Now his mouth was opened, and in simple,
boyish speech, he poured out his heart to Alick, and told him all he
knew of Christ's love in taking upon himself the sins of those who
were his enemies. And God's Spirit going with the words he taught
Georgie to speak, Alick's heart was touched, and the poor boy was
brought to take Christ as his Lord and his God.

THE SIXPENNY CALICO.

One day a new scholar appeared in school, and as usual was the mark of
public gaze. She was gentle and modest-looking, and never ventured to
lift her eyes from her books. At recess, to the inquiries, "Who is
she?" "What's her name?" nobody could satisfactorily answer. None of
us ever saw or heard of her before.

"I know she's not much," said one of the girls.

"Poorly off," said I.

"Do you see her dress? Why, I believe it is nothing but a sixpenny
calico."

"Poor thing, she must be cold."

"I can't imagine how a person can wear calico in winter," said
another, whose rich plaid was the admiration of the school.

"I must say I like to see a person dressed according to the season,"
remarked another; "that is, if people can afford it," she added, in a
manner plainly enough indicating that _her_ father could.

Such was recess talk. None of us went to take the stranger by the hand
and welcome her as the companion of our studies and our play. We stood
aloof, and stared at her with cold and unfeeling curiosity. The
teacher called her Abby. When she first came to her place for
recitation, she took a seat beside the rich plaid. The plaid drew
haughtily away, as if the sixpenny calico might dim the beauty of its
colours. A slight colour flushed Abby's cheek, but her quiet remained
the same. It was some time before she ventured on the play-ground, and
then it was only to stand aside, and look on, for we were slow in
asking her to join us.

On one occasion we had a harder arithmetic lesson than usual,
completely baffling our small brains. Upon comparing notes at recess,
none of us had mastered it.

"I'll ask Abby of her success," said one of my intimate associates.

"It is quite unlikely she has," I replied; "do stay here; besides,
what if she has?"

"I _will_ go," she answered.

Away she went, and as it appeared, Abby and she were the only members
of the class ready for recitation. Abby had been more successful than
the rest of us, and kindly helped my friend to scale the difficulties
of the lesson.

"Shall we ask Abby to join t