Lucy Raymond; Or, The Children's Watchword

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er at Mill Bank Farm, and the younger Fords had agreed to meet them at the ravine, with their contribution of milk and cream, and various

lick Steele, or the "young doctor," as his old friends now began to call him, had been an acceptable guest at many a picnic and merry-making, but he

failing flow of animal spirits found a congenial outlet in any little extra excitement, especially when it was connected with the procuring of enjoyment for others. He and Harry were busy all Mon

frightened her so"-that, notwithstanding the raillery and the representations of Alick and Harry, it was evident that her pleasure would be spoiled if she were obliged to go by the field-path. Alick therefore had good-naturedly hunted up a boat, which would save them a long dusty wa

The water-party reached the mouth of the ravine considerably sooner than the others; and while awaiting their arrival, Alick rowed them to a little fairy islet near the shore, where they landed to explore it, and twine their hats with the graceful creepers and ferns growing a

charge of Harry, who was as eager for the water as a young duck; while Mrs. Steele, taking out her knitting, sat down be

, half hidden under their spreading leaves; and many an exclamation, half of annoyance, half of amusement, was uttered

claimed Harry, who, tired at last of boating, was pretending to

Alick oracularly. "You'll find, as you go along, there

if he had already learne

ed Fred to his cousin in an undertone. "My father says that sheet-anchor w

I can't say I belong to that happy number. Some time or other, perhaps. You know my

eason,' Alick," replied

ost strawberries? The premium is to be the fi

ceremony and mirth adjudged to Bessie

shoulder arms, that i

tablecloth spread on the turf, on which Mrs. Steele had arranged the tempting repast of pies and cakes, curds

cs. Even Stella, though she felt the whole affair-especially the presence of the farmer's children-rather below her dignity as an embryo city belle, gave herself up unrestrainedly to the enjoyment of the occasion, and was more natural and free from what Alick called "airs" than she had been at any time during her visit. But the party were quite unconscio

ng packed up by Mrs. Steele and the girls, Stella, who, not being inclined to as

"there is such a ragged, bold-looking little girl sitti

it's Nelly Connor!" she added as the little girl emerged from her hiding-place. "What can have brought her here? I'll get Aunt Mary to gi

" said Stella decidedly. "You are just encourag

brought up to look upon poverty and rags as something almost wicked in themselves, and had never realized that feelings the same as her own might lie under an exterior she despised. She had never been taught the meaning of "I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink." Lucy, on the contrary, had been

unday school; and Stella mentally put it down as another objection to going there, that it involved the possibility of such undesirable acquaintanceships. Alick was much interested in the little wanderer; and even after the rest had set off towards the farmhous

Ford's sleek, glossy black favourite; while Harry was, to his intense delight, cantering up a

ir coming in for a while. And before they took their leave she brought out her large family Bible for evening worship, with the request that Mr. Raymond wou

world would be found wanting. And after this life, what would be their condition who had made this world their portion, and had 'not remembered their Creator in the days of their youth?'" Doubt-less the thought of his own youthful circle, and of the strong, ruddy young Fords, all so full of health and life and j

ere temporal gifts-to the "love the Father hath bestowed, that we should be called the sons of God,"-showing how these privileges were to be grasped through faith in

and thoughtful; though who could tell whether the impression should be an abiding one, or should pass away like the "early dew?" Lucy and Bessie listened with real interest-the latter, especially, with mu

sister in need were read; but Stella looked placidly unconscious, and indeed her thoughts were far away,-conside

now wet with dew, while the others took the shortest cut to the river, where the boat was lying. Very little was said during most of the way, except some subdued exclamations of delight as they passed out from the deep shadow of the overhanging rocks i

d their unexpected guest. "I wonder how Nelly got ho

d be angry if she were out la

such a vagabond-looking child! I'm sure she was watching to see wh

"I don't believe Nelly would do any such thing! No wonder the poor child

ays it's best to keep such people down; for they're sure to impose on t

ly repressed the impulse, feeling that it would not sound very respectful t

y on the streets, listening to bad words and seeing all sorts of evil, without any one to say a kind word to you and teach you what is right?

lieve their stories," objec

en in, and I'm willing to stake my judgment on this being no sham. And ho

s her father

t home. They came to live here because it is che

her she can re

school in her life, nor at church either,

, "whether she understo

nt of the sermon as some other people," remarked Ali

louring; and, fortunately for her, Alick's attention was

ldren's party which the former was describing, Lucy remarked impatiently to

in a cold worldly atmosphere. As you know more of the world, Lucy, you

from one who did not profess to be a Christian, in one of a Christian's most important graces. But she accepted the rebuke, and she added to her evening prayer the petition that she migh

remarking that "he was awful tired, but there never had been a nicer picnic,"-the wear