Poor Pat went home very much crestfallen. "I hate rag picking," he exclaimed, entering the room he called home.
"See what a nice supper I've got," cried Dilly. "I can take good care of baby. Only think, Pat, there's potatoes, and porridge, too. I'm so glad, I am."
"The lady has been here again," said Mrs. Hogan, trying to cheer her boy. "She has persuaded the gentleman to give your father work on the lumber-wharf."
This was indeed true. This kind man, who was a well known friend to the poor, inquired the character of Mr. Hogan, and, finding him to be a man of strictly temperate habits, resolved to give him steady employment.
The young lady, too, had been as true as her word. She had this day brought clothes for the two children, besides many articles for their parents, and the baby.
Pat was quite comforted when he found that he had a jacket quite as good as the one at the shop. The next sabbath he went with Dilly to sabbath school; and, after this, continued to attend regularly. They both learned to read the Bible and to obey the commands of God.
Our little rag picker is a rag picker no longer; but she is good Dilly, still, with her warm heart and cheerful temper. She has learned about the Saviour, and how he loves good children, and every day she tries to please him.
Pat did not long continue in the business after his father left it. The lady insisted that he ought to attend the day school, that he might be prepared to be a more useful man. This he did for nearly a year, filling up his time when out of school by carrying parcels for a neighboring grocer, and thus earning something toward his own support.
Now, little girl or boy, can you guess why I have written this story for you? It is that you may be grateful to God, who has given you a pleasant home and enough to eat; that he has given you friends to teach you about the Saviour, and that you may learn to do as the kind lady did—to pity and do good to those who are poor and distressed.