their fortunes must learn to bear pain."

One of Alan's plans was to find a treasure; and, as they had neither
spade nor pickaxe with them to dig for gold, he thought the best way
would be for them to find a bag of money. Amy said, if they found a bag
of money, she should like to take Dolly some. This being generously
agreed to by Alan and Owen, they proceeded with their plan.

Alan took Amy's handkerchief, and tied up some grass in it. He then told
Owen to go on a little way and drop it; and this Owen did. "Hi!" cried
Alan, when he came up to the spot: "what have we here? Who would have
thought that a merchant would have dropped a bag of money in such a
place as this?"

All at once Owen and Amy bethought themselves that they had no right to
the gold, as it belonged to the merchant who had lost it; but Alan met
this objection by saying that they could easily inquire for the merchant
as they went along, and give up the money if they found him. Thus
pacified, Owen and Amy allowed Alan to lift the heavy bag of money into
the basket: this he seemed to do with great difficulty.

But how was the basket to be carried with so heavy a weight in it? Said
Alan, "Where there is a will, there is a way." A stick was procured, and
passed through the handle of the basket, one end of it resting on Owen's
shoulder, and the other end on the shoulder of Amy.

Alan with his leg tied up, leaning on his stick for support, hobbled
onward; and Owen and Amy appeared to toil with might and main, bending
under their load.

They had almost come to the turn by the birch-trees, when suddenly Dash,
their own favorite dog, came barking joyfully towards them. At that very
moment their parents were waiting for them with the pony-chaise at the
end of the lane.

No sooner did our little fortune-seekers set eyes on the pony-chaise
than off they set in a scamper, strangely forgetful of what had passed.
It was wonderful to see how nimble Alan was in spite of his wounded leg;
and with what ease Owen and Amy ran along with that heavy load of gold,
which before had well-nigh weighed them down to the ground.

THE LITTLE STEPMOTHER.

THE little stepmother, with her blue eyes and rosy cheeks, sat in the
yard, surrounded by her pets, and busily paring some apples.

From heaven blew the morning wind, and greeted the lovely child: "Little
stepmother, I will by thee remain: I will make the time pass merrily for
thee, and cool thy red cheeks. Dost tho