Jack and Jill

made by certainyoung persons on Christmas Day. But, dear me, how was itpossible to settle down to lessons in the delightful Bird

un this week," said Jack, who was in great spirits at theprospect of getting u

devote myself toyou, Jack, and be real kind and useful. I've made a plan to do it,and I mean to carry it out, anyway," a

e payingyour debts beside doing yourself good," Mrs. Pecq

ingheathen, and needed very little instruction; therefore Jill thoughther task would be an easy one. But three or four weeks of pettingand play had rather demoralized both children, so Jill's Speller,though tucked under the sofa pillow every day, was seldom loo

ties and studies are the wholesome breadwhich feeds the mind better than the dyspeptic

e just then, and boys met to compare, discuss, buy, sell, and"swap" stamps with as much interest as men on 'Change gamble ins

ll wielded the gum-brush andfitted on the little flaps, as her fingers were skilful at this nicework, and Jack put each stamp in its proper place with greatrustling of lea

one round the world before findingthe right address?" she asked, laughing at the ridicul

nswered Jack, adding, with an anxiousgaze at his friend's variegated countenance, "Where the dickens ismy New Granada? It's rare, and I wouldn't lose it for a dollar."'Why, there it is on your own nose. Don't you remember you pu

70. There are seven of them, so hold stilland see how you like it," returned Jack, picki

o look after. I have to suffer a little, as thegood folks did who got speared and roasted sometimes; but I won'tcomplain a bit, though my forehead smarts, my arms are tired, andone cheek is as red as fire.""The Roman States make a

. The Sandwich Islands are all right, withheads of the black kings and queens o

at was only his fun. I'd rather have agood, honest green United States, with Washington on it, or a blueone-center with old Franklin, than all their eagl

Do theywear helmets like that?" asked Jill, with the br

an to the gods, so he

ch; they fightsplendidly, and always beat. Austrians have a handsome uniform,though.""Talking of Romans r

for atramp with Gus," said Frank, putting by a neat page to d

veryour old Greek as much as you like, but don't bother me,"ans

without an effort to defend him; so heconfiscated the gum-pot, and effectually stopp

ws again in a hurry. Youasked me to hear you, and I'm going to do it; here's the book."Frank's tone was the

ent in the fireblazing close by, but resisted the temptation, and answeredhonestly, though gruffly: "I know I'd id, but I don't see any use inpouncing on a fellow when he isn't ready. I haven't got my lesson,and don't mean to worry about it; so you may just give me back mythings and go about your business.""

laration,"Keep them, then, and your old book, too! I won't look at it till yougive all my stamps back and say you are sorry. So now!"It was all over before Mamma could interfere, or Jill do more th

?" cried Jill, dismayed atsight of the p

the book and laid itsilently on the table before him. He did not know what to do withhimself, and was thankful for the stamps still left him, findinggreat relief in makin

ther person's scolding. No one spokefor a moment, and the silence was becoming awkward when G

nap, it's so dull to-day I don't feel like doing much," saidJack, when Gus

from thebattle-field, to be chaffed unmercifully for a "p

n to, and the brother forgave him, and henever did so any more," observed Jill, in a pensive t

r forgive himself?

n hands, but the consequences of them are not. Remember that,my dear, and think twice before you do anything.""Yes, 'm, I will"; and Jill composed

ll I come back.""No, 'm, I won't."Away went the tender parent to find her son studying Caesar fordear life, and all the more amiable for the little gust which hadblown away the temporary irritability. The brothers were oftencalled "Thunder and Lightning," because Frank lowered andgrowled and was a good while c

the hasty one of her dear playmate, and justwhen she was feeling unusually uplif

t her eye rested on it as carelessly as itdid on the stray stamp Frank had dropped; then, as if one thingsuggested the other, she took it into her head that

r promise not to stir, also how dishonorable it was toread other people's letters, Jill caught up the long-handled hook,often in use now, and tried to pull the paper nearer. It would notcome at once, for a seam in the carpet held it, and Jill feared totear or crumple it

, and looked about her to see if she could do italone. She thought she could, as the sofa was near and she hadimproved so much that she could sit up a little if the doctor wouldhave let her. She was gathering herself together for the effort,when, within arm's reach now, she saw the tempting paper, andseized it with glee, for in spite of her p

does not know yet, and I hope"-- There itended, and "poor little Janey's" punishment for disobedience beganthat instant. She thought she was getting well because she did notsuffer all the time, and everyone spoke cheerfully about "by andby." Now she knew the truth, and shut her eyes with a shiver as shesaid, low, to herself,"Twenty years! I

ses me, and everyoneis so good to me. Perha

I keep still and let the horrid thing alone!"As she thought that, Jill pushed the paper away, pulled herself up,and with much painful effort manage

hen no one will see myface."Jill looked the picture of a good, industrious child as she lay withher back to the large table, her book held so that nothing was to beseen but one cheek and a pair of lips moving busily. Fortunately, itis difficult for little sinners to act a part, and, even if the face ishidden, something in the body seems to betray the internal remorseand s

still working somewherebetween you two, and each knows what the other is about withoutwords.""I didn't have any other

glance as she spoke,

it was taken from the floor. Itwas well she did not also see the quick look the lady gave her asshe turned

ofa when she left the room, for she had had half a mind to takeit

s, for theylay a yard apart, and here, also, on the unwritten portion of thepage, was the mark of a small green thumb. Jill had been windingwool for a stripe in her new afghan, and the gr

found such sad news there, but the dangers ofdisobedience were serious in her cas

ild, and the truthwill soon come out," thought Mrs. Mi

s to recite his like agood boy, so suppose y

ry, and got on bravely till she came to the word"permanen

asked her teacher, thinking toh

ered Jill, with a tight feeling in her throat, and the color comingup,

hot cheek, and the pity in theeyes that looked at her, were too much for Jill. A sob came first,and then the truth, told with hid

ove and like to help so well."Then, while she soothed Jill's trouble, Mrs. Minot told her s

t some credit if I could, after being so mean and bad," said Jill,smi

dconsequences of disobedience, then perhaps this lesson will le

me about Lucinda Snow. If I am to be like her, I mightas well know how she managed to bear it so long.""I'm sorry you ever heard of her, and yet perhaps it may help you tobear your trial, dear, which I hope will never be as heavy a one ashers, This Lucinda I knew for years, and t

ypretty things she worked and sold to her many visitors. And, bestof all, so wise and sweet that she seemed to get good out ofeverything, and make her poor room a sort of chapel where peo

st, thencoming out so decidedly with the last words that it was

leave undone, and so you can be learningobedience. Then, when the body is strong, it will have formed agood habit to make duty easier; and my Lucinda can be a sweetexample, even while lying here, if she chooses.""Can I?"

omptly paid byFrank, who was as just as he was severe, and Jill asked for the oldred one, though she did not