send some wise and learned man to England to talk with the King about their trouble and try to have matters settled satisfactorily. Whom would they send? Surely no one was so well fitted to perform the difficult task as Benjamin Franklin. Every one trusted and respected him, so he was sent. He succeeded in having some of the wrongs righted, but England did so many unjust things that the Colonies decided to be free. Even before Franklin reached home again the great war had begun. But the Colonists did not have near as many soldiers or as much money as they needed, so again Franklin, who was getting to be quite an old man, was sent across the ocean to France to ask for help. He was so wise and so kind and agreeable and everybody liked him so much that when he asked for help for his country the King could not think of refusing.

So France sent us many ships and soldiers and helped us in many ways during the war. Without their help we might never have succeeded, but at last the great war ended and the Colonies were free. The new country was named the United States of America, and George Washington, the brave General, was made President. Franklin, who was then very old, said it was the proudest, happiest time of his life.

FOR THE 28TH OF APRIL.

ALICE AND PHOEBE CARY.

Do you remember the story we talked about Arbor Day-of the two little girls who found and planted a sycamore tree? What were their names? Can you tell me the name of the brave little boy who lived in the land of windmills and found the leak in the dike? (March story.) How many remember that story? Do you know who wrote that story for you? Well, I am going to tell you to-day about the two little girls who planted the tree and wrote that poem, and many others, too.

I want you to know about them, for they were dear little girls who did a great deal to make people happy.

They lived in a little, old farm house out in the country. It was not a nice house at all, but they did not mind that. They played in the woods and fields, and made swings in the apple trees, in the day time.

At night they all gathered around the hearth, where the big wood fires danced and cast shadows on the walls. Then their father told them stories and sang songs to them until they fell asleep. These little girls loved to hear these songs and stories, and they used to wish that they might write some too, when they were grown up.

Their mother died when they were yet little girls, and they could not go to school much. They had to stay at home and work very hard all day.

At night they would study by the light of a tallow candle or a burning saucer of lard with a piece of rag for a wick. Was not that a queer lamp?

These girls were not at all alike. Alice was quiet and gentle and thoughtful for the comfort of people who were around her. Phoebe, the younger sister, was full of fun and liked to play pranks on her playmates and keep them laughing.

When they were little girls they began to write little stories and poems, and by and by they wrote them so well that they were printed in a book, and then they sold them.

They got money for their books and then they bought a little home in the city. But they loved their old home in the country always, and wrote a beautiful poem about it.

They were very fond of little children and many of their poems were written for them.

Alice Cary was born just seventy-seven years ago on the 28th of April. What day in April is this? Then it must be her birthday to-day. Do you think she would like to have us remember it?

Her sister Phoebe wrote a little poem welcoming April, perhaps because it was her sister's birthday month. Would you like to hear it? Read poem on first page of Plan Book.

These sisters loved each other so dearly that they could not live apart, and both died the same summer.

Before Alice Cary went away she sent you a little letter which I am going to read to you to-day.

THE LETTER.

TO THE CHILDREN.

Children, who read my lay,
Thus much I have to say;
Each day and every day

Do what is right!

Right things in great and small!

Then, though the sky should fall,

Sun, moon, and stars and all,
You should have light.

This, further, I would say:

Be you tempted as you may,
Each day and every day,

Speak what is true!

True things, in great and small,

Then, though the sky should fall,

Sun, moon and stars and all,

Heaven would show through.

Life's journey, through and through,
Speaking what's just and true,

Doing what's right to do

Unto one and all,

When you work and when you play,

Each day and every day;

Then peace shall gild your way
Though the sky should fall.

-Alice Cary.

you, and

You may memorize one little verse she wrote for

we will call it her birthday verse.

"Little children, you must seek

Rather to be good than wise,
For the thoughts you do not speak
Shine out in your cheeks and eyes."

Memorial day I will tell you a story that she wrote for us about a soldier. It is a story that you can act out.

Another of her poems tells us about a lesson a bird taught her, and that you shall have Bird Day. Then there is one about a lesson a donkey taught a boy. Have you ever heard that?

Perhaps your mamma has a book with these poems in. Ask tonight, and try to remember to tell her that this is Alice Cary's birthday, and say your verse to her.

WATER.-RAINY DAY LESSONS.

LANGUAGE AND OBSERVATION.-RAIN.

Of what use is the rain? (Drink for plants, animals and man, washes the earth, cools the air, lays the dust, fills the cisterns, softens the ground, helps the buds and flowers to open, and softens the seed coats.)

How many have noticed the seeds we planted in our window gardens? What are they doing? Are they changed in any way from the seeds in my hand? (Dry beans.) What caused them to swell and burst their coats? What are the grasses and seeds doing out of doors today? What do they need in order to grow? (Light, heat and moisture.) We have talked about the source of light and heat. Now let us find out something about moisture.

Develop the following ideas by means of questioning:

Heat changes water into steam or vapor.

Vapor forms clouds, dew, frost. Condensed clouds produce rain. Snow and hail are forms of rain.

STEAM.

Draw upon the board a picture of a tea kettle, with steam coming from the spout. How many have watched a kettle boil at home? What is put into it? What happened to the water in the kettle when it was put on the fire? Did