FLORA'S PROTECTOR-READY FOR A WALK.-Paye 7. and, with an unfriendly push, hurried on as fast as the blinding snow would let her. But after a few steps, a low, mournful whine smote her ears, and sent reproach to her heart, as Gelert, once more bounding before her, crouched lovingly at her feet, his intelligent eyes seeming to say, "What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me ?". The look conveyed these words to Flora's mind, as the memory of Balaam and his ass flashed instantly through her brain. "Am I wrong! and does Gelert know it? Dear, faithful Gelert!-Home, Gel! you lead!" Allowing the dog to re-possess himself of a piece of her frock, the now excited little girl submitted to her protector's guidance, and just as the whole household at Woodside Hall, in a state of painful commotion, were devising means for a search, she and her trusty attendant made their appearance. "I was going in quite a wrong direction," explained Flora," and if it had not been for Gelert I might never have reached home at all." The caresses and endearments that were lavished on the beautiful hound, as his young mistress uttered these words, were profuse; and among the family at Woodside Hall and their circle of friends, he has become as renowned as his famous namesake-Llewellyn's favourite greyhound. S. L. H. GRANDMOTHER'S PATTENS ; OR, PRIDE LEADS TO MANY PITFALLS. PART I. HAT would you like best in all the world, Grandmother?" asked little Mark Benison, as he looked up into his grandmother's face. Grandmother had such a bright, kind face that it was a pleasure to look at it. It was something like a ray of sunshine upon a garden of flowers. She wore a white cap with a frill all round, and there were flowers upon her cotton gown. "Like!" she answered; 66 why, 7, my little lad, I should like very much to see you trying to be a good boy always; for one thing, I should like to think you were growing up to love and serve God with all your heart, and to take care of your little brother." "Oh," said Mark, slowly," that's what you'd like, grandmother? Why, ain't I a good boy? Schoolmaster says so." "You are sometimes, Mark," said grandmother; "but I wish you were not given to think yourself so good. Pride leads into many pitfalls, remember Mark, I'm often telling you that." "And so you want me to grow up a big man, and take care of you, grandmother, and Tots," Mark answered. He was still thinking more of himself than of his grandmother's words. "Well, I hope I shall soon. I'm going to do all sorts of things when I'm a man, you know, grandmother; I've told Tots some of the things," Mark said, nodding his head proudly. "I want you to begin now, Mark," his grandmother answered. "Do not put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. There's that garden you've left to weeds now, you couldn't work hard enough in it at one time. Ah, Mark, pride and putting off are two very bad things. Try and fight against them, my little lad." Mark was standing by the window when his grandmother spoke; he turned red and looked out at the little garden. The pretty pink roses were all in a tangle with creeping woodbine. The snails were eating up the tender young seedlings. The sweet Williams and wall-flowers were surrounded with weeds, nettles, and thistles. "I know a little boy who was going to keep the garden nice, and work in it every day," said Grandmother. 66 Yes, grandmother, I shall have it done up grand, I am sure, very sure," Mark said. He leaned to look out of the window, and the more weeds he saw the higher his courage rose. "But I've got something to think of now, grandmother; it's something to do with being good, really," Mark said. "Just look here, grandmother!" Mark pulled a penny from his pocket and held it up close to his grandmother's eyes. "Schoolmaster gave me that for being a good boy. There, grandmother," Mark said. He could not help jumping up and running round the room for joy, his penny in his hand. "If you knew what it was for," Mark said, coming up close to his grandmother, "you would not be able to speak hardly for surprise." Mark sighed and looked at his grandmother's neatly mended shoes. "Not speak!" answered old Mrs. Benison. "It would take a very great surprise to keep me from saying a word. Mark, why are you looking at my shoes? There are no holes there, child, only a nice neat patch." Grandmother put on her spectacles to see if there were any signs of the patch wearing out. "There's no holes yet, grandmother; but there will be, won't there?" Mark asked, almost in a whisper. Grandmother laughed, and Mark grew red again. 'I was thinking," Mark said slowly, "what ever will you do, grandmother, to stop them wearing out ?" Mark's eyes grew very round as he asked this puzzling question. 66 Well, I don't know quite, my little boy, except I give up walking. But that wouldn't do, would it? Who's to get the dinner, and fetch the water, eh? So you see I must use the boots, whether they wear out or no, for my poor old pattens are quite done for," grandmother said, half smiling. "What are you thinking about, Mark ?" "Pattens," said Mark, under his breath, "that's it. Don't say a word, don't, please, grandmother, I don't want you to know till they're on." Mark ran away very fast as he said the last words, and he threw his cap into the air. Mark ran away so fast, he knocked against a little palefaced boy just at the garden gate. It was little Tots, his brother. "I can't wait now, Tots; I've something I must do up in the village; run in like a good little boy," said Mark, grandly. Tots did not like to go in. "I wish I was big like Mark, and could speak so nice," thought little Thomas Benison. Tots sighed as he pulled the gate on its hinges and tried to reach the latch; but he was too small. Then he ran in to grandmother. He was very fond of Mark, and he thought there never was such a boy. Tots was pleased if Mark asked him to go out anywhere with him. He was too small and delicate to play rough games, or to run fast, so that Mark did not always take Tots out with him. He was going out nutting, or sliding, or playing games with older boys sometimes, when Tots said, Please, may I go too?" 66 66 "No," Mark would say, if he did not stop to think how unkind, or proud, or selfish it was. No; you're too small, Tots; when I'm a man, I'll take you to lots of places." Then Tots would turn away with the tears in his eyes. "Do be quick and grow a man, Mark, dear," he would say gently. Mark was trotting quickly along the lane, and past the church, and round the corner to the village. His face was red with running so fast, for one reason; another was, he was so pleased with himself, because he was going to buy grandmother a present with his "good penny," as he called it. Mark was too apt to think that he was always good, and to be proud of being told he was a nice little boy. He did not like to hear grandmother say, "Pride leads to many pitfalls, Mark;" or "When are you going to do up the garden, little boy?" For grandmother, who knew him best, was right in thinking pride was Mark's fault; his conscience told him so sometimes, but it made him uncomfortable, so that he tried not to think of it again. He was very kind-hearted, and he really wished to please grandmother with "a brand new pair of pattens." But here, too, pride whispered softly, how clever he was to think of it! how kind to spend his penny like that. How grandmother would smile to be sure, and say, " Well, these are beautiful pattens, and no mistake. Mark, you are a good boy; never mind about the garden, dear.' “A penny, a penny for a pair of pattens," Mark said over and over again, till he reached the village shop. "Please, Mr. Isaacs, sir," Mark said, speaking very fast over the counter to the kind-looking old man who stood behind. "Well, Mark, my little man, what can I get for you u? Is it an ounce of tea you want?" said Mr. Isaacs, smiling; for Mark was too much out of breath to say anything more just then. 66 No, sir," Mark said, when he could speak; "I've got a penny, please, for being a good boy, and I want to buy a pair of pattens for grandmother, with my own money!" he added, as his round rosy face looked anxiously over the counter. Mr. Isaacs looked surprised; then he smiled again, and shook his head. Mark pulled out his penny, and laid it with a manly air upon the counter. He felt very sure that when Mr. Isaacs saw a whole round penny before him he would not shake his head. 66 Please, sir, may I?" Mark said. sorry to disappoint you," Mr. Isaacs said; "but look here, little man, a penny won't buy a pair of pattens; why my trade would never get on at that rate." "Not a penny buy a pair of pattens," little Mark said, in a doleful voice, his eyes growing rounder as he stared over the counter. Mr. Isaacs was laughing till the tears ran down his cheeks. He stopped when he saw how sad Mark looked. "Well, cheer up, little man! one penny won't buy a pair of pattens; but I'll let you have them for six pennies. There's a bargain for you, Mark! If you can earn sixpence by this day week, you shall have a nice pair for grandmother, because you're a kind little fellow. I'll keep them for you all safe-never fear." Mark looked up brightly. "Thank you, Mr. Isaacs, I'll go and try this minute; I'm afraid it's a long time; but you say you'll keep them all safe?" Mark took up his cap to go away; then he remembered something. Please, Mr. Isaacs," he said, coming close to the counter and almost whispering, "please don't say a word about the pattens, because I don't want grandmother to see them till she's got them HE roads were hard, and the vehicles trundled noisily over them; hoar frost ornamented trees and shrubs, icicles hung from every bough, and while dainty flakes of snow fell softly, two rosy-cheeked faces looked from a window at Chestnut Cottage one New Year's morning. "Oh, it is jolly! it is every bit beautiful !” exclaimed Charley Clifton, as a thrill of delight, caused by visions of snowballing, passed through his frame. "So it is! but here's something more jolly." With an expression of glee, Harry held up two large bags which had been hanging at the foot of the bed, and in another moment both boys were examining their treasures. "This is from mother, and this is from father, and this-well, I think it must be from grandpa.' While Harry spoke he carefully unfolded a small roll of paper and read, For my grandson, Harry;" and as five bright shillings rolled out from this packet he capered round the room in delight. "How good of grandpa! how very kind! Have you got the same, Charlie?" 66 Yes; but I'm not more pleased with this present than with all the others, though you seem to be, Hal." 66 No; I'm not; but it is so pleasant to have "Mark Benison, you are a good little boy; I'm some money to do what one likes with; there's so many things I want,-a bat and ball, and a new knife, and a chess-board, and The young face lighted with the enthusiasm of his feelings, and on his leaving the room to summon Emma to family prayer, Mrs. Clifton expressed a wish that they could gratify their eldest son's inclinations and article him to an engineer. The enumeration of the speaker's requirements was brought to a close by the gong sending forth the warning that breakfast would be ready in fifteen minutes; and, as punctuality was the rule "I wish we could, my dear, but in most cases at Chestnut Cottage, the young Cliftons began to the premium required is very high; however, we make ready for that important meal. shall see what can be done. It is a pity when a Hearty and joyous were the greetings ex-lad has a talent for any particular branch not to changed on this New Year's morn, as the family gathered round the table, and warm interest was manifested as each displayed the gifts which loving hands had arranged as a pleasant surprise. Hot rolls on the first of January was a timehonoured custom with the Cliftons, and though some little delay occurred, a tray of the favourite delicacy eventually appeared, smoking hot. "The rolls were not ready when you went for them, I suppose?" inquired Mrs. Clifton, as Emma was preparing to leave the room. "Oh, yes, ma'am, they were; but I was long in fetching them, for I fell in with Mrs. Daplin's boy: he was crying and going on so. They're in great distress this New Year's Day-the mother's laid up, and the father can't get work; and such a tale of misery I never did hear." A look of pain instantly settled over every face in that cheerful apartment. "It seems to me they are starving," pursued Emma; "they've no fire nor breakfast, and poor little Bob was running about half frozen; he said he had come out to try and get warm." Very sad!" Mrs. Clifton only uttered these two words; but, as she deposited the sugar in the cups, and prepared to pour out the coffee, she was mentally surveying the contents of her pantry, and had already decided on packing a good sized basket, with necessaries that would provide this destitute family with food for New Year's Day, if for no other. Fear of not being able to continue the relief did not prevent her from contemplating it; and, only too thankful that it was in her power to do something, she made her intentions known to her husband, of whose co-operation and sympathy she was sure. "I shall go round after breakfast and see what can be done for them, and ascertain if there are any means of putting them in a way of helping themselves." This decision cleared off the air of depression that had fallen over the little party, and, by degrees, pleasant voices and merry laughter again enhanced the enjoyment of New Year's morn. "And what do you boys intend doing with your riches?" inquired their father, in allusion to grandpapa's gift. "Oh, I don't know yet," returned Harry, whose mind was still divided by the multiplicity of his wants; but Charlie, who had a turn for machinery, and was always dreaming over some wonderful invention, answered promptly, "I shall buy some more tools for my workshop, and perhaps some day you'll see something grand.' let him pursue it; the neglect of so doing often mars the whole course of his life." These words, which Mr. Clifton addressed to his wife, were listened to with attention by Harry. New Year's morning passed happily enough with Charlie and Harry, and on Mrs. Clifton's return from her visit to the Daplins, they made anxious inquiries respecting them. "Their wants are supplied for the present," she answered, cheerfully," and the Rector, whom I just met, is able to procure the husband employment, so the close of this New Year's Day will be very much happier to them than the dawning." None but those who have experienced like suffering can understand with what gratitude the poor frozen children danced in front of the fire which their kind benefactress' charity had kindled, and with what joy they whispered to one another, "We shall have bread now, for father's got work!" Father's work provided bread and firing, and even some warm clothing, and by the time mother could get about again, matters had wonderfully improved in the Daplin household; but, for all this, there was a wistfulness in young Bob's large intelligent eyes that all the additional home-comforts which the New Year had brought, failed to satisfy. Bob Daplin was small for his age, and not very strong, and the rough work that he was put to seemed almost more than his strength could bear. But though his physical powers were weak his mental abilities were strong; and had our little friend enjoyed the golden advantages which the boys of these days possess, in all probability he would have been a bright little scholar. But education, when Bob was yearning for a little of it, was a more expensive thing than it is that; but what a pity no one can pay for Bob to have a twelvemonth at the evening school." For a moment he wished that his own finances were sufficiently flourishing to permit of his performing this charitable act; but no one ever heard of Charlie having any money to spare-tools for his workshop took all his cash. "I wish we could manage it ourselves," replied Mrs. Clifton; "but we cannot increase our number of pensioners; all our funds for benevolent purposes are appropriated till next midsummer, I believe ?" "Every penny, my dear," responded her husband, of whom she made the inquiry; "after that time we may be able to add Bob to our list, but not before.' Though taking no part in this conversation, Harry Clifton had been an attentive listener. Apparently engrossed with his book, he sat leaning his head on his hands; but his mind was busily occupied with young Daplin's unsatisfied yearnings, while the words uttered by his father on New Year's Day respecting boys not being able to follow the natural bent of their inclinations, seemed to glow out of the page before him like coals of fire. "Suppose it was in some rich person's power hereafter to give Charlie the start that would be necessary for enabling him to carry out his cherished designs, and suppose, instead of so doing, he preferred spending the money on himself." Harry, who had felt quite a flow of reasoning, came suddenly to a stop, as visions of the penknife and bat and ball-between the choice of which he had so long wavered-rose in his memory; but his father's speech helped him to victory. That night, when Charlie had gone up to bed and Mr. and Mrs. Clifton were alone in the sitting room, Harry announced what he intended doing with his New Year's gift. "I'll spend it on Bob: as long as it lasts he can attend night-school, and, perhaps, when it is gone some one else will help him." Some one else did help him; for when the five shillings were spent, Harry's parents carried on the good work which their young son had begun. The pleasure depicted on the little working boy's face, when the joyful intelligence was communicated to him, was good to behold. With so great a desire to learn he availed himself of every opportunity of doing so, and soon made considerable progress. "I attend to what teacher says," he replied, in answer to a comment which Mrs. Clifton passed on his rapid improvement; "she tells me to notice how words are spelt when I'm reading, and that teaches me to spell; then I learn how to prove my sums, so I can find out if they are right -and I practise them at home." Thus, by perseverance and attention, Bob became a pretty fair scholar, and his twelvemonth at the night-school proved of infinite value to him; for the generous disposal of Harry's New Year's gift was the means of advancing his little friend's interests in life. Mr. Pitman, one of the visiting committee, struck with Bob's earnestness and patient attention, called on his mother; from her he became acquainted with his thirst for knowledge, and was so much gratified that he sent him to school for a couple of years. At the end of that time he apprenticed him to a trade, and Bob Daplin-a credit to all who have assisted him—is now doing a thriving business in the heart of London. His improved circumstances have not blotted from his memory his obligations to his early benefactor: nor is the latter ever likely to forget the disposal of that New Year's gift; for it led to very happy results in his own family. Those five bright shillings had another mission to accomplish besides bringing good fortune to Bob. Indirectly they led to the realisation of Charlie's fondest desires. Through Bob, Mr. Pitman became interested in the lad who had so kindly befriended him; this led to an intimacy with the Clifton family, and the old gentleman became acquainted with Charlie's aspirations. What great results may be obtained from the mere unclosing of the lips in commendation of another! Mr. Pitman spoke to a friend of his, an engineer, about Charlie; the premium which his parents were afraid would be the stumbling-block to his advancement in life was, owing to this introduction, so considerably lessened that they were able to pay it with ease; and Harry's brother is now one of the first engineers of the day. "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" |