A WISE CAT.

No. 12.

Colonel Stuart Wortley, an English officer, tells the following story of a cat whose acquaintance he uade during the Cri

mean war :

"After the French troops had taken the Malakoff, I was sent into it on duty, and found an unhappy cat bayoneted through the foot, and pinned to the ground. I took her to my tent, she was carefully tended, and every morning taken to the doctor to have her wound attended to. Four or five days after I was too ill one morning to get up, and puss came and scratched at my tent door. I took no notice; but not long afterwards the doctor came to say that mine was a wise cat, for she had come to his tent and sat quietly down for her foot to be examined, and have its usual bandaging. She was watched to see what she would do the next morning; but she declined wasting her time scratching for me, and went straight to the doctor's tent and scratched there. She was a very affectionate animal; and it was absurd to see her following me all over the camp with her tail carried stiff in the air."

DOING GOOD.

A few years since, a wealthy gentleman of Paris, who lived in idleness, at length became weary of life, and left his house one evening, with the intention of drowning himself in the river Seine; it being yet twilight when he arrived at its bark, he concluded to walk about a short time, till it was darker, so that he should not be discovered. While thus engaged, he put his hand in his pocket, and felt a purse, which was filled, with gold; he concluded to go and find some poor family, and give it to them, as it would do no one any good, if he cast himself into the river with the money. He soon found a dwelling that bespoke poverty within; he entered it, and there he beheld the mother of the family stretched on a bed of sickness, and six children in rags, and crying for bread. He gave them his purse of gold, and immediately their tears of sorrow were transformed into tears of joy; and their gratitude was so ardent and simple to their benefactor, as to fill his heart with joy and peace; and he exclaimed, "I did not know that there was so much happiness in doing good. I abandon the idea of killing myself. and will devote the remnant of my life to doing good." He did so, and was much distinguished for his deeds of benevolence.

RALPH'S CHRISTMAS.

How the bleak wind whistled down the moor, and how cold felt little Ralph, as he hurried towards the village of Blentley, on Christmas eve.

It was as much as the little fellow could do to stand against the furious blast; but he carried a stout heart underneath his plaid waistcoat, thin and poor as it was ; and, with a sick sister at home, he was determined to reach the apothecary's before the store was closed, and carry back to suffering Annie the medicine she so much needed.

The quaint old Scotch town was alive with visitors when Ralph reached its outskirts, and while engaged in watching its busy inhabitants the poor boy forgot that he was both cold and hungry, for he had never seen such beautiful shops before, and could not be tired while peering within their bright windows Garlands of holly, with their bright red berries, encircled dolls of every description, in their gay holiday costumes, while every imaginable toy little Ralph confidently believed he had now saw

before him

Ever and anon some happy child would issue from the doors, laden with gifts, while the grown people seemed to have more bundles than they could carry. Everywhere were to be seen tall Christmas trees, which Ralph well knew were soon to be laden with beautiful balls and flags, horns of sugar-plums, and fine fruits of every description.

It made his little heart ache, to think of all the happiness in store for hundreds of children that night; but it was not his own fate alone that he deplored, for Ralph was an unselfish child, and desired gifts more for the dear ones at home than for

himself.

At last the tired boy reached the apothecary's and having carefully placed the bottle of medicine within his pocket, he sat down on a stone near a store to take a parting glance at all the treasures within. He felt sad enough before, but the sight of two boys, one with a fine new sleigh, just such as he had often wished to ride his little sister on, and the other with a splendid pair of skates, which to use one single day himself would be the greatest of treats, quite overpowered him; and, thinking himself entirely alone, the little fellow sobbed aloud.

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Heigho! What's all this noise about?" said a strange but pleasant-looking gentleman to the boy, as he patted him on the shoulder, and told him to stand up like a man and say what

ailed him.

arms around his new friend, with a heart too full for words. he drove the child home over the desolate moor, in his own fine "Will mother welcome me, too?" said Mr. McDonaid as coach.

'Indeed she will," was the reply, "and here we are at the door"

It touched the good man's heart, to see the real poverty within, which he thanked God for enabling him to relieve. he and his brothers danced around the table which the stranger's "Now we shall all keep Christmas," said little Ralph, as bounty had filled; for within the coach were stowed away hams and bacon, and every variety of fruit and candies, to be brought forth at his command.

Little Annie was raised from her couch, to join in the festivities, nor did the rich stranger hesitate to unite with them at the joyous supper, and wish them all a merry Christmas, before he took his departure.

How the inmates of the cottage thanked him in their hearts, and how happy he felt himself, my little readers can readily imagine.

mas,

At this season, when so many are unable to keep Christlet us all try to make at least one family happy, and then selves.-Mrs. G. N. Richardson, in Child at Home. we shall delight in this joyous season, and be really happy our

ers.

THE YOUNG MERCHANTS.

Two country lads came at an early hour to a market town, and arranging their little stands, sat down to wait for customOne was furnished with fruits and vegetables of the boy's The market hours passed along, and each little merchant saw own cultivation, and the other supplied with lobsters and fish. with pleasure his stores steadily decreasing, and an equivalent The last melon lay in silver shining in his little money cup. on Harry's stand, when a gentleman came by, and placing his hand upon it, said: "What a fine, large melon! What do you ask for it, my boy?

"The melon is the last I have, sir; and though it looks very fair, there is an unsound spot in it," said the boy, turning

it over.

But," he added, looking into the boy's fine, open countenance, "So there is," said the man; "I think I will not take it. is it very business-like to point out the defects of your fruit

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to customers?

It is better than being dishonest," said the boy, modestly. "You are right, little fellow; always remember that prin

"I

When the grand gentleman bade him speak, he did so. was crying, sir, because every body keeps Christmas but us. Father is dead and sister is sick, and we have no money for presents, and I was only wishing we could have some," replied the brave boy, as he manfully brushed away the tears that he could not keep from chasing each other down his cheeks. Is that all?" said the pleasant-looking gentleman; "and do you think you would be happy if you had as many presents as you could carry? Well now, come into this store, and tell me what you like best."

Could it be possible that Ralph might actually enter the charmed building, and look at all those splendid gifts! Yes, and handle them also; for the storekeeper was only too happy to display his treasures to the good Mr. McDonald, the richest man in all Blentley.

It took a good half-hour to lade the child, who, to his praise be it said, when left to make his own choice, selected most for the dear ones at home. At first, his choice was among the modest gifts; but his companion insisted that the boy should take just what he liked; and soon a warm cloak and hood for mother, a new dress for Annie, toys for the boys, and the prettiest of dolls for his little baby sister were placed in the collection; while his kind benefactor added a fine sleigh and a pair of skates for himself, exactly similar to those he had so envied. As the grateful boy realized that these fine gifts were his own, he could scarcely express his thanks, and he threw his

ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER.

'Twas the eve before Christmas, "Good night" had been said, And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;

There were tears on their pillows, and tears in their eyes,
And each little bosom was heaving with sighs,

For to-night their stern father's command had been given,
That they should retire precisely at seven

Instead of at eight; for they troubled him more

With questions unheard of, than ever before.

He told them he thought this delusion a sin,

No such being as 'Santa Claus' ever had been;

And he hoped after this, he should never more hear

How he scrambled down thimneys, with presents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly toss'd on their soft downy beds.
Eight-nine-and the clock on the steeple toll'd ten;
Not a word had been spoken between them till then ;
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered "Dear Annie, is you fast asleep?"
"Why no, brother Willie," a sweet voice replies,
I've been trying in vain, but I can't shut my eyes,
For somehow it makes me sorry, because
Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus.'
Now we know that there is-and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died.

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But then I've been thinking that she used to pray;
And God would hear everything inamma would say.
And perhaps she asked Him to send Santa Claus' here,
With the sack full of presents he brought every year.
"Well, why can't we pray dest as mamma did then,
And ask Dod to send him with presents aden?"
"I've been thinking so, too"-and without a word more,
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,

And two tiny hands were clasped to each breast.

Now, Willie, you know, we must firmly believe

That the presents we ask for we're sure to receive;
You must wait just as still till I say the Amen,'

And by that you will know that your turn has come then.
Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we're asking of Thee,

I want a wax dolly, a tea-set and ring,

And an ebony work-box that shuts with a spring ;
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see

"Please, Desus, 'et 'Santa Taus' tum down to-night And bring us some presents before it is 'ight;

I want he should dive me a nice little sled,

With bright shining runners, and all painted 'ed

A box full of tandy, a book and a toy,

Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be a dood boy."

Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads,
And with hearts light and cheerful, again sought their beds.
They were soon lost in slumber, both peaceful and deep,
And with fairies in Dreamland were roaming in sleep.
Eight-nine-and the little French clock had struck ten.
Ere the father had thought of his children again.
He seems now to hear Annie's half-suppressed sigh,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue eye.

I was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said,
"And I should not have sent them so early to bed;
But, then I was troubled, my feelings found vent,
For bank stock to-day has gone down ten per cent.
But, of course, they've forgotten their troubles ere this,
And that I denied them the thrice asked-for kiss;
But just to make sure, I'll steal up to their door,
For I never spoke harsh to my darlings before."
So saying, he softly ascended the stairs,

And arrived at the door, to hear both their prayers;
His Annie's" bless papa," draws forth the big tears,
And Willie's grave promise falls sweet on his ears.
"Strange, strange, I'd forgotten," said he, with a sigh,
"How I longed, when a child, to have Christmas draw nigh.
I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed."
Then he turn'd to the stairs, and softly went down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in the street-
millionnaire-facing the cold, driving sleet;
Nor stopped he, until he had bought everything,
To the box full of candy, the tiny gold ring;
Indeed he kept adding so much to his store

A

That the various presents outnumbered a score,
Then homeward he turned, with his holiday load,
And with Aunt Mary's help, in the nursery twas stowed
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree
By the side of a table, spread out for her tea!
A work-box, well filled, in the centre was laid,
And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed;
There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing to
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree;
While "Santa Claus," laughing stood up in the tor
As if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed
He tho't for his trouble he'd been amply repaid,
And he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear
"I'm happier to-night than I've been for a yea
I've enjoyed more true pleasure than ever befo
What care I if bank stock fell ten per cent. v
Hereafter, I'll make it a rule, I believe,
To have Santa Claus' visit us each Christ
So thinking, he gently extinguished the lis
And tripped down the stairs to retire for t'
As soon as the beams of the bright morni
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opene
And at the same moment the presents
Then out of their beds they sprang w
And the very gifts pray'd for were al'
They laughed and they cried, in the
And shouted for "Papa" to come
What presents "Santa Claus " br
(Just the things that they wanted

And now," added Annie, in v You'll believe there's a' San While dear little Willie climb Determined no secret between And told in soft whispers hor That their blessed mamma, f Used to kneel down and pra And that God up in Heave "Then we dot up and pr