LESSON XI.

KINDNESS.

Teachers' Reading.

Life of Christ.-Farrar.

Picture, "Jesus and the Woman of Samaria."

John 4: 1-43.

THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA.

The journey-Samaria-Jews and Samaritans unfriendlyWhy? Jesus sits down to rest-Woman comes to the well-request of Jesus--the conversation-surprise of disciples-Why?

PLAIN LITTLE PUG.

Her real name was Edith, but none of her brothers or sisters ever dreamt of calling her anything but Pug. She had received ber nickname very early in life, in fact, upon the occasion of her first introduction to her family. She was only a day old when nurse proudly displayed her, a cosv little bundle of flannel, to her eager brothers and sisters. She was small and red, with silky black hair and big wondering dark eyes. Her brother Maurice, a fat little boy of four, burst out excitedly-"Look, oh, look at its wee crumple nose! It's a darling, so it is; just exactly like a dear little pug puppy." From that day forward the baby was known as Pug, and as Pug she grew up to be an odd, dark, elfishlooking child, with great, burning, wistful eyes, a swarthy skin, and quantities of troublesome black hair.

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Pug was not strong, and when the others were romping and shouting, she would sit with a book in her lap, reading and dreaming alone. Among all her melancholy fancies the one which troubled her most was the idea that she was ugly. She had an intense love of beauty, and because the rest of the family were fair she fancied that no charm would be found in her little dark face.

Pug was often consumed by a fierce jealousy of Julie, her pretty little sister, whom she loved dearly at other times. Julie was so graceful, with her rippling hair and soft voice, such a favorite with the elder brothers and sisters, and even with the

nurse.

Pug was always imagining slights, and fancying that nobody loved her, not seeing that she never tried to be pleasant, helpful, or lovable, that she discouraged all attempts at friendliness by her cold, shy manner. Poor Pug!

One winter's day when she was about eight years old, Pug was sitting up in the window-seat, reading, and twisting a lock of hair round her little brown fingers, as she had a habit of doing. It was too wet to go out, so she was dressed in a washed-out Holland dress and little well-worn shoes, rubbed almost white at the

toes. The Raymonds were not rich, and few new clothes found their way to the nursery. Pug was deep in her book when Julie

came running into the room with sparkling eyes. "What do you think, Pug? A visitor is coming tomorrow to stay a week! He comes from Australia. Just fancy! And he hasn't been in England for years and years. Mother said so. Do you think he would p'r'haps give us chocolate like the last visitor that stayed here?"

"I don't know," said Pug slowly. There were SO many brothers and sisters that the nursery children seldom got presents of sweets or toys. Pug seldom got on well with strangers, who did not take to her as they did to Julie, and she did not expect to make friends with the Australian.

He came the next day-a big, bearded man, with a loud voice and a cheerful laugh. He had a pleasant, rugged face, with bright, kindly eyes, and when he took Pug's shy little hand in his great, strong, warm one, the child looked up at him with a timid liking just dawning in her strange, dark eyes. The small child had an odd fascination for the big Australian, and the two were soon fast friends. It was a new experience for Pug to be anyone's favorite, and it made her very happy. Her friend stayed for some time, and every day she grew to love and trust him more and more. He was very kind to the children. They called him Mr. Billy, for he had a very long and tiresome surname.

His visit was like a dream of delight to Pug. Sometimes he would take her out for a walk alone, and once they lunched at a confectioner's, and afterwards she was bowled smoothly along in a carriage, with Mr. Billy talking kindly at her side. How happy she was that day! The odd friendship amused every one, and pleased Mrs. Raymond, who had a very soft corner in her heart for wayward little Pug.

As for the child herself, she was never shy with Mr. Billy, and one day he somehow discovered the reason of Pug's gloomy solitude in the nursery. He listened gravely, but with an occasional sudden twinkle in his eyes, to Pug's complaints of her uglines, her dissatisfaction with the little, odd, dark face which had attracted him from the first.

They were walking together when Pug made her little moan, and that evening she was very late for supper. Nurse wondered where she was, but Julie observed a little wistfully, "She's out with Mr. Billy."

Pug went to bed early that night, for she wanted to think about his advice. It was so nice to nestle down contentedly in her little cozy bed and watch the firelight flickering on the ceiling while she thought rapturously of Mr. Billy's sympathy and love. He said that she reminded him of a young sister of his who had died. She had not been an actually pretty girl, but the beauty

of her soul had been reflected in her face, and had made it the sweetest face in the world to many men and women who had loved her.

Mr. Billy's eyes had been bright with tears when he spoke of her, and he had inspired Pug with a longing for this loveliness, the truest and best in the world. How little she had ever tried to please the others! She could not remember a single instance when she had sacrificed herself in the slightest degree for them. She seldom joined in their games, she was cross and impatient when they disturbed her. Could she wonder if they did not love her as she wished? She was often unkind to Julie-Julie, who was so sweet and faithful always. Pug sobbed and slipped gently out of bed. She heard her sister's soft, regular breathing as she crossed the floor. Julie lay fast asleep, her flushed cheek buried in the fair hair which shone like a golden mist in the dim firelight. Pug kissed the warm, parted lips-she was not jealous now. On her knees beside her sleeping sister, the child asked God to give her strength to live a beautiful life. She could not explain it in words, but her heart was praying for a loving influence whose sweetness would remain with her brothers and sisters all their lives.

For some days all went smoothly with Pug. Her friendship with Mr. Billy made her a person of importance in the nursery, and she found it quite easy to be good-tempered and sociable. Then Mr. Billy went away, and Pug was in despair. He went to Paris, leaving to the children happy memories of sweets and puzzles, and visits to the circus.

But to Pug he left more. One the day of his departure he gave her a little miniature, a sweet girl's face framed in brilliants. It was his young sister who had died, and Mr. Billy had had it copied from a portrait of his own.

"I shall look at it whenever I feel cross and horrid," whispered Pug, as she said good-bye to her friend. "Thank you very much,

and I do love you, dear-dear Mr. Billy."

When he was gone the child was very lonely, but she tried hard to interest herself in others and think less of herself.

But one day, about a fortnight ofter Mr. Billy had left, Pug lost her temper and struck Julie. Mrs. Raymond was out all day, but in the evening she entered the room with a happy smile on her face. She did not notice Julie's red eyes and Pug's defiant expression, nor that they were seated far apart, but began at once

"Julie and Pug, here's a delightful invitation for you to go to a children's party at Mrs. Glenville's next week!"

Both the little girls forgot their quarrel and jumped up. Pug clapped her hands, but practical Julie said slowly, "How can we go, mother? You know you said you couldn't get us new dresses

this winter, and our old ones are too shabby to wear. Besides, Pug spilt lemonade all over hers at the last party we went to."

"Ah, but you don't know all my news yet," replied the mother, with a happy laugh. "Come down to my bedroom, both of you, and see what is lying on the bed."

"Oh, what?" cried both children in a breath, as they hurried down stairs.

"Something which came by mail a few minutes ago-something which came from Paris from Mr. Billy," said Mrs. Raymond, still smiling.

Julie and Pug ran up to the bed, and then stood still in a perfect ecstacy. Two dresses lay there-soft, gauzy clouds-but it was upon the nearest one that both pairs of eyes were riveted in breathless admiration. This dress was pink, of the most beauti

ful shade.

"Which is for which ?" was the children's first question.

The other dress was not nearly so attractive to a child, although really quite as pretty. It was a soft, clear yellow, trimmed with silk of a beautiful bronze shade. "Mr. Billy writes," said Mrs. Raymond, "that he saw these dresses, and simply could not resist them. They are exactly the same size, and so are you, and therefore one of you must choose. I think they will just fit you. Julie chose between the two dolls auntie sent at Christmas, so it is Pug's turn now."

Julie's face flushed scarlet with anxiety, but she bravely looked away from Pug. She longed desperately for the pink dress, but she thought it was most probable that Pug did so, too. And Pug stood silently there with all sorts of conflicting feelings surging wildly in her heart. To her the yellow and brown dress looked almost ugly beside the glowing pink. It was so seldom, too, that the little Raymonds got new dresses, that this was no ordinary choice. Pug scarcely glanced at the yellow one; the glory of the pink fascinated her, and she could hardly turn her eyes from it. But already she was resolving to do so. She was

trying to ask herself what Mr. Billy's sister would have done. Ah! she knew it well. She thought of the many presents she had received from Mr. Billy in which Julie did not share; and Julie had been so sweet and sympathizing, never showing jealousy as Pug herself would have done.

"Now, Pug, decide quickly," said her mother's cheerful voice, but Pug had already decided. There were tears in her eyes, and she felt half-choked, but she said steadily, "I should like the yellow one, please."

It

Julie flung her arms around Pug's neck. "Oh, I am so glad you like it best." she cried. "I was hoping so for the pink. is perfectly lovely."

"So is mine," said Pug bravely, and no one noticed the break.

in her voice. Julie must never know, or all the pleasure of her dress would be spoilt. When both dresses had been admired by the whole household and were folded carefully away, the little ache left Pug's heart, and she felt peaceful and happy. The sacrifice had been very hard, all the more because she had to appear as if there was no sacrifice at all. Everyone thought that Pug preferred the yellow dress, and she was determined they should never think otherwise.

All the week she was gentle and good, and at last the day of the party came. Julie looked radiant in the pink dress, which showed off her fair skin and golden hair.

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When Pug was dressed she looked eagerly at her quaint little figure in the glass in her mother's room, where they were waiting. A sudden flush overspread her features. She saw that she looked better than she had ever done before. She did not know reason, but her mother noticed the soft light shining in her dark eyes, and saw that the clear yellow color of the dress suited her well. "I am proud of my little daughters," she said, as she kissed them, and Pug saw the tender appreciation in her eyes as she stroked her dusky hair. "I hope you will enjoy yourselves, and be very good."

They did enjoy themselves; in fact, Pug thought there never was such a party. They danced, and laughed and chattered to their heart's content, and came home glowing with pleasure, though very tired. Pug passed her eldest brother Tom on her way upstairs, and he stopped short with a little whistle of astonishment. "Upon my word, Pug, you do look jolly!" he said briefly, with a sudden kiss on the top of her ear, and Pug's bliss was complete.---Selected.

Jesus speaks to the people-teaches them to be merciful (5: 7)-to love their enemies (5: 43-48)-how to pray (6:5-13) --forgiveness (6: 14, 15)-the Golden Rule (7: 12).