RHODA GRANT. (Continued from p. 67.) ICHARD was a good lad, and was really a comfort to them all; but his scanty wages were barely enough to feed himself. Tom did what he could to help his family when he heard of the trouble at home, and often denied himself a meal in order to be able to send a shilling or two in postage-stamps to his mother when he received his wages.

About this time another baby was born, and this increased the family's distress. Poor Mrs. Grant was in too great anxiety of mind to lie quietly in bed more than two or three days, and, in spite of Rhoda's remonstrances, insisted on getting up, and, weak as she was, going about her usual work.

This imprudence led to her catching a chill, and becoming so weak and ill that she was forced to take entirely to her bed, and the doctor pronounced her case a very serious one. The poor little baby was so white and weak that it seemed scarcely alive, and a speedy death was more than likely, as the mother was far too ill to tend it.

All the cares of the household now fell upon poor Rhoda, who, delicate and fragile as she was, seemed quite unfit for anything like hard work. But God, Who has said, 'As thy day is, so shall thy strength be,' graciously came to her aid when she looked to Him, as she always did when she was in any perplexity. Her strength was mercifully kept up in this time of trial, and she was enabled to be of the greatest use to her mother and family, though she had felt at first that all these troubles would crush her down to the earth.

Sarah was kept at home from school to help her, and Rhoda found her a very useful little maiden; and the other children seemed to try to give as little trouble as possible, and do what they could to help. Richard lighted the fire every morning before he went to work, and did many things for her when he was at home. The neighbours, too, were very kind, and they had many little helps in different

ways.

And thus the autumn was passing away into winter, with Grant in prison, and his wife only regaining her strength by very slow degrees.

CHAPTER V.

'If Thou shouldst call me to resign
What most I prize, it ne'er was mine;
I only yield Thee what is Thine-
Thy will be done!

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to Thee I leave the rest-
Thy will be done!'

As the winter drew on, Grant's time in prison came to an end, and he returned home. home. He felt the disgrace of his imprisonment, and was more moody and silent than before; but this punishment seemed to have had no good effect on his moral character. His old master would not take him back again, and he had to seek work at a more distant farm, where the wages were lower. Mrs. Grant was now getting a little better, and the baby, contrary to all their expectations, seemed likely to live; but Rhoda's cough came back to her again with the cold damp days, and she felt that when her mother was able to be about again she would have to take her place and lie in bed. She kept up as long as she could, and tried to go about the house-work cheerfully; but it was a hard task, and her mother soon found out how ill she was feeling. She might

have gone on for some time struggling against her illness, if she had not received a sudden blow in the shape of a piece of bad news from the mines.

It was on a foggy, damp afternoon, that she went out to buy some cotton for her mother at the little village shop, which was in the lane not far from the cottage. She ought not to have gone out in such weather; but the children had not come back from school, and she and her mother wanted to get on with some sewing before it grew dark, for the days closed in early

now.

While she was in the shop a Mrs. Brown came in with a newspaper in her hand. She was one of those thoughtless people who are always eager to tell a piece of news, either good or bad, without considering for a moment the effect it may have on the hearers. Directly she saw Rhoda she began,-Have you heard the dreadful news? There's been an explosion in the Eastwood mine, and fifty men and boys have been killed, and

But here the careless woman was checked by seeing what a shock the news had given to Rhoda, who was trembling from head to foot, and seemed ready to faint.

'Oh, Mrs. Brown, how could you be so thoughtless?' said Mrs. Giles, the mistress of the shop; 'you know that her brother is there.'

And then the kind woman took Rhoda into her back-parlour, and tried to comfort her.

trouble she had caused by her thoughtlessness, and tried to console Rhoda in her clumsy, awkward way, as she brought her the newspaper.

"Perhaps you had better leave her alone with me,' said Mrs. Giles. 'She isn't strong, and it's quite a shock to her, poor dear!'

Mrs. Brown, seeing that her presence did more harm than good, left the shop; and Rhoda, taking up the paper, tried to read. But her eyes grew dim when she saw the heading in large letters,

'ALARMING COLLIERY ACCIDENT.'

Mrs. Giles took the paper, and read it through quickly to herself. There had been an explosion, and part of the pit had fallen in and buried fifty men and boys, who, it was feared, had all died from the effects of choke-damp. They were getting out the bodies, but they had not been able to find all yet. There was a list of the names of those missing, and that of Thomas Grant, aged fifteen, was among them. (To be continued.)

GOOD ADVICE FOR SAILORS.

THE

THE late Admiral Colpoys, who rose by industry to nearly the highest rank and honour in the navy, used to be fond of stating, that on first leaving a very humble lodging to join his ship as midshipman, his landlady presented him with a Bible and a guinea, saying,- God bless and prosper you, my lad: and, as long as you live, never suffer yourself to be laughed out of your money and your prayers.' This advice the young sailor followed through life to his great advantage.

Boys! never fear being laughed at for doing what is right. Be courageous in what is right!—Band of Hope Review.