"Locked in the tower! Caradoc Pennant! Evan absent! a guinea on Carreg Mawr!" exclaimed his lordship, startled out of his customary reserve. "A guinea! Where did Penruddock get a guinea? "I did not know he had one," replied Mr. Tudor. "A guinea! Do people sow guineas? Send Pennant home. I will go to the tower. Order someone to go round by Carreg Mawr in search of Evan." "I am afraid the tide is in, my lord." "Never mind the tide. A guinea! Give him a horsewhipping for losing a guinea." And this guinea-not Caradoc Pennant or Evanled Lord Craigavon to take a moonlight ride up a rough mountain-road to Aran Tower. When he unlocked the heavy door he was startled by a shriek from Betto, and the words, “Evan! Evan! I thought you were dead. Cradoc has gone up-stairs, and never come down again," she cried. 'What right had you to stay and pry into my "I have stolen nothing, my lord. I looked through "I forgot everything else, my lord, even the anxiety of my parents, in the moon and stars. How wonderful they are!" The boy had, indeed, been carried beyond this world and himself, in wonder and in awe, at the revelations of the telescope. "I beg you will mention to no one this boyish trick of my son, neither that you have been in this place," "It is not Evan," said Lord Craigavon. "Lend said the earl. me your candle." He took a miserable rushlight from the table, on which poor Betto had outspread her Bible. She had been seeking relief from terror in that sacred volume. She had not only a profound reverence for its contents, acquired during her life at Brynhafod, but a superstitious belief that harm would not reach her while the Book was near. "Oh, my lord earl-bless me, your lordship. Evan went to the castle with my young lord. That C'radoc Pennant's so bold, he 'ont be listening to nobody, my lord." But the earl and rushlight had disappeared within the tower staircase, and reappeared, as we have read, beneath the stars at the summit. "What are you doing here?" he said, harshly, as he saw Caradoc gazing at the heavens through his most powerful telescope. "Thief! robber!" he added, when he perceived that the boy was so absorbed as to be unconscious of his presence. It was at these words that Caradoc turned and faced the Earl of Craigavon. I request that the "I have no secrets from my parents, my lord." The earl pointed to the stairs, and Caradoc passed Evan was lying on the bed, nearly insensible; Betto It will be remembered that Mr. Tudor met Ap "What are you doing here? serf, villain, thief, was going on a private geological survey of the cliffs scoundrel!" repeated his lordship.. about Carreg Mawr, and when he reached the big I am waiting to be let out, my lord,” he replied. stone on which the guinea had been left, he found "What brought you here?" "Lord Penruddock, my lord." " Were you with him at Carreg Mawr?" "Yes, my lord." Evan lying beneath it. That worthy had managed "Had he a guinea, boy, a guinea? What did he could not move, and was in awful terror; for the do with it?" "He left it on the big stone." "Where is Evan?" tide, though still far out, was coming in fast, "I have neither seen him nor Lord Penruddock Ap Adam slight and not particularly muscular. since they locked me up here." "What business had you with my son?" "He bade me show him the fossils in the lias; and I obeyed, my lord. Then he brought me on here." More help was needed to move him, and none was "For pity's sake don't leave 2 THE PENNANT FAMILY. Ap Adam helped him to rise; but walking was out of the question, his agony was intolerable. "Try to drag yourself to the Aber, where you will be at least safe from the tide," said Ap Adam. Fear paralyses pain, and dread of drowning overmastered Evan's. 77 "Here is the key," said Ap Adam, drawing it from Evan's pocket. Fortunately the earl had withdrawn his key from the lock, so they opened the door. "Don't be frightened, Betto; Evan has had a cold bath," said Mr. Pennant, kindly, as they carried "Don't leave me, sir! for mercy's sake don't leave her husband to the bed. me; I'm not ready to die!" cried Evan. "Not as long as there is a chance of saving you," replied Ap Adam. "The wreckers give the waves tithes enough in human flesh without making your poor body a tenth." “Lord, have mercy upon me!" shrieked Evan. Ap Adam scarcely believed it possible to reach the pass in time, and as the distant sea grew nearer, he asked himself if he could leave this fellow-creature to perish, even to save his own life? But of what use to sacrifice both? so he laboured on. They were within sight of the defile, when Evan's strength failed, and he nearly fainted. The spray of the waves had already touched his face. "I am somewhat of a doctor, and have often set broken bones," remarked Ap Adam, coolly unfastening the keeper's knee-breeches. It was at this juncture that Caradoc entered the kitchen, and was greeted by Gwylfa. "Why is the door open?" asked the moody earl; while Caradoc ran to his father, and said, “It was not my fault. I hope mother is not frightened. What has happened to Evan ?" Lord Craigavon went to the bed, instinctively, and, seeing Evan's state, asked, "What has the careless fool been doing now?" He was told. He again left the kitchen, closing the door behind him, and a grating of keys was heard. He returned, with a "Give me strength, O God!" exclaimed Ap Adam, bottle in his hand containing spirits. They adand clasped his arms round Evan's waist. Dragging him over the rough stones, while the sea almost touched them, he reached the point where the river-brook flowed into it. But how get to the path at its side? He shouted for help, and was answered. His prayer and the ejaculations of poor Betto over her Bible were heard. Gwylfa appeared. He growled as he seized Evan's coat, for he knew the man, and hated him; but the dog is too noble an animal to let his enemy perish, so he helped Ap Adam to drag him ashore, then left him to rejoin Mr. Pennant, who was descending the cliff to the pass. The moon had risen-the "young May moon"— and, trusting to her light and Gwylfa's sagacity, the farmer had ventured across the cliffs by the short but dangerous path that led from the castle to the tower. While the earl was taking the longer round on horseback, the farmer had started on foot, and, but for stumbling upon Ap Adam and Evan, would have reached the tower before his lordship. "I "What's this? Another waif?" he exclaimed. "It is Evan the Tower," replied Ap Adam. don't think he's dead, because those who are born to be hanged will never be drowned;' but I believe he has broken his leg. You must help me to carry him across the stream and up the Aran." "It will be doing good for evil, then. He has locked Carad in the tower," said Mr. Pennant. "Take the rogue by the feet, and I'll lay hold of his body." To Mr. Pennant, who could lift a sack of wheat, Evan was comparatively a light weight, so they managed to get him to the tower in about half an hour, by which period the earl had arrived, and joined Caradoc. But the great door was locked. ministered some, and Evan revived. Meanwhile, Ap Adam quietly bandaged the leg, taking no notice of the earl, who turned to Pennant with-"You had better take your boy home, and on your way tell Jenkins, the keeper, and his wife, to come here. I shall stay till they arrive. Go, young sir, and keep out of Lord Penruddock's way for the future," he continued, facing Caradoc, but not meeting his eye. Ap Adam remained, and Mr. Pennant and Caradoc departed. They took the mountain road homeward, and soon reached one of the lodges, occupied by the keeper mentioned by the earl. They sent him and his wife to the tower, as requested, then made all haste to reach the farm. A messenger, sent by the farmer from the castle, had already apprised the inmates of Caradoc's safety, who was welcomed by them, as may be imagined, with tears of joy. "Now let us praise the Lord for the mercies that He showeth to us children of men," said old Farmer Pennant; and the whole family knelt in prayer. "Thou trustest too much in thine own strength, "Put my son," he said to Caradoc, when they rose. thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good, and verily thou shalt be fed." "I will try, grandfather," replied the boy, meekly. "Say rather that thou wilt pray, my lad," returned the old man, laying his hand on Caradoc's head. "May I go with you and see Daisy, mother?" whispered Caradoc, and he followed Mrs. Pennant to the foundling's crib, now placed by her bedside. Here he kissed the sleeping child, and heard of the loss of the locket. (To be continued.) SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR SCHOOL AND HOME. SCRIPTURE STORIES. THIRD SERIES. No. 2. THE MAN BLIND FROM HIS BIRTH. Chapter to be read-John ix. NTRODUCTION. Have now read of several miracles-name them-done in many different ways; e.g., the woman in the crowd by touching Christ's garment, the nobleman's son, by a word spoken at a distance, &c. To-day shall read of one where the person had something given him to do to try his faith, i.e., to see whether he believed in the power of Christ. The cure. I. THE MIRACLE. (Read 1-12.) (1) The reason. What did the disciples want to know? Is this blindness a punishment for some sin? What answer did Christ give? It was not sent as a punishment. Why then was it sent? What was He himself going to do? therefore, the works of God would be made manifest. God sent blindness, God can cure blindness; God's works and God's glory may be seen. (2) Let the children contrast this blind man with the two blind men (Matt. xx. 30). They came, begged for sight; this man said nothing, perhaps thought his a hopeless case (see ver. 32). What did Christ make? What did He tell the man to do? Did he do it? What does this show that he had? So that faith always required. He just did what was told, without asking questions. This time faith received the blessing. No wonder this miracle caused a stir. Where had Christ generally done His miracles? This one not in Galilee, but Jerusalem, the capital. PRACTICAL LESSONS. (1) The cause of suffering. Ask when suffering entered the world. What caused it? Therefore, all suffering a punishment for sin, but are not to think any particular suffering connected with any one sin. All suffer, in different ways-mind or body. Even children often suffer much from illness, accident, &c. How were this man's sufferings for God's glory? Remind of Stephen, stoned to death; showed God's glory by patience (Acts viii. 60). man. 66 II. THE EXAMINATION. (Read 13-34.) Picture the man brought before the Pharisees to be questioned. Remind how they hated Jesus-had made a law that any one who confessed Christ should be put out of the synagogue-as we should say, excommunicated "i.e., not allowed to join in the worship or partake of the feasts. Now they question the First as to the cure-what did He do? So he tells the story again; they can see nothing to find fault with so far; but what day was it? Here is something to take up-working on the Sabbath-day; but remind of lesson on the subject to show that works of mercy may be done; but some of the Pharisees object that a sinner, deliberately breaking the commandment, could not work these miracles. So there is a division (ver. 16), and that objection is dropped. Now they question the man as to his own feelings about Christ-what is He? The man says what he thinks that He is a prophet. Next they call his parents, and question them; the miracle so wonderful, almost incredible. The parents, fearing to be caught, say that their son is of age, they must ask him. Now the man called in again. Is he afraid to speak about Christ? What does he say (ver. 27)? See what effect the miracle had. He, the beggar, determined to be a disciple, though nobody else should become one. See how boldly he speaks. Christ has done this miracle, therefore must be in favour with God, therefore cannot be the sinner the Pharisees make Him out; must be of God (ver. 33). What is the result? He is expelled. He had felt such joy on being restored to sight-had seen for first time his father and mother, friends, the beautiful city, &c.; probably had gone with family to Temple to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving; now an outcast from the Temple because he will not deny Christ. Who went III. THE BLESSING. (Read 35-41.) and looked for him? What did Christ say? He must not only believe in Him as a prophet, but as the Son of God. Is he ready to do so? Does not know much about Christ, but is ready to be taught. At once accepts Christ's word, believes, worships. Here is his reward, his blessing. Rejected by friends, has found Christ; cast out of the Temple, is an heir of heaven. Not only his eyes, but his mind opened; becomes true disciple of Jesus Christ. IV. LESSONS. Let the children notice how this man is a picture of all who love Christ; what they must go through. They must (1) Feel their blindnessi.e., must feel their sins. Christ came to call sinners; unless realise sin care not for Saviour. Do we realise sin like a sore burden, anxious to get rid of? (2) Confess Christ before men. This must come some day; perhaps at school, when something wrong going on; perhaps at home, taunted for being good, &c.; must choose between the world and Christ. Which shall it be? Remind of Peter's denial, and his misery afterwards. Much easiest and happiest to be firm at first. (3) Suffer for Christ. In the world must have tribulation, perhaps ridicule, hard words, unkindness, but Christ's favour better than all these, and those who confess Him here shall be blessed for ever. (See 1 Peter iv. 13, &c.) Questions to be answered. 1. What was there remarkable about this miracle? 2. What is the connection between sin and suffering? 3. Give an account of examination by Pharisees. 4. What was the result? 5. What blessing did he receive from Christ? 6. What lessons may we learn? THE PIERCED THE PIERCED EGGS. EGGS, AND WHAT CAME OF THEM. BY THE HON. MRS. GREENE, AUTHOR OF "CUSHIONS AND CORNERS," ETC. CHAPTER I. ELL, Harry, what makes you so disconsolate this morning? Has Miller made a longer score than you again to-day? No, mother, we weren't at cricket at all this morning; people don't play cricket in winter time;" and Harry, preoccupied as he was with some gloomy considerations, could scarcely repress a smile at his mother's ignorance of games in general and of cricket in particular. "Why, I thought you came home yesterday wild with Miller for making a higher score than you. I'm sure I heard you telling your father about it at dinner-time." I "It was football I was talking of, not cricket. said Miller kicked two goals, and that if he had played fairly he would not have got either of them." “How's that, Harry? you always seem to me to think that whenever you are beaten people must have played unfairly." "Nothing of the kind," replied Harry, hotly; "but Miller's a fellow that is always bent on cutting other fellows out, and he seems to make it a special point to cut me out in particular. He has been trying a new dodge this morning, and thinks, no doubt, he has put a final extinguisher on me, but I'll be even with him yet; I'm determined I will at any cost." 'How so, Harry? what has he done? I really don't think Miller has such venomous intentions as you give him credit for." "Hasn't he, though; just you wait till you hear what he has done now. Last Sunday, walking to church, I, like a gaby, began telling him about my Spanish fowl, and how I intended going in for the prize at the poultry show in the spring, and all the rest of it; and he asked me how I reared my chickens in the winter time, and I told him all about the rats running off with my best chickens, and how difficult I found it to keep any of them alive, and the fellow seemed so interested in all I was saying, and I explained to him how I intended, if I got first prize, to advertise in the paper, and sell eggs for hatching, and make enough money to buy myself a watch; and now, mother, what do you think he has done?" "What?" asked his mother, putting down her work, and listening with evident interest for what would come next. 66 He has sent off to London for some first-prize Spanish eggs, and paid two guineas for them, so as to cut me out at the show, and prevent me from gaining the prize." "Well, I must say that was not very nice of him," said Mrs. Galbraith, sympathisingly; "but are you quite sure your information is correct. Who told you he had done so?" 79 "Jenkins did, and he knows all about it; for a cousin of his, Bill Symonds, has lately gone to work in Miller's garden, and he and young Miller are a sort of chums, and he told Jenkins how he had been sent all over the country to find a sitting hen to put upon these very eggs, and that they thought they would never find one, till at last some old woman who keeps an orange-stall at the foot of Brinkley's Hill, sold them one for five shillings; and you see he must have been pretty well bent on his plan to pay such a price as that." "But has not Miller kept fowls for several years past? it is no new thing for him to begin the fancy now, is it ?" "No, of course not; but his have been chiefly Brahma and Dorking, and it is only just because I told him I wanted to take the prize in Spanish he has gone and done this. It's the meanest and shabbiest thing I ever heard of; for Miller's father is as rich as Croesus, and can pay anything he likes for his son, whereas I must pinch and scrape for everything I want, and if I can't buy it myself there is no one to buy it for me;" and Harry's voice, as he ended this selfish speech, was decidedly hoarse, and his eyes too full of misty tears to notice the look of disappointment and pain which passed over his mother's face at the reproachful words with which he had concluded his sentence. "I think, Harry, it is scarcely fair to condemn Miller unheard," she said, presently, as if anxious to ignore altogether the last ill-considered speech of her son; "if I were you I would not take Jenkins' word as decisive in a matter of so much importance." "Why not, mother?" said Harry, testily; "is not Jenkins' word as good as Miller's any day?" "It is quite possible it may be; but at the same time you have only known him for a very short period, and you have known Miller for years, and during all that time he has never done a deceitful or underhand thing; and I must say," continued Mrs. Galbraith, warmly, as she observed Harry's indifferent and somewhat contemptuous expression of face, "that I am surprised, and so is your father, to see that you should have made so intimate a companion and friend of a boy whom you scarcely know, and whose language, from the very little I have heard of it, is certainly most unfit for any one to listen to." Miller speaks to Bill Symonds, and he is Jenkins' cousin," said Harry, hotly. "I dare say he does; but I quite disagree with you that he makes a chum of him. I always notice that Miller keeps quite aloof, except when he has directions to give about the garden or some other necessary work; but it will end, Harry, I see, in your father being obliged to dismiss Jenkins if he sees you persist in making such an intimate friend and room, I'll show you what it is I want you to do companion of him." for me." Harry did not answer aloud, for he saw his mother was becoming much vexed with his uncourteous replies, so he contented himself with muttering, half beneath his breath, the words he was afraid to utter. "Jenkins is worth a dozen Millers, that I'll swear any day!" It was plain to see Harry was already taking a lesson from Jenkins' language. After this there followed a most unpleasant pause, which presently became so painful and embarrassing that Harry rose from his chair sulkily, and went out through the open window of the inner room into the garden at the back of the house. The moment he stepped out on the grass turf, the surface of which was covered at various distances with fowl-coops and broken plates and hampers and dirty straw, a hen, who had been sitting in a sunny corner of the garden beside the stable-wall, with a brood of tiny black chickens sheltering themselves under her wings, arose with much clucking and cackling, and rushed to meet him, followed by the whole of her half-fledged family, who, up to this morning, had possessed such an intense interest for the eyes of their owner, but who now circled vainly round his legs, receiving no further notice than an angry sidelong kick, which sent one little blackamoor spinning over on its head, and dispersed the group with considerable amazement and clamour. "Much good you will be to me now, with all the money I've spent on you," muttered Harry, angrily, as he took up his position on the top of an inverted hamper. "I might have beaten the county with you, but not the pick of all London, brought down and reared here under my very nose. Ugh, the shabby sneak! I hate him, with his smiling humbugging face and his treacly manner!" 66 'Well, Master Harry, what's ailing you this fine morning, that you're sitting so glumpy like and stupid?" asked a voice in Harry's ear, whieh made him start round, to find Jenkins close beside him, leaning on a rake, with which he had been trying to smooth over some of the gravel on the pathway. "I was just a-watching of you, a sitting there like a bird that was sick of the pip, and I was larfin' at you in my sleeve, so I was." "You have precious little to do if you can find no better way of spending your time than in laughing at me!" cried Harry, hotly. "Go on with your work, and leave me alone, will you!" "Aye, that's just it," replied Jenkins, with imperturbable blandness; "I wants to go on with my work, but I can't do it unless one gives me a helping hand." "How do you mean?" asked Harry, angrily. "It's summat I would not like to shout out here in the garden, with all the chickens and the hens alistening to one, with their heads cocked all on one side, and their eyes blinkin' at me so knowing and clever like, but if you'll step inside into the harness-' "Is this any humbug of yours, Jenkins? for if it is, I'm in no humour for tomfoolery!" cried Harry, rising at the same time from the hamper on which he had been seated. "You shall judge that for yourself by-and-by, and more especially as it's all for you I'm working. You needn't be in such a flame-like of passion; come in here, and I'll put you up to a dodge or two, and no mistake." Harry followed Jenkins into the stable, the door of which he closed carefully behind him, and then turning aside into the harness-room he also shut this door after him and placed a board across the window, and then, having carried out all these precautions, he ventured to unburden his mind to his young master. (To be continued.) "THE QUIVER" BIBLE CLASS. 28. What great act of valour was performed by three of David's mighty men while he dwelt in the Cave of Adullam ? 29. Who was it lost all his possessions by his eager desire to increase them? 30. Quote a passage which shows that it was customary in olden times to place a record of the departed person upon his tomb. 31. Give some passage from the New Testament where it is stated that the Christians were called the sect of the Nazarenes." 32. By what sign did God show to Hezekiah that he would recover from his illness? 33. Show that after the death of Moses the high priest was the great medium of communication between God and His people. 34. What sacrifices were offered by the Jews on the Sabbath day in addition to the ordinary daily sacrifice? ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON PAGE 48. 16. "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever" (Psalm cxxv. 2). 17. Maachah, the mother of Asa, king of Judah (1 Kings xv. 13). 18. Lest he should be exalted above measure at the success of his work (2 Cor. xii. 7). 19. By pretending to be desirous of making a great sacrifice to Baal, for which purpose he gathered together all the worshippers of Baal in the land, and then gave orders to his soldiers to destroy them all (2 Kings 1. 18—28). 20. "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone " (Hosea iv. 17). 21. A large heap of stones and a pillar of stone, beyond which neither was to pass to the injury of the other (Gen. xxxi. 44—52). |