ll
carry from this far-off place. What say you, gentlemen?"

"I think you can," was the simultaneous reply; Mr. Travilla adding, "and
we can help with the lint, and by running the sewing-machines. I'd be glad
to add to the comfort of the poor fellows on both sides."

"And money is needed by their aid societies," added Mr. Dinsmore.

"And I can send that!" Elsie exclaimed joyously

"Yes, we all can," said her father.

Several busy weeks followed, and a large box was packed and sent off.

"If that arrives safely we will send another," they said; for news had
reached them that such supplies were sorely needed.

"What! at it again, little wife?" queried Mr. Travilla, entering Elsie's
boudoir the next morning, to find her delicate fingers busy with
knitting-needles and coarse blue yarn.

"Yes, sir," she said, smiling up at him, "it seems a slight relief to my
anxiety about my country, to be doing something, if it is only _this_."

"Ah! then I'll take lessons, if you, or Aunt Chloe there will teach me,"
he returned, laughingly drawing up a chair and taking a seat by her side.
"Mammy, can you supply another set of needles, and more yarn?"

"Yes, massa;" and laying down the stocking she was at work upon, away she
went in search of them.

"Papa, see! so pitty!" cried a little voice; and "wee Elsie" was at his
knee, with a diamond necklace in her hand.

"Yes," he said, gently taking it from her, "but rather too valuable a
plaything for my little pet. How did she get hold of it, dearest?" he
asked, turning to his wife.

"Mamma say Elsie may. Please, papa, let Elsie have it," pleaded the little
one with quivering lip and fast-filling eyes.

"I gave her leave to look over the contents of my jewel box; she is a very
careful little body, and mammy and I are both on the watch:" answered
mamma. "It is a great treat to her; and she takes up only one article at
a time, examines it till satisfied, then lays it back exactly as she found
it. So please, papa, may she go on?"

"Yes, if mamma gave permission it is all right, darling," he said,
caressing the child and returning the necklace.

"Tank oo, papa, mamma; Elsie be very tareful mamma's pitty sings," she
cried with a gleeful laugh, holding up her rosebud mouth for a kiss, first
to one, then the other.

"Let papa see where you put it, precious," he said, following her as she
tripped across the room and seated herself on a cushion in front of the
box.

"Dere, papa, du