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JOHN'S NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

IT was a few days before Christmas, and a stout, rather clumsy-looking boy, with a grocer's basket on his arm, was standing at the window of a large linendraper's shop. He was looking very earnestly at the display of winter clothing. Shawls, mantles, and stuffs were mingled with gay ribbons, and gloves, and worked collars. Perhaps you will wonder, as two young ladies wondered who stood near him, what business he had with such things. "What can that boy want here ?" said one of them, No. 217. JANUARY, 1863.

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half aloud, to the other. "That boy" heard what she said, and he coloured, and moved away. But as he trudged along the street, carrying his heavy basket, his thoughts were still with the tempting window which he had just left.

Now, boys, you need not laugh at him, for he was quite as manly as any of you are. He was a capital hand at cricket; he could drive a horse and cart; and he earned his own living. Nor was he ashamed to be seen once a week going to the Sunday school; and he read his Bible regularly every day. I know many lads that think a great deal of themselves who have not the courage to do this. Was not this boy braver than they?

His name was John Lester. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. When her husband died, she had herself and five little children to work and care for. John was the eldest; the others were girls. She was a good mother to them all, and had done the best she could for them. They had been trained in good habits, and brought up in the fear of God.

As soon as John was old enough, he began to earn something. He did not, of course, get much at first, but in a large family every little helps. And now, through the good word of his Sunday school teacher, he had obtained a very nice situation at Mr. Foster's, the grocer. His wages just kep himself, and they were to be raised every half year, if he conducted himself properly.

But there was not much to spare at present out of his money for clothes. Good strong boots he

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