her busy.'

'Oh, thank you, mamma; I'm sure she will. I never thought of that before,' replied Lucy, carrying off the bundle.

'She'll find needles and thread, and all, inside; and in case they are in want, you had better pay for them in advance.' And Mrs. Mason put some silver into Lucy's hand.

Mrs. Higgins felt this work to be a real act of charity; and she was pleased to think that, though she was still obliged to sit still and grow strong,' as Lucy said, she might still be busy with her fingers.

There is nothing so tiresome as idleness, and nothing

tends more to make one miserable and unhappy. It has been truly said, that he is a great man who can endure his own thoughts for his sole companion and amusement.' Depend upon it, a busy life is the happiest life, if spent in noble, useful work, and in the fear of God. Try, then, that each hour may be a little step onward, by some deed of kindness done, or, it may be, some difficult task accomplished, that you may not be able to echo the words of the emperor of old, 'I have lost a day!'

CHAPTER VI.

The Snow-Storm.

'Out of the bosom of the air,

Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken;
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Over the harvest fields forsaken,

Silent, and soft, and slow,

Descends the snow.'-LONGFELLOW.

H, Charlie! do come and look at the snowflakes! How fast they are falling! Aren't they pure and lovely ?'

'Yes; but see what a monster!

We'll catch him,

and bring him in.' And the boy held out his hand for the feathery vapour, which danced down upon it, and disappeared in a moment.

'How quickly they tumble down, one after the other! If they go on at this rate, we'll soon be buried alive. Oh, wouldn't it be fun, Lucy, to build snowhuts, like the Esquimaux do, to live in?'

'I don't know, Charlie,' said Lucy undecidedly, who, woman-like, had more comfortable notions of life; 'do those poor creatures really live in snow-huts?'

'Really and truly they do; and it must be jolly fun,

I think.'

'Frightfully cold, I think; I would prefer something more substantial,' said Lucy.

'Not a bit of it: they cut great pieces of snow, like we do, Lucy, and lay them one above another; and then they freeze together as hard as anything, so that no cold can get through. Then the icicles come dropping down from the roof, like large crystal pillars.'

'How beautiful that must be !' said Lucy. But, Charlie, see that pretty wee robin at the window: shall I let it in ?'

'If he'll come; but I bet he won't risk it.'

Lucy opened the window very gently, but the bird flew off; so she put out some crumbs, and watched very patiently for a while, till she saw the little creature come hopping back, and peeping curiously round to see if there was no one near. The children kept very still, and almost held their breath for fear of frightening it.

'Isn't it a wonder they don't die this cold weather?' whispered Charlie.

'I suppose God takes care of them,' replied Lucy. 'Quite right, dear,' said Mrs. Mason, who had entered the room unperceived, and overheard the children's conversation. 'And can either of you tell me where the Bible illustrates God's care for his people by his care for birds ?'