tree on the bank of the stream, and watched the little waves so busily dancing along, and wondered why they were always in such a hurry. But the waves could not speak to him, and so, after looking at the swift current a little longer, he picked up some twigs, and, standing on a bridge, amused himself by throwing them into the brook, and seeing how quickly they would come through on the other side.

But he was soon tired of this sport, and resting with both arms upon the rail, and crossing his legs, he leaned listlessly over, and gazed at the shining brook.

He was aroused from his dreams by the sound of merry voices coming towards him, and looking up, he saw Susan Brown, the daughter of a neighbor, coming towards the brook, with a pail in her hand, while her little sister Mary ran after her, chattering and laughing, as if she felt very happy.

Susan dipped the pail into the brook, and when it was filled, Robert offered to carry it home for her.

"You may if you please," said Susan, laughing. "And I will bring another one up for you afterwards, if you wish," said Robert.

"I should like it very much," said Susan, "for I have got to fill the barrel for mother; and I will give you another pail, and you can help me if you please."

With sudden animation, and for half an hour, Robert worked steadily, carrying pails of water, and emptying them into the barrel. At the end of that time he felt quite warm and tired; but the

barrel was full, and Susan and her mother thanked him very much.

Mrs. Brown gave him a plum cake which she had just baked, which tasted nicer to Robert than any thing he had eaten since vacation commenced. After eating this, he went home; and the same afternoon he told his father that he intended to help him a part of every day until school commenced again; "for," said he, "I find there is no work so hard as trying to amuse myself."

XLI.-THE BLIND GIRL TO HER MOTHER.

MOTHER, they say the stars are bright,
And the broad heavens are blue
I dream of them by day and night,
And think them all like you.

I cannot touch the distant skies,
The stars ne'er speak to me -
Yet their sweet images arise,

And blend with thoughts of thee.

I know not why, but oft I dream
Of the far land of bliss;

And when I hear thy voice, I deem
That heaven is like to this.

When my sad heart to thine is pressed,
My follies are forgiven,

Sweet pleasure warms my beating breast:
And this, I say, is heaven.

O mother, will the God above
Forgive my faults like thee?
Will he bestow such care and love
On a blind thing like me?

Dear mother, leave me not alone!

Go with me when I die.

Lead thy blind daughter to the throne,
And stay in yonder sky.

WHY gaze ye on my hoary hairs,
Ye children young and gay?
Your locks, beneath the blast of cares,
Will bleach as white as they.

I had a mother once, like you,
Who o'er my pillow hung,

Kissed from my cheek the briny dew,
And taught my faltering tongue.

She, when the nightly couch was spread,
Would bow my infant knee,
And place her hand upon my head,
And, kneeling, pray for me.

But, then, there came a fearful day;
I sought my mother's bed,

Till harsh hands tore me thence away,
And told me she was dead.

That eve I knelt me down in woe,
And said a lonely prayer;

Yet still my temples seemed to glow
As if that hand was there.

Years fled, and left me childhood's joy,
Gay sports and pastimes dear;
I rose a wild and wayward boy,
Who scorned the curb of fear.

Fierce passions shook me like a reed
In youth; yet ere I slept,

That soft hand made my bosom bleed,
And down I fell and wept.

In foreign lands I travelled wide;
My pulse was bounding high;
Vice spread her meshes at my side,
And Pleasure lured my eye.

Yet still that hand, so soft and cold,
Maintained its mystic sway,
As when, amid my curls of gold,
With gentle force it lay.

And with it breathed a voice of care,
As from the lowly sod-

"My son my only one beware!

Nor sin against thy God!"

Ye think, perchance, that age hath stole

My kindly warmth away,

And dimmed the tablet of the soul;
Yet when, with lordly sway,

This brow the pluméd helm displayed,

That guides the warrior throng,