along, and asked him his name, and where he lived, and who were his parents, and how long he had been lame; and Willy told him all about himself.

"You are not old enough, nor strong enough, to learn any trade," said the gentleman; "but you ought not to be at home all day. How is it you do not go to school ?"

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"I used to go, sir, and I should be very glad to go again; but uncle cannot afford to pay for me." 'Not afford to pay twopence a week! why, you might eat two pennyworth of bread less,” he added, pleasantly.

"No, sir, we could not," replied Willy, very gravely, "because we often do not have enough to eat, as it is. We had very little this morning."

This confession led the gentleman to make further inquiries of his little guide, and he thus learned the distressed condition of Willy's uncle and family.

"Poor boy," he said, kindly, "you have begun life's troubles early; and I don't suppose you know anything about a Friend above, who helps in time of need."

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'Oh yes, I do, sir," said Willy, with a bright smile, "and I ask him every day to help us."

"And does he help you?" "Yes, sir, he found a place for Tom; and he caused Mrs. Edwards, two or three times, to give us a large loaf of bread; and he will send uncle some work, soon."

"How do you know that ?”

"Because he wants

it so much," said Willy; "I don't think we can do without it much longer. But this is Park Road, sir."

"And which is number thirty ?" "It is just opposite, sir."

Right, my boy. Now, come in with me and go down in the kitchen to rest yourself, until I want you."

Willy wondered; but as he knew his aunt would not expect him yet, he obeyed the gentleman's order.

A servant came presently, and brought him some cold meat and bread, and a mug of hot coffee. Willy enjoyed it very much. His only regret was that he could not share it with those who were at home.

When he had finished, he was called up-stairs to speak to the gentleman. "I want a carpenter," he said, “to put up some shelves for me in a house which I have just taken; and if your uncle likes to come to me to-morrow, at 14, Vincent Terrace, he can have the job."

“Oh, thank you, sir," said Willy, "he will be sure to come."

"And take home this little parcel of tea and sugar for your aunt; and put this shilling into your pocket for yourself: it is for showing me the way here."

Willy gladly accepted the parcel, but hesitated to take the shilling. "I did not want to be paid for showing you the way, sir."

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Very well; you need not be paid for it: it is a little present for you. Will that do ?"

The gentleman smiled, and so did Willy, as he slipped the shilling into his pocket. He then made one of his best bows, and left the room.

Will you try and imagine the joy with which Willy hastened home, and told his glad story? I do not think I can describe it to you, nor yet the thankfulness with which his uncle and aunt and cousins heard it. Willy was so full of delight, that his pale face had quite a colour in it. "There, aunt,” he cried eagerly, "I told you it would come some day."

His uncle went next morning to the gentleman, and was soon engaged to work for him. When the shelves were finished, something else wanted doing; and by that time he found work elsewhere. So he was able to provide for his family, and they no longer wanted food.

MAY AND THE VIOLETS.

DEAR little Violet, don't be afraid!

Lift your blue eyes

from the rock's mossy shade. All the birds call for you out of the sky: Waiting to welcome you, with May and I.

Why do you shiver so, Violet sweet?
Soft is the meadow grass under my feet.
Wrapped in your hood of green, Violet, why
Peep from your earth-door so silent and shy?
Trickle the little brooks close to your bed;
Softest of fleecy clouds float overhead;

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'Ready and waiting," the slender reeds sigh: Ready and waiting, with May, too, and I.

Come, pretty Violet, winter's away:
Come, for without you May isn't May.

Down through the sunshine so many birds fly ;-Quick, little Violet, open your eye!

While the winds whisper, "Dear Violet, come!"
How can you stay in your underground home?
Half as if homesick for you the winds sigh:
Weary of waiting, with May, too, and I.

Ha! though you care not for call or for shout,
Yon troop of sunbeams are leading you out.
Now all is beautiful under the sky;
With May and the Violets, happy am I,

THE LION'S DEN.

THE lion belongs to the same family as the cat. Cuvier describes it as "a large yellow cat, with a tufted tail, and the neck of the male furnished with a mane.'

In the lands of the Bible there were many lions, and they are often referred to by the sacred writers. The prophet Nahum speaks of the dwelling of the lions, chap. ii. 11, 12. They were found in the mountains of Lebanon, on the banks of the river Jordan, in the plains near Tabor, and in the fields of Bethlehem, Sol. Song iv. 8; Jer. xlix. 19; 1 Kings xx. 36; 1 Sam. xvii. 34.

The lion has been called the "king of the forest," because of its strength, activity, and boldness. This agrees with what Solomon says of it: "A lion, which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away from any," Prov. xxx. 30. And the men