to the wheel. Stir yourself, and do what you can; then if you need help from me, you shall have it. Heaven helps those who help themselves." Three little girls were trudging home from school together. "I'm glad to-morrow will be Christmas," said Kate, "because I'm going to have lots of presents." "So am I glad, though I don't expect any presents but a pair of mittens," said Bessie. "And so am I glad, but I shall not have any presents at all," said Tilly. As Tilly spoke, both the others looked at her with pity and with some surprise, too, for she spoke cheerfully. They wondered how she could be happy when she was so poor that she could have no presents on Christmas. "Don't you wish we could find a purse full of money right here in the path?" said Kate. Oh, don't I, if I could keep it honestly!" said Tilly, and her eyes shone at the very thought. "What would you buy?" asked Bessie, rubbing her cold hands and longing for her mittens. "I would buy a pair of large, warm blankets, a load of wood, and a shawl for mother," answered Tilly. "And if there were enough left, I would buy a new hat for Bessie and a pair of shoes for myself." "Let us look. Maybe we can find a purse," said Kate. "People are always going about with money at Christmas time, and some one may have lost it here." So, as they went along the snowy road, they looked about them, half in earnest, and half in fun. Suddenly Tilly sprang forward, exclaiming: The others followed, but stopped, disappointed. It was not a purse, it was only a little bird. It lay upon the snow with its wings spread, but too weak to fly. Its little feet were stiff with cold, and its once bright eyes were dull with pain. Instead of a gay song it could give only a faint chirp now and then, as if crying for help. Nothing but a stupid old robin!" cried Kate, sitting down to rest. "I shall not touch it. I found one once and took care of it, and it flew away the minute it was well, and did not even say 'Thank you,'" said Bessie. "Poor little birdie! How pitiful he looks, and how glad he must be to see some one coming to help him! I'll take him up gently, and carry him home to mother. Don't be afraid, dear little bird, I'm your friend," said Tilly. Then she knelt down in the snow, and put her hand over the bird. Kate and Bessie laughed. "Don't stop for that thing. It is getting late and cold. Let us go on and look for the purse," they said as they moved away. "You wouldn't leave it here to die!" cried Tilly. "I would rather have the bird than the money, so I shall not look any more. The purse wouldn't be mine, and I should only be tempted to keep it. But this poor little bird will thank me and love me. I'm so glad I came in time." Gently lifting the bird, Tilly felt its tiny cold claws cling to her hand; and she saw its dim eyes brighten as it nestled down with a faint chirp. "Now I have a Christmas present after all," she said, smiling, as they walked on. "I have always wanted a bird, and this one will be such a pretty pet for me." "He will fly away the first chance that he gets. So you had better not waste your time over him," said Bessie. “He can't pay you for taking care of him," added Kate. 66 My mother says, 'It isn't worth while to help folks that can't help us." " "My mother says, 'Do as you would be done by.' I'm sure I should like any one to help me if I were dying of cold and hunger. Love your neighbor as yourself,' is another of my mother's sayings. This bird is my little neighbor. And I'll love him as I often wish our rich neighbor would love and care for us," answered Tilly. "It is "What a funny girl you are!" said Kate. funny to see you caring for that silly bird, and to hear you talking about loving your neighbor in that sober way. Mr. King does not care a bit for you and never will, but he knows how poor you are, and how much you need his help. So I don't think your plan amounts to much." Good "I believe it, though, and I shall do my part. night. I wish you a merry Christmas, and I hope you will have lots of pretty presents," said Tilly, as they parted. |