Jamie was called home, and Cissy came into the house. The tired little
eyes were growing drowsy and the soft curls drooped over the nodding
head when mamma undressed her little girl to make her ready for bed.
Then Cissy knelt beside her little bed and repeated the prayer she had
been taught: "Now, I lay me down to sleep," and "God bless papa and
mamma and everybody, and make Cissy a good girl." But when she had
done she did not rise as usual; looking up earnestly at her mother, she
said: "Please, mamma, I want to pray my own prayer now." Then folding
her little hands, the sweet childish voice took on an earnestness it
had not shown before, as she said: "Dear Father in heaven, I thank you
for making Jamie, and 'cause his mamma let him come in my yard to play.
Please make lots more Jamies," and with this sincere expression of her
grateful heart, and her loving recognition that all our blessings come
from the Father above, the tired, happy little girl was ready for bed,
and soon asleep.

Moses lay sleeping contentedly on the rug beside the princess' little
bed. He too had had a happy day. I wonder if he had any way to
express his thankfulness to his Creator, the same Father in heaven to
which Cissy prayed, for the love and companionship of his little
playfellows, and for the bright, happy day he had spent? I believe he
had. What do you think about it?




THE WINTER'S TALE.

AS TOLD BY MARY SEYMOUR.