CHEERFUL WORK. 29

rag-carpet covered the floor. The wall was
papered with a neat paper, and a few engra-
- vings of scripture subjects were hung up over
the mantle in black frames. Upon the mantle-
shelf were two tall glasses filled with wild
flowers. The chairs were painted in bright
colors, by some country artist, who seemed, by
the awkward patterns, to have cared more for
coloring than design. On the bureau lay a
Bible and a few other books, which had been
read over and over again by Bessie and her
brother. |

Children who have hundreds of books can
have no idea how precious the few books of
poor children are to them. One good book,
read over and over again, and talked about,
too, is worth more to a child, and does him
really more good, than dozens of books skimmed
over hastily, and then thrown aside, for new
ones.

Tom’s task for the day was completed before
dinner, and he had all the afternoon to work at.
his boat.

“T am thinking it will look like an old-
fashioned bread-tray,” said Bessie, as she saw