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

resque villages, valleys of peace and plenty, cities of care and to

I began to see things more clearly, and in all these vari

them, and could not well understand what

s; playing with the trifles which seemed to lie everywhere for their amusement; sometimes two quarr

ve the differences in their countenances and dress, and to find that there was only

so covered with mud and dirt, that I could not have told what they once were. But, whether gaily decked or dressed in sombre attire, each child had fastened round it a curio

to be made of commonest material, for it looked dull and dark; while at the girdle of some who

near that I could see what they were do

of flowers, resting in the shade, and

tle boy, as he threw a ball of flowers i

?" asked a grave-looking

y hurry to get th

ughtfully at the vessel hanging at her side, while I perc

be needed this very day, and that all who had not the Golden Oil sho

on the grass at their feet. "That is nothing new: it is the du

e roguish boy, weaving his flowers as if al

flush at those careless words. "I do not think

ding daisies together wherewith to deck a tiny brother, w

some white material, her eyes clear as the deep summer azure, her face full of sunshine, while close to her he

the grass, "and is the happiest little mortal i

cared might see that his pitcher was empty e

were fixed upon her. When she had completed her chain

ou promised me you would go at once

she continued, "It would be so sad not to h

ome," answered the child

one can lend. So that is why I w

ese children which I had not noticed before; each carried, fastened to the same girdle, a tiny lamp. I looked round to enquire the me

lighted. Esther?" asked the litt

trim and light my lamp, and then, if the King were to come

d of your hand, Esther

se things. You might not be able to find me in the dark, nor find the King. He tells us t

de of the road I saw a Herald standing, with an open book in his hand, and thou

rnest was urging, as he pulled bac

hosoever will,' that mea

chway, Ernest, now that his min

the chamber where the Oil was given away, for each one who would get

er full of Golden Oil. His face was radiant, and as he took Esther's

me Himself, and put His hand on my head, and charged

. "Is He not a gracious

ived that the possession of the Golden Oil

s I wondered at the very smallness of these actions and words; and yet, as I noticed

had risen higher in the heavens, and had begun to descend by the time she and Ernest returned to

alk with another companion, and though he again pass

olden Oil, and as little Ernest ran to play with some other children Esther

a little prattling brother can

her filled. Oh, Allea, I went alm

u d

so near before,

lea, looking int

ve me the O

id Allea, discontentedly; "more than half

rnity!-and as she read and re-read its well-known letters, they seemed to melt away and transform themselves into a wondrous palace of beauty and light, where her King dwelt, and where He had promised to take those who obeyed Him during this li

face: "Yes, Allea, you are quite right, hal

id Allea i

, if the King suddenly calls us to come with Him, then, oh, Al

tness of their talk had gathered round them to hear. "Will you not get

ed; "I shall be passing

one can work," whispered

answered Allea somewhat proud

ut presently they seemed divided one from another by the deepening twilight, and before I knew where I was, I found myself f

st and Esther were both hurrying forward with all their speed, helping their com

, 'The time is short-the day is far spent-ask and it shall be given you;' and as t

or of a small chamber; hard by on a couch lay Esther, fast asleep, with her little brother's arms flung about her neck. Close beside them, and still fastened by golden links to their w

y, when a strange sound startled the midnigh

, looked round with joyful eyes for her little brother, who had also heard that cry, and then both ran out to m

her, awakened by the lights and glad sounds, hastened from their couches-not to meet the King; alas! no-but

her sister's face, "I think I know, but isn't t

ndred years ago, 'If ye...know how to give good gifts unto your children, how m