'I suppose,' said he, smiling, 'you would not object to be a miner, shut out from daylight, and fathoms deep from the air of heaven.'

'I don't know that, sir; there are no mines in my part of the country, and I always think God suits the people to the sort of work he has prepared for them in their own places. Not that I believe any Englishman is made to be stewed for twelve hours a day in such a place as I visited this morning, which, to be sure, is none of God's making. However, sir, I would engage in the mines to-morrow, and do my best in that gloomy place; and at any rate,' he added, in a tone that spoke his deep feeling, at any rate my heart wouldn't be pained by seeing weak women and young children pining about me. They would breathe the fresh air, and if my work was dark and hard it would be lightened by knowing that the wages would keep them in freedom and comfort.'

'You are a noble young fellow, Green. I wish I could rouse such a manly spirit in the bosoms of some who have power to mitigate the hardships of those you so tenderly speak of, or even among the parents, the husbands, the brothers, of our poor factory girls.'

6

Ah, sir, to do justly, and to love mercy, is the gift of God. I'm afraid you can't teach it to those whose hearts are hardened by the love of money; and as for the rest, why what can they do? What can I do, who see all that I love better than myself pining and perishing? They must work, or starve; and no work is within their reach except what the mill-owners give. I see no remedy, except the grave.'

'Don't despond. Have you determined to remove the young person of whom Hudson spoke to my

friend's mill, supposing I obtain admittance for her there?'

'I have not talked to her yet about it, sir,' replied Richard.

Do, then, and let me know. You are returning to L., I believe, in a day or two, and my packet will be ready. Meanwhile, as I know you have a sick brother, whose situation requires more comforts than you can well procure at this reason, oblige me by applying a trifle to his advantage, and for the present good by; God bless you, and keep you from all evil!'

As with one hand he placed two sovereigns in Richard's, with the other he opened a door, and was gone before he could have even received a word of thanks; but the parting blessing was returned on his head a thousand-fold by the astonished youth, though its accents did not reach his ear.

As an alms to himself, Richard's independent spirit would have shrank from the gift; but the situation of those for whom it was intended forbade all feeling save that of fervent gratitude. He hastened away, and before even revisiting home, he found the landlord, paid the arrear, with another week's rent in advance, and then proceeded to lay the balance on the lap of his grandmother, where he had so often deposited his little earnings before want was known to them. She received it with tears of gratitude, and the gladdening influence of such providential supply once more shed a gleam of cheerfulness over the little circle.

'Helen,' whispered Richard, 'I have a deal to say to you that concerns nobody else. It is about a factory I saw to-day.'

Don't mention it just now, Richard; wait till we

are alone, or with James only. To-morrow is Sunday, and we shall then have opportunity to talk. Not, indeed, about worldly matters,' she added,' but something that will give us light as to what course we are to take, even with regard to the things of this life.'

With no small satisfaction did the widow steal away, and redeem from pledge a few articles, the absence of which on the Sunday would have greatly distressed her boy. Thus supplied, they made a comparatively respectable appearance, and in the house of God once more united their voices of prayer and praise.

In the afternoon, the widow accompanied the three younger children to their Sunday school, leaving Helen with Richard and James, to whom they read and sang, until the world, with all its cares, seemed lost to sight, and the holy calm of a felt sabbath pervaded their souls. James asked for one more hymn, and selected that beautiful one of Watts',

There is a land of pure delight.'

When the last note had died away, Helen spoke, 'Now, dear Richard, while our hearts are fixed, as I hope, on the things that are unseen and eternal, let me say a few words to you. It may be the means of sparing you some trouble-no, not trouble, but anxiety. I well know you would count it no trouble, but a great pleasure, to do any brotherly kindness to me; so please not to interrupt me, but hear me patiently

out.'

'I will,' said Richard, whose mind misgave him at this preface.

'I need not remind you what I am. I will not

pain you by recounting acts of generous kindness to a poor orphan, done without any hope or thought of a recompense, but had in remembrance before God, and printed on my very heart. Well, it will some day be a comfort to you to know that none of it all has been lost upon me. Instead of feeling the desolateness of a friendless child, I have been a most happy girl. I was taught my duty in words, and shewn how to perform it by example. You have been a dear, precious brother to me, Richard; the voice of unkindness never reached me, the finger of scorn never was pointed at me, so long as I was under your watchful eye; full of kindness to me, and, though you were but a boy, full of protection, too, that nobody cared to despise. I felt the value of it before I lost it, and now

'Helen, Helen,' exclaimed the agitated youth, with vehement earnestness, as long as there's a breath in this body'

'Hush, now, pray do be silent. You promised me, and I can't get through what I have to say unless you let me go on without interrupting. I should not say so much now, only for what is to follow it. I never was very strong in body; my good health was owing more to the quiet life I led, and the sea-breezes of our own dear home. I had peace within, and that made all seem well without; but I dare say wherever I had gone, any change in my way of living would have done the same.'

James shook his head; and the dissenting movement was not lost on Richard.

It matters nothing now,' pursued Helen, 'for He who has the power of life and death sets us all our bounds, which we cannot pass. It is of no use con

cealing the truth; I feel sure, quite sure, positively sure, that my days are numbered, and that not many remain. If I was taken back to L. to-morrow, and had every thing again as it used to be, no good could come of it, as to my health. Death is at work in me, and all the care I can have for this world is not to lose the comfort and blessing of being with my first, best, dearest friend-our own granny.'

Her voice faltered, and tears trickled down her cheeks, but Richard was mute. He listened in desperate calmness, while James, with closed eyes, seemed lost in prayer. Helen resumed,

'I know, Richard, you have been planning to have me removed to another mill, where more attention is paid to the comfort of the labourers; but you must consider that the distance is too great for a stronger girl than me, even in the best weather; and you could not get us all into it, and move granny too to a much more expensive place. If I was stout, I would gladly go there, for I might be able to make something by out-door work, late and early; and coming here on Saturdays, with a better penny in my hand, would almost reconcile me to being away all the week; but it can't be; and I feel sure my path of duty is to stop here, to be a companion to dear granny, and to do what little I can in striving to keep Mary, Willy, and poor Katy from going astray. I hope it may please the Lord that my last illness shan't be so long nor so helpless as this dear boy's,' stroking James' pale face, but even if it is so, I'm sure of the tenderest care from those that never forsook me in health, and never will when I am laid on my dying bed.'

She paused, and Richard quietly asked, 'Have