gy that Tim looked
up astonished.

"I've made up my mind, Tim, to have a pig. I've been a fool, and
thank'ee for as good as tellin' of me;" and then, as if afraid to trust
himself to say more, he turned away to his work.

That night he and his wife, in the course of a long conversation, not
necessary to record here, made certain resolves; two of which were never
to spend any money in beer, and to try and do their duty better to each
other and their children than they ever had done.

In future years they never ceased to be thankful for the promises then
made, which, being faithfully kept, bore fruit in a happy home, and the
envied worldly prosperity which was their neighbour's.

[Illustration]

THE MOTHER'S MISTAKE.

HALF a dozen little children brimful of life and frolic, a delicate
wailing infant, an indolent maid of all work, and a careworn anxious
mother, wearied with sleepless nights and the burden of domestic cares!

"Poor thing! no wonder you look exhausted!" said a friend who had
called, and was listening with a sympathetic ear to the story of a
woman's fretting cares and heavy responsibilities.

"I wouldn't mind if only my health were vigorous, and I had physical
strength to face life bravely," sighed Mrs. Stewart in reply.

"Do let me beg you to take all the care of yourself that you can. You
must think not only of the present, but of the future, for these little
ones who need such unceasing toil now will want your loving thought and
oversight for many years to come; and for their sake, and your
husband's, it is your bounden duty to stimulate your flagging energies
and strengthen your system to meet the constant demand upon it," was the
response.

"How can I?" despairingly asked Mrs. Stewart; "you see baby, poor little
fellow, fills my arms night and day, and seldom gives me a chance of
taking proper rest."

"I know of only one way in which, overtaxed as you are, you can prevent
yourself from breaking down under such pressure, and that is, by taking
stimulants in one form or another. When you feel nervous and depressed,
don't hesitate to take a glass of wine, and before commencing your
dinner and supper take a little malt liquor to give you an appetite, for
after attending to the children's wants I am sure you must feel
disinclined to eat anything yourself."

"Yes, I am often unable to eat a mouthful of solid food; but thanks for
your advice; I will try what a little stimulant will