Little Annie’s mother was a widow, and she was very, very poor; there were many times when they had only a little dry bread and water for the day’s food. For this bright Christmas season there were many things besides food which she would like to have bought for her poor little crippled child; but she did not have any money to pay for playthings or toys. After breakfast on this Christmas day Johnny Ray came to see them. He brought with him a good thick shawl for Annie’s mother and four pairs of warm stockings which his mother had sent for Annie, and, also, a large package of nice candy. Little Annie’s mother cried for joy. Little Annie was too happy to speak. She had never dreamed of having so much candy at one time! THE VELOCIPEDE RACE. One bright day Archibald mounted his velocipede and rode out into the long green lane, where he could ride for a long distance without interruption. He had left his coat in the house because he knew that riding would make him very warm. When he reached the lane the velocipede moved along so smoothly that Archibald was very happy. By the time he had gone nearly a half mile he was tired and stopped for a rest. Pretty soon he heard a noise coming from behind, and he wondered what rider it might be on the same track that beautiful spring morning. He looked up and saw John Smith coming, riding a large velocipede and going as fast as he could. Archibald quickly mounted his wheel and started on a swift run, trying to overtake the flying John. Before they reached the end of the road they saw Clara Hempton, standing by the fence with her little velocipede. Clara watched the boys as they flitted past. She thought that she could keep up with John, but she was not sure that she could ride as fast as Archibald. [Illustration: THE VELOCIPEDE RACE.] While she was meditating Archibald cried out: “Clara, you wait until we finish this race, and then we three will go back together.” Archibald reached the end first, but John was not very far behind. When Clara reached them Archibald said: “Now we will all have a fair start and see who will reach the other end first.” So they all started on a line. Archibald knew that he was the largest and could go the fastest, but, as he had won the other race, he did not ride this time as fast as he could. He thought this was the right way to give the others a fair chance. Clara and John reached the other end of the lane at exactly the same time, with Archibald a short distance behind them. John and Clara were greatly delighted because they had won the race from the big boy, Archibald. Archibald was pleased because they were pleased. This was not the only time that Archibald had proved that he was a good and kind boy, and that he was thoughtful of little children younger than himself. From this little story of the velocipede race many other little boys and girls may learn a good lesson, I hope, that will do them good all through life. FAULT-FINDING.