I will now tell you a story about two good little children, Marianand Henry, who lived some time ago in Switzerland.

Marian was seven years old, and her little brother Henry was aboutfive. They were the hope and delight of their Mamma, who loved themwith the most tender affection. These good children had always livedtogether,[Pg 4]and so much pleasure did they take in each other's society,that being together seemed their greatest happiness. Marian couldnot be happy an instant away from her brother; Henry was never morepleased than when with his sister. Whether walking in the fields, orat play in their little room, at meal times or at study, they alwaysacted together; and this was partly the reason why they agreed so well.You would see Marian's large doll beside Henry's little soldier, andHenry's wooden horse close by the doll's cradle. On the same chairwould be lying together the doll's cap and the soldier's hat, a tinyparasol, and a little sword. So we may be quite sure that whateverbelonged to one was used to amuse the other, and that the hearts ofMarian and Henry lived in unison.[Pg 5]One day a friend of their Mamma sent them a present of a pair ofDoves, beautifully white, except that their necks were encircled with ablack ring. Henry and Marian could not make enough of these Doves. Theywere so tame that they would perch on the children's heads, or theirshoulders, or their arms; they would peck food from their hands, andsometimes even take it from their mouth. "Ah, you pretty bird," saidMarian, "nothing has ever pleased me so much."

"They are always together as we are, they love one another so much,"said Henry.

"We will do as they do, Henry, we will always be together."

[Pg 6] "Always, dear sister," and thechildren embraced each other, while the Doves fluttered upon theirshoulders, seeming to feel as happy as the children were.

The birds were taken great care of in their little house, and becamemore and more beautiful, their feathers were white as snow, and theystrutted up and down, seeming to be quite proud of their habitation;they enjoyed their liberty very often, for Marian and Henry would openthe door of their little house, and they would come out to be pettedby the children, and would seem thankful for the good fortune that hadplaced them in such good hands. But their love to these birds gave riseto a little jealousy[Pg 7] between Henryand Marian; they would talk about whose turn it was to open the door,and then about the right to feed them, or give them fresh water. Marianwould say, laughingly, that they loved her brother more than herself;Henry would contradict that, and say that he was sure they liked hissister better. This little jealous feeling (as is often the case withmuch older people) turned out to be the cause of much unhappiness tothese li

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