ord, help me,' and Jesus
heard me."

"What was it, dear?"

"We had a little tea party, mamma, with our cousins, out under the trees,
and there was pie and very rich cake----"

"And 'serves," put in Eddie.

"Yes, mamma, and preserves too, and they looked so good, and I wanted
some, but I remembered that you and papa don't let us eat those things
because they would make us sick. So I said, 'Lord, help me'; and then I
felt so glad and happy, thinking how Jesus loves me."

"My darling! He does, indeed," the mother said, with a gentle kiss.

"And Eddie was good, and said, 'No, thank you; mamma and papa don't let us
eat 'serves and pie.'"

"Mamma's dear boy," and her hand passed softly over the curly head resting
on her shoulder.

"Mamma, I love you; I love you _so much_," he said, hugging her tight;
"and dear papa, too; and Jesus. Mamma, I wanted to be naughty once to-day
when one o' zese cousins took away my own new whip that papa buyed for me;
but I remembered I mustn't be selfish and cross, and I said my little
prayers jus' in my heart, mamma--and Jesus did help me to be good."

"Yes, my dear son, and He will always help you when you ask Him. And now,
what has Vi to tell mamma?"

"Vi naughty girl one time, mamma: ky 'cause she didn't want mammy wash
face and brush curls. Vi solly now;" and the golden head dropped upon
mamma's breast.

"Mamma's dear baby must try and be patient; mamma is sure she will, and
Jesus will help her if she asks Him, and forgive her, if she is sorry for
being naughty," the mother said, with a tender caress. "Now let us sing,
'Jesus loves me.'"

The child voices blended very sweetly with the mother's as they sang in
concert; then she told them a Bible story, heard each little prayer, saw
them laid in their beds, gave each a tender good-night kiss, and left them
to their rest.

Passing into her dressing-room, she found her husband there, pacing
thoughtfully to and fro. At sight of her a smile irradiated his whole
countenance, while his arms opened wide to receive her.

"My dear, dear husband!" she said, laying her head on his shoulder, while
he folded her to his heart, "how bravely you bear trials; how patient and
cheerful you always are under all circumstances."

"Not more so than my little wife; we have heard much saddening news
to-day, love; but most of it such as to make us weep for our friends and
neighbors rather than for ourselves."

"That is true; our losses are slight,