The Children's prize [afterw.] The Prize for boys and girls [afterw.] The Prize

Round about the sparrow the ground
looked a little disturbed, and she thought
a portion of its body lay below the sur-
face; but she remembered her father's
caution, and did not touch.
Three or four hours later found her
again at her post, and now she saw that a
hole really was scooped out, and the
beetles were very hard at work: some
pulling the sparrow downwards by the
feathers, others treading it down. By-
and-bye they rested awhile, then set to
work again, and by the next morning the
earth lay smooth and level over the
sparrow's grave.
“How clever of the beetles '''
Alice.
“How wonderful is the power, and
wisdom, and goodness of God, thus to give
even to little beetles such instinct, and
to make all things in His creation work
together for good,” replied her father.
“Depend upon it, Alice, nothing in the
world is useless, though we, in ignorance,
may think so. All have their work to do,

said

and they do it. But even the very wisest
among us know but little of these wonder-
ful works, and we may be ever learning,
and yet have ever some fresh thing to
learn. Shall I tell you another won-
der "
“Oh, please, do 1" eagerly exclaimed the
child.
“The wonderful instinct of the beetles
leads them to take all this trouble that
they may have a warm, soft nest for their
young ones. If, in a few days, we were
to remove the earth from the dead spar-
row, we should probably find some young
beetles there.”
“Wonderful! but, father, would it do
any harm if the dead birds and other little
creatures were to lie about !”
“Yes, very likely so many dead bodies
decaying on the surface of the earth would
cause much disease. But listen, Alice,
there is nine o'clock striking. Run to
your lessons, and try to do your work as
diligently and well as the beetles.”
H. M. B.

LITTLE JIM.
By Edward Farmer, Midland Railway.

THE cottage was a thatched one: the outside old and mean,
Yet everything within that cot was wondrous neat and clean.
The night was dark and stormy, the wind was howling wild,
When a patient mother knelt beside the deathbed of her child –
A little worn-out creature, his once bright eye grown dim —
'Twas a collier's only child, and they called him “Little Jim.”
But, oh! to see those briny tears fast hurrying down her cheek,
As she offered up a prayer in thought, for she was afraid to speak,
Lest she might waken one she held far dearer than her life,
For she had all a mother's heart had that poor collier's wife'
With uplift hands she kneels beside the sufferer's bed,
And prays that God will spare her boy and take herself instead.
She gets her answer from the child—soft fall these words from him,
“Mother, the angels do so smile, and beckon Little Jem
I feel no pain, dear mother, now—but, oh! I am so dry!
Just moisten poor Jim's lips once more; and, mother, don't you cry!"
With gentle, trembling haste she held the teacup to his lips:
He thanked her with a smile, and took three little sips.
“Tell father, when he comes from work, I said Good night to him;

And now, dear mother, let me sleep."

Alas, poor little Jim :

She saw her boy was dying; —the one she held so dear
Had uttered the last words she might ever hope to hear.
But see! the door is opened—the collier's step is heard;
The mother and the father meet, yet neither change a word:

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He saw that all was oe'r— he knew his child was dead!
He took the candle in his hand, and went toward the bed :
His quivering lips gave token of the grief he'd fain conceal;
But see! the mother joins him — the stricken couple kneel :
With hearts bowed down in sadness they humbly pray to Him,
In heaven once more to meet their own dear little Jim!

Cases for Binding the Volume, cloth gill, are now ready, price 8d. each. The “ PRIZE” for 1863, price 2s. cloth; or, cloth extra gill, gilt edges, 2s. 6d.

All the Back Numbers have been Reprinted.

LONDOS : WILLIAM MACINTOSH, 24 PATERNOSTER Row.

Little Mark.

LITTLE MARK.

ONE fine morning in August, three boys set out together on their road to school. Two were brothers, James and Mark Taylor; the other boy was Sam Jones, who lived next door to the Taylors. Sam was the eldest of the party, being nearly fifteen years old ; James and Mark were a little younger. The three boys ran merrily along the road, laughing and shouting in the height of their happy spirits. On their way to school they had to pass a garden with a brick wall separating it from the road, and a green door for an entrance. This garden was a constant source of curiosity to the boys. The door was scarcely ever open, and the wall was so high, that there was no hope of their being able to climb up and look over it. As usual they came up to the garden wall, and as usual began their remarks about it. “I say, Jem,” said Sam, “I warrant there's a fine sight of fruit in old Lubbock's garden this year.” “Yes, that there is,” said little Mark. “Bill Wilken says as how he's been a-weeding there, and the trees are fit to break with the fruit loading on them.” “That old door is always shut when we come by," said Jem, giving the door a kick as he passed it. “I’ll have a look some of these fine days," said Sam, “see if I don't ;” and he gave a knowing wink of the eye. You might have noticed something in his face at that moment which would tell you that Sam was not quite the innocent boy he looked in his best moments. A hard look beyond his years was growing in the face of the boy not fifteen years old. No more was said; and the boys entered the school, and took their places. Instead of following them, we will go back on the road, and take a peep at their homes and parents. The Taylors' house stands first ; the neat little garden in front betokens careful habits. Inside the mother is busy ironing; a little baby lies sleeping in the cradle. The house has the air of order

and comfort about it. The Bible on the drawers could tell the tale of the nightly

readings when “father comes home.” James and Mark Taylor are the children of good parents. The father away at his field-work offers many a prayer during the day for his young children; and by his example and teaching tries to train them up in the way that they should go. Leaving the Taylors, we come on to the next house, where Sam Jones lived. The door is ajar; the loud ticking of the clock is the only sound within. The place looks dirty and comfortless; and where is the mother ? Farther down the village, in a slatternly dress and bonnetless head, she stands talking loudly to some neighbours on the road. Poor Sam | I dare say you are not taught much at home; but you go to the school. God grant that the lessons of holiness you are taught there may not be lost upon you. At to: o'clock the boys come out of school. “Go home quietly, boys; have your games, but do not make that shouting on the road you generally do.” Thus said the schoolmaster; and Sam, as soon as he was on the road, as if to show how little he cared, set up a loud holloa, and called on the other boys to do the same. The master appeared at the school-door, and called the boys back. “It wasn't me,” were Sam's ready words; and the boys again departed : Sam remaining for a game of marbles on the green. “I wish Sam would not tell lies,” said Mark to his brother as they walked home together. Little Mark had never told a lie ; Jem's conscience was less tender: he whistled, and made no answer. Sam * them just as they got home, and said, “Look sharp and get your dinner, Jem ; Tm going after them thrushes' nests before school." “All right,” said Jem, and the boys parted. After dinner Jem went off with Sam; and Mark was sent on an errand for his father. The errand made him late for school. Just as he got up to the door he met Sam and Jem,“Why it's ever so late,” said Mark, staring at them. “What makes you late, young 'un ?” said Sam. “I’ve been of an errand,” said Mark. “What's good for one is good for another,” answered Sam. “Go on, Jem,” he continued, “that'll do for the master; you've both been of an errand.” “What are you going to say, Sam " said Jem. “Not going at all,” answered Sam. The two brothers went into the school. Mr. Young, the clergyman, was teaching the boys: Mark quietly took his place. “What makes you so late 1" said the clergyman. Mark stood up, and said, “I’ve been down to Mr. Coe's for father, sir.” There was no other question: Mark Taylor was looked upon as a truthful boy, and his word was enough. “Well, boys,” said Mr. Young (resuming the questioning Mark's entrance had interrupted), “you have told me about Ananias telling a lie, and being struck dead in consequence, now I want you to tell me of some one who acted a lie ; it's just the same thing, deceiving, whichever means we use to do it. Whom do we read about in the Gospels who acted a lie ' " The boys looked at one another, but did not answer. The clergyman went on, “There was some one in a garden once, and a number of soldiers came up, and a man came forward who pretended to be his friend, but in his heart he was joining the people who were going to murder Him.” “Judas!” said all the boys at once. “Yes,” said the clergyman; “and how did Judas act a lie l’” “By kissing the Lord," said Mark. “Yes, but kissing Him alone was not the lie,” said Mr. Young: “he pretended to love Him, did he not o' “Yes,” said the boys. “What great sin did he commit besides the lie?” “He betrayed the Lord.” “Right, boys; but there was some one

else who told a lie afterwards; who was that ''' “Peter,” said one boy. “Yes, the Holy Apostle, St. Peter; what did he do * * “He denied the Lord.” “Yes, he denied the Lord three times, and even began to curse and to swear: was he forgiven 7" The boys hesitated. “O yes, my dear boys, he was forgiven; and do you know why?” “He was sorry.” “Yes, he was deeply sorry: he wept bitterly. The Lord looked at him ; and His eyes, so full of love and pity, made him weep. Will Jesus forgive you for. doing wrong if you are sorry?” “Yes,” said all the boys. “Most surely He will—He has promised to forgive you; but if you are not sorry, and go on doing what you know is wrong, whom will you be like }; “Judas!” said the boys. “Yes,” said Mr. Young; “and you will go to the same dreadful place,—a place too terrible to think about ; but I see it is time to leave off.”

Mr. Young left the class, and the school went on. Mark Taylor was very quiet : when they came out of school he said, “O Jem, I hope you did not tell that lie "" “I wasn't asked,” said Jem ; “Master heard you tell Mr. Young.” Mark thought something about acting a lie; but he could not express what he meant, and he was a little afraid of Jem. Sam was at his gate when the Taylors came up: Mark went into the house. “I say, Jem,” said Sam, “I’ve been in old Lubbock's garden.” “Have you though 7" said Jem, opening his eyes wide. “They’ve been taking in some bushes," said Sam, “and I followed them, and got a peep at the place. There's a rare sight of fruit. They gave me three or four. Look here,” he continued, taking a couple of apples from his pocket, “they are beauties ' " “That they are, Sam,” said Jem, as he looked wistfully at them.

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