ruster and we have two hens with chickens and we have two turkeys one he and a she, two ducks, one he and a she, and we are a going to set some turkeys eggs, as soon as we can and we are going to set some mor hen two, that is all we have now brother at this time.

THOMAS C. WALLACE.

Mrs. Gray was very much pleased with the letter, but Patty thought that a boy who could write so nicely ought not to spell "rooster" with a u.

୧୯

That is one of Miss Botume's boys," she said to Tony, as she handed back the letter. "It is very nicely written."

ee

Mamma," said Patty, "what does he plant ground-nuts for, and how much is a task '?"

"They are fond of ground-nuts," said Mrs. Gray; "they grow quite large. In North Carolina they used to roast them, and use them as we use coffee, or dry them in the oven, and pound them into meal. A 'task' is usually a day's work; but I have heard negroes call two rows of cotton a task.

"And now, Tony, who has a mule? Can't you save me the trouble of looking up a cart, and have one here bright and early? I shall want to drive round the village and down to the pier; I must catch the afternoon steamer to Alexandria."

"Don't you fret, Miss Sophie," said Tony; "I know just the right man, a man you will like to talk with, and I will lend him my 'two-seat;' and now Judy and I must go, or you won't sleep."

CHAPTER VII.

As

THE REBEL AND CHARLES THOMSON.

S soon as Tony had closed the door, Mrs. Gray began to undress Patty. She had jnst listened to her prayers, and tucked her snugly in, when there came another rap.

It was Lundy this time. There was a meeting in the chapel, but no white minister was in the village. Two or three of the elders had seen Mrs. Gray driving up the hill, and Lundy came to ask her to go into the chapel, and talk a little to the people.

Mrs. Gray was very tired, but she thought nothing of that. She looked at Patty.

"Lundy," said she, "could you stay with my little girl?"

Lundy could not. He would have been glad to do anything for Miss Sophie, but he had. business for Miss Brittania, and he could not

even go to the meeting. Then Mrs. Gray turned to Patty.

"Will you spare me for an hour?" she said to her little girl.

"If you

Patty sat up in bed for a moment. think it safe to leave me," said she, "I am willing. It must be just as you like, mamma.”

"You will have to jump up, and button the door," said Mrs. Gray, kissing her; "and, Lundy, won't you light another splint, and put on some of that heavy wood, so my little girl can keep warm?”

Mrs. Gray threw on her fur cloak, and her soft, warm hood, and went out of the room after Lundy. She held the door by a bit of tape, fastened to an empty spool, and drawn through a hole. While she held it, Patty turned the button.

"Are you safe back in bed?" said Mrs. Gray, when she found that the door was tight.

"Yes," said Patty; "and I've tucked myself up, and I'm going to say my prayers over again. Good night, mamma. You'll have to wake me when you come back."

Now I am not going to the chapel with Mrs.

Gray and Lundy, for I am travelling with Patty, you must remember; and I have told you this part of the story to show you what a comfort a brave, obedient little girl is.

If Patty had made one objection, mamma would have staid at home with her; but because Patty was willing to do exactly as mamma thought best, Mrs. Gray's work was made easy, and the poor colored people had their pleasure. Patty's trust was real. Mamma had never deceived her; and if she thought it safe for Patty to be shut into that bare room alone for an hour, Patty knew that it was safe. Mamma had not been gone ten minutes before the little girl was sound asleep; and as Mrs. Gray did not wake her when she came back, she slept on till the next morning.

Mrs. Gray came back with Tony, and Tony showed her a wooden slide off a back stairway, through which, if she stooped a little, she could enter her own room. It was just behind the pile of wood that Lundy had left on the floor, and Tony had to move every stick of the heavy wood, and mamma had to wait a long time patiently, before she could get through.