All at once Owen and Amy bethought themselves that they had no right to the gold, as it belonged to the merchant who had lost it; but Alan met this objection by saying that they could easily inquire for the merchant as they went along, and give up the money if they found him. Thus pacified, Owen and Amy allowed Alan to lift the heavy bag of money into the basket: this he seemed to do with great difficulty. But how was the basket to be carried with so heavy a weight in it? Said Alan, "Where there is a will, there is a way." A stick was procured, and passed through the handle of the basket, one end of it resting on Owen's shoulder, and the other end on the shoulder of Amy. Alan with his leg tied up, leaning on his stick for support, hobbled onward; and Owen and Amy appeared to toil with might and main, bending under their load. They had almost come to the turn by the birch-trees, when suddenly Dash, their own favorite dog, came barking joyfully towards them. At that very moment their parents were waiting for them with the pony-chaise at the end of the lane. No sooner did our little fortune-seekers set eyes on the pony-chaise than off they set in a scamper, strangely forgetful of what had passed. It was wonderful to see how nimble Alan was in spite of his wounded leg; and with what ease Owen and Amy ran along with that heavy load of gold, which before had well-nigh weighed them down to the ground. THE LITTLE STEPMOTHER. THE little stepmother, with her blue eyes and rosy cheeks, sat in the yard, surrounded by her pets, and busily paring some apples. From heaven blew the morning wind, and greeted the lovely child: "Little stepmother, I will by thee remain: I will make the time pass merrily for thee, and cool thy red cheeks. Dost thou not hear?" A sparrow sat before her on the bench, and twittered: "This is _my_ place; my stomach is empty. Little stepmother, I am very hungry. I beg thee to give me some breakfast. Dost thou not hear?" The dove swelled with anger, and said, "Go away, thou vagabond, thou beggar sparrow, thou glutton!--Little stepmother, I politely ask thee only for a sip of water. Dost thou not hear?" The cat sat lost in thought, opening and shutting her eyes. "Little stepmother," said the cat, "my stomach, too, is empty. Go thou for some meat, or else look out that no harm comes to thy dear birds in the yard. Dost thou not hear?" [Illustration] The little stepmother laughed, and said, "Be not so impatient! I must first make a dish of apple-sauce for the seven and seventy guests who are coming to my wedding-feast. When they are all assembled, then shall the morning wind play for the dance. You, beloved birds, shall be my bridesmaids, and the cat shall be the bride's father." [Illustration: Music] A SUMMER DAY. Words by GEO. COOPER. Music by T. CRAMPTON. VOICE AND PIANO.