Morgan，Morganiswaitingforme!O，whatwillMorgansay？\"
ButIheardthesoundoftramping，andkepthimbackfromthedoor——
Theringingsoundofhorses\'hoofsthatIhadheardbefore。
Andon，oncamethesoldiers——theMichigancavalry——
Andfasttheyrode，andbacktheylooked，gallopingrapidly；
TheyhadfollowedhardonMorgan\'strack；theyhadfolloweddayandnight；
ButofMorganandMorgan\'sraiderstheyhadnevercaughtasight。
AndrichOhiosatstartledthroughallthesesummerdays；
Forstrange，wildmenweregallopingoverherbroadhighways；
Nowhere，nowthere，nowseen，nowgone，nownorth，noweast，nowwest，Throughriver-valleysandcorn-landfarms，sweepingawayherbest。
Aboldrideandalongride!Buttheyweretakenatlast；
Theyhadalmostreachedtheriverbygallopinghardandfast；
Buttheboysinbluewereuponthemereevertheygainedtheford，AndMorgan，Morgantheraider，laiddownhisterriblesword。
Well，Ikepttheboytillevening——kepthimagainsthiswill——
Buthewastooweaktofollow，andsattherepaleandstill；
Whenitwascoolanddusky——you\'llwondertohearmetell——
ButIstoledowntothegully，andbroughtupKentuckyBelle。
Ikissedthestaronherforehead——mypretty，gentlelass——
ButIknewthatshe\'dbehappy，backintheoldBlue-Grass:
AsuitofclothesofConrad\'s，withallthemoneyIhad，AndKentucky，prettyKentucky，Igavetotheworn-outlad。
Iguidedhimtothesouthward，aswellasIknewhow:
Theboyrodeoffwithmanythanks，andmanyabackwardbow；
Andthentheglowitfaded，andmyheartbegantoswell；
Anddowntheglenawayshewent，mylostKentuckyBelle!
WhenConradcameintheevening，themoonwasshininghigh，BabyandIwerebothcrying——Icouldn\'ttellhimwhy——
Butabatteredsuitofrebelgraywashangingonthewall，AndathinoldhorsewithdroopingheadstoodinKentucky\'sstall。
Well，hewaskind，andneveroncesaidahardwordtome，HeknewIcouldn\'thelpit——\'twasallfortheTennessee；
But，afterthewarwasover，justthinkwhatcametopass——
Aletter，sir，andthetwoweresafebackintheoldBlue-Grass。
Theladgotacrosstheborder，ridingKentuckyBelle；
AndKentuckshewasthriving，andfat，andhearty，andwell；
Hecaredforher，andkepther，nortouchedherwithwhiporspur；
Ah!we\'vehadmanyhorses，butneverahorselikeher!
CONSTANCEFENIMOREWOOLSON。
Moseswasacamelthattraveledo\'erthesand。
Ofthedesert，fiercelyhot，waydowninEgypt-land；
ButtheybroughthimtotheFair，Nowuponhishump，Everychildcantakearide，Whocanstandthebumpity-bump。
PROPHECIES。
Littleblueegg，inthenestsnugandwarm，Coveredsoclosefromthewindandthestorm，Guardedsocarefullydayafterday，Whatisyouruseinthisworldnow，pray？
\"Bendyourheadcloser；mysecretI\'lltell:
There\'sababy-birdhidinmytinyblueshell。\"
Littlegreenbud，allcoveredwithdew，Answermyquestionandanswerittrue；
Whatwereyoumadefor，andwhydoyoustayClingingsoclosetothetwigalltheday？
\"Hidinmygreensheath，somedaytounclose，Nestlesthewarm，glowingheartofarose。\"
Dear，littlebaby-girl，daintyandfair，Sweetestofflowers，ofjewelsmostrare，Surelythere\'snootheruseforyouhereThanjusttobepettedandplayedwith，youdear!
\"Oh，awonderfulsecretI\'mcomingtoknow，Justababylikeme，toawomanshallgrow。\"
Ah，swiftlythebirdfromthenestfliesaway，Andthebudtoablossomunfoldsdaybyday，Whilethewomanlooksforthinmybaby-girl\'seyes，Throughherjoysandhersorrows，hertearsandsurprise——
Toosoonshalltheyearsbringthisgifttohercup，Godkeepher，mywomanwho\'snowgrowingup!
BYKATHRINELENTESTEVENSON。
WhosaidthatIwasanaughtydog，AndcouldnotbehaveifItried？
IonlychewedupKatrina\'sFrenchdoll，Andshookherragoneuntilitcried。
WHYHEWASWHIPPED。
Hewassevenyearsold，livedinCheyenne，andhisnamewasTommy。Moreoverhewasgoingtoschoolforthefirsttimeinhislife。Outherelittlepeoplearenotallowedtoattendschoolwhentheyarefiveorsix，fortheLawsays:\"Childrenundersevenmustnotgotoschool。\"
ButnowTommywassevenandhadbeentoschooltwoweeks，andsuchdelightfulweeks!Everydaymammalistenedtolongaccountsofhow\"meandDickRayplayedmarbles，\"and\"usfellerscrackedthewhip。\"Therewasanotherthingthatheusedtotellmammaabout，somethingthatinthosefirstdayshealwaysspokeofinthemostsubduedtones，andthat——Iamsorrytorecorditofanyschool，muchmoreaCheyenneschool——wasthenumerouswhippingsthatwereadministeredtovariouslittleboysandgirls。Therewassomethingpainfullyfascinatingaboutthosewhippingstorestless，mischievouslittleTommywhohadneverlearnedtheartofsittingstill。Heknewhisturnmightcomeatanymomentandonenighthecriedoutinhissleep:\"Oh，dear，whatwillbecomeofmeifIgetwhipped!\"Butasthedayspassedonandthispossibleretributionovertookhimnot，hisfearsgraduallyforsookhim，andinsteadofspeakingpitifullyof\"thosepoorlittlechildrenwhowerewhipped，\"hementionedtheminacausaloff-handmanneras，\"thosecry-babies，youknow？\"Oneafternoonmammasawhimsittingontheporch，slappinghislittlefathandwithastrap。\"Tommy，child，whatintheworldareyoudoing？\"
sheasked。
Intohispockethethrustthestrap，andthepinkcheeksgrewpinkerstillastheirowneranswered:
\"I——I——wasjustseeing——howhardIcouldhitmyhand——withoutcrying；\"andhedisappearedaroundthesideofthehousebeforemammacouldaskanymorequestions。
ThenextdayTommy\'sseatmate，DickyRay，wasnaughtyinschool，andMissLinnetcalledhimup，openedherdesk，tookoutalittleridingwhip——itwasabrightblueone——andthenandthereadministeredpunishment。Andbecausehecried，whenrecesscame，Tommysaid:\"Isn\'tDickRayjustareg\'largirlcry-baby？\"Hehadlearnedthatwordfromsomeofthebigboys，but，mindyou!
heneverdaredtosayitbeforehismother。
Dick\'sfaceflushedwithanger。\"Neveryoumind，TommyBrown，\"
saidhe，\"Justwaittillyougetwhippedandwe\'llseeatrulygirl-cry-babythen，won\'twe，Daisy？\"
Andblue-eyedDaisy，whowastheidoloftheirhearts，noddedhercurlylittleheadinthemostemphaticmanner，andsaidshe\"wouldn\'tbeonebits\'prisedifhe\'dhollersoloudthatheywouldhearhimwaydowninColorado。\"
Tommystoodaghast!for，reallyandtruly，hewasn\'tquitesostony-heartedalittlemortalasheappearedtobe；hehadbeensecretlyrathersorryforDick，but——hewantedDaisytothinkthathehimselfwasbigandmanly，andhehadtheopinionthatthiswasjustthewaytowinheradmiration。ButallthistimeHEDIDN\'TKNOWWHATDAISYDID——thatDick\'spocketswerefullofsugar-plums；tiptoponestoo，forDaisyhadtastedthem，andknewthatlittlepacketsofthemwouldfromtimetotimefindtheirwayintoherchubbyhand。
AlltherestofthemorningTommykeptthinking，thinking，thinking。Onethingwascertain:thepresentsituationwasnottobeenduredonemomentlongerthanwasabsolutelynecessary。
Butwhatcouldhedo？ShouldhefightDicky？Thisplanwasrejectedatonce，onhigh，moralgrounds。Well，then，supposingsomedarknightheshouldseeDaisyonthestreet，justgrabher，holdontightandsay:\"Now，DaisyRivers，Iwon\'tletyougotillyoupromiseyou\'lllikemeagreatdealbettererthanyoudoDickRay。\"Thereseemedsomethingniceaboutthisplan，verynice；themoreTommythoughtofit，thebetterhelikedit；onlythereweretwoobjectionstoit。Firstly:Daisyneverbyanychanceventuredoutdoorsafterdark。Secondly:NeitherdidTom。
Bothobjectionsbeinginsurmountable，thisdelightfulschemewasreluctantlyabandoned，andthethinkingprocesswentonharderthanever，tillatlast——oh，oh!ifheonlydared!Whatatriumphitwouldbe!Butthenhecouldn\'t——yes，hecouldtoo。
Didn\'tshesaythatshe\"wouldn\'tbeonebits\'prisedifheholleredsoloudthattheywouldhearhimwaydowninColorado？\"
Colorado，indeed!He\'dshowhertherewasoneboyintheschoolwhowasn\'tagirl-cry-baby!
Yes，actually，foolishTommyhaddecidedtoprovehismanhoodbybeingwhipped，andthatthatinterestinglittleeventshouldtakeplacethatveryafternoon!
Whatdidhedo？Hewhisperedsixtimes!
Haditbeenanyotherchild，hewouldsurelyhavebeenpunished；
butMissLinnetknewbothTommyandhismammaquitewell，andthereforesheknewalso，quitewell，thatonlyafewdaysagotheonehorrorofTommy\'slifehadbeenthethoughtthathemightpossiblybewhipped。Thentoo，itwashisfirsttermatschool，andhithertohehadbeenverygood。Soshedecidedtokeephimafterschoolandtalktohimofthesinfulnessofbadconductingeneral，andofwhisperinginparticular。Thisplanshefaithfullycarriedout，andthelittleculprit\'sheartsomeltedwithinhimthatheclimbeduponhisteacher\'slap，puthisarmsaroundherneckandkissedher，cryinghewouldneverbesonaughtyagain。HewasjustgoingtotellherallaboutDaisy，wheninwalkedafriendofMissLinnet\'s，sohewenthomeinstead。Thenextmorninghestartedforschoolwiththefirmdeterminationtobeagoodchild，andIreallybelievehewouldhavebeenhadnotthatprovokinglittlewitchofaDaisymarchedpasthiminaveryindependentmanner，hersaucynoseawayupintheair，andascornfullookintheprettyblueeyes。Itwasmorethanfleshandbloodcouldstand。AllTom\'sgoodresolutionsflewsky-high。
Whentwelveo\'clockcameMissLinnet\'slistofdelinquentsbeguninthiswise:
WHISPERMARKS。ThomasBrown……15
MelindaJones……11
Therewasgreatexcitementamongthelittlepeople。Howdaredanyonebesodreadfullybad!Tommy\'sheartsank，sank，sank，whenMissLinnetsaid:\"WhenschoolbeginsthisafternoonIshallpunishTommyandMelinda。\"
Andshedid!Shecalledthembothupontheplatform，madethemclasphandsandstandwiththeirbacksagainsttheblackboard，thenwrotejustabovetheirheads:
ThomasBrownandPartnersindisgrace。
MelindaJones15plus11=26。
Oh，howmortifiedandashamedTommywas!Ifonlyshehadwhippedhim，orifithadbeensomeothergirl。ButMELINDAJONES!!!
AttheendoftenminutesMissLinnetletthemtaketheirseats；
butTommy\'sheartburnedwithinhim。DAISYHADLAUGHEDWHENHE
STOODTHEREHOLDINGMELINDA\'SHAND!ThereweredeepcrimsonspotsonTommy\'scheeksallthatafternoonandaresolute，determinedlookinhisbrightbrowneyes，buthewasverystillandquiet。
Laterinthedaythechildrenwerestartledbyasuddencommotionontheothersideoftheroom。DaisywaswritingonherslateandMelindaJones，inpassingtoherseat，accidentallyknockeditoutofherhands；withoutamoment\'shesitation，Daisy，bywayofexpressingherfeelings，snatchedherslateandpromptlyadministeredsuchasounding\"whack!\"onMelinda\'sbackandshouldersasbroughtashriekofanguishfromthatpoor，littleunfortunatewhobegantothinkthatifallthedaysofherlifeweretobelikeuntothisday，existencewouldcertainlyproveaburden。
JustabouttwominuteslaterMissLinnetwasstandingbyherdesk，arulerinonehandandDaisy\'sopenpalmintheother，whileDaisyherself，miserablelittleculprit，stoodwhiteandtremblingbeforeher。Assheraisedtherulertogivethefirstblow，Tommysprangforward，placinghimselfatDaisy\'sside，puthisopenpalmoverhers，andwithtearsinhiseyes，pleadedinthiswise:
\"Please，MissLinnet，whipmeinstead!SheisonlyjustalittlegirlandIKNOWshe\'llcry，itwillhurtherso!I\'dratheritwouldbemeeverytimethanDaisy——trulyIwon\'tcry。Oh，pleasewhipme!\"
AndMissLinnetdidwhiphim，whileDaisy，filledwithremorse，clungtohimsobbingasifherheartwouldbreak。Tobesure，somebodywhooughttoknow，toldmeitwasthelightest\"feruling\"everchildreceived；butDaisyandTommybothassuredtheirmothersthatitwasthe\"dreadfulest，cruelest，hardestwhippingeverwas。\"
\"Anddidmylittlemancry？\"askedmamma。
\"No，indeed!IstoodupbigasIcould，lookedatDaisyandsmiled，\'causeIwassogladitwasn\'ther。\"
Thenthatproudandhappymammatookhiminherarmsandkissedhim；andrightinthemidstofthekissinginwalkedDaisy。
\"WouldTommypleasecomeandtakesupperwithher？\"
Ofcoursehewould，andtheywalkedoffhandinhand。WhentheypassedDicky\'shouseTommysuggested。\"S\'posingtheyforgiveDickandlethimgo\'longtoo。\"AndDaisyagreeing，theycalledthatyounggentlemanoutandmagnanimouslyinformedhimthathewasforgivenandmightcomeandhavesupperwiththem。
Whatintheworldtheyhadtoforgive，nobodyknows；butthen，solongasforgivenessprovedsuchaneminentlysatisfactoryarrangement，allround——why，nobodyneedcare。
ThechildrenwaitedoutsidethegatewhileDickcoaxedhismothertolethimgo，andstandingthere，handinhand，Daisypluckedupheartofgraceandwithveryrosycheeksandanairaboutherofgeneralpenitence，saidsomethingverysweetinaverysmallvoice:
\"I\'msorryyouwerewhipped，andoh，Tommy，IwishIhadn\'tsaidyou\'dholler!\"
Mrs。AMYTERESEPOWELSON。
Babythinksitfine，Inthesummer-time，Towadeinthebrookclearandbright。
ButabiggreenfrogJumpedoffofalog，AndgaveBabyCharlottequiteafright。
THETHREEFISHERS。
ThreefisherswentsailingawaytotheWest——
AwaytotheWestasthesunwentdown；
Eachthoughtonthewomanwholovedhimbest，Andthechildrenstoodwatchingthemoutofthetown；
Formenmustwork，andwomenmustweep，Andthere\'slittletoearnandmanytokeep，Thoughtheharbor-barbemoaning。
Threewivessatupinthelight-housetowerAndtrimmedthelampsasthesunwentdown；
Theylookedatthesquall，andtheylookedattheshower，Andthenight-wrackcamerollingup，raggedandbrown。
Butmenmustworkandwomenmustweep，Thoughstormsbesuddenandwatersdeep，Andtheharbor-barbemoaning。
ThreecorpseslayoutontheshiningsandsInthemorninggleamasthetidewentdown，Andthewomenareweepingandwringingtheirhands，Forthosewhowillnevercomebacktothetown；
Formenmustwork，andwomenmustweep——
Andthesoonerit\'sover，thesoonertosleep——
Andgood-bytothebaranditsmoaning。
CHARLESKINGSLEY。
Lionwithyourshaggymane，Tellme，areyouwildortame？
Onlittleboysdoyouliketosup，IfIcomenear，willyoueatmeup？
\"APPLESFINKEY\"——THEWATER-BOY。
\"ApplesFinkey!\"ManyanameHasagrandersoundintherolloffame；
ManyamoreresplendentdeedHasbursttolightinthehourofneed；
Butneveraonefromatruerheart，Strivingtoknowandtodoitspart。
Striving，underhisskinoftan，Withtheyearsofaladtoactlikeaman。
Andwhowas\"Apples？\"Ihearyouask。
Totracehisdescentwereindeedatask。
Windingandvaguewasthefamilyroad——
And，perhaps，likeTopsy，\"heonlygrowed。\"
Butintothecamphelolledonenoon，Barefoot，andwhistlingadarkytune，Intothecampofhisduskypeers——
Thegallantnegrocavaliers——
TheTenth，preparing，atbreako\'day，Tomovetothetransportdowninthebay。
Boom!roaredthegun——theshipswungfree，WithhergoodprowturnedtotheCaribSea。
\"Pityitwas，forthelittlecuss，Wecouldn\'ttake\'Apples\'alongwithus，\"
Thetroopersaid，ashewalkedthedeck，AndTampabecameavanishingspeck。
What\'sthat？AstirandacreakdownthereInthepiled-upfreight——thenatuftofhair，Crinkledandwoollyandunshorn——
Andoutpopped\"Apples\"\"ezshore\'syerborn!\"
Ofcoursehewasn\'tprovidedforInthecolonel\'srollortherulesofwar；
ButsomehoworotherthetroopwasgladTowelcomethelittledarkylad。
Youknowhowourbravemen，whiteandblack，LandedandfollowedtheSpaniard\'strack；
AndtheTenthwasthereintheveryfront，Seekingandfindingthebattle\'sbrunt。
OnwardtheymovedthroughthelivinghellWheretheenemy\'sbulletslikeraindropsfell，Downthroughthebrush，andonwardstillTilltheycametothefootofSanJuanhill——
Thenuptheywent，withneverafear，Andtheheightswerewonwithamad，wildcheer!
Andwherewas\"themascotFinkey\"then？
Inthesurgingranksofthefightingmen!
Whereveratrooperwasseentofall，Intheopenfieldorthechaparral；
Whereverwasfoundawoundedman；
\"Apples\"wastherewithhiswaterandcan。
Abouthimtheshrapnelburstinvain——
Hewasupandonwithhisworkagain。
Thesharpshootersrattledasharptattoo，Thesingingmausersaroundhimflew。
But\"Apples\"wasbusy——toobusytocareFortheinstantdeathandthedangerthere。
Manyaparchedthroatburninghot，ManyavictimofSpanishshot，Wasblessedthatday；erethefightwaswonUnderthetropical，deadlysun，Bythecooldropspouredfromthewater-canOftheduskyladwhowasallaman。
Intheforwardtrenches，atcloseofday，Burningwithfever，\"Finkey\"lay。
Heseemedtothinkthroughthelong，wetnight，Hestillwasoutintheragingfight，Foroncehespokeinhistroubledsleep；
\"I\'secomin\'，Cap。，efmylegs\'llkeep!\"
Nextday——andthenext——andthenext——hestayedInthetrenchesdugbytheSpaniard\'sspade，ForthesickandwoundedcouldnotgetbackOverthemountainous，muddytrack。
ButthetroopersgavewhattheyhadtogiveThatthelittlemascotmightstickandlive。
Overhimmanyadarkfacebent，Andthroughitallhewaswellcontent——
WellcontentasasoldiershouldWhohadfoughthisfightandthefoewithstood。
SlowlythesesternbeleagueredmenNursedhimbacktohisstrengthagain，TillonefairdayhisgladeyessawAsightthatfilledhimwithprideandawe，Forthere，ashelookedonthestrongholddown，Theflagwashoistedoverthetown，AndnoneinthathostfeltasweeterjoyThan\"ApplesFinkey，\"thewater-boy——
JOHNJEROMEROONEY，inNewYorkSun。
Downatthepondinzeroweather，Tohaveafineskatethegirlsandboysgather。
EventheBabythinksitatreat，Butsomehowcannotstayuponhisfeet。
Tom，Tom，thepiper\'sson，Stoleapigandawayherun!
Thepigwaseat，AndTomwasbeat，AndTomwentroaringdownthestreet。
THESOLDIER\'SREPRIEVE。
\"Ithought，Mr。Allen，whenIgavemyBennietohiscountry，thatnotafatherinallthisbroadlandmadesopreciousagift——no，notone。Thedearboyonlysleptaminute，justonelittleminuteathispost；Iknowthatwasall，forBennieneverdozedoveraduty。Howpromptandreliablehewas!Iknowheonlyfellasleeponelittlesecond——hewassoyoungandnotstrong，thatboyofmine。Why，hewasastallasI，andonlyeighteen!
Andnowtheyshoothimbecausehewasfoundasleepwhendoingsentinelduty。\"Twenty-fourhours，\'thetelegramsaid，onlytwenty-fourshours。WhereisBennienow？\"
\"WewillhopewithhisheavenlyFather，\"saidMr。Allensoothingly。
\"Yes，yes；letushope；Godisverymerciful!\'Ishouldbeashamed，father，\'Benniesaid，\'whenIamamantothinkIneverusedthisgreatrightarm\'——andhehelditoutproudlybeforeme——\'formycountrywhenitneededit。Palsyit，ratherthankeepitattheplow。\'\'Go，then，myboy，andGodkeepyou!\'I
said。Godhaskepthim，Ithink，Mr。Allen!\"Andthefarmerrepeatedtheselastwordsslowly，asifinspiteofhisreasonhisheartdoubtedthem。
\"Liketheappleoftheeye，Mr。Owen；doubtitnot。\"
Blossomsatnearthemlisteningwithblanchedcheek。Shehadnotshedatear。Heranxietyhadbeensoconcealedthatnoonehadnoticedit。Shehadoccupiedherselfmechanicallyinthehouseholdcares。Now，sheansweredagentletapatthedoor，openingittoreceivefromaneighbor\'shandaletter。\"Itisfromhim，\"wasallshesaid。
Itwaslikeamessagefromthedead!Mr。Owentooktheletter，butcouldnotbreaktheenvelopeonaccountofhistremblingfingers，andheldittowardMr。Allen，withthehelplessnessofachild。Theministeropeneditandreadasfollows:
\"DearFather:——WhenthisreachesyouIshallbeineternity。Atfirstitseemedawfultome，butIhavethoughtsomuchaboutitthatnowithasnoterror。Theysaytheywillnotbindme，norblindme，butthatImaymeetdeathlikeaman。Ithought，father，thatitmighthavebeenonthebattlefield，formycountry，andthatwhenIfell，itwouldbefightinggloriously；
buttobeshotdownlikeadogfornearlybetrayingit——todieforneglectofduty!O，father!Iwondertheverythoughtdoesnotkillme!ButIshallnotdisgraceyou；Iamgoingtowriteyouallaboutit，andwhenIamgoneyoumaytellmycomrades。I
cannot，now。
\"YouknowIpromisedJemmieCarr\'smotherIwouldlookafterherboy；andwhenhefellsickIdidallIcouldforhim。Hewasnotstrongwhenhewasorderedbackintotheranks，andthedaybeforethatnight，Icarriedallhisluggagebesidesmyownonourmarch。Towardsnightwewentinondoublequick，andthoughtheluggagebegantofeelveryheavy，everybodyelsewastired，too；andasforJemmie，ifIhadnotlenthimanarmnowandthenhewouldhavedroppedbytheway。Iwasalltiredoutwhenwecameintocamp，andthenitwasJemmie\'sturntobesentry。I
wouldtakehisplace；butIwastootired，father。Icouldnothavekeptawakeifagunhadbeenpointedatmyhead；butIdidnotknowituntil——well，untilitwastoolate。\"
\"Godbethanked\"interruptedMr。Owen，reverently，\"IknewBenniewasnottheboytosleepcarelesslyathispost。\"
\"Theytellmeto-daythatIhaveashortreprieve，\'timetowritetoyou，\'thegoodColonelsays。Forgivehim，Father，heonlydoeshisduty；hewouldgladlysavemeifhecould；anddonotlaymydeathagainstJemmie。Thepoorboyisheart-broken，anddoesnothingbutbegandentreatthemtolethimdieinmyplace。
\"Ican\'tbeartothinkofmotherandBlossom。Comfortthem，Father!TellthemIdieasabraveboyshould，andthat，whenthewarisover，theywillnotbeashamedofme，astheymustbenow。Godhelpme!Itisveryhardtobear!Good-bye，father，Godseemsnearanddeartome；notatallasifhewishedmetoperishforever，butasifhefeltsorryforhispoorsinful，broken-heartedchild，andwouldtakemetobewithhimandmySaviorinabetterlife。\"
AdeepsighburstfromMr。Owen\'sheart。\"Amen，\"hesaid，solemnly，\"amen。\"
\"To-night，intheearlytwilight，Ishallseethecowsallcominghomefromthepasture，andpreciouslittleBlossomstandingonthebackstoop，waitingforme!ButIshallnever，nevercome!
Godblessyouall!ForgiveyourpoorBennie!\"
Latethatnightthedoorofthe\"backstoop\"openedsoftlyandalittlefigureglidedoutanddownthefootpaththatledtotheroadbythemill。Sheseemedratherflyingthanwalking，turningherheadneithertotherightnorleft，lookingonlynowandthentoheaven，andfoldingherhandsisifinprayer。Twohourslaterthesameyounggirlstoodatthemilldepot，watchingthecomingofthenighttrain；andtheconductor，ashereacheddowntoliftherintothecar，wonderedatthetear-stainedfacethatwasupturnedtowardthedimlanternheheldinhishand。Afewquestionsandreadyanswerstoldhimall；andnofathercouldhavecaredmoretenderlyforhisonlychildthanheforourlittleBlossom。ShewasonherwaytoWashingtontoaskPresidentLincolnforherbrother\'slife。Shehadstolenaway，leavingonlyanotetotellthemwhereandwhyshehadgone。
ShehadbroughtBennie\'sletterwithher；nogood，kindheartlikethePresident\'scouldrefusetobemeltedbyit。ThenextmorningtheyreachedNewYork，andtheconductorhurriedherontoWashington。Everyminute，now，mightbethemeansofsavingherbrother\'slife。Andso，inanincrediblyshorttime，BlossomreachedtheCapitolandhastenedtotheWhiteHouse。
Thepresidenthadjustseatedhimselftohismorningtaskofoverlookingandsigningimportantpapers，whenwithoutonewordofannouncementthedoorsoftlyopened，andBlossom，withdown-casteyesandfoldedhands，stoodbeforehim。
\"Well，mychild，\"hesaidinhispleasant，cheerfultones，\"whatdoyouwantsobrightandearlythismorning？\"
\"Bennie\'slife，sir，\"falteredBlossom。
\"WhoisBennie？\"
\"Mybrother，sir。Theyaregoingtoshoothimforsleepingathispost。\"
\"O，yes，\"andMr。Lincolnranhiseyeoverthepapersbeforehim。
\"Iremember。Itwasafatalsleep。Yousee，mychild，itwasatimeofspecialdanger。Thousandsoflivesmighthavebeenlostbyhisculpablenegligence。\"
\"Somyfathersaid，\"repliedBlossom，gravely。\"ButpoorBenniewassotired，sir，andJemmiesoweak。Hedidtheworkoftwo，sir，anditwasJemmie\'snight，nothis；butJemmiewastootired，andBennieneverthoughtabouthimselfthathewastiredtoo。\"
\"Whatisthisyousay，child？Comehere，Idonotunderstand，\"
andthekindmancaughteagerlyaseveratwhatseemedtobeajustificationoftheoffense。
Blossomwenttohim；heputhishandtenderlyonhershoulderandturnedupthepalefacetowardhis。Howtallheseemed!AndhewasthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，too!AdimthoughtofthiskindpassedforaminutethroughBlossom\'smind，butshetoldhersimple，straightforwardstoryandhandedMr。LincolnBennie\'slettertoread。
Hereaditcarefully；thentakinguphispen，wroteafewhastylines，andranghisbell。
Blossomheardthisorder:\"Sendthisdispatchatonce!\"
ThePresidentthenturnedtothegirlandsaid:\"Gohome，mychild，andtellthatfatherofyours，whocouldapprovehiscountry\'ssentenceevenwhenittookthelifeofachildlikethat，thatAbrahamLincolnthinksthelifefartooprecioustobelost。Goback，or——waituntiltomorrow。Benniewillneedachangeafterhehassobravelyfaceddeath；heshallgowithyou。\"
\"Godblessyou，sir!\"saidBlossom；andwhoshalldoubtthatGodheardandregisteredtherequest？
Twodaysafterthisinterview，theyoungsoldiercametotheWhiteHousewithhislittlesister。HewascalledintothePresident\'sprivateroomandastrapfasteneduponhisshoulder。
Mr。Lincolnthensaid:\"Thesoldierthatcouldcarryasickcomrade\'sbaggageanddiefortheactsouncomplaininglydeserveswellofhiscountry。\"ThenBennieandBlossomtooktheirwaytotheirGreenMountainhome。Acrowdgatheredatthemilldepottowelcomethemback；andasFarmerOwen\'shandgraspedthatoftheboy，tearsfloweddownhischeeks，andhewasheardtosayfervently:
\"TheLordbepraised!\"——
FromtheNewYorkObserverIfIhadahorseIwouldcallhim\"Gay，\"
Feedandcurryhimwelleveryday，Hitchhimupinmycartandtakearide，WithBabyBrothertuckedinatmyside。
LITTLEBROWNTHRUSHES。
LittlebrownthrushesatsunriseinsummerAftertheMay-flowershavefadedaway，Warbletoshowuntoeverynew-comerHowtohushstars，yettowakentheDay:
Singingfirst，lullabies，then，jubilates，Watchingtheblueskywhereeverybird\'sheartis；
Then，aslamentingtheday\'sfadinglight，Downthroughthetwilight，whenweariedwithflight，Singingdivinely，theybreatheout，\"good-night!\"
Littlebrownthrusheswithbirdsyellow-breastedBrightasthesunshinethatJunerosesbring，Climbupandcarolo\'erhillssilver-crestedJustasthebluebirdsdointhespring，Seeingthebeesandthebutterfliesranging，Pointed-wingedswallowstheirsharpshadowschanging；
Butwhilesomesunsetisfloodingthesky，Upthroughtheglorythebrownthrushesfly，Singingdivinely，\"good-nightandgood-by!\"
BYMrs。WHITON-STONE。
ThistallGiraffe，Measurestenfeetandahalf，AndIwonderifhisneckOfrubberismade。
OutofthesunHethinkshehasrunButonlyhisfeetAreintheshade。
THESTORYOFTHEEMPTYSLEEVE。
Here，sityedownalongsideofme；I\'mgettingoldandgray；
Butsomethinginthepaper，boy，hasriledmybloodtoday。
Tostealapurseismeanenough，themostofmenagree；
Butstealingreputationseemsameanerthingtome。
AletterintheHeraldsayssomegeneralsallowThattherewa\'n\'tnofightwhereLookoutrearsaloftitsshaggybrow；
Butthiscoatsleeveswingingemptyherebesideme，boy，to-day，Tellsamightydifferentstoryinamightydifferentway。
Whensunbeamsflashedo\'erMissionRidgethatbrightNovembermorn，ThemistycaponLookout\'screstgavetokenofastorm；
ForgrimKingDeathhaddrapedthemountingrayish，smokyshrouds——
Itscraggypeakswerelosttosightabovethefleecyclouds。
Justatthemountain\'srockybaseweformedinserriedlines，Whilelightningwithitsjaggededgeplayedonusfromthepines；
Themissionourstostormthepits\'neathLookout\'screstthatlay；
Westormedthevery\"gatesofhell\"with\"FightingJoe\"thatday。
Themountainseemedtovomitflames；theboomofheavygunsPlayedtoDixie\'smusic，whileatrebleplayedthedrums:
Theeagleswakingfromtheirsleep，lookeddownuponthestarsSlowclimbingupthemountainside，withmorning\'sbrokenbars。
WekeptoureyesupontheflagthatupwardledthewayUntilwelostitinthesmokeonLookoutsidethatday；
Andthenlikedemonsloosedfromhellweclamberedupthecrag，\"Excelsior，\"ourmotto，andourmission，\"Savetheflag。\"
Inanswertotherebelyellwegavearingingcheer；
Welefttherifle-pitsbehind，thecrestloomedupwardnear；
Alightwindplaying\'longthepeaksjustlifteddeath\'sgrayshroud；
Wecaughtthegleamofsilverstarsjustbreakingthroughthecloud。
AshatteredarmhungatmysidethatdayonLookout\'scrag，AndyetI\'dgivetheothernowtosavethedearoldflag。
TheregimentalrollwhencalledonLookout\'screstthatnightWasmorethandoubledbytherollDeathcalledinrealmsoflight。
Justasthesunsankslowlydownbehindthemountain\'screst，Whenmountainpeaksgavebackthefirethatflamedalongthewest，Swiftridingdownalongtheridgeuponachargerwhite，Came\"FightingJoe，\"theheronowofLookout\'sfamousfight。
Heswunghiscapastearsofjoyslowtrickleddownhischeek，Andasourcheeringdiedaway，thegeneraltriedtospeak。
Hesaid，\"Boys，I\'llcourt-martialyou，yes，everymanthat\'shere；
Isaidtotaketheriflepits，\"westoppedhimwithacheer，\"Isaidtotaketheriflepitsuponthemountain\'sedge，AndI\'llcourt-martialyoubecause——becauseyoutooktheridge\"
ThensuchalaughasswepttheridgewherelateKingDeathhadstrode!
Andsuchacheerasrenttheskies，asdownourlinesherode!
I\'mgettingoldandfeeble，I\'venotlongtolive，Iknow，ButthereWASAFIGHTATLOOKOUT。Iwastherewith\"FightingJoe。\"
SothesegeneralsintheHerald，theymayreckonandallowThattherewarn\'tnofightatLookoutonthemountain\'sshaggybrow，Butthisemptycoat-sleeveswingingherebesideme，boy，to-dayTellsamightydifferenttaleinamightydifferentway。
R。L。CARY，JR。
Arace!Arace!Whichwillwin，ThinlittleHaroldorchubbyJim？
SurelynotHaroldfortherehegoesDownsoflathebumpshisnose，WhileJimmystopsshort。
Thefatlittleelf，Sayshecan\'trunaraceallbyhimself。
FACINGTHEWORLD。
\"GladIam，mother，theholidaysareover。It\'squitedifferentgoingbacktoschoolagainwhenonegoestobecaptain——asI\'msuretobe。Isn\'titjolly？\"
Mrs。Boyd\'sfaceasshesmiledbackatDonaldwasnotexactly\"jolly。\"Still，shedidsmile；andthentherecameoutthestronglikenessoftenseenbetweenmotherandson，evenwhen，asinthiscase，thefeatureswereverydissimilar。Mrs。Boydwasapretty，delicatelittleEnglishwoman:andDonaldtookafterhisfather，abig，brawnyScotsman，certainlynotpretty，andnotalwayssweet。Poorman!hehadoflateyearshadonlytoomuchtomakehimsour。
Thoughshetriedtosmileandsucceeded，thetearswereinMrs。
Boyd\'seyes，andhermouthwasquivering。Butshesetittightlytogether，andthenshelookedmorethaneverlikeherson，orrather，hersonlookedlikeher。
Hewastooeagerinhisdelighttonoticehermuch。\"Itisjolly，isn\'tit，mother？IneverthoughtI\'dgettothetopoftheschoolatall，forI\'mnotnearsocleverassomeofthefellows。ButnowI\'vegotmyplace；andIlikeit，andImeantokeepit；you\'llbepleasedatthat，mother？\"
\"Ishouldhavebeenif——if——\"Mrs。Boydtriedtogetthewordsoutandfailed，closedhereyesastightashermouthforaminute，thenopenedthemandlookedherboyinthefacegravelyandsadly。
\"Itgoestomyhearttotellyou——Ihavebeenwaitingtosayitallmorning，but，Donald，mydear，youwillnevergobacktoschoolatall。\"
\"Notgoback；whenI\'mcaptain!why，youandfatherbothsaidthatifIgottobethat，IshouldnotstoptillIwasseventeen——andnowI\'monlyfifteenandahalf。O，mother，youdon\'tmeanit!Fathercouldn\'tbreakhisword!Imaygoback!\"
Mrs。Boydshookherheadsadly，andthenexplainedasbrieflyandcalmlyasshecouldtheheavyblowwhichhadfallenuponthefather，and，indeed，uponthewholefamily。Mr。Boydhadlongbeentroubledwithhiseyes，aboutasseriousatroubleascouldhavebefallenamaninhisprofession——anaccountant——astheycallitinScotland。Latelyhehadmadesomeseriousblundersinhisarithmetic，andhiseyesightwassoweakthathiswifepersuadedhimtoconsultafirst-rateEdinburghoculist，whoseopinion，givenonlyyesterday，aftermanydaysofanxioussuspense，wasthatinafewmonthshewouldbecomeincurablyblind。
\"Blind，poorfatherblind!\"Donaldputhishandbeforehisowneyes。Hewastoobigaboytocry，oratanyrate，tobeseencrying，butitwaswithachokingvoicethathespokenext:\"I\'llbehiseyes；I\'moldenough。\"
\"Yes；inmanywaysyouare，myson，\"saidMrs。Boyd，whohadhadadayandanighttofacehersorrow，andknewshemustdosocalmly。\"Butyouarenotoldenoughtomanagethebusiness；yourfatherwillrequiretotakeapartnerimmediately，whichwillreduceourincomeone-half。Thereforewecannotpossiblyaffordtosendyoutoschoolagain。Thelittleonesmustgo，theyarenotnearlyeducatedyet，butyouare。Youwillhavetofacetheworldandearnyourownliving，assoonaseveryoucan。Mypoorboy!\"
\"Don\'tcallmepoor，mother。I\'vegotyouandfatherandtherest。And，asyousay，I\'vehadagoodeducationsofar。AndI\'mfifteenandahalf，no，fifteenandthree-quarters——almostaman。I\'mnotafraid。\"
\"NorI，\"saidhismother，whohadwaitedafullminutebeforeDonaldcouldfindvoicetosayallthis，anditwasatlaststammeredoutawkwardlyandatrandom。\"No；Iamnotafraidbecausemyboyhastoearnhisbread；Ihadearnedmineforyearsasagovernesswhenfathermarriedme。IbeganworkbeforeIwassixteen。Mysonwillhavetodothesame，thatisall。\"
Thatdaythemotherandsonspokenomoretogether。Itwasasmuchastheycoulddotobeartheirtrouble，withouttalkingaboutit，andbesides，Donaldwasnotaboyto\"makeafuss\"overthings。Hecouldmeetsorrowwhenitcame，thatis，thelittleofithehadeverknown，buthedislikedspeakingofit，andperhapshewasright。
Sohejust\"madehimselfscarce\"tillbedtime，andneversaidawordtoanybodyuntilhismothercameintotheboys\'roomtobidthemgood-night。Therewerethreeofthem，butallwereasleepexceptDonald。Ashismotherbentdowntokisshim，heputbotharmsroundherneck。
\"Mother，I\'mgoingtobeginto-morrow。\"
\"Beginwhat，myson？\"
\"Facingtheworld，asyousaidImust。Ican\'tgotoschoolagain，soImeantotryandearnmyownliving。\"
\"How？\"
\"Idon\'tquiteknow，butI\'lltry。ThereareseveralthingsI
couldbe，aclerk——orevenamessage-boy。Ishouldn\'tlikeit，butI\'ddoanythingratherthandonothing。\"
Mrs。Boydsatdownonthesideofthebed。Ifshefeltinclinedtocryshehadtoomuchsensetoshowit。Sheonlytookfirmholdofherboy\'shand，andwaitedforhimtospeakon。
\"I\'vebeenthinking，mother，IwastohaveanewsuitatChristmas；willyougiveitnow？Andletitbeacoat，notajacket。I\'mtallenough——fivefeetsevenlastmonth，andgrowingstill；Ishouldlookalmostaman。ThenIwouldgoroundtoeveryofficeinEdinburghandaskiftheywantedaclerk。I
wouldn\'tmindtakinganythingtobeginwith。AndIcanwriteadecenthand，andI\'mnotbadatfigures；asformyLatinandGreek——\"
HereDonaldgulpeddownasigh，forhewasacapitalclassic，andithadbeensuggestedthatheshouldgotoGlasgowUniversityandtryfor\"theSnell\"whichhassentsomanycleveryoungScotsmentoBalliolCollege，Oxford，andthenceontofameandprosperity。
Butalas!nocollegecareerwasnowpossibletoDonaldBoyd。
Thebesthecouldhopeforwastoearnafewshillingsaweekasacommonclerk。Heknewthis，andsodidhismother。Buttheynevercomplained。Itwasnofaultoftheirs，norofanybody\'s。
Itwasjustastheydevoutlycalledit，\"ThewillofGod。\"
\"YourLatinandGreekmaycomeinsomeday，myboy，\"saidMrs。
Boydcheerfully。\"Goodworkisneverlost。Inthemeantime，yourplanisagoodone，andyoushallhaveyournewclothesatonce。Then，doasyouthinkbest。\"
\"Allright；good-night，mother，\"saidDonald，andinfiveminutesmorewasfastasleep。
But，thoughhewasmuchgiventosleepingofnights——indeed，heneverrememberedlyingawakeforasinglehourinhislife——duringdaytimethereneverwasamore\"wideawake\"boythanDonaldBoyd。Hekepthiseyesopentoeverything，andneverletthe\"goldenminute\"slipbyhim。Heneveridledabout——playhedidn\'tconsideridlingnordoI。AndIamboundtoconfessthateverydayuntilthenewclothescamehomewasscrupulouslyspentincricket，football，andalltheotheramusementswhichhewasasgoodatashewasathislessons。Hewanted\"tomakethebestofhisholidays，\"hesaid，knowingwellthatforhimholidaytimeaswellasschooltimewasnowdone，andtheworkoftheworldhadbeguninearnest。
TheclothescamehomeonSaturdaynight，andhewenttochurchinthemonSunday，tohislittlesister\'sgreatadmiration。Stillgreaterwastheirwonderwhen，onMondaymorning，heappearedinthesamesuit，lookingquiteaman，astheyunanimouslyagreed，andalmostbeforebreakfastwasdone，startedoff，notsayingawordofwherehewasgoing。
Hedidnotcomebacktilltheyoungeroneswereallawaytobed，sotherewasnoonetoquestionhim，whichwasfortunate，fortheymightnothavegotverysmoothanswers。Hismothersawthis，andshealsoforbore。Shewasnotsurprisedthatthebright，bravefaceofthemorninglookeddullandtired，andthatevidentlyDonaldhadnogoodnewsofthedaytotellher。
\"IthinkI\'llgotobed，\"wasallhesaid。\"Mother，willyougivemea\'piece\'inmypocketto-morrow？Onecanwalkbetterwhenoneisn\'tsodesperatelyhungry。\"
\"Yes，myboy。\"Shekissedhim，sawthathewaswarmedandfed——hehadevidentlybeenonhislegsthewholeday——thensenthimofftohisbed，whereshesoonheardhimdelightfullysnoring，obliviousofallhiscares。
Thesamethingwentondayafterday，forsevendays。Sometimeshetoldhismotherwhathadhappenedtohimandwherehehadbeen，sometimesnot；whatwasthegoodoftelling？Itwasalwaysthesamestory。Nobodywantedaboyoraman，forDonald，trustingtohisinchesandhiscoat，hadappliedforman\'sworkalso，butinvain。Mrs。Boydwasnotastonished。Sheknewhowharditistogetone\'sfootintoeversosmallacornerinthisbusyworld，wheretenarealwaysstrugglingfortheplaceofone。
Still，shealsoknewthatitneverdoestogivein；thatonemustleavenostoneunturnedifonewishestogetworkatall。Alsoshebelievedfirmlyinanaxiomofheryouth——\"Nothingisdeniedtowell-directedlabor。\"Butitmustberealhard\"labor，\"anditmustalsobe\"welldirected。\"So，thoughherheartachedsorely，asonlyamother\'scan，sheneverbetrayedit，buteachmorningsentherboyawaywithacheerfulface，andeacheveningreceivedhimwithone，which，iflesscheerful，wasnotlesssympathetic，butsheneversaidaword。
Attheweek\'send，infact，onSundaymorning，astheywerewalkingtochurch，Donaldsaidtoher:\"Mother，mynewclotheshaven\'tbeenoftheslightestgood。I\'vebeenalloverEdinburgh，toeveryplaceIcouldthinkof——writers\'offices，merchants\'offices，wharves，railway-stations——butit\'snouse。
EverybodywantstoknowwhereI\'vebeenbefore，andI\'vebeennowhereexcepttoschool。IsaidIwaswillingtolearn，butnobodywillteachme；theysaytheycan\'taffordit。Itislikekeepingadog，andbarkingyourself。Whichisonlytootrue，\"
addedDonald，withaheavysigh。
\"Maybe，\"saidMrs。Boyd。Yetasshelookedupatherson——shereallydidlookupathim，hewassotall——shefeltthatifhishonest，intelligentfaceandmanlybearingdidnotwinsomethingatlast，whatwastheworldcomingto？\"Myboy，\"shesaid，\"thingsareveryhardforyou，butnotharderthanforothers。I
rememberonce，whenIwasonlyafewyearsolderthanyou，findingmyselfwithonlyhalfacrowninmypocket。Tobesureitwasawholehalf-crown，forIhadpaideveryhalf-pennyIowedthatmorning，butIhadnoideawherethenexthalf-crownwouldcomefrom。However，itdidcome。Iearnedtwopoundsten，theverydayafterthatday。\"
\"Didyoureally，mother？\"saidDonald，hiseyesbrightening。
\"ThenI\'llgoon。I\'llnot\'gangawabacktomymither，\'asthatoldgentlemanadvisedme，whoobjectedtobarkhimself；aqueer，crabbedoldfellowhewastoo，buthewastheonlyonewhoaskedmynameandaddress。Therestofthem——well，mother，I\'vestoodagooddealthesesevendays，\"Donaldadded，gulpingdownsomethingbetweena\"fuff\"ofwrathandasob。
\"Iamsureyouhave，myboy。\"
\"ButI\'llholdon；onlyyou\'llhavetogetmybootsmended，andmeantime，Ishouldliketotryanewdodge。Mybicycle，itliesinthewashing-house；yourememberIbrokeitandyoudidn\'twishitmended，lestIshouldbreaksomethingworsethanawheel，perhaps。Itwasn\'tworthwhileriskingmylifeformerepleasure，butIwantmybicyclenowforuse。Ifyouletmehaveitmended，Icangoupanddownthecountryforfiftymilesinsearchofwork——toFalkirk，Linlithgow，orevenGlasgow，andI\'llcostyounothingfortravelingexpenses。Isn\'tthatabrightidea，mother？\"
Shehadnotthehearttosayno，ortosuggestthataboyonabicycleapplyingforworkwasathingtoonoveltobeeminentlysuccessful。Buttogetworkwasatoncesoessentialandsohopeless，thatshewouldnotthrowanycoldwateronDonald\'seagernessandpluck。Shehopedtoo，that，spiteoftheeccentricityofthenotion，someshrewd，kind-heartedgentlemanmighthavesenseenoughtoseethehonestpurposeofthepoorladwhohadonlyhimselftodependupon。Forhisfatherhadnowfallenintoastateofdepressionwhichmadeallapplicationtohimforeitheradviceorhelpworsethanuseless。AndasbothheandMrs。Boydhadbeensolitaryorphanswhentheyweremarried，therewerenonearrelativesofanykindtocometotherescue。
Donaldknew，andhismotherknewtoo，thathemustshiftforhimself，tosinkorswim。
So，aftertwodays\'rest，whichhemuchneeded，theboywentoffagain\"onhisownhook，\"andhisbicycle，whichwasadegreebetterthanhislegs，hesaid，asitsavesshoe-leather。Also，hewasabletocomehomeprettyregularlyatthesamehour，whichwasagreatrelieftohismother。Buthecamehomenearlyastiredasever，andwithadespondentlookwhichdeepenedeveryday。Evidentlyitwasjustthesamestory；noworktobehad；oriftherewaswork，itwasstruggledforbyascoreoffellows，withage，character，andexperiencetobackthem，andDonaldhadnoneofthethree。Buthehadonequality，therootofallsuccessintheend，doggedperseverance。
Thereisasaying，thatweBritishgainourvictories，notbecauseweareneverbeaten，butbecauseweneverwillseethatwearebeaten，andsogoonfightingtillwewin。\"Neversaydie，\"wasDonald\'swordtohismothernightafternight。ButsheknewthatthosewhoneverSAYdie，sometimesDOdie，quitequietly，andshewatchedwithasoreheartherboygrowingthinnerandmoreworn，eventhoughbrownasaberrywithconstantexposurealldaylongtowindandweather，foritwasnowlessautumnthanwinter。
Afterafortnight，Mrs。Boydmadeuphermindthatthiscouldnotgoonanylonger，andsaidso。\"Verywell，\"Donaldanswered，acceptingherdecisionashehadbeeninthehabitofdoingallhislife——Mrs。Boyd\'schildrenknewverywellthatwhateverherwillwas，itwassuretobeajustandwisewill，herselfbeingthelastpersonsheeverthoughtof——\"Yes，I\'llgivein，ifyouthinkIought，forit\'sonlywearingoutmyselfandmyclothestonogood。OnlyletmehaveonedaymoreandI\'llgoasfaraseverIcan，perhapstoDunfermline，orevenGlasgow。\"
Shewouldnotforbid，andoncemoreshestartedhimoffwithacheerfulfaceinthetwilightofthewetOctobermorning，andsatalldaylongintheemptyhouse——fortheyoungeroneswerenowallgoingtoschoolagain——thinkingsorrowfullyofhereldest，whosemerryschooldaysweredoneforever。
Intheduskoftheafternoonacardwasbroughtuptoher，withthemessagethatanoldgentlemanwaswaitingbelow，wishingtoseeher。
Ashudderranthroughthepoormother，who，likemanyanothermother，hatedbicycles，andneverhadaneasymindwhenDonaldwasawayonhis。Thestranger\'sfirstwordwasanythingbutreassuring。
\"Begpardonma\'am，butisyournameBoyd，andhaveyouasoncalledDonald，whowentoutonabicyclethismorning？\"
\"Yes，yes!Hasanythinghappened？Tellmequick!\"
\"I\'mnotaware，ma\'am，thatanythinghashappened，\"saidtheoldgentleman。\"Isawtheladatlightthismorning。Heseemedtobemanaginghismachineuncommonlywell。ImethimatthefootofahillnearEdinburghCastle。Hehadgotoffandwaswalking；
sohesawme，andtookoffhiscap。Ilikerespect，especiallyinayoungfellowtowardsanoldone。\"
\"Didheknowyou，forIhavenotthatpleasure？\"saidMrs。Boyd，polite，thoughpuzzled。Fortheoldmandidnotlookquitelikeagentleman，andspokewiththestrongaccentofanuneducatedperson，yethehadakindlyexpression，andseemedhonestandwell-meaning，thoughdecidedly\"canny。\"
\"Icannotsayheknewme，butherememberedme，whichwascivilofhim。AndthenImindedtheladastheonethathadcometomeforworkaweekortwoago，andItookhisnameandaddress。
That\'syourson\'swriting？\"hejumbledoutandshowedascrapofpaper。\"It\'sbonafide，isn\'tit？
\"Andhereallyisinsearchofwork？Hehasn\'trunawayfromhome，orbeenturnedoutbyhisfatherformisconduct，oranythingofthatsort？Heisn\'tascamp，orane\'er-do-weel？\"
\"Ihopehedoesn\'tlooklikeit，\"saidMrs。Boyd，proudly。
\"No，ma\'am；you\'reright，hedoesn\'t。Hecarrieshischaracterinhisfacewhich，maybe，isbetterthaninhispocket。Itwasthatwhichmademeaskhisnameandaddress，thoughIcoulddonothingforhim。\"
\"Thenyouwerethegentlemanwhotoldhimyoucouldn\'tkeepadogandbarkyourself？\"saidMrs。Boyd，amused，andjustashadehopeful。
\"Precisely。NorcanI。Itwouldhavebeencoolimpudenceinaladtocomeandasktobetaughthisworkfirstandthenpaidforit，ifhehadn\'tbeensoverymuchinearnestthatIwasrathersorryforhim。I\'minclinedtobelieve，fromthetalkIhadwithhimatthefootofthebraeto-day，thatheisayoungdogthatwouldbarkwithuncommonlittleteaching。Material，ma\'am，iswhatwewant。Idon\'tcareforitsbeingrawmaterial，ifit\'sonlyoftherightsort。I\'vemadeupmymindtotryyourboy。\"
\"ThankGod!\"
\"Whatdidyousay，ma\'am？But——Ibegyourpardon。\"
ForhesawthatMrs。Boydhadquitebrokendown。Intruth，thestrainhadbeensolongandsogreatthatthissuddenreliefwasquitetoomuchforher。Shesobbedheartily。
\"Ioughttobegyourpardon，\"shesaidatlast，\"forbeingsofoolish，butwehavehadhardtimesoflate。\"
Andthen，inafewsimplewords，shetoldDonald\'swholestory。
Theoldmanlistenedtoitinsilence。Sometimeshenoddedhishead，orbeathischinonhisstoutstickashesat；buthemadenocommentwhatever，exceptabrief\"Thankyou，ma\'am。\"
\"Nowtobusiness，\"continuedhe，takingouthiswatch；\"forI\'mdueatdinner:andIalwayskeepmyappointments，evenwithmyself。IhopeyourDonaldisapunctuallad？\"
\"Yes。Hepromisedtobebackbydark，andIamsurehewillbe。
Couldyounotwait？\"
\"No。Ineverwaitforanybody；butkeepnobodywaitingforme。
I\'mBethune&Co。，LeithMerchants——practically，oldJohnBethune，whobeganlifeasamessage-boy，andhasdoneprettywell，considering。\"
Hehad，asMrs。Boydwaswellaware。Bethune&Co。wasanamesowellknownthatshecouldhardlybelieveinherboy\'sgoodluckingettingintothathouseinanycapacitywhatever。
\"Soallissettled，\"saidMr。Bethune，rising。\"LethimcometomeonMondaymorning，andI\'llseewhatheisfitfor。He\'llhavetostartattheverybottom——sweeptheoffice，perhaps——I
diditmyselfonce——andI\'llgivehim——letmesee——tenshillingsaweektobeginwith。\"
\"\'Tobeginwith，\'\"repeatedMrs。Boyd，gentlybutfirmly；\"buthewillsoonbeworthmore。Iamsureofthat。\"
\"Verywell。WhenIseewhatstuffheismadeof，heshallhavearise。ButIneverdothingsathaphazard；andit\'seasiergoingupthancomingdown。I\'mnotabenevolentman，Mrs。Boyd，andyouneednotthinkit。ButI\'vefoughttheworldprettyhardmyself，andIliketohelpthosethatarefightingit。Goodevening。Isn\'tthatyoursoncomingroundthecorner？Well，he\'sbackexacttohistime，atanyrate。TellhimIhopehewillbeaspunctualonMondaymorning。Goodevening，ma\'am。\"
Now，ifthiswereanimaginarystory，ImightwinditupbyadelightfuldenoumentofMr。Bethune\'sturningoutanoldfriendofthefamily，ordevelopingintoanewone，andtakingsuchafancytoDonaldthatheimmediatelygavehimaclerkshipwithalargesalary，andthepromiseofapartnershiponcomingofage，orthisworthygentlemanshouldbeaneccentricoldbachelorwhoimmediatelyadoptedthatwonderfulboyandbefriendedthewholeBoydfamily。
Butneitherofthesethings，noranythingelseremarkable，happenedintherealstory，which，asitisliterallytrue，thoughtoldwithcertainnecessarydisguises，IprefertokeeptoascloselyasIcan。Suchastonishingbitsof\"luck\"donothappeninreallife，orhappensorarelythatoneinclines，atleast，tobelieveverylittleineithergoodorillfortune，asamatterofchance。Thereisalwayssomethingatthebackofitwhichfurnishesakeytothewhole。Practically，aman\'slotisofhisownmaking。Hemayfail，forawhileundeservedly，orhemaysucceedundeservedly，but，inthelongrun，timebringsitsrevengesanditsrewards。
AsitdidtoDonaldBoyd。HehasnotbeentakenintothehouseofBethune&Co。，asapartner；anditwaslongbeforehebecameevenaclerk——atleastwithanythinglikeahighsalary。ForMr。
Bethune，sofarfrombeinganoldbachelor，hadalargefamilytoprovidefor，andwasbringingupseveralofhissonstohisownbusiness，sotherewaslittleroomforastranger。Butayoungmanwhodeservestofindroomgenerallydoesfindit，ormakeit。
AndthoughDonaldstartedatthelowestrungoftheladder，hemayclimbtothetopyet。
Hehad\"afairfield，andnofavor。\"Indeed，heneitherwishednoraskedfavor。Hedeterminedtostandonhisownfeetfromthefirst。Hehadhardworkandfewholidays，mademistakes，foundthemoutandcorrectedthem，gotsharpwordsandborethem，learnthisownweakpointsand——notsoeasily——hisstrongones。
Stillhedidlearnthem；for，unlessyoucantrustyourself，besurenobodyelsewilltrustyou。
ThiswasDonald\'sgreatpoint。HEWASTRUSTED。Peoplesoonfoundoutthattheymighttrusthim；thathealwaystoldthetruth，andneverpretendedtodomorethanhecoulddo；butthatwhichhecoulddo，theymightdependuponhisdoing，punctually，accurately，carefully，andneverleavingofftillitwasdone。
Therefore，thoughothersmightbequicker，sharper，more\"uptothings\"thanhe，therewasnoonesoreliable，anditsoongottobeaproverbintheofficeofBethune&Co——andotheroffices，too——\"Ifyouwishathingdone，gotoBoyd。\"
Iamboundtosaythis，forIampaintingnoimaginaryportrait，butdescribinganindividualwhoreallyexists，andwhomaybemetanydaywalkingaboutEdinburgh，thoughhisnameisnotDonaldBoyd，andthereisnosuchfirmasBethune&Co。Butthehousehedoesbelongtovaluestheyoungfellowsohighlythatthereislittledoubthewillriseinit，andriseineveryway，probablytotheverytopofthetree，andtellhischildrenandgrandchildrenthestorywhich，initsmainfeatures，Ihaverecordedhere，ofhowhefirstbeganfacingtheworld。
BYTHEAUTHOROF\"JOHNHALIFAX，GENTLEMAN。\"
WewenttotheZootheLeopardtosee，Butfoundhimanunsociablefellow。
HewouldnotlookatusorsaywhereheboughtHispolka-dotsuitofyellow。
ROBERTOFLINCOLN。
Merrilyswingingonbriarandweed，Neartothenestofhislittledame，Overthemountain-sideormead，RobertofLincolnistellinghisname；
Bob-o\'-link，bob-o\'-link，Spink，spank，spink；
Snugandsafeinthatnestofours，Hiddenamongthesummerflowers。
Chee，chee，chee。
RobertofLincolnisgaylydressed。
Wearingabrightblackwedding-coat；
Whitearehisshouldersandwhitehiscrest，Hearhimcallinghismerrynote:
Bob-o\'-link，bob-o\'-link，Spink，spank，spink；
Look，whatanicenewcoatismine，Suretherewasneverabirdsofine。
Chee，chee，chee。
RobertofLincoln\'sQuakerwife，Prettyandquiet，withplainbrownwings，Passingathomeaquietlife，Broodsinthegrasswhileherhusbandsings:
Bob-o\'-link，bob-o\'-link，Spink，spank，spink；
Brood，kindcreatures；youneednotfearThievesandrobberswhileIamhere。
Chee，chee，chee。
Modestandshyasanunisshe，Oneweakchirpisheronlynote，Braggartandprinceofbraggartsishe，Pouringboastsfromhislittlethroat:
Bob-o\'-link，bob-o\'-link，Spink，spank，spink；
NeverwasIafraidofman；
Catchme，cowardlyknaves，ifyoucan。
Chee，chee，chee。
Sixwhiteeggsonabedofhay，Fleckedwithpurple，aprettysight!
Thereasthemothersitsallday，Robertissingingwithallhismight:
Bob-o\'-link，bob-o\'-link，Spink，spank，spink；
Nicegoodwife，thatnevergoesout，KeepinghousewhileIfrolicabout。
Chee，chee，chee。
Soonasthe-littleoneschiptheshellSixwidemouthsareopenforfood；
RobertofLincolnbestirshimwell，Gatheringseedforthehungrybrood。
Bob-o\'-link，bob-o\'-link，Spink，spank，spink；
ThisnewlifeislikelytobeHardforagayyoungfellowlikeme。
Chee，chee，chee。