THE VALUE OF A GIFT.

“Yes, uncle, I think I do; you mean
that if I give a shilling out of my pocket-
money, it will be as kind as if a rich gentle-
man were to give a sovereign.”

“Yes, Mary; but can you give a shilling?

The little girl laughed, and began to feel
in the pocket of her frock; after a while she
drew out a small green silk purse. ‘ There
it is, uncle,” she cried, dropping a bright new
shilling into the plate.

“Oh, that is a pretty one, Mary; where
did you get that?” asked Mr. Wilson, with
a look which seemed to say, but your kind
face is the prettiest of the two.

“Oh, papa gave it to me on New-Year’s
day,” replied the child; “and I meant to
keep it; but I would rather give it to poor
William Smith, now he is so ill.”

‘Thats right, Mary, my love,” exclaimed
Uncle John, giving her a warm kiss. “If

’

you had kept the money, it would have been

in your case from affectionate feelings, as

it was your dear papa’s gift; but it is more

amiable in you to give it to a person in real
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