Year: 1879

home together over the smooth prairie | road both were very silent. It was not oft en that Johnny's tongue was quiet, but his fasher's thoughts were too busy to notice it. Johnny had been deeply | interested in the missionary words, and he was turning over in his mind various plans by which he might earn some money to place in the good mans hands on his return next year. But his father was poor, except in having 8 loving wife and 8 round half-dozen rosy-faced boys and girls; and found it very hard to feed and clothe his family comfortable. Not one penny had the boy of his own, his only wealth consisted in nice fat pig and he we'll knew that would bring scarce ly enough money to buy his clothes he must have the coming winter.

 As soon as they reached home, John ny rushed in to tell mother what he had heard, and of his desire to do something, and ended by begging her to help him. The kind, loving mother promised to do what she could, but could give but little encouragement, and her heart felt very heavy as she thought of the poverty that surrounded them, and the improbability of Johnny's wish being realized.

 The winter passed, and still the boy was penniless, but he did not forget the missionary, and his desire seemed to grow more intense. One evening, after he crept into the loft, where he and his two brothers slept, he heard voices in the room below, and listening, heard something about cattle, and grass, end herding, but soon fell asleep, wonder ing who was there and what they wanted. Upon questioning his father next day he was told that their neighbors, MT. Banks and MT. Gray, wanted boy to take care of their cattle that summer.

 "Do you think you could do it, John ny ?" asked his father. Johnny thought he could, but just then heard his moth- CTS voice calling, and ran away, though he wanted dreadfully to ask what wages he was to receive. He was needed to churn, and as he piled the dasher he told his mother about the brightening prospect, and eagerly asked her if she thought father would let him have any of the money.

 "I do not know, dear father said last night that the thirty dollars they offer would just pay for the COW he got last fall, but that he was afraid it would be hard work for you"

 Johnny churned very fast for a while, then he stopped suddenly and said:

 "Iu try not to care, mother, but do wish I could have some of it for the heathen."

 Mrs. Martin had long talk with her husband that evening, during which she told him of their boys wish, and his fre-

 quent talks with her on the subject that lay nearest his heart. When she fin

 ished and had gone to see that the chil-

 dren were all right for the night, MT.

 Martin took up the little bible that lay

 on the stand and opening it at random

 his eye fell upon the words, "Will a

 man rob God ?" They seemed to have a

 new meaning, and he read the rest of the

 chapter, the third of Malachi, twice over.

 He did not sleep as soundly as usual

 that night, and thought a great deal

 but by morning had concluded that the

 words did not apply to him, dwelling on

 the thought of his poverty and his large

 family.

 After breakfast he took down his pipe

 and began to fill it for his morning

 smoke.

 The words, "Will man rob God P sounded in his ears so loudly that he

 looked around to see who spoke them but no one else was in the room, save

 little Dot, the baby. Now, MT. Martin thought himself Q very moderate smoker

 indeed, never permitting himself to ex' ceed certain number of pipefuls pei day, and he considered the expense next to nothing. But he knew his carefu wife kept an account of every penny ex pended, and laying his half-flled pipe back upon it's accustomed shelf, he tool , up the little account book. It took bu very few moments to find that he hae spent just five dollars the year before Z for tobacco Hearing step he dropped

 the book hastily, and left the house without taking his pipe with him. Fiv' } dollars That was small sum for 1 t whole year, he thought. ''I am sure neighbor Gray must spend ten times that" Then conscience sharply put thu , question, "Could you not quit smoking t and let Johnny have the money for thu l missionary

 I am ashamed to tell you it was hart ,, struggle and lasted all the forenoon 3 But am glad that victory was gained 8 3 last. The little house. held three happ, ] people that night, when MT. Martin tolt Johnny he should have five dollars fo , his own, answering his wife's inquirinl ? look by saying, "I shall give up to r bacco, my dear" It was long, bus,

 summer, and the nights found Johnn,

 very tired, for herding cattle is anything - but play for a twelve-year old boy. Blu ae the thought of the five dollars, and tn . good they would do, sweetened the bit - terest days and made even the hot SUI @ and the drenching rains seem pleasant :, MT. Martin found this self-denial s

 pleasant that he began to live more an q q more for God, and proved that He woul indeed pour out blessing that ther Q would not be room enough to receive. t Unhappy is the man for whom hi g own mother has made other mother : venerable,