The speaker, a little girl of about six years old, caught her mother's hand and drew her forward to the drawing room window just in time to see an old woman and a boy, both poorly clad and both burdened with wooden chairs and stools, passing slowly along on the edge of the pathway.

But, Nettie, I do not need any chairs, dear,' protested Mrs. Seymour as Nettie, without waiting for permission, tapped at the window to attract the attention of the woman.

'No matter, mamma; please buy me a chair then; I'll sit on it in my bedroom.'

The mother smiled. Nettie was an only child, and perhaps a little indulged by her father and mother. We will let the woman come into the dining room and see what she has to sell.'

Nettie ran down the stairs at perilous speed and reached the hall door as a servant was declaring that no chairs were required.

The disappointed chair vendor turned away muttering that she surely heard herself called, and again rose the shrill call,

'Want chairs?'

'Stop, stop, "Want Chairs!" mamma says you 're to come in here and show your things,' breathlessly cried the little one, as she ran out on the steps, to the amazement and disgust of the domestic.

Yis, miss; surely,' answered the woman, returning gladly. 'But it isn't much I have to show, me lady,' to Mrs. Seymour, who stood in the dining room amusedly watching her impulsive child. 'I have some iligant things at home, but we can't carry thim, me an' Con; they 're too heavy. I've only a couple of small chairs an' Con has a few stools hangin' to a bit of a rope he slings on to his shoulders.'

'Why don't you have a donkey and cart? You could put in that all you wished to bring about,' said the lady, as she noted pityingly how tired the boy looked.

'True for ye, alanna; so I could: but where's the money to buy the ass an' cart? Wanst indade we had that same, an' a thrivin' trade we did round the counthry. All the farms was badly off for chairs thin, an' we lived in a purty little cottage quite comfortable. But, me lady,' with a mournful shake of her grey head, ' times is changed in the poor ould counthry! There's no money goin' at all, at all, an' I'll ind me days in the house, more's the shame. Con here 'll not, for he's at the beginnin' of the

walk; but Biddy's 'most finished cryin', chairs?

"Want

Con had been listening with a stolid face to these remarks of his mother, and now he came forward quietly and touched her arm.

'We've that armchair beyant. I can make a couple of cushions for it out of thim feathers, an' it 'll be very nice for the little lady if she 'll have it.'

To be sure I'll have it; mayn't I, mamma? None of these chairs are nice, and I don't want a stool; but I'd like to see it. Could I see it, mamma dear?' coaxingly.

'No; I am afraid to let you out in the rain. But if Con will give it to a messenger we could send for it now; and as this is such a wet day, you can take those two large bits of red cloth I gave you, and perhaps Con would make the cushions for it in the back kitchen, where he and his mother will be alone; then they might have some dinner before braving the weather again.'

'C mamma, how good!' exclaimed Nettie ; while the old woman was profuse in her thanks.

About an hour afterwards Con was busy making the cushions for the chair, which proved on inspection to be well shaped and comfortable enough. By-andby Mrs. Seymour and Nettie came down to see how the work progressed, and while the lady spoke to old Biddy by the fireside the child watched Con's busy fingers in admiration.

'Aren't you a very clever boy?' she asked abruptly as she saw how well the back cushion fitted and how nice it looked.

'No, thin, miss; I'm not a bit clever, but ye're a very kind little lady. I wish I could show ye how thankful I am to ye for givin' me an' mother this helpin' hand. I have it!' quickly. Would ye like a wooden doll with hands an' feet, an' all like a real child? I could make it well an' paint the face an' put eyes in.’

'It would be lovely! I'll ask mamma if I may have it. But,' lowering her voice and looking anxiously at the boy, if you do paint the doll, please only paint the cheeks.'

Sure I wouldn't paint any other part, miss,' in a surprised tone.

She

'But you might, because-becausebroke off suddenly; then she whispered: 'Please don't think I mean to be rude, or unkind, or that I think your mother very ugly; but I wouldn't like dolly to have a red nose. You'll only have your mother for a pattern when you 're making it; and you might-I don't say you would, but you might -paint the nose that queer blue-red, and it isn't pretty.'

'I understan', miss; an' I won't paint the nose blue-red,' replied Con; while swift tears almost blinded him as he thought that even a little child could notice the outward and visible sign of his poor mother's besetting sin.

'Well, I'll run after mamma and ask about the doll; she's gone upstairs.'

Con looked round to see if his mother had heard the child's words, and he knew she had; for she rose up tremblingly and moved towards the door.

'I'm goin' home, Con, avick. I've had me dinner; ye can come whin ye 've finished.'

Then Nettie returned and announced to the boy that he might make the doll and bring it as soon as it was ready.

When Mrs. Seymour had been talking to Biddy she found out that the old woman was more anxious for a glass of porter than for a good dinner. She spoke to her gently and advised her to give up the bad habit which had no doubt plunged Con and herself into poverty. If she would abstain from drinking, Mrs. Seymour offered to look after her, so that she should not end her days in the workhouse, and also to obtain some better work for Con. Biddy had not given the required promise, but she agreed with her kind adviser that over-indulgence in drink, and not the bad times,' was the cause of their extreme poverty. Nettie's thoughtless words about the 'blue-red nose' had proved just too much for the feelings of the old woman. If a little child could notice that she was a drunkard, why every one must point at the poor boy, Con, and taunt him with that disgraceful truth.

Three or four evenings afterwards Con brought the doll to Nettie. It was duly admired and the boy rewarded for his cleverness and ingenuity, in fashioning such a pretty little lady out of a piece of wood.

'Mamma, why did Con cry when you asked him about his mother?' queried Nettie that night as she was preparing to jump into her snug bed.

Biddy fell down the stairs, dear, and hurt herself very much, and I was asking if she were better of her bruises.'

'Poor old "Want Chairs!" I hope she 'll soon be well. Wait just a minute, mamma, and I'll put her name in my prayers. Sit down there in Con's armchair, and I'll lay my dolly down for a minute.'

With folded hands and closed eyes she knelt at her mother's knee, and when she had concluded her usual nightly petitions to the Friend of little children, she added: And please, Lord, bless poor old "Want Chairs" and make her soon well and don't let her fall down any more and hurt herself.'

Almost at the same hour Con was bathing his mother's head, which was still sore and bruised, and feeding her with toast and tea. O mother! if ye'd only promise the lady,' he pleaded tearfully. See, ye've nearly kilt yerself. Sure the times 'd bet changed entirely with us if ye'd give up the drink. We could git a donkey an' cart thin ready enough, an' I can make lots of things out of sticks. Missis Seymour said the doll was purty enough for any shopkeeper to buy. An' ye know she's promised to help us. Do, mother honey, give it up.'

There was silence in the room for a short time, then the old woman said very humbly: I'm jist ashamed of meself, Con, boy, an' ye ought to be

11

ashamed of me too. I've 'most forgot the tachin's of me youth, but I'm none too ould yit. With God's help I'll give up the drink from this night.'

And thus was Nettie's prayer answered, and poor old Want Chairs' was indeed blessed.

READINESS TO DIE.

OHN WESLEY was once asked by a lady: Suppose that you knew you were to die at twelve o'clock to-morrow night, how would you spend the intervening

time ?' How, madam?' he replied; why, just as I intend to spend it now. I should preach this night. at Gloucester and again at five to-morrow morning. After that I should ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I should then repair to Friend Martin's house, who expects to entertain me, converse and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at ten o'clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in glory.'

SINGULAR RESTORATION.

GENTLEMAN, passing through the streets of Newcastle about twenty years ago, was called in by a shopkeeper who acknowledged himself indebted to him to the amount of a guinea. The gentleman, much astonished, inquired how this was, as he had no recollection of the circumstance. The shopkeeper replied that about twenty years before, as the gentleman's wife was crossing the river Tyne in a boat which he was in, she accidentally dropped half-aguinea as she took out her money to pay the fare. The shopkeeper, who had a family at home literally starving, snatched up the half-guinea. He had since been prosperous in the world, and now seized the first opportunity since his good fortune of paying the money with interest.

FAITHFUL SONS.

NCIENT history records that a certain city was besieged, and at length obliged to surrender. In the city there were two brothers, who had in some way

obliged the conquering general, and in consequence of this received permission to leave the city before it was set on fire, taking with them as much of their property as each could carry about his person. Accordingly the two generous youths appeared at the gates of the city, one of them carrying their father and the other their mother.

RULES AND REGULATIONS.

'But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?'-Acts v. 9.

Learn-All mankind are born in sin, but not without hope; for a Saviour was provided from the beginning, and all that come into the world receive of His grace and His Spirit.

1. Candidates for the honours and prizes of the Order shall be under sixteen years of age, but Competitors who arrive at that age after registering shall not be debarred from further competition. II. Candidates for Admission shall send to be registered(1) their names in full; (2) their address in full; (3) the date of their last birthday, and their age then: (4) a small registrationfee of 44. in stamps, to cover the expense of posting cards, certificates, &c.

III. Competitive Examinations shall be held for the Candidates for Admission, and those who obtain the highest marks shall be admitted as Members of the Order of Merit in the Third Class, and shall receive Cards of Membership.

IV. Competitive Examinations shall be held for Members of the Third Class, and those who obtain the highest marks shall be admitted to the Second Class, and receive Certificates of Honour.

V. Competitive Examinations shall be held for Members of the Second Class, and successful Competitors shall be admitted to the First Class of the Order, and receive First Class Certificates of Honour.

VI. Competitions for Prizes shall be held between Members of the First Class.

N.B.-1. New competitors may register at any time.

2. All competition papers must begin with

(1) the Name of the writer; (2) the Address; and (3) the Age last birthday-age being taken into account in giving marks.

3. All communications should be addressed to THE EXAMINER, 2, LUDGATE CIRCUS BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.C. Papers should not be sent by book-post.

A HAPPY HOME.

PRETTY story told about a German discloses the secret of a happy home wherein joy aboundeth though there are many to feed and clothe.

A teacher once lived in Strasburg, who had hard work to support his family. His chief joy in life, however, was in his nine children, though it was no light task to feed them all. His brain would have reeled and his heart sunk had he not trusted in his heavenly Father when he thought of the number of jackets, shoes, stockings, and dresses they would need in the course of a year and of the quantity of bread and potatoes they would eat. His house too was very close quarters for the many beds and cribs, to say nothing of the room required for the noise and fun which the merry nine made. But father and mother managed very well and the house was a pattern of neatness and order. One day there came a guest to the house. As they sat at dinner the stranger, looking at the hungry children about the table, said compassionately, 'Poor man, what a cross you have to bear!'

'I? A cross to bear?' asked the father wonderingly. What do you mean?'

'Nine children, and seven boys at that!' replied the stranger, adding bitterly: I have but two, and each of them is a nail in my coffin.'

'Mine are not,' said the teacher with decision. 'How does that happen?' asked the guest. 'Because I have taught them the noble art of obedience. Isn't that so, children? '

'Yes!' cried the children.

'And you obey me willingly?'

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The two little girls laughed roguishly, but the seven youngsters shouted, 'Yes, dear father; truly!'

Then the father turned to the guest and said: 'Sir, if death were to come in at that door, waiting to take one of my nine children, I would say '-and he pulled off his velvet cap and hurled it at the door "Rascal, who cheated you into thinking that I had one too many?

The stranger sighed; he saw that it was only disobedient children that made a father unhappy. One of the nine children of the schoolmaster afterward became widely known; he was the saintly Pastor Oberlin.

poor

Fourpence, and it 's worth every farthing of the money too.' He flung down four penny pieces noisily upon the table.

'There, then, and now the glass is mine, and I can take it home?'

'Of course you can,' she rejoined haughtily and sarcastically, if you've a mind to go filling up your place with poor, broken stuff like that. Take it and welcome.'

'There's no welcome about it; I've paid for it and it's mine.'

With these words Saul Hobson rose to leave the