Clara thought they would like to open a weighing shop at home the next day, but as they only had small scales, they could not weigh boys and girls and so had to content themselves with puppies and pussie cats. Not having any weights that were heavy enough, they were obliged to weigh one against the other, as they appear in the picture, and when they made out the ticket they had to say, Mr. Fido weighs one Tibby and a half, and Miss Tibby weighs two thirds of a Fido. But the worst of it was that the customers had no money, so the shopkeepers had to work for nothing.

And now, Master Sharp-shins, you can get your slate, set about the sum I have given you to do, and find out how much Master George is worth at tenpence per pound, and when you have done it just take it and show it to your Mamma, and she will give you-well-- I'm sure she'll give you leave to do as many more sums as you like.

A. H. M.

MORE MERRY THAN WISE.

EEP it up, Walter, lad."

This was the expression of Alfred Maybury, aged eight years, to his brother, two years

younger. The two were zealously engaged in sliding one after the other from the top of a high straw stack, no sooner reaching the ground than they mounted again by means of a ladder standing at one end of the pile.

Time after time was the exhilarating operation performed, until, completely exhausted, the youngsters were glad to throw themselves down in heated con

dition upon the stack top. For five minutes they lay still to recover breath and strength, and then once more raised their heads to look about them.

Pleasant was the prospect of manyshaded land and wood lying beneath bright blue sky, that met their view on the delightful spring morning.

They were expecting an early summons from their sister to lessons, and it is not to be wondered at that they should feel it to be specially unwelcome. Alfred, the elder, was also by far the most lively of the brothers, and was not unfrequently leading steady Walter into sad scrapes.

"The idea of sitting indoors after stupid books on a day like this!" he said.

Walter did not answer, knowing well that the contriving brain of Alfred would not be long in hitting upon some scheme or other. The latter glanced round the prospect as though for an idea, and it was not long in supplying him with one. His eye fell on a large red brick house lying in the valley half a mile away, and he exclaimed,

"I have it. Let's slip over to Mr. Young's."

What proposal could have been better? Recollection flashed on the mind of Walter of pleasures untold enjoyed during frequent visits to the abode referred to; of splendid games at hide-andseek in the old-fashioned garden, lively Mr. Young entering into the fun of them as though he had been a child himself; of exciting visits to the stockyards with their fine fat bullocks, and to the pastures, where the white active lambs were skipping in delight; of the excellent plum cake, sweet wine, and dainties of all sorts which the house afforded. Stealthily the boys sped away across the fields to the desirable spot.

Soon the clear voice of their elder sister Clara was heard giving the lookedfor summons. Again and again she called each of their names, but no answer was returned. What could Alfred's last prank be? she wondered. She conveyed to the house the news of the disappearance of the lads, and when an hour had passed without their showing themselves, the mother, as was natural, began to grow anxious.

But she was soon relieved by the sound of the cheering voice of Mr. Young, who said, when she went forth to greet him: "You don't happen to have lost anything, I suppose?"

66 Only two unfortunate little boys.” "Then I think I can direct you where to find them."

Back with him to his home, Clara at once journeyed, soon returning with the frightened, unwilling youngsters, held tightly by the hand, one on each side of her. The father was waiting for their appearance, and said in sharp tones as soon as they drew near:

"Go to your bedrooms this instant, and spend the rest of the day there."

Away they hurried, Alfred glad to get off thus easily. For he had been speculating strongly on the chances of a thrashing, which would certainly not have been his first. Ascending the stairs, a quarter of an hour after, Clara was surprised to find poor Walter standing painfully disconsolate in one of the passages. Asking what he did there, she received the short reply, but delivered in mournful tones:

and not doubting that he had been merely a follower in the transgression of the morning, she now procured his pardon, and he was allowed to remain in the school-room as usual,

An hour or two later, carrying to Alfred the very plain dinner which was all that could be allowed to him during his time of disgrace, she was surprised to find his room also deserted. Thinking she heard his voice, and glancing from the window, she beheld him seated composedly on the topmost branch of a high old pear-tree in the garden and singing with vigour and delight and perfectly in tune, the hymn beginning;"Mortals awake, with angels join."

That night, standing by his bedside., his mother said:

"It is a happiness to me to see my eldest boy so lively and cheerful, and such a favourite with everybody, but I should be so glad if I could know he was good as well. His life would be such a useful one, and also far more pleasant."

He was not ill-disposed, but only careless, and he at once answered:

"Yes, it was not a bit nice at Mr. Young's to-day. I had no idea Mrs. Young was such a cross old woman. She didn't give us any cake, and just made us go into school with her girls."

BEGINNING OF EVIL,

T was such a little thing

One slight twist of crimson string;

But 'twas stealing all the same!
And the child that took it knew
That she told what was not true,
Just to screen herself from blame;
First a theft and then a lie-
Both recorded up on high.

It was but a little sip,
Just a taste upon the lip;

But it left a longing there;
Then the measure larger grew,
And the habit strengthened too,
Till it would no curbing bear.
So the demon Drink decoys;
Soul and body both destroys.
It was but one little word,
Softly spoken, scarcely heard,
Uttered by a single breath;
But it dared to take in vain
God's most high and holy name,
So provoking wrath and death.
Soon the lips, once fresh and fair,
Opened but to curse and swear.
It was but one little blow,
Passion's sudden overflow,
Scarcely heeded in its fall;
But once loosed the fiery soul
Would no longer brook control;
Laws it spurned, defied them all ;
Till the hands love clasped in vain
Wore the murderer's crimson stain.
Ah! it is the foxes small,
Slyly climbing o'er the wall,

That destroy the tender vines;
And it is the spark of fire,
Brightening, growing, curling higher,
That across the forest shines.
Just so, step by step, does sin,
If unchecked, a triumph win..

S. S. Advocate.

To-day we children sing The song of "Glory, Glory,"

The angels sang of old, When they the wondrous story

To watching shepherds told. "Glad tidings" they were bringing, "Goodwill to men," and peace; The music of their singing

Will never, never cease;
For through revolving ages

It sweetly rolls along,
To cheer the hearts of sages

And bless the old and young.
We thank Thee, Lord, for Jesus,
The children's loving Friend,
He'll never, never leave us,
But keep us to the end.
When Time's short journey's ended,

And Christmas days are past, May we, where He's ascended, Be found with Him at last.

W. J. NELSON.