'Joy comes in the morning'-a bark loud

and shrill,

Calls Mary to look on the snow-crested hill; Far in the white desert her husband she sees,

And in her deep thankfulness falls on her knees.

At length they embrace, and his story is told

Of a night spent in battle with peril and cold;

And oft as he tells it they think what they

Owe

To the Angel who led the blind over the snow. G. S. OUTRAM.

HOW MOTHER'S SHAWL WAS BOUGHT.

ORN'T you cold, mother, going out such sharp weather as this, with only that thin old shawl on?' asked Jim Hart, as his mother was about to set off to do her marketing one Saturday evening after the younger children were put to bed.

It was the middle of November, and winter seemed already to have set in; the season was unusually damp and cold, and a bitter wind was blowing that night.

"Yes, it's a bit thin and worn,' said the good woman, pulling the thread-bare old wrap tighter round her: but, you see, I've had it long before I was wedded to thy father, lad; and it wasn't new then.'

'It isn't fit for this time o' year, mother. Where's the cloak you used to have?'

"Well, you see, Jim, since father died it's been a hardish pull to make the two ends meet, and there's been no money for

So I've

clothes for the little ones much. just cut up my cloak for a jacket and trowsers for little Bobby to go to Sundayschool in his others were all in tatters.'

Jim could oppose nothing to this. He only sighed,-"Still I do wish you had something warmer than that shawl.'

'It's no use wishing,' said Mrs. Hart cheerfully. It's as much as we shall do this winter to pay the rent and get firing. And now I must be off.'

A gust of cold air blew in as she opened the door, and seemed to fill the kitchen. Jim shivered, and drew up close to the fire. Usually of an evening he would bring out an old book or newspaper and spell over a few sentences; or he would set himself to write a bit, or try and work a sum. But to-night he could do nothing but think of his mother, so thinly clad, out in the cold and rain; and, like a good son as he was, he turned over ways and means, hoping to hit upon some plan by which a new cloak or shawl might be bought. To be sure, there were his wages; but then they all went into the general fund, from which certainly nothing could be spared just now when food, and indeed everything, was so dear. Could he get some little job now and then to do after his regular days's work was over, and so turn an extra penny? It did not seem likely, Jim decided after a good deal of pondering; and as to a rise in his wages, that was clearly out of the question. He already earned more than most lads of his age. His master was liberal, and always did well by his work-people. He could not, without arousing their ill-will, give higher wages than the other farmers in the neighbourhood; but he helped on his labourers in many small ways-permitted sticks to be gathered by their children in his woods and copses, and many a quart of skimmilk to be carried home to their wives;

while each of the men had half a pint of ale to drink with his dinner, the boys even being allowed a small mugful.

All at once this daily mug of beer came into Jim's mind, and he began calculating how much it must cost his master a-week; and again what so much a-week would come to in a year; and then he asked himself, Supposing that sum to be his own, would it be enough to buy his mother a good thick woollen shawl? Yes, he felt sure of it, even though he had not reckoned according to public-house price,' but by what he had heard to be a fair rate for beer bought by the barrel or brewed on a farm. Jim was very thoughtful all the next day, and even in church, I am afraid, was much taken up by the new idea that had got into his head. On the Monday he contrived an errand into the town after his work; and even went so far as to step into Mr. Burt's, the draper's, where his mother always dealt, and make some inquiries as to the prices of shawls and cloaks. Mr. Burt was much astonished by the whole proceeding, but nevertheless he answered the boy's questions, and good-naturedly showed him a shawl or two he had close at hand. Jim found his views on the subject a good deal enlarged: shawls were to be had at almost any price, though of course the better the article the greater the cost. Things were growing clearer to him, and a distinct plan had formed itself in his mind. If only Saturday would come!

And Saturday came surely at length, and Jim went up to his master's house to receive his wages.

What is it?' asked Mr. Barlow, noticing that, after the boy had taken his money, he still lingered.

'Please, sir,' stammered Jim, much confused now the moment he had longed for had really arrived, don't you think that '

the mug of beer that I have along with the other lads costs you a good bit a-week?'

'Well,' said Mr. Barlow, astonished at the question, 'a matter perhaps of a few pence; but I don't grudge it, if you are good boys and do your work well. But why do you ask?'

'You would be angered, sir; but I don't think I need the beer; and I should so like the money, if you'd not think ill of me for asking for it.'

'But what would you do with it?' asked the master. 'Aren't your wages enough for a lad like you? You'd only spend it in pitch-and-toss, or some such folly, and a little wholesome ale does you good and makes you grow.'

'I should never miss it, sir; and mother does so want a shawl,' pleaded Jim.

But, my boy, the few pence your beer costs would not buy a shawl.'

'There's a scholar for you!' cried Mr. Barlow, with a pleasant laugh, and a new look of interest in the lad. And are you content to wait a whole year? Your mother will want her shawl before then.'

Yes, sir; but she'll want it then, too; and her old shawl will be a bit thinner maybe next winter than this.'

'You're a sensible fellow, Jim,' said his master heartily; and a good son into the bargain. Now, it's against my rule to give higher wages than other folks; but we won't call this wages. If you can tell me next Saturday how much fourpence halfpenny a week comes to in a year, I'll give you that much every pay-day, instead of your beer at noon.'

(Concluded in our next.)