Left to Ourselves; or, John Headley's Promise.

year, father?" asked Hugh as he buttoned up his warm great coat to

ent business calls me; and urge

were summer. Are you r

God wi

, where he found his br

lling,'" he said in an undertone, "so fe

do feel this, Hugh, that when they're out on the Atlantic I'd rather know they had fel

t getting preachified I

me, I know when I th

ow when I'm in the right

u thin

comes to the

le and annoyance of his brother and sisters; and so before John was aware he

ng within himself that if his promise to Agnes was to be kept

, laughing, while he turned round

n, my boy," s

ace, mother," he

ror sometimes gets scratched, and cannot re

be late," he said, turning the handl

other to run away from, so listen, Hugh. Can't y

a bit of harm,

ridle the whole body.' Think of that, Hug

other, I'll s

own strength

as let off, he darted through t

ary look of pain, then, as if those wo

ll prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." And at that word she went into

stmas, mother?" said Minnie, throwing her arms roun

smile, and answered, "We shall not be able to do ve

you had, only I

f garments, which she deposited on the table, saying to her mother,

" said Mrs. Headley; "

thes, and exclaimed, "Why, there's my old frock,

are going to do for Chr

r her brother's worn jacket with the tips

the table, and was proceeding to exa

her, but made no remark as she leaned over to rea

get the box, and see if there

soon engaged in searching for the

l who has a wors

thought this was

we get this ready for some one, the

ping?" asked Minn

o something to make Chr

innie again, her puzzled little face gr

frock just drawn together with a crooked pin, and

eyeing her warm though cast-off frock with fresh in

utton, and fasten thi

hese things? Could not

nie sat down; and while she put on

g and patching, aided by Agnes, who sat industriousl

ed, "Is this all you a

king some puddings for

I knew you would; I

e knows or thinks

pose," answered Minnie, looking up fro

n. Do you remember what we were reading the ot

ink I

therless and widows in thei

isiting the fatherless and widows

ke them when they are done, Mi

hould, if

and I think you will understand the

engaged in, they suddenly disappeared; at which Mrs. Headley did not look surprised, nor di

John, who liked to tease her, kept his intentions to himself, and taking

ened the parcel, and drew out a p

ttle sister, leaning over the tabl

her own work; but she was too busy in c

le, folded it in half, and proce

Hugh?" asked the never

d tone, and soon he had begun to sew up the side

"the order of the day," so

s brother and asked him if his were ready. A whispered consultation ensued behind the cardboard box, and then there was some mysterious pushing and man[oe]uvring, which raised Minnie's expectati

e asked, pinching a

rags snipped up in ti

John; "but I say, don't my fingers ache

ut all tha

l the week, off and on, and I declare old Mrs

Alice?"

dley; "this is a busy time for cook, and A

go round, Agnes

as Eve, mot

t were he

st finish all this h

your visits," said John, who loved a story as much as a

," answe

f you can think of anything we can help in, w

hile we plan to do something for those in

r children, while she said gently, "It is not only that we are to 'visit the fatherless a

r than the other," s

id Mrs. Headley; "'I can do all things,