Thank God for little children! Bright flowers by earth's wayside,-- The dancing, joyous life-boats Upon life's stormy tide. Thank God for little children! When our skies are cold and gray, They come as sunshine to our hearts, And charm our cares away. I almost think the angels, Who tend life's garden fair, Drop down the sweet wild blossoms That bloom around us here. It seems a breath of heaven "Round many a cradle lies," And every little baby Brings a message from the skies. The humblest home, with children, Is rich in precious gems; Better than wealth of monarchs, Or golden diadems. Dear mothers, guard these jewels As sacred offerings meet,-- A wealth of household treasures, To lay at Jesus' feet. SAM AND ANDY. BY HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. A beautiful slave in Kentucky, named Eliza, had a very handsome little boy. One day she overheard her master making a bargain with a slave-trader by the name of Haley to sell them both. She made her escape that night, taking her child with her. Her mistress, who was much attached to her, and did not want to have her sold, was glad when she heard that Eliza was gone; but her master, who was afraid the trader would think he had helped her off after he had taken the money for her, ordered the horses Bill and Jerry to be brought, and two of his slaves, called Sam and Andy, to go with the slave-trader in pursuit of the fugitive. The way they contrived how _not_ to overtake Eliza is thus told in "Uncle Tom's Cabin":-- "'Sam! Halloo, Sam!' said Andy. 'Mas'r wants you to cotch Bill and Jerry.' "'High! what's afoot now?' said Sam. "'Why I s'pose you don't know that Lizy's cut stick, and clared out, with her young un?' "'You teach your granny!' replied Sam, with infinite contempt; 'knowed it a heap sooner than _you_ did. This nigger a'n't so green, now.' "'Wal, anyhow, Mas'r wants Bill and Jerry geared right up; and you and I's to go with Mas'r Haley, to look arter her,' said Andy. "Sam, who had just been contriving how he could make himself of importance on the plantation, exclaimed: 'Good, now! dat's de time o' day! It's Sam dat's called for in dese yere times. _He_'s de nigger. Mas'r'll see what Sam can do!' "'Ah, you'd better think twice,' said Andy; 'for Missis don't want her cotched, and she'll be in yer wool.' "'High! how you know dat?' said Sam, opening his eyes. "'Heard her say so, my own self, dis blessed mornin', when I bring in Mas'r's shaving-water. She sent me to see why Lizy didn't come to dress her; and when I telled her she was off, she jes ris up, and ses she, "The Lord be praised!" Mas'r he seemed rael mad; and ses he, "Wife, you talk like a fool." But, Lor! she'll bring him to. I knows well enough how that'll be. It's allers best to stand Missis's side the fence, now I tell yer,' said Andy.