“But I never thought, mother,” said he, “that he would be frightened at that.”

His mother was too anxious to say much just then, and Sydney’s conscience spoke instead.  “You did want to make him afraid,” it said, “knowing he was a small and timid boy.”  And Sydney knew that this was the truth.

Walter got better after a time, and his little heart was made glad by the kindness of all around.  Even Sydney came and worked beside him, explaining all the improvements and extensions of the water-wheel.  But the little boy did not know all that was in Sydney’s mind, for it could not be spoken.  But Sydney’s unspoken thought was the stirring of true manliness within him.  It was the determination to remember that those who were not so strong and big as himself needed all the more his consideration and gentleness.  And he did remember that all his life.

E.  Dawson.

[Illustration:  FISHING.]

A Frolic.

[Illustration:]

[Illustration:]

    I knew you had come for a frolic, Wind,
      The minute I heard you rise
    And watched you blow the grey little clouds
      To the fire in the sunset skies.

    I saw you fly with a leap and a bound
      To give the trees a fright. 
    What fun when they shivered, and tossed, and shook,
      And the aspen leaves turned white!

    O, how I wish I were you, wild Wind!
      Then I’d have fun enough,
    For nobody ever forbids your games
      Or says they are rude and rough!

    I’d whirl the clouds to the end of the skies,
      And the ships as fast and far;
    And I’d set the whole big world in a dance
      And blow out every star!

    I’d rock the houses and toss the trees. 
      How frightened the folks would be! 
    But the children and birds would know quite well
      There was nothing to fear from me.

    There would be no punishment-time to dread
      At the end of this delight;
    For they’d only say when the morning came: 
      “What a gale we had last night!”

E.  Dawson.

Cousin Charlie’s Visit.

[Illustration:]

“I have a surprise for you, dears,” said mother, coming into the nursery one morning, followed by a bright-looking boy about ten years of age.  “Here is your Cousin Charlie come to spend the day with you.”

Dolly and May were delighted, and Mother said they might stay out all the morning.  For the first hour they were very happy—­there were so many new things to show Charlie; but he was one of those restless boys who get tired of everything very quickly.

“What shall we do next?” he kept saying.  They tried hunting for eggs in the barn, but he soon called that “slow.”

“Let’s go and pick blackberries in the upper field,” said little May.

So they started off and had only picked a very little while when Charlie suddenly asked:  “Whose orchard is that just across the next field?”