and a family consultation was held about packing it. Many things would have to be left at home, it was so much smaller than the grandmother's hair trunk. But Agamemnon had been studying the atlas during the winter, and felt familiar with the more important places, so it would not be necessary to take it. And Mr. Peterkin decided to leave his turning lathe at home, and his tool chest.

Again Mrs. Peterkin spent two days in packing the things. With great care and thoughtfulness, and by borrowing two more leather bags, it could be done. Everything of importance could be packed except the little boys' kite. What should they do about that?

The little boys proposed carrying it in their hands, but Solomon John and Elizabeth Eliza would not consent to that.

"I do think it is one of those cases where we might ask the advice of the lady from Philadelphia," said Mrs. Peterkin, at last.

"She has come on here," said Agamemnon, "and we have not been to see her this summer."

"She may think we have been neglecting her," suggested Mrs. Peterkin.

The little boys begged to be allowed to go and ask her opinion about the kite. They came back in high spirits.

"She says we might leave this one at home, and make a new kite when we get there," they cried.

"What a sensible idea!" exclaimed Mr. Peterkin; "and I may have the time to help you."

"We'll take plenty of newspapers," said Solomon John.

"And twine," said the little boys. And this matter was settled.

Then the question was, "Where should they go?"

-LUCRETIA P. HALE.

Agamemnon: ǎg-ȧ-mèm'nòn.—acăd'emy, sem'inary: schools of high grade.—turning lathe (lāth): a machine for shaping articles of wood.— consulta'tion: a meeting to decide something.

A PARABLE AGAINST PERSECUTION

And it came to pass, after these things, that Abraham sat in the door of his tent about the going-down of the sun.

And, behold, a man bowed with age came from the way of the wilderness, leaning on a staff.

And Abraham arose and met him, and said unto him, "Turn in, I pray thee, and wash thy feet, and tarry all night; and thou shalt arise early on the morrow, and go on thy way."

But the man said, "Nay, for I will abide under this tree."

And Abraham pressed him greatly; so he turned and they went into the tent. And Abraham baked unleavened bread; and they did eat.

And when Abraham saw that the man blessed not God he said unto him, "Wherefore dost thou not worship the most high God, Creator of Heaven and Earth?"

And the man answered and said, "I do not worship the God thou speakest of, neither do I call upon His name, for I have made to myself a god which abideth always in my house and provideth me with all things."

And Abraham's zeal was kindled against the man; and he arose, and fell upon him, and drove him forth with blows into the wilderness.

And at midnight God called unto Abraham, saying, "Abraham, where is the stranger?"

And Abraham answered and said, "Lord, he would not worship Thee; neither would he call upon Thy name; therefore have I driven him out before my face into the wilderness."

And God said, "Have I borne with him these hundred ninety and eight years, and nourished him, and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me, and couldst not thou, who art thyself a sinner, bear with him one night?"

-BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

tarry: stay.-unleavened bread: bread that is baked without being lightened by yeast.

MARJORIE'S ALMANAC

Robins in the tree-top,

Blossoms in the grass;

Green things a-growing
Everywhere you pass;
Sudden little breezes;

Showers of silver dew;
Black bough and bent twig
Budding out anew;

Pine tree and willow tree,

Fringed elm, and larch,—

Don't you think that May-time's Pleasanter than March?

Apples in the orchard,

Mellowing one by one; Strawberries upturning

Soft cheeks to the sun; Roses faint with sweetness;

Lilies fair of face;

Drowsy scents and murmurs

Haunting every place; Lengths of golden sunshine;

Moonlight bright as day,

Don't you think that Summer's Pleasanter than May?

Roger in the corn-patch,
Whistling negro songs;
Pussy by the hearth-side
Romping with the tongs;
Chestnuts in the ashes

Bursting through the rind;
Red leaf and gold leaf

Rustling down the wind;
Mother "doin' peaches"

All the afternoon,

Don't you think that Autumn's

Pleasanter than June?

Little fairy snowflakes
Dancing in the flue;
Old Mr. Santa Claus,
What is keeping you?
Twilight and firelight;
Shadows come and go;
Merry chime of sleigh-bells

Tinkling through the snow;
Mother knitting stockings,

(Pussy's got the ball!)—

Don't you think that Winter's

Pleasanter than all?

-THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH.

larch: a tree that bears cones and has needles for leaves, but is not

evergreen.