And I wish He'd come and take me
In His arms that I might sleep.

Just before the lamp was lighted—
Just before the children came-
When the room was very quiet,

I heard some one call my name;
All at once the window open'd,

In a field were lambs and sheep; Some from out a brook were drinking, Some were lying fast asleep!

But I could not see the Saviour,
Though I strain'd my eyes to see,

And I wonder'd if He saw me,
If He'd speak to such as me!

On a sudden I was gazing,

On a world so bright and fair;

It was full of happy children,
And they seemed so happy there.

They were singing, oh! so sweetly,-
Sweeter songs I never heard!
They were singing sweeter, mother,
Than can sing our yellow bird.
And while I my breath was holding,

One so bright upon me smiled,
And I knew it must be Jesus,

When he said, "Come here,

my

child!

"Come up here, my little Bessie !-
Come up here, and live with me,
Where the children never suffer,
But are happier than you see.'
Then I thought of all you told me-
Of that bright and happy land:
I was going when you called me,-
When you came and kiss'd
my hand.

And at first I felt so sorry

You had called me; I would go, Oh to sleep and never suffer. Mother, don't be crying so! Hug me closer, closer, mother!

Put your arms around me tight; Oh how much I love you, mother! But I feel so strange to-night.

And the mother pressed her closer
To her over-burdened breast;
On the heart so nigh to breaking,
Lay the heart so near its rest.
In the solemn hour of midnight,
In the stillness dark and deep,
Lying on her mother's bosom
Little Bessie fell asleep!

ANON YMOUS.

MOSES AT THE FAIR.

("VICAR OF WAKEFIELD.")

As we were now to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, my wife proposed that it was proper to sell our colt, which was grown old, at a neighbouring fair, and buy us a horse that would carry single or double upon an occasion, and make a pretty appearance at church, or upon a visit. This at first I opposed stoutly, but it was as stoutly defended. However, as I weakened, my antagonists gained strength, till at length it was resolved to part with him. As the fair happened on the following day, I had intentions of going myself; but my wife persuaded me that I had got a cold, and nothing could prevail upon her to permit me from home. "No, my dear," said she; our son Moses is a discreet boy, and can buy or sell to very good advantage; you know all our great bargains are of his purchasing. He always stands out and higgles, and actually tires - them till he gets a bargain."

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As I had some opinion of my son's prudence I was willing enough to entrust him with this commission; and the next morning I perceived his sisters mighty busy in fitting out Moses for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The business of the toilet being over, we had at last the satisfaction of seeing him mounted upon the

T

colt, with a deal box before him, to bring home groceries in. He had on a coat made of that cloth called thunder and lightning, which, though grown too short, was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of goslin green, and his sisters had tied his hair with a broad black ribbon. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, "Good luck! good luck!" till we could see him no longer.

He was scarce gone, when Mr. Thornhill's butler came to congratulate us upon our good fortune, saying that he overheard his young master mention our names with great commendation. Good fortune seemed resolved not to come alone. Another footman from the same family followed, with a card for my daughters, importing, that the two ladies had received such pleasing accounts from Mr. Thornhill of us all, that, after a few previous enquiries, they hoped to be perfectly satisfied. "Ay," cried my wife, "I now see it is no easy matter to get into the families of the great; but when one once gets in, then, as Moses says, one may go to sleep." To this piece of humour, for she intended it for wit, my daughters assented with a loud laugh of pleasure. In short, such was her satisfaction at this message, that she actually put her hand in her pocket, and gave the messenger sevenpence-halfpenny.

This was to be our visiting day. The next that came was Mr. Burchell, who had been at the fair. He brought my little ones a pennyworth of gingerbread each, which my, wife undertook to keep for them, and give them by letters at a time. He brought my

daughters also a couple of boxes, in which they might keep wafers, snuff, patches, or even money when they got it. My wife was usually fond of a weasel-skin purse, as being the most lucky; but this by the by. We had still a regard for Mr. Burchell, though his late rude behaviour was in some measure displeasing; nor could we now avoid communicating our happiness, and asking his advice: although we seldom followed advice, we were all ready enough to ask it. When he read the note from the two ladies, he shook his head, and observed that an affair of this sort demanded the utmost circumspection. This air of diffidence highly displeased my wife. "I never doubted, sir," cried she, "your readiness to be against my daughters and me. You have more circumspection than is wanted. However, I fancy when we come to ask advice, we shall apply to persons who seem to have made use of it themselves." "Whatever my own conduct may have been, madam," replied he, " is not the present question; though, as I have made no use of advice myself, I should, in conscience, give it to those that will." As I was apprehensive this answer might draw on a repartee, making up by abuse what it wanted in wit, I changed the subject, by seeming to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair, as it was now almost night-fall. "Never mind our son," cried my wife, " depend upon it he knows what he is about. I'll warrant we'll never see him sell his hen on a rainy day. I have seen him buy such bargains as would amaze one. I'll tell you a good story about that, that will make your sides split