The neighboring villages gave no better success; and the search was extended through all the country; and they went over all Macedonia, and throughout Greece, and at every house they stood and cried, “If there are any here who have never known misery, and never lost those that were dear to them, let them come out, and receive the bounty of the queen;” but none came forth. And they went to the haunts of the gay, and into the libraries of the philosophers; to the seats of public office, and to the caves of hermits; they searched among the rich, and among the poor--among the high and among the low; but not one person was found who had not tasted misery; and they reported the result to the queen. “It is strange!” said she, as if struck with sudden astonishment. “Are there none who have not lost their friend? And is my condition the condition of all? It is not credible. Are there none here, in this room, in this palace, who have always been happy?” But there was no reply to the inquiry. “You, young page, whose countenance is gay, what sorrow have you ever known?” “Alas! madam, my father was killed in the wars of Alexander, and my mother, through grief, has followed him!” The question was put to others; but every one had lost a brother, a father, or a mother. “Can it be,” said the queen, “can it be that all are as I am?” “All are as you are, madam,” said an old man that was present, “excepting in these splendors and these consolations. By poverty and humility you might have lost the alleviations, but, you could not have escaped the blow. There are nights without a star; but there are no days without a cloud. To suffer is the lot of all; to bear, the glory of a few.” “I recognize,” said the queen, “the wisdom of Alexander!” and she bowed in resignation, and wept no more. --HORACE BINNEY WALLACE. THANKSGIVING With gratitude, O God, we praise Thy holy name to-day, and raise Our hearts to thee; For all Thy gifts sent from above, For life and strength and trust and love, For liberty. For summer days, for smiles and tears, For all our joys and hopes and fears, For storm and fair; For toil and weariness and rest; For sleep; for strength to bear the test Of pain and care; For food and raiment, and increase Of harvest plenty, and for peace, On earth good will. O God, our Father, we this day Give thanks for all, and now we pray Be with us still! --HENRY COYLE. * * * * * Beautiful Mother, we deck thy shrine; All that is brightest and best of ours Found in our gardens, we reckon thine,-- God thought of thee when He made the flowers. --REV. K. D. BESTE. THE ENCHANTED BARK