CHAPTER IV.

New Homes.

The doctor agreed to this, and Peter was apprenticed to a grocer. He gained great favour from his master, and repaid it by doing "with his might" whatever his hand found to do.

Old Sally lived to see her lad prospering in the world. Amongst the lady customers whom Peter served with his own hand was one whom he first knew as the little girl—Alice Russell—that read to him the "Old, Old Story" as he lay helpless in the hospital, many years before. We may be sure that it was with willing service, he supplied her wants at all times.

Twenty years after Peter was apprenticed, and longer still after that New Year's Eve which was the turning-point in his life, he sat at his desk writing a letter.

It was the last evening of the year, and his thoughts were going back to that stormy December night when he was carried, hurt and senseless, to the hospital. What changes these four and twenty years had brought!

Here was Peter Grant, once a seller of baked potatoes, and living in a cellar, now the prosperous and wealthy tradesman. He had followed kind Dr. Turner to the grave with a heavy heart, several years before. Yet his good friend had not forgotten the lad whom he had helped to lift out of vice and poverty. He had no son of his own, or any very near relative, so he left Peter a sum of money, which enabled him to become a partner in the business. He is sole master now, for his old employer and partner has retired.

And Peter has little children of his own, and a bright home, and he is "Mr. Grant" to everybody. He has heard that the hospital which sheltered him is in want of more help than usual; that there is not room enough, and that if one thousand pounds could be given, and a new wing built, the sick and poor might find shelter enough and to spare.

Peter was a grateful lad; he is a grateful man now he has the means to do good. And as he writes the letter I spoke of, there is a happy look on his pleasant face.

The children are drumming at the countinghouse door, for "father" has promised to come and romp with them. He always gives the little folks a party on New Year's Eve, and enjoys inside the shutters a repetition of those sounds to which he once listened while leaning against the railings outside, amid the falling snow.

"I will come directly, children," he says. And while he answers, he seals his letter, first enclosing a slip of paper torn out of a book, to which he adds some writing.

Then father joins the children and the romp begins anew.

On New Year's Day, the treasurer of the hospital received a letter, and after reading it, he went with a joyful face to tell some good news.

"A gentleman," said he—"I am not to tell his name, or any particulars—has sent a note enclosing a cheque for a thousand pounds to build the new wing we want so much. He writes that, as a poor boy, he received shelter, healing, and, what is better than all, the first sound of those 'glad tidings' that the angels brought at Christmas-tide, while he was under the roof of the hospital. And now God has prospered him, and he desires to impart to others the same benefits so freely bestowed on him many a year ago."

There were many, dear children, who had no idea where that letter and the money came from. But I can tell you that the thousand pounds which paid for building the new wing to the hospital was nothing else but Grateful Peter's New Year's Gift.

God will take care of you. All through the day Jesus is near you to keep you from ill, Waking or resting, at work or at play. Jesus is with you, and watching you still.

He will take care of you, All through the night Jesus the Shepherd, His little one keeps; Darkness to Him is the same as the light, He never slumbers, and He never sleeps.

He will take care of you. All through the year Crowning each day with His kindness and love, Sending you blessings, and shielding from fear, Leading you on to that bright home above.

He will take care of you. Yes, to the end Nothing can alter His love for His own; Children, be glad that you have such a Friend; He will not leave you one moment alone.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————— LONDON: KNIGHT, PRINTER, MIDDLE STREET, ALDERSGATE, E. C.