'Please, the year's up to-day, sir,' said our hero, as he was receiving his week's wages; and I'd like to buy the shawl for mother to-night.'

6

Let's You've not

Ah, the shawl! I remember. see, how much was it to be?

forgotten the sum, I guess ?'

'Please, sir, nineteen and sixpence,' said Jim, with a pull at his forelock by way of apology, for he felt it was somewhat bold to name so large a sum all in a breath.

Mr. Barlow drew a sovereign from his purse; and Jim's eyes gleamed as he took it up, and drawing a sixpence from his wages pushed it along the table towards his master.

Oh, that's the change, is it? Well, you may keep that for yourself; I'm sure you deserve it, for you are a good lad. I like to see boys think of their mothers; they are pretty safe to grow up worthy men if they begin so. And I dare say you're just as well without the beer: I shouldn't wonder if I've made a mistake in giving it at all to you young chaps. At any rate, you may go on the same for another year if you choose--perhaps your mother will be wanting a new gown to match the shawl by next Christmas. And look here; you do your duty at the plough as well as at home; and I'm going to advance your wages a shilling a-week. What do you say to that?' Jim had nothing to say: the surprise and delight seemed to take away his power of speech; but he made his rustic bow again and again, smiling from ear to ear, and his master was sufficiently thanked.

Jim had told his mother in the morning that he should not be home till late; so, on quitting the farm, he went off at once into the town, and never was a lighter heart than that he carried into Mr. Burt's shop. With great pride he showed his sovereign; and when Mr. Burt quite under

stood that Jim really wished to buy, he called his wife that she might help to direct the lad's taste. It was a long business— a delightful if a puzzling business to Jim: each new shawl seemed in some way more desirable than the last. But at length a choice was made of a fine green and blue plaid; and, with half-a-crown of change out of his sovereign in his pocket, and the precious parcel nnder his arm, Jim ran home in a rapture of joy and triumph.

But the best of all was yet to come. Jim never forgot the moment when, after breathlessly telling his tale and spreading out his purchase before his mother's astonished eyes, he felt the caressing touch of her hand upon his neck and heard her voice tremble in the quiet words :—

Thou art a downright good lad, and the blessing of my life, Jim. It ain't the shawl, though to be sure it's beautiful enough for a queen, but it's thy love and goodness that I'm thinking of. There's many o' thy age who thinks o' nought but themselves.'

Jim

And then he brought out his half-crown, and told the good news of his advance in wages, and there was much talk as to what was most wanted in the household between mother and son that happy night. was hard to persuade that anything must be spent on himself, while his younger brothers and sisters had so many needs. But his mother overruled him in the matter; and a piece of cloth for a waiscoat for him was the very first thing she bought when she went out shopping the next Saturday in her grand new shawl.

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EMMA RHODES.

HOW MARCIAN BECAME EMPEROR.

HE Emperor Marcian, who lived 1400 years ago, obtained the Imperial throne in a very singular way. He was de

scended from a noble but now poor family. As a youth of nineteen he left his father's house in order to seek his

fortune in the world.

He betook himself to the capital of the empire, hoping to find a post there in the Imperial court.

But all his exertions were vain, for an influential family, which had long been at enmity with his own, had great power at court, and defeated all his efforts.

Without any success, without hope or prospects, he began his homeward journey.

His way led him through a wood; and while he was walking along it he saw, lying by the road-side, the corpse of a murdered man. Compassion drew him to the spot: he felt that it was a Christian's duty to bury the dead.

Whilst he was busy turning up the earth he was observed by some travellers passing by. They suspected him at once, took him for a murderer, seized him, and led him as a prisoner to the town.

All the circumstances were against him. People were all the more convinced that he had committed the murder, because it was known that he belonged to the family which was at enmity with that of the murdered man, and through whose exertions all his efforts to obtain a situation at court had been rendered fruitless.

His defence and his assertion of his innocence availed nothing. He was con

demned to death as a murderer.

The sentence was just about to be carried

into execution when suddenly a tumult arose among the spectators. A man was pushing his way through them, who, tortured by the pangs of conscience, gave himself up as the murderer. The matter was investigated and found to be true.

Marcian was saved, and his fortunes, too, took a favourable turn. The relations of the murdered man, who before had used all their influence to injure Marcian, now supported him in every way. They wished to atone for the wrong they had done him, and to repay him for the service of love he had shown to the murdered man.

Marcian received an important post at the Imperial court; his talents raised him higher and higher, and his position became so important that he married Pulcheria, the daughter of the reigning emperor, Theodosius II., after whose death he became emperor himself.

Because the grave of the murdered man had been the first cause of the change in his fortunes he ordered a splendid monument to be erected over it. Every anniversary of the event he went thither with his children and grandchildren, prayed with them there and thanked God, Who, in His unspeakable wisdom, had, in so singular a manner, directed the fortunes of his life.

J. F. C.

SOMETHING TO BE

GLAD OF.

AM glad about one thing to-day,' said little Harriet, thoughtfully, as she sat by her mother's side in the evening, rocking her little kitten to sleep in her lap.

"What is that?' asked her mother with a smile; 'some good deed you

have done?'

'No, mother; but a bad one I didn't do.' Little Harriet was used to throw the window of her heart wide open for her good mother to look in, and I cannot tell you what a blessing that was to her. How many good lessons she got which she would otherwise have missed! How many wrong things were set right, and how many little tender vines of goodness were trained and encouraged by her mother's loving words, which, without them, might have drooped and withered!

'What was the wrong thing you were tempted to do, Hattie ?'

'Well, mother, Laura Powers spoke very unkindly to me in playtime, because she lost her place in the class, and I was at the head; she tried hard to make me angry, and I did get very angry. Then I thought of some hard speeches I wished to say to her. I should have liked to tell her about that time she wrote the dates in her history lesson down on the inside of her hand, and a good many more such tricks. But I didn't, mother. I am so glad I didn't. I was ashamed about it afterwards when I thought it over, and I prayed to God to forgive me, mother, just as you taught me to do.'

6

'I am glad you did, my darling,' said her mother. We may always be glad if we have left unsaid bitter words that rose up in our hearts. Always think, when you are tempted to say them, "How glad I shall be by-and-bye, if I do not!" Jesus bore all His evil treatment meekly. He could pray for the forgiveness of His worst enemies. Try always to be like Him, my darling; then you will be really happy, and fitting yourself for a Home where all is happiness, because all is love.'