An old lady who stood near could not help hearing the conversation. That evening, while Grandpa Payson, Emma, and the two boys, were gathered around the table, feasting their eyes on the new book, there was a knock at the door, and a package was left, directed to "Miss Emma Payson." "Dear me! What can it be? I never had a package left for me before in all my life," cried Emma. She opened the package, and there found several pairs of shoes, and a note, telling her to select two pairs that would fit her, and to send the rest to the shopkeeper. In the note the old lady wrote: "You must not only fill your head with knowledge, but keep your feet warm, if you would preserve your health. If your brothers will go to Mr. Lane's to-morrow, he will fit them both to new shoes, a gift from me. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!" IDA FAY. [Illustration] HELP ONE ANOTHER. ONE day, passing through a meadow, I saw a sheep much troubled by flies. Presently I saw it walk to a small pond where there were some young ducks, and stand there quietly. Soon the ducks took notice of the flies, and, coming out from the water, began snapping them up, as if to punish them for worrying the poor sheep. By and by a starling, from a tree near by, flew down, lighted on the sheep's back, and helped in the good work of ridding her of the flies. This, thought I, is a clear case of putting into practice the golden rule of "Help one another." Perhaps you will say, that the ducks and the starling wanted to make a meal of the flies; but I like to think that some less selfish motive was mingled with their work. ALFRED SELWYN. THE FAITHLESS FRIEND. MY little lamb, in early spring, Was but a timid, weakly thing: His old sheep-mother did not own him: He would, no doubt, have soon been dead, If I had not some pity shown him, And seen that he was warmed and fed. I was the only friend he knew, And fond of him each day I grew; And, as I stroked his woolly head, "Wherever you may be, I know, my little lamb," I said, "You will remember me." But, when the fields grew green in May, They sent my little pet away To pasture, where the brooks were flowing Through yellow beds of cowslip flowers, Where purple violets were growing, And scented blossoms fell in showers From off the shading chestnut-trees, And daisies nodded in the breeze: And many mates my lambkin found, As young and gay as he, And all day long they frisked around And gambolled full of glee.