howed him a tiny baby lying by her
side, trying to suck its own little rosy finger.

Bertie was so astonished he could not speak.

"It's your little sister, my son, and if papa consents, you may call
her Violetta in memory of these pretty flowers."

"Oh, mamma! I'm so glad! I love babies so dearly. Isn't she a
darling?"

At this moment Mrs. Dodge came into the room. "Well, Bertie," she
began, "your mamma has a pretty surprise for you. What do you think
Winnie will say?"

"She'll think it's a doll, mamma. Oh, may I bring her in?"

He ran to the door, and met papa with Winnie in his arms.

Papa looked very smiling and happy as he walked to the side of the
bed.

Baby had fallen asleep now, and was so quiet Bertie could hardly
believe she was alive.

Winnie's eyes grew larger and larger as she gazed, until at last she
gave a spring almost out of her papa's arms upon the bed.

Mamma screamed, and Mrs. Dodge came forward quickly; but papa had
caught her again and held her firm.

"It's your little sister," he explained; "but you must go now and
stay with Nellie, for Nancy wants the new baby to sleep."

"Let me take it a minute. Please, mamma, I wont break it. I wont,
certain," pleaded the child.

"Some day," said mamma, and then she turned so pale that Mrs. Dodge
hurried them all out of the chamber before mamma could ask whether the
little spring flower should be named Violetta.

With his treasures safe in the house, Mr. Curtis, with his gardener,
went to work with renewed zeal to beautify his grounds. His heart was
full of gratitude to the kind Being who had given him so many
blessings; and his delight was to be of benefit to those around him.
No one really in need was ever turned from his door; while many, like
Susy Hunt and Edgar Torrey, received the benefit of his donations.

"The Squire's son will be the father over again," said Mr. Taylor to
the clergyman, "there's nothing pleases him so much, as to give him a
chance to make somebody happy."

"Yes," was the reply, "and I never see him without recalling to
remembrance the words: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

The fall previous all the rubbish about the place had been cleared
away, the pieces of board and shavings, except what had been given to
the poor, being carried to the shed adjoining the barn. The turf
around the house had of course been a good deal cut up by the teams,
and Mr. Curtis resolved to have new sods immediately laid d