"Yes, thou may'st eat thy bread, and lick the hand
That feeds thee. Thou may'st frolic on the floor
At evening, and at night retire secure
To thy straw couch, and slumber unalarmed;
For I have gained thy confidence-have pledged
All that is human in me to protect

Thine unsuspecting gratitude and love.
If I survive thee, I will dig thy grave;
And when I place thee in it, sighing, say,

I knew, at least, the maid who had a friend."

"Do you often see the poor girl, Ellen, of whom I spoke, at Miller Jacob's ?"

66

"Yes, Laura; and it is all arranged that he is to keep her; and if she behave well, she will find a good home."

"How extraordinary! It is quite an adventure!" replied Laura.

"If we believe that a 6 sparrow fall not to the ground unnoticed by our heavenly Father,' how can we wonder that this poor girl's fate should be overruled? I am sorry," continued Ellen, "to tell you

that the typhus fever is again in our village cottages."

“I fear we shall have a sickly spring," said Aunt Dorothy. "I think you are very wrong, Ellen, to visit the abodes of misery so frequently when sickness prevails. The risk is not only to yourself, but to those around you."

“Thank you, aunt, for your solicitude; but I have always a guardian angel over me, to shield me from harm."

"Yes, yes, that may be; but we have reason given us to guide our actions; and in nowhere does God's word command us to sacrifice our lives in any cause," said Aunt Dorothy, earnestly.

"Mistaken zeal is wholly wrong," replied Ellen. "But supposing all, from fear, were to stand aloof in sickness how then? And if in this life we can only aid those to whom affection binds us, sad, indeed, must be our state and condition before Him who is no respecter of persons! Poverty is a lot ordained by Providence, the better to enable the rich to dispense the talent entrusted to them; and in the use or abuse of this lies the great secret of vital and living faith-faith to go forward, trusting in the arm of God to protect us-faith to use the riches given to us merely as stewards-faith that all shall work together, if we believe-faith to trust Him, where we cannot always trace Him. In fact, though a host of plagues were to surround me, He who keeps me shall neither slumber nor sleep. This is my faith.

So you see clearly, dear aunt, I build my hopes, not on a sandy foundation, which a wave can wash away, but on the firm Rock of Ages, cleft for sinners like me."

"All is true you remark, Ellen; but I am old enough to know that, in all God's dealings with us, he knows we are weak creatures, and that timidity especially is woman's characteristic; and I can hardly believe that any one can enter a chamber replete with infection, and not feel that he is mortal. We may brave much; but true courage consists in prudence. The family of nine children, who are now supplied by your bounty with broth, clean changes, &c., are not approachable, in my idea, by any delicate female, may I judge from Dr. Somers' account of them."

If I forsake them, Picture the scene. A mother, with an infant

"Oh, say not so, dear aunt! who shall supply my place? father in a consumption-a at the breast, worn out by fatigue and want, surrounded by eight other helpless children, who, but for a sickly father, might have earned their living. These helpless creatures, added to poverty, have a fever of a malignant kind. But we will trespass no longer upon valuable time by converse which, while it will not deter me, will only distress your kindly feelings. Are you fond of missionary meetings, dear aunt?" inquired Ellen.

"I do not object, my dear," said Aunt Dorothy, to the absolute object for such meetings; but I

sometimes question if one-half the money ever reach its intended purpose. I have been so disgusted

with the name of missionary, ever since my friends the Gouldstones lived in India. They told me the missionaries of a certain cause, were of serious injury to religion there, as they used to live sumptuously and rode, in fact, the high horse. And you may remember that many of the insurrections in the West Indies were caused by the missionaries. I believe there is a great abuse of money given to these people; and I think charity begins at home; and we should Christianize at home, before we go abroad. may be wrong; but these are my sentiments. So now, my dear niece, I must leave you to pursue that path which you find will best lead to your happi

I

ness."

Ellen was now left to herself, to meditate upon her plans. She well knew that her frame of late had suffered from extreme debility; and there were times when her heart saddened at the idea of parting from so many she held dear; yet the warning voice echoed in her ear, "Prepare to meet thy God!" or at least, Dr. Somers had not hesitated to caution, to hint, nay, more, to insinuate.

F

66

AUNT DOROTHY'S FLOWERS.

CHAPTER XV.

"When to pure and timid virtue,

Friendship twines a votive wreath;
O'er the fair, selected garland

Thou thy perfume soft shall breathe."

"I AM quite offended with you, dear Ellen!" said Aunt Dorothy, "to think you should so lightly regard my present of lovely spring roses, which I bought at Mr. Newcome's nursery yesterday, especially for you on your birthday. I am sure you would not serve Mr. Devereux so. I shall be jealous! For look how his pretty bouquet adorned the dessert table, whilst mine remained in the shade!"

"Oh, say not so, dear aunt! Your kind and affectionate present which accompanied the roses is too precious to admit of much contamination, and I dared not present my flowers, fearing they were so fragile, that too much kindness would destroy them. The Bible you gave me is a sweet memento of affection. I prize it far beyond any treasure on earth! Whilst you gave me the beauties of earth, you also