Scorch'd were the old man's face and hair,

One hand disabled hung,

Yet with the other to the wheel

As to a rock he clung.

He beach'd the ship; to all on board,
A landing safe was given;

But as the latest leap'd on shore,

John Maynard rose to heaven.

ANONYMOUS.

THE PASSIONATE FATHER.

"Greater is he who ruleth his spirit than he who taketh a city."

"COME here, sir!" said a strong, athletic man, as he seized a delicate-looking lad by the shoulder. "You've been in the water again, sir! Haven't I forbidden it?" "Yes, father, but-"

"No buts;' haven't I forbidden it, eh?"

"No reply, sir!" and the blows fell like a hail-storm about the child's head and shoulders.

Not a tear started from Harry's eye, but his face was deadly pale and his lips firmly compressed, as he rose and looked at his father with an unflinching eye.

T

"Go to your room, sir, and stay there till you are sent for. I'll master that spirit of yours before you are many days older."

Ten minutes after, Harry's door opened, and his mother glided gently in. She was a fragile, delicate woman, with mournful blue eyes, and temples startlingly transparent. Laying her hand softly upon Harry's head, she stooped and kissed his forehead.

The rock was touched, and the waters gushed forth. "Dear mother!" said the weeping boy.

Why didn't you tell your father that you plunged into the water to save the life of your playmate?"

“Did he give me a chance?" said Harry, springing to his feet, with a flashing eye. Didn't he twice bid me be silent, when I tried to explain? Mother he's a tyrant to you and to me!"

Harry, he's my husband and your father!"

What have I ever had

Look at your pale cheeks It's too bad, I say! He's a

Yes, and I'm sorry for it. but blows and harsh words? and sunken eyes, mother! tyrant, mother!" said the boy, with a clenched fist and set teeth; "and if it were not for you, I would have been leagues off long ago. And there's Nellie too, poor sick child! What good will all her medicine do her? She trembles like a leaf when she hears his footsteps. 'tis brutal, mother."

I

say

66

Harry" and a soft hand was laid on the impetuous boy's lips" for my sake-"

"Well 'tis only for your sake-yours and poor Nellie's or I should be on the sea somewhere-any where but here."

Late that night Mary Lee stole to her boy's bedside before retiring to rest. "God be thanked, he sleeps!" she murmured, as she shaded her lamp from his face. Then, kneeling at his bedside, she prayed for patience and wisdom to bear uncomplainingly the heavy cross under which her steps were faltering; and then she prayed for her husband.

"No, no, not that!" said Harry, starting from his pillow, and throwing his arms about her neck. “I can forgive him what he has done to me, but I will never forgive him what he has made you suffer. Don't pray

for him,- at least, don't let me hear it!"

Mary Lee was too wise to expostulate. She knew her boy was spirit-sore, under the sense of recent injustice; so she lay down beside him, and resting her tearful cheek against his, repeated, in a low, sweet voice, the story of the crucifixion. "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do!" fell upon his troubled ear. He yielded to the holy spell.

"I will!" he sobbed. "Mother, you are an angel; and if ever I get to heaven, it will be your hand that has led me there."

“There was hurrying to and fro in Robert Lee's house that night. It was a heavy hand that dealt those angry blows on that young head!

The passionate father's repentance came too late,— came with the word that his boy must die.

"Be kind to her!" said Harry, as his head dropped on his mother's shoulder.

It was a dearly-bought lesson! Beside that lifeless corpse Robert Lee renewed his marriage-vow; and now when the hot blood of anger rises to his temples, and the hasty word springs to his lip, the pale face of the dead rises up between him and the offender, and an angel-voice whispers, "Peace, be still!"

FANNY FERN.

THE DROWNED CHILD.

"TWAS a soft summer morn and all nature look'd gay, Scarce a breeze stirr'd the dust on the ground, The sun in his race, as he led on the day,

Shed his brightness and glory around.

The notes of the whistling thrush thrill'd through the grove,

And the lambs gamboll'd quick o'er the glen, All hearts as by magic seem'd warm'd into love, And delight crown'd the beautiful scene.

As I stray'd by the cottage long built near the wood,
With brown moss and green ivy o'erspread,

I thought of the widow and child it enclosed,
And I thought of the tears they had shed.

As I look'd through the hedge of the garden, that

faced

The abode of this desolate pair,

I witness'd the kiss Kate impress'd on her child
As she bade him-"Be sure to take care."

"Oh yes, that I will," sweetly answered the boy, "I will go catch a fish for you, mother,

Then you'll dress it, I know, for you love me so well, Since we've lost my dear father and brother.”

How his little eyes shone as he gallop'd away,

Through the field, to the brook just below;

Then with stick and hook'd pin he sat down by its side, His fishing expertness to show.

The mother most anxious look'd long at her boy,
Tender love drew a tear from her eye,

As she whispered aloud, "Should my dear child be drowned,

I would lay down this body and die.

"Should I lose him just now, my poor heart would break, Then no comfort in this world I'd know;

Preserve him, great God! with thy mercy divine,
A son's dearest affection to shew."

She'd scarce utter'd this prayer, when she gave a loud shriek,

Then like lightning she rush'd to the flood,