rts he continually felt a kind of choking sensation in the throat, and when he kissed his mother for the last time, he fairly burst into tears, and did not again

ou will not find school life so unpleasant as you imagine; after

and had the reputation of being one of the best private schools in its county; Mr Ross, however, had chiefly selected it from the fact that its principal, Dr Price, had been

ream; in fact, the school-house seemed much too near to the river to be pleasant, especially when it was known that the building itself was below its level; but as no inundations had ever been known, and all dangerous parts had been wel

the school, "you will still have your favour

but it is nothing c

e private entrance of the school-house; the sun was shining brightl

s as bright as this day

and make i

ma's thoughts will be constant

ravelling h

life is always full of partings,

self ready to receive them, who, after shaking hands with his old college friend, placed on

r, he is my

tly together, and that I may always have a go

d the doctor's library, to ascertain if there were any instruments of punishment to

nd child; your son also, will like to have one more meal with you; meanwhile I wi

time, Leslie," said Mr Ross, as the doctor

aining as many as eighty or ninety boys of various size and age, from the little urchin of nine years in knickerbockers, to the youth of eighteen sporting his first tailed-coat. Leslie gave

place him beneath your care and protection, make him familiar with the ways of the school. It is my custom, you know, boys," continued the doctor,

and waving a large dictionary in the air. "Hip! hip! hip! hurrah!

ich the large dictionary slipped from the hand which held it, falling wi

oy, rubbing his head, "just be ca

ch, laughing; "it was quite

now it is done; I never had so

mind, words a

d them anythi

other boy, "your dictionary st

er, was too nimble, for, eluding his grasp, he made his way to where Leslie was standing, and introduced himself as Arthu

what is you name

Lesli

your firs

r has educated

e send you

y drowned myself

of us. I for one don't want my friends to go into mourning on my ac

"I won't try it until I'm perfectly sure of succe

ry near it the other day," slapping a quiet-looking boy on the back. "If Hall and I had not stood him on his head, to let the water run out of his mouth,

u must not believe him, you new boy, or

! why, am I not the most s

l the rest of

"I have not ended my questioning yet." Then

and ro

did you

the sea-shore,-an o

nd let's see who's the best man.

e, "you are so much older than I am.

rpen your teeth, and they'll need it to

with my father at

are all right

and playing off harmless practical jokes upon each other. They soon rea

ired Hall, as he stepped into his

jump in, youngster, and let

see that solitary tree about a quarter of a mile farther on? well, that's

The other boys ran along the bank shouting and waving their caps by way of encouragement. The two boats for a third of the way kept even pace, then Hall's gradua

eir return, and gently patted Leslie on the shoulder,

though he felt a little h

he should be sure to like her, and hoped that he would have many opportunities of being in her company; but when Leslie was introduced to the doctor's little

uiet, easy, and graceful manner speedily put him at his ease; and during the progress of dinner he could not refrain from stealing a few glances at her face an

ome to be a

his is my f

boys are so noisy and troubles

Leslie, scarcely knowing what to say in reply

so, but I have

o keep as I am n

I would ask mamma to invite yo

," said Leslie

on into the garden, he there bade him farewell, saying, "Good-bye, my boy, mind and write home to let us

fortable as I can

t night he knelt down by his beds