indeed, mamma, would it not, if we were not distinguished at the exhibition?"

"To you, I fear it would."

"And not to you, mamma?" "No, scarcely to me; for I really consider the prize of very little consequence.

"Of very little consequence, of course, as regards the money; but the honor, mamma! the honor! I acknowledge I covet the honor.” "It is written, Thou shalt not covet."

"O, mamma, I would not dare to covet that to which we have no right; but we may certainly desire that which is honestly our own: and we must get the prize, for no one else is so well entitled to it."

But Augusta's mother did not

accord with her in opinion. She told her that the prize might be justly awarded to others, and that she considered it of little consequence who obtained it."

"If I felt as indifferent as you do, mamma,” said Augusta, a little piqued, "I would not send a flower to the exhibition."

"But I like to send my flowers. I wish to add to the beauty of the exhibition, and to have it as fine as possible. I think we should all endeavor to make it so independently of selfish reasons."

The foregoing words were scarcely uttered when John, the gardener, approached. He looked very red and angry; and coming near Augusta's mother, said, "Madam, there is a vile combination against us. We must open our eyes wide, and be as

cunning as they, or they will certainly succeed."

"Of whom are you talking, John, and what do you mean?" said the lady, while Augusta looked eager and surprised.

"The Mortons and the Vincents, madam, are combined against us. One is bent upon having the premium for vegetables, and the other for flowers; and they will have it, too, if we cannot manage to overreach them. They know that our flowers are finer, and our vegetables larger than theirs; and so an agreement has been made between them."

"You must be mistaken, John,' the lady answered; "I know Mr. Morton and Mr. Vincent too well to believe anything unneighborly or unkind of them."

"It is not the gentlemen them