Louise arched her eyebrows as she replied, "Going to take me! We'll see." But she went. She generally did whatever Tom suggested. I am not certain whether it was the package of warm clothing, the basket containing the Christmas dinner, the toys which Gracie had packed, not forgetting a bead necklace, or the presence of the beautiful child and lovely young lady in that home, that brought the most of happiness upon that Christmas day to the sad heart of Karl Ritter and his lonely little girl. But this I do know, that the visitors carried away as much happiness as they brought, for Gracie declared it was the nicest Christmas she had ever spent, and even Louise confessed that there was a new joy in her heart that day, for she had tested the truth, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." FAYE HUNTINGTON. GEORGIE AND JACK. A SHIP lay becalmed on the ocean-- Of all beautiful, helpless things! She lay like a wounded sea-bird With motionless, snow-white wings. Day after day had she lain there With never a sail in sight; A cloudless sky above her Morning and noon and night. Precious and rare was the cargo Hidden deep in her hold, To be borne to a Northern market And changed into yellow gold. But naught was that to the captain Pacing the hot deck there, To the little wife who was with him, And the child with his sunny hair, The child who under the awning Lay moaning his life away, The child who was going to leave him Ere the close of that weary day. There was another on that good ship Whose race was nearly run, A bronzed and grizzled sailor Who would die ere the set of sun. And they two had loved each other-- The sailor old and gray, And dear little baby Georgie Whose life was a summer day. Was it only a childish fancy-- Or because he was worn and sad That the sinful, weary pilgrim Had been loved by the little lad? A weak voice calls the captain: "Papa, won't you please come here?" "I am here--I am listening to you, What is it, Georgie dear?" "Papa, I want to see Jack, And Jack wants to see me so-- Mamma says I am going to leave you, I must see him before I go. "Jack says that he has been wicked, But _I_ have been wicked too; I think if God forgives me He'll forgive him too, don't you? "I taught him the prayer our Saviour said And my last best little hymn, And _I_ think Jack is sorry, So I sha'n't worry for him. "But, papa, if they could bring him And lay him down here by me, And I might keep _fast_ hold of his hand, I could take him to Heaven with me." They brought the grim old sailor Whose life was so sad and wild, And laid him under the awning By the side of the little child.