she was of some use in the world, some one loved her. She gratefully opened out her petals and breathed forth her sweetest perfume till evening, and then slowly drooped her head and died.

motion, movement. suddenly, unexpectedly. unheeded, not noticed.

precious, very valuable.

un-com-fort-a-ble rip-pling

pave-ment sur-round-ed

fondled, handled with love.

fragrance, perfume. gratefully, thankfully.

pleas-ant o-pen-ed

pro-tect-ing pre-ci-ous sweet-est

en-joy-ing length droop-ed

Who had bought the bunch in which the little violet was? What happened to the violets as she carried them? Who picked up the violet that the little girl had thrown down? What did she say? What did she do with it when she got home? What did the violet do to show her gratitude? What took place in the evening?

THE VIOLET.

1. Down in a green and shady bed
A modest violet grew,

Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,
As if to hide from view.

2. And yet it was a lovely flower,
Its colour bright and fair;

It might have graced a rosy bower.
Instead of hiding there

3. Yet there it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed;

And there diffused a sweet perfume
Within the silent shade.

4. Then let me to the valley go,
This pretty flower to see;
That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.

THE ALARUM CLOCK.

1. A lady, who found it difficult to awake as early as she desired in the morning, purchased an alarum clock. This kind of clock is so contrived as to strike with a very loud whizzing noise at any time the owner pleases.

2. The lady placed the clock near the head of the bed, and at the appointed time she found herself fully aroused by the loud rattling sound. She immediately obeyed the summons, and felt the better all day for her early rising.

3. This continued for several weeks. The alarum clock faithfully performed its office, and was distinctly heard, so long as it was promptly obeyed. But, after a time, the lady grew tired of early rising, and, when awakened by the noisy monitor, merely turned herself, and slept again.

4. In a few days the clock ceased to arouse her from her slumber. It spoke just as loudly as ever, but she did not hear it, because she had acquired the habit of disobeying it.

5. Finding that she might just as well be without an alarum clock, she formed the wise resolution, that if she ever heard the sound again, she would jump up instantly, and she would never allow herself to disobey the friendly warnings.

6. Just so it is with conscience. If we obey its dictates, even to the most trifling particulars, we always hear its voice clear and strong. But if we allow ourselves to do what we fear is not quite

right, we shall grow more and more sleepy, until the voice of conscience has no longer any power to

What did the lady buy? When does it strike? Where did she place the clock? What did she do when she heard the alarum? How long did she continue to do this? What did the lady do after a time? Why did she not hear the alarum? What wise resolve did she make? How does conscience speak to us if we obey it? When does conscience lose its power over us?

ALI THE BOY CAMEL-DRIVER.

PART I.

1. Hassan was a camel-driver who dwelt at Gaza. It was his business to go with caravans backwards and forwards, across the desert to Suez to take care of the camels of travelling merchants. Hassan had a wife and one young son, called Ali.

2. Hassan had been absent for many weeks, when his wife received from him a message, brought by

another camel-driver, who returned with a caravan from Suez. It said: "Send the boy with the camel to Suez with the next caravan that starts from Gaza. I have some merchandise to bring home, and I will stop at Suez till he comes."

3. Ali's mother prepared to obey the message. She grieved at the thought of sending her young son away to such a distance for the first time; but she said to herself that Ali was now quite old enough to be helping his father, and she immediately set about doing what was required for his journey. Ali got out the housings for the camel, and looked to the water-skins to see that they did not leak. His mother mended a rent in Ali's tunic, and bought him a new pair of slippers. She did all that was needed to make him quite ready the moment she knew that a caravan was about to start.

4. Ali was delighted to think that he was to go to his father, and that at last the day was come when he too was to be a camel-driver, and to take a journey with the dear old camel which he was so fond of. He had long wanted to ride on his back across the desert, and to lie down by his side when they rested at night. He had no fear.

5. The camel, which belonged to Hassan, and of which Ali was so fond, had been bought with the savings of many a year's hard work, and formed the sole riches of the family. It almost, indeed, caused Hassan to be looked upon as quite a rich man by the other camel-drivers, and Ali, besides having a great love for the animal itself, was proud of his father being a camel owner. He fed the