Year: 1866

Parson Gillette said in his sermon
last evening, we must scatter bless
ings, and Amy Woodford went hom'
thoughtful. She was the wife of /:
year-a happy, beloved wife. He
home perfect gem, everything new
and nice about it, a strong, handy
Scotch girl to do the hard work, anC
Amy only had the parlors and room
to put in order, and an occasional
choice dish to prepare for her hus
band, to look after things little
and then she read and sang, and dal
lied over her sewing as she pleased
A quiet happy life she lead; but
through it crept a shadow OF dis.
satisfaction, for she was doing Sc
little to promote any good, and just
seeking her own enjoyment.


The sermon had set her to think
ing. Perhaps the work she Nigh;
do went straying through her dreams
for she had not forgotten when Mon
day morning dawned the good
resolutions of the night before, and
after Mr.. Woodford had gone to his
office, she stood by the parlor win.
dow, idly scraping the frost from the
prIe with her slender fingers, and
then she walked up to the fire and
held the small soft palm other chilled
hands to catch the refreshing
warmth. we must scatter bless
ings." Well, and what can I do, in
my little humble sphere? There are
no prisons into which ] can carry the
cheering light of human kindness.
and with the finger of faith point the
poor doomed criminal 10 that world,
where, through the mercies of a for
giving Savior he may one day be free;
no hospitals, where l can soothe and
cheer the brave, noble men who have
given their lives sacrifice upon the
altar of liberty; no cases of real, alb
ject poverty which 1 can relieve, for
/ know every one in this quiet vii
lage: so what can l do?"


Amy sat down almost discouraged,
for the want of something to present
itself right there by her own fireside;
but it seemed in no ways likely to
come; so she went about her morning
work little less cheerful than usual.


1t was a cold winter morning. The
snow lay thick upon the ground, and
the tread ofthe few passers-by SCUM
ded out sharply from the crisp. hard
walks. Amy went to the kitchen
upon some simple errand, and found
Macdown, the housemaid, washing
the breakfast dishes, with one foot
upon the chair, the tears running
down her plump red cheeks, and the
usually neat apartment in a sad state
of confusion. why, MacdoSn, what
is the matter?" was Amy's Involun-
tary exclamation, in 4 kind but sur
prised voice.


"Oh, Miss Amy, hut have had
the dreadfullest fall! 1 was going
down the icy steps to hang out my
last basket of clothes, and down l
went, with my poor ankle turned
right in, and it does pain me bad.
l shall have to take the work easy
to-day, mem; I'll get through it in
time"


Indeed, you will not do anything
more, Macdown. Why did you not
come directly to me?"


Sand what good would it do to
worry you dear child?" You felt at
once the kind hearted housemaid
loved the young housekeeper and
that she deserved it.


snow wipe your hands immedi-
ately, Macdown, and let ne wheel
the settee before the dining room
fire, and you come right in and lie
down. Let me help you, poor thing!
how cruel for you to try-to work in
such pain!" Amy put her arm about
the girl. and almost lifted her along,
Macdown in too much pain to offer
any resistance. She bathed the
swollen limb, adjusted the cushions
under her head, and covered her with
a warm blanket, and telling her
not to think oil the work, went out
to her task in the kitchen. 1t was
quite formidable one, unused as
she was to hard labor, but she knew
how it should be uone, and an houI
brought order out of confusion, and
she went back to tell Macdown how
everything was complete, the dinner
all ready to put on its proper time
and that she felt better for the exer.
else; but Macdown was crying bit
terly. Amy pulled footstool to her
side, and sat down, laying her hant
upon the hot forehead. Poor Mac
down! I'm sorry you suffer So" sh'
said kindly.


1T isn't the pain, ma'am; be
lieye it is all gone; at least, l am 81
happy cannot feel it. l have beer
thinking how good God is to Civ
me such a home-me, q poor or
phan girl, that hasn't anybody in tn
whole of this big world to care any
thing about her, and there was sucl
great tender feeling came over M
| could not help crying. "You dea
little soul! God will bless you"


1t was pleasant to hear thes,
words, even from the lips OF a ser
want, and Amy thought .tor the frs
time of the soul of the poor ignoran
girl, that had been 10 a measur,
given to her keeping, and learned
with surprise that the poor serving