"for you know by experience- it is the way to be happy in this world. Those who are so selfish that they never wish to do good to others, should not expect to taste the highest enjoyment. God has so ordered that those who strive, without selfishness, to help others, shall, at the same time, help themselves."

Mrs. Stewart embraced us both, and now shed tears of joy. "God bless you, my dear children!" she said, fervently; "and, with your love, I will try to forget the anguish and sorrows of the past."

We spent the remainder of the evening in pleasant and profitable conversation; and when I retired to my bed, that night, I felt that I had great reason to be thankful, in spite of the thick gloom which had hitherto enshrouded my life. O, that there were more faithful and loving hearts in this beautiful world of ours! Where truth and love dwell there is pure joy.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE DEATH OF LITTLE KATY.

MRS. STEWART had been with us but a few months, when I received a letter from sister Jane, announcing the death of little Katy. Here is the letter :

"DEAR HENRI: I have sad news for Mrs. Stewart. "Little Katy is dead! The poor, dear thing always had "a sad look; but, after Mrs. Stewart left us, she seemed "sadder than ever. I tried to comfort the little mourner, "and cheer her drooping spirits; but all in vain. She "would nestle close to my heart, and seem to feel safe

there; but, at the same time, large tears would roll "down her pale cheeks. She never seemed like other "children; and how different she was from her brothers "and sisters! She always shrank from them, as if they "L were her mortal enemies. Her father's presence 'became so insupportable that she almost went into fits "when she heard him approaching. Day after day she grew sadder and weaker; and she clung so closely to me "that I loved her as though she had been my own sister. "O, how affectionate she was! Can it be,' I thought,

"that she is the child of Deacon Webber? How unlike ፡፡ him, how unlike the rest of the family!' I have "since learned that Mrs. Webber was a kind-hearted and "affectionate woman; but she had very little energy, and "she stood in great fear of her husband. The education "which her children received, the treatment of children "who lived there, broke her heart; and, when death

came, she welcomed it as a messenger of mercy,—only "regretting that she must leave little Katy behind, to the "tender mercies of her unfeeling father. Well might "she regret, well might she pray to live! But she felt "that to live would be in vain; for Katy's mind and "heart must be moulded by other hands than her own. "Like her other children, she would only live to see her warm affections chilled, her gentle nature hardened. "Must an unregenerate woman be left to guide the footsteps of a child of one of the elect? No, no! fond "mother, you would jeopardize your child's soul!

"When the deacon saw how pale and sickly little Katy "looked, he blamed himself for having neglected her so “ long. 'Mrs. Stewart,' said he, 'has ruined the child, "soul and body! She shall not be made a fool of any

“

'longer. She must have exercise, and good, strong, "wholesome food. Salt pork, beef, cabbage, potatoes "and coarse bread, will make her strong and well.' I was forced to stand and look on, and see him attempt "to apply his remedies. Before sunrise in the morning

"he would make her leave her bed and take a long walk,

even when the cold easterly winds chilled her through “and through. At such times, she would return shaking "with cold, her face wet with the burning tears of intense "suffering; even then, she must not go to the fire, for "it was not wholesome. The deacon threatened in vain; "the tears would flow. At breakfast, he would try to "force her to eat a hearty meal of detestable salt pork, "fat beef, or something, if possible, equally repugnant to

a sick child. With all the terror which he inspired, "he could make her eat but little. In vain she tried to "force it down; her poor, weak stomach would not receive "it. After breakfast he would set her to sweeping, and "the dust, with his tobacco-smoke, would bring on a "violent fit of coughing. That, he said, was good for "her, as it would start the phlegm from the lungs.

"After Mrs. Stewart left, she slept with me, until her "father had taken her under his especial care; then he "would not permit it, and for a time she slept alone. "You will not be surprised to learn, that after all this "had been done, she failed faster than ever. One morn"ing, she was unable to leave her bed, and I took her in 'my arms and carried her and laid her in my own. The "deacon was incensed when he learned what I had done; "but when he came into the room, she so screamed with "affright, and clung with such tenacity to my neck, that "he thought it best to leave her to my care, muttering, as

"he departed, that the child was ruined. I now had the "sole care of her; and so affectionate and so grateful was "the dear little thing, that I was as loth to leave her bed"side as she was to have me. One evening she looked

"at me very earnestly, and said,

"Jane, I shall die before many days!" 'I hope not,' I replied.

"think you shall die?'

'But what makes you

"Because I have been sick so long.' After a short pause, she continued, 'I dreamed, just now, that I died, "and my body was put in the ground, but my soul went "to heaven; and I felt very happy, for I saw my mamma, "that you told me of last night!'

"You must not think that you will die, because you "dreamed that you were dead. People often dream that "they are dead, and live many years after.'

"Yes, but I shall not. I shall never be well again.' "Do you wish to die?'

"Yes; if I can go to heaven, where dear mamma is.'

"Do you wish to leave me?'

"No, dear Jane!' she replied, placing her arms "around my neck, 'but father!' and she looked around "as though she feared he might be listening, 'I want to "die, and go away from him! O, I hope he won't come "to heaven!'

"You should not hope so, Katy; for, if he goes to "heaven, he will be better than he is now.'