PART I.

Willie was nicely tucked in bed One cold December night, When he began to scream “Mamma, Come quick, and bring a light!

“Oh, I’m so frightened, dear mamma; What is that noise? Do hark! Please do not take the candle off And leave me in the dark.”

“I hear no noise,” his mother said; “What makes my boy so silly? And what good can the candle do, My darling little Willie?

“Who did you ask to care for you, When you knelt down to pray, Before I put you into bed, And took the light away?

“Remember, love, you prayed to God, And all the long night through, He will keep watch around your bed, And take good care of you.

“What could it be, my little son, That gave you such a fright? When you are safe in bed, you know, I always take the light.”

“I know you do, but Biddie told A story yesterday That frightened me; please, dear mamma Don’t take the light away.”

“I’ll leave the light with you to-night; Since Biddie was so silly; Now think, my dear, your Father’s near, To guard his little Willie.”

WILLIE’S FEARS.