with that drunken old man and his insolent son, has led you into this folly. You may say that it was not your wish to remain on shore, and that you preferred being on the river. At your age, it is too often the case that young people consult their wishes rather than their interests; and it is well for them if they find those who are older, and wish them well, to decide for them. I had hoped to have been able to place you in a more respectable situation in society, than was my original intention when you were thrown upon me a destitute orphan; but I now perceive my error. You have proved yourself not only deceitful, but ungrateful."

"I have not," interrupted I, calmly.

"You have. I have been a witness myself to your impropriety of conduct, which it appears has long been concealed from me; but no more of that. I bound you apprentice to the river, and you must now follow up your ap

prenticeship; but expect nothing further from me. You must now work your own way up in the world, and I trust that you will reform and do well. You may return to the lighter until I can procure you a situation in another craft, for I consider it my duty to remove you from the influence of those who have led you astray, and with the old man and his son you shall not remain. I have one thing more to say. You have been in my counting-house for some months, and you are now about to be thrown upon the world. There is ten pounds for your services," (and Mr. Drummond laid the money on the table.) "You may also recollect, that I have some money belonging to you, which has been laid by until you shall be out of your apprenticeship. I consider it my duty still to retain that money for you; as soon as your apprenticeship is expired, you may demand it, and it shall be made over to you. I

trust, sincerely trust, Jacob, that the severe lesson you are now about to receive, will bring you to a sense of what is right, and that you will forget the evil counsel you have received from your late companions. Do not attempt to justify yourself, it is useless." Mr. Drummond then rose, and left the room.

I should have replied had it not been for this last sentence of Mr. Drummond's, which again roused the feelings of indignation which, in their presence, had been gradually giving way to softer emotions. I therefore stood still, and firmly met the glance of Mr. Drummond, as he passed me. My looks were construed into hardness of heart.

It appeared that Mr. Drummond had left the room by previous arrangement, that he might not be supposed to be moved from his purpose, and that Mrs. Drummond was then to have talked to me, and to have ascertained how far

there was a chance of my pleading guilty, and begging for a mitigation of my sentence; but the firm composure of innocence was mistaken for defiance; and the blood mounting to my forehead from a feeling of injustice—of injustice from those I loved and venerated-perhaps the most poignant feeling in existence to a sensitive and generous mind—was falsely estimated as proceeding from impetuous and disgraceful sources. Mrs. Drummond looked upon me with a mournful face, sighed, and said nothing; little Sarah watching me with her large black eyes, as if she would read my in

most soul.

"Have you nothing to say, Jacob," at last observed Mrs. Drummond," that I can tell Mr. Drummond when his anger is not so great?". except

"Nothing, madam," replied I; “

that I'll try to forgive him."

This reply was offensive even to the mild

Mrs. Drummond.

She rose from her chair.

"Come, Sarah," said she; and she walked out

of the room, wishing me, in a kind, soft voice, a

66

good bye, Jacob," as she passed me.

My eyes swam with tears. I tried to return the salutation, but I was too much choked by my feelings; I could not speak, and my silence was again looked upon as contumacy and ingratitude. Little Sarah still remained-she had not obeyed her mother's injunctions to follow her. She was now nearly fourteen years old, and I had known her as a companion and a friend for five years. During the last six months that I had resided in the house, we had become more intimately acquainted. I joined her in the evening in all her pursuits, and Mr. and Mrs. Drummond appeared to take a pleasure in our intimacy. I loved her as a dear sister. My love was based on gratitude. I had never forgotten her kindness to me when I first