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' ~A WOLF IN THE FOLD. Holcrofc laid in a good stock of groceries and some juicy beef and then returned. 'Whan Mr. J asper gave him his bill, he went to Alida, who was resting, and said in a low voice, “ This won't do at all. You can‘t hnve bqught half enough." _ . Fur th: first. time, sEmething like a smile lined across her face, as she reglied, “ It’ a cugqgh _t_o bggin figh. I know. .‘-‘-.I “Really, Mr. Holoroft, I didn't know you Were married," said the merchant. “I must congratulate you." “ Well, I am. Thank you. Good~night." A few moments later, he and his wife were bowling out of town towards the hills. Reaching one of these, the horses came down to a. well: and Holcroft turned and said, “ Are you very tired, Alida 2 I’m troubled qbout you taking this long ride. You have been so sick." _ “ I'm sorry I'm not stronger, air, but the fresh air seems to do me good and I think I can stand it. " The merchant looked curiously at Alida, but was too polite to ask questions or make comments on her very simple purchases. Her old skill and training were of service now. She knew just what she absolutely needed aud bought no more. “Good evening, Mr. Jae er. My wife wont; to get some things. I you‘ll be good enough to waibon her I'll step out to do two or three errands." “ You didn't promise to obey me, did you '!“ with a rather nervous little laugh. “ No, sir, but I will." “That's a good beginning. Now see what an old tyrant I am. In the first place, I don‘t want you to say “sir" tome any more. My name is James. In the second place, you must; work only as l let you. Your first business is to get strong and well, and {on know we agreed to marry on strictly usiness grounds.” “ I understand it well, but I think you are very kind for a business men." A healing sense of quiet and security al- ready began to steal into Alida’s bruised heat 1. In turning her back upon the town in which she had suffered no greatlr, she felt like one escaping from prison am torture. An in- creasing assurance of safety came with every mile; the cool. still radiance of the night ap- peared typical of her new and most unox~ pee ted experience. Light had risen on her Ihadowed path, but it was that warm, vivify- ing sunlightwhich a‘timulates‘anld develops; “ Uh, as to that, if I do say it Of myself. l she carries out the agreement made today, I don’t think “'8 my nature “3 be hard 0“ ! if kindness and good will can repay her.” those who treat me square. 1 think we shall. Thus it may be seen that although two he very 300d friends in 0‘“ qunet “'3 ': find ‘ life currents had become parallel, they were that‘s more than can he said of a g many - still very distinct. Who promise more than they seem to 1'9" By the time Holcroft approached the lane member afterwards." . leading to his dwelling Alida was growing " I Will "Y ‘0 do all you “Will, for I am very weary, and felt that her endurance had very grateful.” 'almost reached its limit. Her face was so “ If You do. you may find I'm “3 grateful white in the moonlight that he asked, solic- u you are." _ litously, " You can stand it a little longer, “That can never be. Your need and mine can‘t you 3'» were very different. But I shall try to show { "1‘11 try. I‘m very sorry I’m not strong- my gratitude by learning your ways and ‘er." wishes and not 13y "REY wordsof {Intake-’2 l “ Don't you worry about that. You won't {They soon enter-ad a large sho togsther, um! the pmprietor said, pleasant y, “ Good ovguipg. _M r. lecrofg.” “ Thank the Lord !" mentallv ejaculated the farmer. “there’s no Mrs. Mumpson in this case;" but he only said, kindly, “ I think we understand each other now, Alida. I’m not a man of words either, and I had better show by actions also what I am. The fact is, although we are married, we are scarcely acquainted, and people can't get ac~ quainted in a day." The first long hill was surmounted and away they bowled again, past cottage and farmhouse. through strips of woodland and between dusky fields from which came the fragrance of the springing grass and the coping of the hylas. The moon soon rose, full-orbed, above the higher eastern hills, find the mild April evening became luminous and full of beauty. Aliew horci’rs before, she wasin darkness which mi htbe feltâ€"yetit wasa loom shot through an through with lurid, t ireatenin gleams. It had seemed to her that she had infilen from home, happiness and honor to unfathomed depths, and yet there had appeared to be; deeper and darker abysses on every side. She had shuddered at the thought of going out into the World, feelin that her misfor- tune would awaken susp eiou rather than a mpathy. scorn instead of kindness; that "the must toil on until death, to sustain a life to which death would come as God's welcome messenger. Then had come th‘s man at her side, with his comparatively trivial troubles and perplexities, and he had asked her helmâ€"she who was so helpless. He had banished despair from her earthly future, he had lifted her up and was hearing her away from all which she had so dreaded; nothing had been asked which her crushed spirit was unable to bestow ; she. was simply expected to aid him in his natural Wlsh to keep his home and live where he had al- ways dwelt. llis very inability to under- stand her, toseeherhroken, trampled liieand immeasurable need asshe saw it, brought quietness of mind. The concentration of his thoughts on a few homely and simple hopes gave her immunity. “'ith quiek intuition, she divined that she had not a whimsical, jealous. exacting nature to deal with. He was the plain, matter-attach man he seemed, so literal and _a_bsolutely ClLU’l‘ER XX.â€"~ vaLu Jozu'num‘s Isl- muzsswx or nu: Baum. “Now. Alida." mi 1 Rolex-oft. as they dN‘c “Wkly. “ remember tint we are two militn~:--t‘-L scnaihlu people. At least I'm middlrmg‘ .1 and fairly sensible. too, I hope. You‘ll m. a lo buy some things and I want 5'03 :0 get a“ you ueqd. Don't stint xgur; “No. air, only I’d rather go over to the out side of town where I'm not known.” “That suits me, for it's the aide nearest home and I am known there.” “ Perhapsâ€"perhaps you also would rather go this evening where you are not known," the mid, hesiutingly. ‘ It mnkes no ditl'erenoo to me. In foot, know of a place where you'll have a good choice at reasonable rates." “ I’ll go where you wish," she Mid, quiet- calf, and you fieedn't hurry so as to get. tired for we shall have moonlight and thera’a no use trying to get home before dark. In there any particular store which you'd like to 297m ?l’ peopl-or‘ To her mind, h‘li were the mm which the could now molt welcome and m.“ no lt'elnuu. BU utvlnl uuu -um juyvll truthful thut he would nppe pear odd to most _--_I- 'l‘- lun- mint. ‘n- Inn-A Ohn huh- I The range of Holcroftgthouchts was far simpler and narrower than Alida‘s. He turned rather deliberately from the past, preferring to dwell on the probable consum- mation of his hope. His home, his farm, were far more to him than the woman he . had married. He had wedded her for their 'sake, and his thoughts followed his heart which was in his hillside acres. It is said 'that women often marry for a home; he truly had done so to keep his home. The ’ question which now most occupied him was ,the prospect of doing this through quite, ,prosperous years. He dwelt minutely on gAlida‘s manner, as well as her words, and found nothing to shake his belief that she had been as truthful as himself. Neverthe- less, he queried in regard to the future; she -mi ht naturally be glad of the refuge he had offered; but as time passed, and the poignancy of bitter memories was allayed, might not her life on the farm seem mon- iotonous and dull, might not weariness and . discontent come into her eyesiu place of grati- ‘tnde! “Well, Well," he concluded, “this marrying is a risky experiment at best, but Tom \Yatterly’s talk and her manner seemed to shut me up to it. I was made to feel that I I couldn't go on in any other way: and I have notdone anything under-handed or wrong, as I see, for the chance of going on. If I hadn’t become such a heathen, I should say there was a Providence in it, but I didn't (want to think about such things any more. ' Time'll show, and the prospect is better than it has been yet. She‘ll never be sorr if she carries out_ the agreement made to- ay, By the time Holcroft approached the lane leading to his dwelling Alida was growing very weary, and felt that her endurance had 'almost reached its limit. Her face was so white in the moonlight that he asked, solic litously, " You can stand it a little longer, can t you. " ’ i “1 ll try. I‘m very sorry I’m not strong- n er. H i “ Don‘t you worry about that. You won't know yourself in a week. Here we are at the lane and there's the house yonder. A {moment or two more and you'll be by the 1 fire." l He could scarcely believe his ears and ' eyes when he heard the farmer any. “ Alida, you must let me lift, you out," and then snw lthe “ town gal " set gently on the ground, her hand placed on Holcrolt's arm as she was supported slowly and carefully to the rocking chair beside the fire: , ‘ "Jonathan," was the quiet announcement, 9 “ this is Mrs. IIolcroft, my wife.” ! “ Jew-beg n pmrdon. \Vasn’t apectin’ jis‘ aich a turn 0' things.-â€"Respecta, missus. Sorry: to s_ce ye_r enj‘yin’ poor health.” Thoughts like these had inspired and suv stained her while at the same time adminis- tering the helm of hope. The quiet face of nature, 10 vely in the moonlight, seemed to welcome and rename her. Happy are those who, when sorely wounded in life, can turn to the natural world and find in every tree, shrub and flower a comforting friend that will not turn from them. Such are not far from God and peace. _ l at his side, she thanked him'almost as- slonately in her heart; but far more tum all this she was glad and grateful that he could not expect what she now felt it Would be impossible for her to give,â€"the love and personal devotion which had been inseparable from marriage in her girlhood thought. He would make good his words, â€"â€"she should be his wife in name and be respectedas such. He was too simple and true to himself and his buried love, too considerate of her, to expect more. She might hope, therefore, as he had said, that they might be helpful, loyal frien is, and he would have been surprised indeed had he known how the pale, silent woman he- side him was longing and hoping to fill his home with comfort. A loud barking started old Jonathan Johnson out of his doze, and he hastened to replenish the tire and to call off his rather asv-a'e dog. He was a little surprised t) see Holcroft driving towards the kitchen door with n woman by his side. ” He’ 3 ti ied his luck with anuther of them town gals,” he muttered, “ but, Jerus “Llem ’ she wan t stay at week, an’ my old weman'll have the washin‘ an' mendin‘ all the same." “ Yes, Jon'uthan. Mrs: llolcroft has been sick, but she’s much better and will soon be well. She’s very tiral now from the ion drive, but, quiet lite and. country air will soon muke her atroug.~l'll just step out and care for the horses, Alida, and soon be back ugain.-â€"You came and help me, Jone~ than. and keep your dog off, too," The old man complil-il with rather poor grace, for he would have much preferred to interview tho bride at whom he was staring with all his weak. watery eyes. Ilolcroft understood his neighbor's peculiarities too well to subject his wife to this ordeal, and was bent on despitching Jonathan homo- wnnl as soon on Possihlo. ' HI -n‘v In... -ni.‘ 0|... .I.‘ ,_-.-..l_.‘___. “I my. Jinn," said the old glmrdsman, who felt that he wcss speaking to the lmy he had known for thirty odd 'cnrs. “ where on nirth did you pick up sicli a sickly lookin' critter 2" “ I didn‘t ick her up," replied the farm. or, laughing y. “ I nmrriml her fair and square just M ynu did your wife a hundred yours ago. qurc ur loss. Haven‘t I as much rightfn grtuu Mir-1! as you hml 3"7 nlue. He know All shoot her, she had merely to be herself, to do what she lmd promised, in order to rest securely on his rock-like truth. He had again touched a deep, grateful chord in speaking of her to the shopkeeper as his wife; he shoWed no disposition whatever to shrink from the relation before the world; it was evident that he meant to treat her with respect and kindness, and to exact respect from others. For all this, while sittiog qiiietly end silent- " Ilnw dn you know it's sudden? Did you go srnnml tolling every one hnw you wum getting on when you were n-cuurling ?" “' Well, I smnl .wr gntmo. ’Tain't so lung ago that l ilisrmncmhcr we did it nn tho sly." "Well now, Uncle Jonathan, you‘ve at nothing to say against mo, for I giqln‘t msrry on the sly, although "vo gone on the principle that mv business wasn’t everybody‘s business. When I saw your v“ Oh, I ain‘t. a dispuiin‘ yer right, but it seen" an kind 0‘ sucldint that. it's taken wlmt litllv lm-Mh I've left." The genial warmth of the fire was grate- ful to her chilled and enfeehled frame ; the homely kitchen, with its dresser of china ware, its tin-closet and entry, the doors of which old Jonathan hadlleft open, man-like, after helping himself “ bountifully,” allsug- gested more comfort to this pallid bride. sit~ ting there alone, than wealth of ornament in elegant apartments have brought to many others. She saw her chief domain, not in its coarse and common aspect. but as her vantage ground, from which she could min~ ister to the comforts of the one who had rescued her. Few brides would care to enter the kitchen first, but she was pleased; she who had scarcely hoped to smile again looked smilingly around on the quaint, homelike room. “ And this is to be my home," she mur- mured. “ How strange, unexpected, yet natural it all is !â€"â€"'ust what he led me to expect. The little onely farmhouse, where I can be safe from staring eyes and unwound- ed by cruel questionings. Yet that old man had a dozen questions on his tongue. I be- lieve he took him away to save my feelings. It's strange that so plain and simple a man in most respects can be so considerate. 0h. pray God that all goes on as it promises ! I couldn‘t have dreamt it this morning. but I have an odd, homelike feeling already. “'0“, since I am at home I may as well take off my hat_ and cloaki” As'she did so, Holcroft entered and said, heartily, “ That‘s right, Alida. You are here t ) stay, you know. You mustn’t think it amiss that I left you a few mon‘xts alone, for I had to get that talkative old man all home. He’s getting a. little childish and Would fire queiltions nt-you point blank." Alida was not so cold, weary and ulmost faint but that she looked around the old kitchen with the strongest interest. This interest was as unlike Mrs. Mnmpson’s curiosity as she was unlike the widow. It is true that thought of self was prominent, yet hers were not selfish thoughts. There are some blessed natures in the world that in doing the best for themselves do the best that is possihle for others: “ Oh, no, he’s spry enough to walk twice the distance and often does. It‘s light as day outside and I made it right with him. You can leave your things up stairs in your room, and I‘ll carry up your bundles also, if you are reateq enough f0}: the jonrneyf “ But shduldn't you Have hken him home in thgwagoq 2 ‘1 don't mind _being (491193: fl “ Oh, yes." she' replied, ;. I’m 'feeling better already." She watched him “curiously. 3115 with not a little self reproach, as he deftly prepared supper “ It' a too bad for me to sit idle while you do such thin gs, yet on do every thin so well that I fear I aha i seem awk- war Still, I think I do at least know how to cook a little." He led the way to the apartment that Mrs. Mumpson had had occupied and said, regretfully, “I‘m aorr the room looks so bare and comfortless, at that will all be mended in time. When you come down, we‘ll have some coffee and supper.” She soon re appeared 1n the kitchen, and She soon re-uppearod in the kitchen, and he continued, “ Now I’ll show you that I‘m not such a very helpless sort of man, after all, so if you’re sick you needn't worry. I‘m oing to get. you a good cup of coll‘ee and rail van a piece of stesk.” “ Oh, p case let. me"â€"she began. “ No ; can’t. allow you to do any thing to night but sit in that chair. You promised to mind. you know,” and he smiled so geni- slly that she smiled back at him, although tears came into hm: eyes.“ _ fit,“ , . “I would rather be brought here. It seems to me that it must be a light and cheerful room. " “ Yes, the sun shines in these east win- dows, and there’s another window facing thgpouth, go itfqlight fill d_ay long." “ It‘s ending” in a poor man’s kitchen, Alida. It was rather rough to bring you in here first, but the pzxrlor is cold and comfort- less." “If you knew what I've had to put up with for a year or more, you wouldn‘t worry about satisfying me in this respect. Except when old Mrs. Vi gins was here, I had few decent meals that didn‘t get myself," and then. to cheer her up, he laughin ly told her of Mrs. Mumpson's essay at maiing coffee. He had a certain dry humor, and his uuwout- ed ellort at mimicry was so .droll in itself that Alida was startled to hear her own voice in laughter, and she looked almost frightened, so deeply had she been impressed that it would never be possible or even right for her to laugh again. “ I can‘t realize it Kill," 3110 said Vi'h'n low voice. “ To think how this day began and how_iti is enfiin; i” rl ht for her to laugh again. ‘he farmer was secretly much pleased at his success, If she would laugh. he cheer- ful and not brood, h) felt sure she would get well and he more contented. The despe- rate View she had taken of her misfortunes troubled him, and he had thou ht it osai~ hlc that she might sink into ( espnn ency and something like invalidism; but that involuntary bubble of laughter re-muul'ed him. “ Quiet. wholesmne, cheerful life will restore her to health," he thought. as he put his favorite beverage and tho spluttering steak on the table. “ Now," he thlll, placing a char at lllu tablet “you no | pour me a cup of Cell} 0. ’ “ I hnpe every 'one will take your sousiblé View, Uncle Jonathan. Good-night.” BUPIJK'I , \quI I: on ; " Yes, yes ;’ helped myself bount’fully. hodmight. and good luck ter yer. I can't help thinkin' it was kind 0' auddiut though, and then she's sich a sickly lookin' ctitter. llopo yer haven't been takiu’ in, but then, as you an , the marryin’ business, like other kimlep’ usiuess, is a mau'e own businesev' “ I'm glen! 1 ca.» do something.” she an- swered. " for I can't. at over the strange- ness of being so waitu on. Indeed, ovary thing that was um-x acted or umlremnt of has happened,” mu there was inst. the fmnteat bit of color on her checks as she sat dogn opposite him. “ Well. ,\ on and your wifa are good neigh- bors, and tlut'u more'ul uaul say for most peopln in these purtu. Here's the money. Mra. Hal-Tofu isn't strong or We“ enough to lu‘k any tonight. You got yourself a good suppflr, didn't you 2” H “Why'surtiufi iVa'puso l'd ul-o yer away on sick 3 'uusiou? My wile wouidu‘t let me in if all» kuuwed it.” wife ulmut my wwhing hurl mend- .ug I didn't know I was going In be lucky I: soon. You know _\'nll can't Harry 3 wo man in this country till she's willing. But Ir“ your Wife she uhu‘u'c lose an) tl‘iug. and the next time 1 go to town ['11 leave tho! nectiu'uf eggs the wanted. Now. Jonuumu, hunul‘ bl iglu, do you feel able to walk home if I g_i_v_e you fifty cents exm? 2" Few Inion are inunolblo to simple, nutur- CH APT ER X X I. â€"A'r Hons. " I can only thank God and you for the great change in my prospects. This quiet and escape from strangers are just what I most craved, and I am already beginnin to hope that if I can learn to do all you wis , I shall find a content that I never hoped for,” and the tears that stood in her eyes were witnesses of her sincerity. _ “ \Vell, don’t. expect to learn every thing at once. Let me have my way for awhlle, and then you'll find, as you get strong, and the busy season comes on, that I‘ll be so taken up with the farm that you’ll have your own way. “'on‘t you have some more steak? No? “’0“, you‘ve enjoyed your aupp_e_r a_little, haveo’t you 2" ”Yes,” she implied, émiling, “ I actually felt hungry when I sat down, and the coffee has taken away the tired, faint feeling.” “ Yes, Tom‘s arough diamond. He don't make any pretences, and looks upon himself as a rather hard case, but I fancy he's doing kind things in his rough way half the time. \Vell, as we were tal ing, he remembered you, and he spoke of you so feelingly and told your story with so much honest sym- pathy that he awoke my sympathy. Now you know how it has all come about. You see it‘s all natural enough and simple enough, and probably it's the best thing that could have happened for us both. All you have to do is to get strong and well, and then it won‘t be any one-sided affair, as you’ve been too much inclined to think. 1 can go on and keep my farm and home just as mytheart is bent ou‘doing. I _want you to understand everything, “for then your mind will be more satisfied and at rest. and that’s half thelbattle in getting over sickness and frouble like yours." No aoonor said thou the great shining gold iecea come pouring down upon him in ago] on torrent over his head, shoulders and arml. l’itifuiiy he cried for mercy sud A young farmer who was very unlucky sat on his plough a moment to rest, and just then an old woman crept past and cried: “\Vhy do you go on drudging day and night without reward? \Valk two days till vou come to a grest fir tree that atsnds all alone in the forest and ovcrtops all other trees. It you can hew it down you will mulfe your fortunq." Not'waiting to have the advice repeated, the farmer shouldered his axe and started on ,his journey. Sure enough, after tramp. ing two days he came to the fr tree, which he instantly pre ared to cut down. Just as the tree am: e and before it ft]. with a crash, there ropped out of its hrsnehesa nest containing two eggs. The eggs rolled to the ground and broke, and there darted out of one a young ea lo and out of the other a gold ring. The eag e grew larger, as if by enchantment, and when it reached the size of a man it spread its wings as if to try their strength, then, soaring upward, it cried: ” You have rescued me ; take as a reward the ring that lay in the other egg; it is a wish-ring. Turn it on your finger twice, and whatever you wish it shall be fulfilled. But remember there is but a single wish in the ring. No sooner is it ranted than it loses its power, and is on y an ordinary ring. Therefore consider Well what you de- sire, so that yon may never have reason to repent your choice." To speakin , the eagle soared high in the air, circle< over the farmer‘s head a few times, then darted like an arrow toward the east. The farmer took the ring. placed it on his finger, and turned on his way homewald. Toward evening he reached a town where a jeweler sat in his shop behind a counter, on which lay many costly rin s for sale. The farmer showed his own, am asked the merchant its value. Upon that the farmer laughed very hearti- ly, and toldlcho man thatit was. wish-ring, and cf greater value than all the rings In that-hop together. The j'owJer was a wicked. designing man, and so he invited the farmer to remain as The next mormn {lie jeweler was All im- patience to have he {armor begone. He awakened him at cock-crow. and said, “You hml better go, for you still have a long 1' uufuoy buforu yog." As soon M the former had departed, the jCWt'lcl‘Clofied his aho ), put up the shutters so that no one couh pee in, bolted t‘lo door behind him, and stand ngin the middle of H10 room he turned the ring and cried. “ I wish instantly to possess a million gold plea-es." “ He has a. good, kind heai‘b, " said Alida. “ I don’ t think I could have kept up at. all had it. not been for his kindness. “ It isn't worth a straw," the jeweler re pliid. his uost over night. “ Fofl“ he explained “on y to shelter 5 man w)o owns a wish- rilyg must bring luck.” So he treateti his guest. to wine and fair words; and that night. as the farmer lay sound asleep. the wicked man stole the magic ring from his finger and slipped on in its place a common one which he made .0 resemble the wish-ring. al, womanly grace, and poor llolcruft, who so long had been compelled to see at his table “ perfect terrors, ' as he called them, was agreeably impressed by the contrast she made with the Mumpson and Maluny species. Alida unconsciously had a subtle 0 arm of carriage and action, learned in her lo lg past and happy girlhood, when all her associations were good and refined. Still, in its truest explanation. this grace is native and not acquired: it is a personal trait. Ineapable of nice analysis or fine definitions, he only thou the, “ How much pleasauter It is to see at the table a quiet, sensible wo- man instead of a “ peculiar female I" and it was not lung before he supplemented her re- mark by saying, ” Perhaps things are turn- ing out for both of us better than we ex~ pected. I had made up my mind th’s morning to live here like a hermit, get my own meals. and all that. I actually had the rough draught of an auction-bill in my pocketâ€"yes, here it is now,â€"â€"and was going to sell my cows, give up my dairy and try to make a living in a way that wouldn’t re- quire any womau help. That's what took me up to Tom Watterly's ; I wanted him to help me put the bill in shape. He would- n't look at it, and talked me right out of trying to live like Robinson Crusoe, as he expressed it. I had been quite cheerful in my prospects ; indeed, I was almost happy in being alone again after having such ter- rors in the house. But, as I said. Watterly talked all the courage and hope right out of me, and made it clear that I couldn‘t o it alone. You see, Tom and I have con friends since we Were boys together, and that's the reason he_talk_s_ so plain to me}: YOUNG F0 LKS. (To BR cox'nxt'nn.) Tun WISH-RING. For the Year I887 ‘No better resolution can be made than to resist buying any of the substitutes offered as "just as good" as the rent only sure- pop com euro ,, Putnam’s Painless (,‘orn Ex- tractor. It never fails to give satisfaction. Beware of poisonous flesh eating substitutes. A San Franciso florist, who has been re. plenlshinp his stock of flowers and shrubs by stealing from the Mounts n View cemeto was can ht the other nl ht and gladly pill .259 to is csptors for h freedom. So the old former was buried with the ring, which had been supposed to been wish. ring, and was not. yet it brought as much good fortune into the house as heart could desire. - Weeping children and grandchildren enr- rounded the two coffins; and, as no one wished to remove the ring from the still hand as a remembrance. the oldest one said: “ Let our father take his ring into the grave. There was always a mystery about it ; per- haps it was some dear remembrance. Our mother, too, so often looked at the ring; she may have given it to him when they were young.” The farmer’s wife then suggested that they had better wish for a cow and a horse. But the men re lied, “ Wife. why waste our wish on sue triflea? The horse end how we'll get_an_y way." _ And that was the end of the matter for all time. It really seemed as if the ring had brought a blessing into the house. Greunries and barns were full to overflowing. and in the course of a few years the farmer became a rich and portly person, who worked with his men a field during the day, as if he, too, hadvto earn his daily bread ; but after supper he liked to sit in his porch, contented and comfortable, and return the kindly greeting of the folk who passed and who wished him a respectful good-evening. Sure enough, in a year's time the mone for the horse and cow had been came . J oyfully the man rubbed his hands. “ The wishoriug is saved again this year, and yet we hjwe what we desire. How lucky we But now his wife seriously adjured him to wish for somethin at lust. “ Now that you have a wish to granted," aha said, " you slave and toil, and are content with everything. You might be king. emperor. baron, even a gentleman farmer, with chest: overflowing with gold ; but you don’t know what you want." ” We are young and life is long," he answered. “There is only one wish in the ring, and thst is easily said. Who knows but sometime we may sorely need this wish ? Are we in need of anything 3 Have we not prospered, to all peoples‘ astonish- ment, since we possessed this ring? Be reasonable and patient for a while. In the meantime consider what we really ought to wish for." After thirty or forty years had passed away, and the farmer and his‘wife had wn old and white-haired, and their win was still unasked, then was God ver good to them, and on the same night ey died, pcggefully aqduhappily. _ So the five work'od very hard. and at har~ vest time they never mined such a crop be- fore. They had earned money enough to buy the coveted strip of land and still have a bit to spare. " See,” said the man. “ we have the land end the “duh-ring as well." So'the years went by. Sometimes, when they were alone, the farmer's wife would re- llllnd her husband of the magic ring, and suggest many plans, but as he always an- swered that they had plenty of time, and that the best thoughts come last, she more and more rarely mentioned the ring, and at last ceased speeking of it n]t9ge_ther._ To be sure. the fuvrmer look‘éd at the ring, and twirled. it about as many as twenty times a day ; but he was very careful never to wish. The farmer‘s wife, of comma.“- l'ered ad- vice. “ Suppose,“ said she, “ t : We wish for that bit of land that. lies betwueu our two fields ?" “That isn’t worth while," her husband replied. “If We work hard for a year we‘ll earn epough mougy ‘to buy_it."_ “Hencefortlx we shall never mum l3; iv want, (1631‘ v.10,” he said. ‘ Our fox . made. Oulr “0 must be Verv can-ful to‘ considgr we lAjustuwhu‘t we ought to wish." The uollo. howavor, nlarmed the neigh- bors, who came rushing over to see what. the mutter was When they «W the man . lad under his 601d they exclaimed, “ Doubly un- fortunate ho whom blessings kill." After- ward the heirs cum: and divided the prop. orgy. _ l'u the meantime the {am ‘ . ‘ . . xer reacncd hom mjmo spirits, and showed the ring to In“: wuo. tried to reuvh uusl uulmr the door; but be- luru hu suxuwuxl he Itumhlcd and fell blouJiug to the gruuml. As fur the golden ruin, it. never umppell until the weight of tho mutul crushed the lluur. and the jeweler and his money sank through to tho celltr. ’l‘hu gold still poured down till the million was complew and the jeweler luy dead in the cellar beneath his treasure. " Ah, gentle mistress doth thy soul rejoice To and me thus laid low? so fair thou art! Let me but hear the unrelc oi thy v ce : Let me but die upon thy pityiug I art. " Soon endeth lile ior me. Thou wilt be blessed ; The flowering fields, the budding treee- be thine. Grant me the pillow oi thy flagrant bre‘t; Then come, oblivion. I no more replue . Thus plead the dying Winter. She, the (air, Whose heart hath love. and only love. to give, Did quickly lay her full warm bosom m For his cold of (\ and loudly Whirl] , ” Live." "is cold white lips clone to her heart she pressed, llie sighs were mingled with each breath he drew; And when the strong life inded on her breut Her own eolt tears tell do» n like hem enly dew. 0 e sweet blossoms oi the whispering lee. ’e lair. lraii children oi the woodland wide, Ye are the 'r nit oi that deer love which she Did give to wounded Winter ere he died. And some are tintrd like her eyes of blue, Some hold the blush that on her cheek did glow, Some from her lips have caught thevr amulet hue, But more still keep the whiteness oi the snow. Flt-Iced lw the sun’s bright "rows. Winter lieu With dabbled robes upon the blurred hillside ; Fast. flows the clearqold blpod_: in vgin he Me; He laintly hours the lootsteps of {air Spring Advancing through the woodland to the dell. Anon she stops to hear the waters sing. And call the flowers, that know her voice lull well. Ah, now the smiles to see the glnnvlng strum ; she stirs the dead leaves with her anxlous (eat ; She atoops to flan: the first Awakening bum. And woo: t e cold Earth with warm breathing: awec . With cooling bremth to check' the flowrivigvtia‘c. The Death of Winter.