refuge in a public-house, to get out of the way of noisy children, an
unswept hearth, and a scolding wife. Once when Tom was ill for a day or
two, his uncle missed the accustomed grace, and began to say it himself.
He is now the person to say "Silence, boys;" and then to ask the blessing
on the meal. It makes them gather round the table, instead of sitting
down here and there in the comfortless, unsociable way they used to do.
Tom and Dick go to school together now, and Dick is getting on famously,
and will soon be able to help his next brother over his lessons, as Tom
has helped him.

Even Jack has been heard to acknowledge that Tom has "pluck" in him; and
as "pluck" in Jack's mind is a short way of summing up all the virtues,
he has lately become very fond of his cousin. Tom does not think about
happiness, but is happy; and I think we may hope that he, and the
household among whom he is adopted, will go "from strength to strength."

Now do you not see how much happier this family are from the one
circumstance of a little child's coming among them? Could money have
made one-tenth part of this real and increasing happiness? I think you
will all say no. And yet Tom was no powerful person; he was not clever;
he was very friendless at first; but he was loving and good; and on
those two qualities, which any of us may have if we try, the blessing of
God lies in rich abundance.

BESSY'S TROUBLES AT HOME.

"Well, mother, I've got you a Southport ticket," said Bessy Lee, as she
burst into a room where a pale, sick woman lay dressed on the outside of
a bed. "Aren't you glad?" asked she, as her mother moved uneasily, but
did not speak.

"Yes, dear, I'm very thankful to you; but your sudden coming in has made
my heart flutter so, I'm ready to choke."

Poor Bessy's eyes filled with tears: but, it must be owned, they were
tears half of anger. She had taken such pains, ever since the doctor
said that Southport was the only thing for her mother, to get her an
order from some subscriber to the charity; and she had rushed to her, in
the full glow of success, and now her mother seemed more put out by the
noise she had made on coming in, than glad to receive the news she had
brought.

Mrs. Lee took her hand and tried to speak, but, as she said, she was
almost choked with the palpitation at her heart.

"You think it very silly in me, dear, to be so easily startled; but it
is not altogether silliness; it is I am so weak tha