"The author has hoped, by thus awakening the quick imagination and ready sympathies of the young, to lead them to use their own eyes, and hearts, and hands, in that plentiful harvest-field of life, where 'the reapers indeed are few.'" Among the stories in the present volume are the following:-- Bessie's Garden. One of the most touching and affecting stories we have read for many a day. The Lancers. A most humorous story, with a never-to-be-forgotten moral, inculcating contentment. The Working Fairies. In this story Industry is held up for attainment, and Idleness receives a severe rebuke. The style and language, though perfectly intelligible to children, are worthy of a Beecher. The Princess. A story of wrong and suffering. Little Red-Head. A true story of a bird. The Little Preacher. A sweet story, introducing bird and insect life, and conveying more truth and instruction to children, than can be found in a dozen ordinary sermons. TAGGARD & THOMPSON, Publishers, 29 CORNHILL, BOSTON. TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES 1. Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters errors and omissions, and to ensure consistent use of punctuation and spelling; otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the original book. 2. The book from which this etext has been produced had decorative endcaps following several chapters; as these do no affect the storyline, reference to them has been omitted in this text version of the book.