MRS. DOLEFUL went out to make a few calls. It was a long time since she had been in to see Mrs. Merriweather, so she thought she'd just drop in and have a chat with the cheery little woman, who made the world brighter for every one who came in contact with her. Finding her in the midst of baking, she said she'd only stay just long enough to rest a moment, she was so "overcome by weakness" since Melindy had had the measles. "I've never felt so thankful, I believe, for health and comforts, as I have this winter. Sit right down and tell me about your family, Mrs. Doleful." "There's nothing to tell, but just sickness, sickness all the time, and doctor's bills piling up to the moon," said her visitor, as she sat down and glanced about her. She was a large, and would perhaps have been called a handsome woman, had the corners of her mouth had an upward instead of a downward inflection, her eyes been less drooping, and her general appearance more sunny. As it was, no one thought her attractive, and as the thought of all her troubles swept over her, she continued:— "When Pelatiah Doleful married me I was an invalid, and I've been sick ever since. I was saying to my next neighbor only yesterday that I did not see what I was living for, I was no good to anybody; and when she said I ought not to say that, for the children would miss me, I told her I guessed they'd only miss the grunts and groans. Dear me! what is life worth, Mrs. Merriweather, if you don't have your health?" "I know a woman who has been shut in her room for years, who does more good than a dozen strong, healthy women. You would never know she had a pain, from anything she said, and every one felt blessed just to be in her presence, but she was poor, a great sufferer, and alone in the world. Now you have a good, kind husband, nice children, and are able to walk out in God's sunlight; see how much more you have to be thankful for and rejoice over." "Yes, I know I'm ungrateful and complaining, but how can I help it? it's my nature. Some folks are naturally cheery and others are born under a shadow—I'm one of the latter. I sometimes think if I could forget myself, and laugh and talk when Pelatiah came in, he would not care to go around to neighbor Smith's so often, and I make up my mind to try; but as soon as he227comes in I start off on the same track, until he takes up his hat and goes out." "Try once more. Make yourself a promise that you will be cheerful, and see how much happier your husband and children will be." "Never can do it, I know. Our home is like a prison, and every one hates it, and I'm too miserable to make it any different. If I had your disposition, now, I could do so perhaps, but as it is, it's no use for me to try. I must be agoing now. My bones ache fearful, and I'll go home and grunt it out," and Mrs. Pelatiah Doleful went home to tell her husband and children how pleasant Mrs. Merriweather's home was, and how she had hated to come back to her own; and then wondered and grieved that she was such a wretched woman.