ty soon, because we want to be
kind to you, and read to you, too!"

"Ah--no!" said the sweet voice of lame Charley. "Dear Aunt Fanny, we
_don't_ want you to be old and blind; you shall have all mamma's pretty
stories without it. I am glad the children like them. _I_ think them
lovely; my back does not hurt me near so much while she is telling them,
and when I die, which I think will be very soon now, I hope the children
will think of me sometimes, and love my darling mamma, who has given
them and me so many pleasant hours. This is my birthday, Aunt Fanny. I
am ten years old to-day. Perhaps it is my last birthday. See what my
brothers and sisters have given to me."

In the midst of a sad silence, (for the children were now quite still,
and were looking at Charley, with their eyes full of love and tears,) I
went up to a table, at which he had pointed, and saw what looked like a
large tin box. It proved to be a splendid magic lantern! The children
had saved all their money for many months to be able to buy it, and the
little mother told me, that when they came in a body that morning and
gave it to Charley, with their dear love and many kisses, their faces
glowing with pleasure, it was the sweetest sight in the world to see,
and Charley thought he could never thank or love them enough, and that
very morning he made this little prayer, and added it to his others:

"Oh God, I am a poor little suffering child. Very often, I cannot help
crying with pain. But many children suffer as much as I do, and have not
one of my blessings; and Jesus, my Saviour, suffered far more. He was
innocent and good, while we, for whom He suffered, are sometimes very
naughty. Please, God, to forgive me for being naughty, and bless and
love my dear brothers and sisters who are so kind to me, and please
bless my darling mother, and if I die before another year, may we all
meet again in heaven, I pray, for Jesus' sake. Amen."

The tears came into my eyes as I listened to this little prayer--and I
bent my face down and kissed Charley's white forehead to hide them--and
whispered to him that I would tell it to the children outside in the
world, and perhaps this little prayer might be learned by some other
sick child--and it would comfort them, and I would also give them the
new stories--at which he smiled and said: "Oh, yes, do!" and all the
rest said: "Do, Aunt Fanny; and stay to-night--and see the magic
lantern--then you can tell them about that, too