Leslie Ross; or, Fond of a Lark

upon and surrounded him. He had once had a baby sister, whom he recollected to have kissed several times-and once when her cheeks were very, very cold and pale-

re some fresh pleasure for Leslie, "We do not know what his future life may be; it may be a rough and rugged one; it may not be a very happy one; we shall be unable to smooth his path then; so let us m

large item in his sum of happiness, consisted in the fact that his home was close to the sea shore. The restless sea could be seen from the windows of the house

boatmen and fishermen, who almost always take a liking to those who interest themselves in their pursuits; and Leslie did this, for he loved to watch the men, as, waist deep in the sea, they dredged for shrimps; to catch hold of one end of a net and help haul it as

f age, he could both row and swim very creditably, much to his own satisfaction and delight, and to the contentment of his parents who were happy in their son's happiness; they were, however, too mindful

hich was the name Leslie gave to the successful accomplishment of a piece of mischief. He did not actually intend mischief, or intend doing any harm, but his love for "a lark"

ual in the performance of his duties, was ten minutes behind time, and found all the assembled congregation anxiously waiting his arrival. And one night when he could not sleep,

urse of action, Leslie would express, and for the moment feel, penitence; but an

id but consider how much pain and trouble their thoughtless and wilful conduct gave to their par

wife, "I think the only way we can cure Leslie

Ross, "that associating with other b

nseless piece of mischief; these would control the more thoughtless and reckless of their number. Besides, in a good school, and subje

opted. I do not like the idea of his going away from home and home

e now, and mixes so little with companions of his own age, that he entertains too great an idea of his ow

of life and spirits, shouting, "Good-bye, ma, go

and mind, no larks," said M

and as for rowing, why, I shall beat Crusoe soon," rep

Mrs Ross; "no care

arises from thoughtlessness;

ought by wa

s want of

-beaten old sailor, who, in his old age, had turned boatman; this was Crusoe, a n

ou going to have a row th

r I feel as strong as a lion," replied Leslie, taki

e 'Lively Nancy

ancy,' she's as li

h a will, the cool breeze fanning his cheeks and lifting the masses of curly black hair. Old Crusoe steered. For more than an hour Les

plug used by Crusoe to let the water free after cleaning the boat. "What a lark it would be to frighten Crusoe," he tho

cool creeping round his boots, and looking down he perceived he was ankle deep in water. "Hallo

f that," s

nearly an hour to get to shore, and

ed Leslie, in a startled voice;

ke this boat-hook and hoist your hat on it as

outed with all the power of their lungs, but apparently

ever be able to reach dry land again. Pull off your boots and your jacket

t of his thoughtless folly to have the presence of mind to think for himself. The bo

ncouraging word from Crusoe. How bitterly he repented his foolish act; and as he felt his strength diminishing, his thoughts rapidly travelled to his home and his parents, and in imagination he saw their sorrowful faces, as they ben

onger, Crusoe," said Le

my back, don't clu

linquished his hold of the oar, which floated away, and he gradually sank deeper and deeper into the water; and just

d himself lying in his own bed, with his father and

" said Mrs Ross, turnin

eslie, as the recollection of what

ust try and go to sleep;" and, silently kis

health. He learnt at the breakfast table, that just as he let go his hold of Crusoe and sank, a boat hove in sight, which had put off from the shore to their rescue, t

ling the above events, "I have some news to

pa!" said Lesl

quite decided me. Not all mine, or your mamma's counsels and warnings can cure you o

go, papa," said Le

can find a sch

, I don't

ences of your love for 'a lark;' neither can I or your mamma

a, I'm s

lect, my boy, that if you do wrong, punishment will always follow; and I want to teach you this before you

Leslie Ross wa