256 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR SABBATH HOURS.

ing, he must ride to the village, which and I 'spect I ought to be good and kind,
was a mile from the farm, and post it. too. Oh, dear!" she said, pushing her
Maggie noticed that her father once or hair off her face very roughly, as though
twice warned her cousin not to forget the she did not feel quite at peace in mind.
letter, as it was on important business, Christ's little servant Not slothful
and that the post left the village at two, when the time comes for serving." "I
so it would be too late if not taken till think I'll take the letter for poor Jack."
after dinner. She obtained her aunt's consent, though
 An hour or two passed by, and many her aunt was vexed that Jack's careless-
were the odd jobs Maggie had to do for ness should have caused his cousin such
her aunt, until, at last, tired and heated, a tiresome walk.
she went out to rest under the elms. On It was two o'clock when Maggie reached
her way out, she passed through the par- the yard on her return, where Jack was
lor, where she saw her father's letter ly- playing at marbles with two or three
ing on the table, just where Jack had put other boys.
it! And she had seen Jack get into a "Where have you been, Maggie?" he
wagon with old Wallis, to go off to a asked, as, tired and hot, she came up.
field a mile or two from the house, where You do look a picture, to be sure,- red
they were harvesting barley.' all over, as if you had been baked. You
 He has forgotten all about it," thought shan't come by till you have told me
Maggie, stopping. It must be past where you have been, Miss Mag."
twelve now, so he won't get home again Only to post father's letter," she an-
soon enough to take it. Father will be swered, leaning against the gate. "I
very angry, I know; perhaps he won't thought, p'raps he would be angry if it
take him to Walden to-morrow, where did not go, and would not take you with
he wants to go so much. I think I am him to-morrow."
glad he is so naughty now." Jack picked up his marbles as quickly
 Maggie went out under the trees, and as he could.
enjoyed looking up among the leaves. "I forgot all about it until this very
But she could not forget about the letter, minute," he said; "it's lucky enough
and the disgrace that awaited Jack. you took it, child !" and then walked into
 If he had only been kinder, I would the house, leaving Maggie to follow be-
take it now," she thought, "though it hind, which she did, feeling a wee bit
is so hot and I am so tired, but he is so disappointed that her cousin did not even
cross to me, it is only fair that he should say thank you." Not much, though,
be punished." and Maggie was so glad that she had
 As she lay back on the grass, she said done right, that she cared but little
to herself, How nice everything is. I whether Jack praised her or not. That
think the whole world is just beautiful, is what we call being a true little soldier.