Jack and Jill

see how the other missiona

notable housewife, as ambitious and industrious as her husband,but too busy to spend any time on the elegancics of life, thoughalways ready to help the poor and sick like a good neighbor an

ry verymuch, but teased her sadly about her "fine lady

ough she was the pet of the family. It did seem, to an outsider, asif the delicate little creature had got there by mistake, for sh

d she decided not only to try and love work better, but toconvert her famil

k myduty, though I do want to be nice," thought she, as she sat

e table shovelling in pork and beans with their knives, drinkingtea from their saucers, and laughing out with a hearty "Haw, haw,"when anything amused them. Yet the boys were handsome, strongspecimens, the farmer a hale, benevolent-looking man, thehousewife a pleasant,

erved it, for, when at home, he watched her as one watches akitt

aid, with a sounding slap on hisbroad knee as he turned his chair from the table to the ugly stove,wh

d I can do everything," answered Merry,patting the old rocking-chair so invitingly that the

ast thing before I go to bed."Mrs. Grant subsided with her knitting, for her hands were neveridle; Tom tilted his chair back against the wall and picked his teethwith his pen-knife; Dick got out a little pot

careless Roxy till all was in order; then shegladly went to perch on her father's knee,

silly," shebegan, as her father pinched her blooming cheek,

Mr. Grant stroked herhead with an indulgent s

hshe knew the boys would laugh. They did, and her mother said in atone of surprise,"Why, child, what more can you want? I'm sure your room isalways as neat as a new pin, thanks to your bringing up, and I toldyou to have a fire there whenever you wanted to.""Let me have some old things out of t

, she touches up the old place better than adozen flower-pots in full blow," said the fa

tidy, but I'd keep them neat, and I know you'd like it,"broke in Merrry, gla

whatyou want, and we'll have a posy bed somewhere round, see i

ithout a bit of fuss, to show how grateful I am,"said the girl, thanking her father wi

got at after Grandma died, and Icouldn't bear to throw or give 'em away. Trim up your room as youlike

ready to show you what I call a nice, pretty room,"answered Merry, looking so

tle bower. In theblue chest she found a variety of treasures, and ignoring the mothholes, used them to the best a

uilt with white stars, rather the worse for many washings, coveredthe bed, and a gay cloth the table, where a judicious arrangementof

erbrass candlesticks adorned the bureau, over the mirror of which

etter could be found. One a mourning piece, with avery tall lady weeping on an urn in a grove of willows, and twosmall boys in knee breeches and funny little square tails to theircoats, looking like cherubs in large frills. The other was as good asa bonfire, being an eruption of Vesuvius, and very lurid indeed, forthe Bay of Na

d at supper time, so thecandles had to be lighted that the toilette might look its best, andimpress the beholders with an idea of true elegance. Unfortunately,the fire smoked a little, and a window was set ajar to clear theroom; an

en hadhis paper to read, books to keep, or "a man to see down town," sothat, after a hasty word at tea, he saw no more of the children tillanother evening, as they were seldom up at his early breakfast. Hethought they were well taken care of, for Miss Bathsheba Daweswas an energetic, middle-aged spinster when she came into thefamily, and had been there fifteen years, so he did not observe,what a woman would have seen at once, that Miss Bat was gettingold and careless, and everything about the ho

hild, yes, I'll attend to it,' and never do athing."This used to be Molly's lament, when some especially trying eventoccurred, and if the girls were not there to condole with her, shewould retire to the shed-chamber, call her nine cats about her, and,sitting in the old bushel basket, pull her hair about her ears, andscold all alone. The cats learned to understand this habit, andnobly did their best to dispel the gloo

oncheered up, dismissing the consolers with a pat all round, a f

leave her retreat andfreshen up her spirits by a row on the river or a romp with Boo,which always finished the case. Now, however, s

live nicely. Miss Bat won't know what tomake of it, and I can't tell her, so I shall get some

st away in the middle of a large platter. Thefurniture was dusty, stove untidy, and the carpet looked as ifcrumbs had been scattered to chickens who declined theirbreakfast. Boo was sitting on the sofa, with his arm through a holein the cover, hunting for some lost treasure put away the

ub and good towels, like Mrs. Minot, and I will, too, if I buy themmyself,"

le plaid shawl, was so surprised by the demand for a panof hot water and four cl

st long, so I may as wellmake the most of it," said Miss Bat, as she handed out the requiredarticles, and then pushed her spectacles from the tip of her sharpnose to h

her saucepans, while Mollyreturned to her work, very well pleased with the effect of her firstste

ers, smears of ashes were on the stove hearth, and dust stilllurked on chair rounds and table legs. But too much must not beexpected of a new convert, so the young missionary sat down torest, well pleased and ready for another attempt as soon as shecould decide in what

job, and he is so happy

him, if he is alive after I get through withhim," thought Molly, foreseeing a stormy pa

andering happily in "Nelly's Silver Mine," and she ran down tofind that Boo had laid out a railroad all across her neat room, usingbits of coal for sleepers and books for rails, over which he wasdraggi

o" of the hapless dog. "I'llwash him right after dinner, and that will keep him out of mischieffor a while," she thought, as the young engineer unsuspiciouslyproce

aid Molly, as the ancient handmaid emptied her fourth cup of tea,for s

uld not helplaughing as the victim added to his brilliant appearance bysmearing the

ubs this cold day."Miss Bat's word was law in some things, so Molly had to submit,and took Boo away, saying, loftily, as she left the room,"I shall ask father, and do it to-night, for I will not have my brotherlook like a pig.""My patience! how the Siamese do leave their things round," sheexcla

her Sunday hat but one string. Shoes,skirts, books, and toys lay about, and her drawers wer

calling how that lady oncesaid she could judge a good deal of a little girl's character andhabits by a pee

or I'll report you to the society," said Molly, tippingthe whole drawer-full

e, with no visible means of repair--forMolly's work-basket was full of nuts, and he

where mine are. Glad I can'tdo any more now! Being neat is such hard work!" and Molly threwherself down

ng down the Kembles' steps. And can't I wash him? He needsit, and Miss Bat won't let me have a tub.""Certainly, child, certainly; do what you like, only don't keep me. Imust be off, or I shall miss Jackson, and he's the man I want"; and,throwing d

decoyedupstairs an hour too soon, then put in a tub by main force andsternly scrubbed, in spite of shrieks that brought Miss

ot have people tell me he'sneglected, if I can help it," cried Molly, working away with tears inher eyes--for

ask of combing out the curls was safely done; then, inthe clean night-gown with

e nice redblanket all tucked round so you won't get cold,"

shut his eyes wearily,feeling that his late

t know what I shall do with you," said Molly, longing tocuddle rather than

will say my prayers! oh, I will!" and, rising in hisbed, Boo did so, with the de

ts. But toward morning she waswakened by the hoarse breathing of the boy, and was forced topatter awa

the consoling welcome shereceived as the old lady popped up a sleepy but anxious face in alarge flannel c

t her pillow with a few remorseful tears, and to fall asleep,wondering i

ing; but they did not give up,and succe