Awaking from one of these naps, he saw standing near him the shabby old woman with her heavy basket, and he put his little hand out on hers and said, very gently, but manfully: “You must be tired. Take my seat. I’ll hold your basket.”
There was the making of a splendid gentleman in that boy.
So Many Letters to Write!
THE BROTHERS.
There was a time when the world was very young, and the first people were like children who cannot understand how to worship God, so they were allowed to offer sacrifices upon an altar. You have heard about Cain and Abel, the two sons of Adam and Eve. One was gentle and good, and he kept the flocks. The other, the elder, took care of the ground and the fruit trees. When they came to offer their sacrifices Abel brought a lamb and Cain brought grain and fruit. The Lord looked upon the hearts of Cain and Abel, and he saw true worship in Abel’s heart, but in the heart of Cain he saw selfishness and sin. So he did not accept his offering. Then the sin in Cain’s heart rose into his tongue as he talked angrily with his brother, and by and by it crept out into his hand, and he struck his brother and killed him. The seed of murder, which is hate, had sprung up quickly in Cain’s heart.
The Two Altars.
HIS WORK.
One time a man came to one of the men who worked for him, gave him a big stone, and said, “Now cut in this stone leaves just like the ones in this picture.” The stone did not look very pretty, and the man said, “I will do just the very best I can, but I wish I could cut in this beautiful marble here.” So he toiled away with his sharp tools, and, after much work, he finished the leaves according to the pattern.