d? If thou wilt confess that thou didst unlock the forbidden
door, then will I restore to thee both thy sons." But the Queen again
answered, "No, I did not open it;" and at these words she sank upon the
earth, and her third child was taken from her.

When this was rumored abroad the next day, all the people exclaimed,
"The Queen is a murderess; she must be condemned;" and the King could
not this time repulse his councillors. Thereupon a trial was held, and
since the Queen could make no good answer or defence, she was condemned
to die upon a funeral pile. The wood was collected; she was bound to
the stake, and the fire was lighted all around her. Then the iron
pride of her heart began to soften, and she was moved to repentance;
and she thought, "Could I but now, before my death, confess that I
opened the door!" And her tongue was loosened, and she cried aloud,
"Thou good Angel, I confess." At these words the rain descended from
heaven and extinguished the fire; then a great light shone above, and
the Angel appeared and descended upon the earth, and by her side were
the Queen's two sons, one on her right hand and the other on her left,
and in her arms she bore the new-born babe. Then the Angel restored to
the Queen her three children, and loosening her tongue promised her
great happiness and said, "Whoeverwill repent and confess their sins,
they shall be forgiven."

SHOW YOUR COLORS.

BY REV. C. H. MEAD.

I was riding on the train through the eastern section of North
Carolina. Nothing can be flatter than that portion of the country,
unless it be the religious experience of some people. The rain was
pouring down fast, and, for a person so inclined, not a better day and
place for the blues could be found. Looking out of the car windows
brought nothing more interesting to view than pine trees, bony mules
and razor-back hogs. Groups of men, white and black, gathered at each
station to see the train arrive and depart. Each passenger that
entered brought in more damp, moisture and blues.

Two men at last came in and took the seat in front of me. Shortly
after, one of them took a bottle from his pocket, pulled the cork, and
handed the bottle to his companion. He took a drink, and the smell of
liquor filled the car. Then the first one took a drink, and back and
forth the bottle passed, until at last it was empty and they were full.
Then one of them commenced swearing, and such blasphemy I never heard