by her dreadful
screams, and, hastening to discover the cause, found poor Augusta in a
blaze from head to foot. The unhappy young lady was so dreadfully burnt
that she never spoke afterwards, but died in agonies last night."

When Mrs. Fairchild and the children heard this dreadful story they
were very much grieved. Mrs. Barker stayed with them all day; and it
was, indeed, a day of mourning through all the house.

The Two Books

[Illustration: "Please choose a book for me"]

It was the time of the Midsummer Fair, and John asked Mr. Fairchild's
leave to go to the fair.

"You may go, John," said Mr. Fairchild; "and take the horse, and bring
everything that is wanting in the family."

So John got the horse ready, and set out early in the morning to go to
the fair; but before he went Emily and Lucy gave him what money they
had, and begged him to bring them each a book. Emily gave him twopence,
and Lucy gave him threepence.

"You must please choose a book for me with pictures in it," said Emily.

"I do not care about pictures," said Lucy, "if it is a pretty book. So
pray don't forget, John."

In the evening, after tea, the children and their father and mother, as
usual, got ready to take a walk; and the children begged Mr. and Mrs.
Fairchild to go with them to meet John. "For John," said Henry, "will
be coming back now, and will have brought us some pretty books."

So Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild took the road which led towards the town
where the fair was held, and the children ran before them. It was a
fine evening. The hedges were full of wild roses, which smelt most
sweet; and the haymakers were making hay in the fields on each side of
the road.

"I cannot think where John can be," said Henry. "I thought he would be
here long before now."

By this time they were come to the brow of a rising ground; and looking
before them, behold, there was John at a distance! The children all ran
forward to meet him.

"Where are the books, John? Oh, where are the books?" they all said
with one voice.

John, who was a very good-natured man, as I have before said, smiled,
and, stopping his horse, began to feel in his pockets; and soon brought
out, from among other things, two little gilt books; the largest of
which he gave to Lucy, and the other to Emily, saying:

"Here is two pennyworth--and here is three pennyworth."

"Indeed, John, you are very good," said the children. "What beautiful
books!"

"My book," said E