alf wild with joy when
Minnie spread her new calico frock out for her to look at, and when she
saw the nice little bonnet, the new shoes, and many other things which
were meant for her. Mrs. Button was very thankful. And when aunt Amy
told her of certain plans, which she had arranged through Minnie's
mother, by which she would have employment, and when she placed a bank
bill in her hand as she arose to go, the poor woman was so overcome with
grateful feeling she could not speak. She modestly raised the hand of
her kind friend to her lips, kissed it, turned away, sunk into a seat,
and buried her face in her apron. Aunt Amy found her hand wet with the
poor woman's tears.

After they left the cottage, Arthur hurried to school. Aunt Amy and
Minnie walked leisurely, and, for a time, silently along. At last Minnie
said,--

"Aunt, I am very glad you came to see us."

"I believe you, Minnie, for you have given me full proof of that. But
why are you glad?"

"Because you have taught me how to be a sunbeam, and how to speak
golden words. I used to think a little girl, like me, could not do much
good. You have taught me that I may."

"I am glad to see you so willing to learn, Minnie. I hope you will try
to practise the precious lesson after I return home. Whatever your lot
in life may be, you must always try to be a sunbeam to others. I know a
poor old lady who is so lame she cannot leave her house; yet she not
only makes every one happy who comes near to her, but she contrives to
give a handsome little sum of money every year to benevolent objects."

"How can she do so, aunt, if she is poor?"

"She does it by the help of her dog."

"By the help of her dog!" exclaimed Minnie, laughing.

[Illustration]

"Yes; she has a little dog, named Fido. She has so trained the little
fellow that he brings home all the bones he finds in the street. These
she hoards very carefully, sells them at a junk shop, and gives away
the money."

"That is a capital scheme," said Minnie, clapping her hands, "but I
should never have thought of it."

"Perhaps not; but you may find other ways of gaining means to do good.
If not, you can make smiles serve for sunbeams, and gentle words will do
for gold."

"It makes me so happy to be kind, aunt Amy, I think I shall try to be so
always," said Minnie.

"Do, my dear child, and be kind to _every one_ with whom you have to
do."

"I must speak kindly to my enemies, too, mustn't I, aunt?"

"Yes, M