Thomas never used tobacco after that. I heard him tell the story in the meeting Clara used to attend. L. POEM FOR RECITATION. ONLY A HEART'S-EASE. Sought the king his garden When the air was ringing With the joyous music That the birds were singing. When the sun threw westward Long bright beams of gold, And the dew was sparkling On the wold. Found his plants all drooping Sullenly and sadly; Buds and blossoms hung their heads, Born to bloom so gladly. When the king demanded Why in sorrow bent, There was but one answer-- Discontent. For the graceful willow By the fountain weeping, And the lovely jasmine, All her perfume keeping, Answered when he questioned-- Each with envy spoke-- "Ah, because I cannot Be an oak." E'en the elm-tree answered, Sadly and complaining, "Ah, because I am not Bloom and fruitage gaining." And the vine, down drooping, Lamentation made Just because it could not Cast a shade. Rose would be a dahlia, Ferns the flowers would copy, Daisy grow a sunflower, Heliotrope, a poppy. Only little Heart's-ease Looked all glad and bright, And the king said, wond'ring At the sight, "Wherefore, little Heart's-ease, Art _thou_ not repining?" And the Heart's-ease answered, All her gold heart shining, "Why, when me you planted 'Mong your garden store, You wanted just a heart's-ease, Nothing more." Do you know the lesson That the fable's giving? 'Tis the very secret Of all happy living. In whatever station God for you deems best, Yours to grow and brighten, His the rest. M. R. P. "ONLY A CHILD'S PRATTLE." IT was one of those summer mornings when the earth seems all aglow with sunshine. The Granger House faced the east, and the doors and windows were opened to let in the light and brightness of the morning. It was a handsome house, somewhat old-fashioned, but handsome still and elegantly furnished. It should have been a happy home, but there was a shadow resting upon it; as yet it was not a deep, dark shadow, indeed it was scarcely perceptible to any save to one troubled heart. Mr. Granger did not see it, he did not know that a horrible fear was sometimes clutching at the heart of his almost idolized wife. He did not suspect his own peril and did not see as she did, the demon lurking in those bottles and decanters on the sideboard. That morning, little Alice, the one petted darling of the house, was playing upon the lawn, with no other companion than her favorite doll, almost as large as Alice herself.