any dwelling-place
where help might be obtained. It was then that she saw just behind the
hill a small farmhouse surrounded by green meadows, and shut in on
every side by forest. Hastily running down the hill, she arrived at the
cottage out of breath, and with tears in her eyes asked assistance for
her old father. The farmer and his wife were kind-hearted people, and
were deeply touched at the sight of Mary's agony.

"Put the horse in the little waggon," said the farmer's wife to her
husband, "and we will bring this sick old man here."

When the horse was harnessed the farmer's wife put two mattresses, an
earthen pitcher of water, and a bottle of vinegar into the waggon. But
when Mary heard that the waggon would require to go round the hill, and
could not reach her father within half an hour, she took the water and
vinegar in her hand, and went by the short road across the hill in
order that she might the sooner minister to her father's needs. Greatly
to her joy, she found that her father had recovered a little and was
now sitting at the foot of a pine tree. The old man was greatly
relieved to see his daughter, whose absence had caused him deep
anxiety.

In a short time the waggon arrived with the farmer and his wife.
Placing James in the waggon they carried him to their home, where they
gave him a clean little room, and a closet and a kitchen which were
then unoccupied.

The old man's illness had been caused solely by insufficient food, want
of rest, and the fatigue of the journey. With great kindness, the good
farmer and his wife, who were poor people, sacrificed some of their
usual luxuries in order that they might have more money to spend on the
things which James required to restore him to his usual health. For
instance, they had been in the habit of taking a trip every year to a
fair in a neighbouring village; but when the time came round they
agreed to remain at home that they might save the cost of the journey,
and spend the money thus saved in procuring some delicacies to tempt
the old man's appetite. At this fresh proof of their kindness, Mary
thanked them with tears of gratitude in her eyes.

"Oh," said she, "truly there are kind people everywhere, and in the
most unlikely places we find compassionate hearts."

During the days when the old man was gradually recovering, Mary watched
constantly at his bedside. But with the habit of industry which she had
practised, she filled up these hours with working