UNCLE JOHN’S PARTY.

worth much,” he replied, ‘ but—but—I
have spent all my money. I have not one
sixpence left.”

“Oh, oh, if that’s the case, you are to be
pitied too. Well, never mind, I'll put a
shilling in for you,” he added laughing, “ or
we shall make but a poor beginning. Ano-
ther time,” he whispered, “don’t spend all
your money as soon as you get it; but keep
a little for any call on your generosity which
may occur.”

“Now, Mary, my love,’ Mr. Wilson con-
tinued, turning to the little girl, “is your
pity of any value? We will go round to
the young folks first, that their gifts may
not appear so small,” he said.

“It is not the actual worth of the offer-
ing which decides its true value,” he added,
“but the spirit in which it is given. If we
are only able to give a small sum, and we
give it cheerfully, there is as much genero-
sity in it as in giving a larger sum from
larger means. Do you understand what I
mean, my dear ?”

248