Ah, these children, little witches, pretty even in all their faults and absurdities. See, for example, yonder little fellow in a naughty fit. He has shaken his long curls over his deep-blue eyes, the fair brow is bent in a frown, the rose-leaf lip is pursed up in infinite defiance, and the white shoulder thrust angrily forward. Can any but a child look so pretty, even in its naughtiness? Then comes the instant change; flashing smiles and tears, as the good comes back all in a rush, and you are overwhelmed with protestations, promises, and kisses! They are irresistible, too, these little ones. They pull away the scholar’s pen, tumble about his paper, make somersets over his books; and what can he do? They tear up newspapers, litter the carpets, break, pull, and upset, and then jabber unheard-of English in self-defense; and what can you do for yourself? * * * * * [Sidenote: The child as teacher.] Wouldst thou know, O parent, what is that _faith_ which unlocks heaven? Go not to wrangling polemics, or creeds and forms of theology, but draw to thy bosom thy little one, and read in that clear, trusting eye the lesson of eternal life. Be only to thy God as thy child is to thee, and all is done. Blessed shalt thou be, indeed, when “a little child shall lead thee.” PINK AND WHITE TYRANNY. [Sidenote: Baby’s dreams.] “An’ it’s a blessin’ they brings wid ’em to a house, sir; the angels come down wid ’em. We can’t see ’em, sir; but, bless the darlin’, she can. An’ she smiles in her sleep when she sees ’em.” BETTY’S BRIGHT IDEA. [Sidenote: Mother pride.] A heavenly amusement, such as that with which mothers listen to the foolish-wise prattle of children just learning to talk. AGNES OF SORRENTO. [Sidenote: A child’s defense.] “The fact is, when I begin to talk, she gets her arms around my old neck, and falls to weeping and kissing me at such a rate as makes a fool of me. If the child would only be rebellious, one could do something; but this love takes all the stiffness out of one’s joints.” UNCLE TOM’S CABIN. [Sidenote: Child’s mission.] “What would the poor and lowly do without children?” said St. Clare, leaning on the railing, and watching Eva, as she tripped off, leading Tom with her. “Your little child is your only true Democrat. Tom, now, is a hero to Eva; his stories are wonders in her eyes, his songs and Methodist hymns are better than an opera, and the traps and little bits of trash in his pocket a mine of jewels, and he the most wonderful Tom that ever wore a black skin. This is one of the roses of Eden, that the Lord has dropped down expressly for the poor and lowly, who get few enough of any other kind.” * * * * * [Sidenote: Animation.] She was one of those busy, tripping creatures, that can no more be contained in one place than a sunbeam or a summer breeze. SUNNY MEMORIES OF FOREIGN LANDS. [Sidenote: Unperverted taste.]