little boat. Napoleon whose imagination was struck by every thing extraordinary, could not conceal his surprise at so bold a project, undertaken with such feeble means of execution. Is it really true,' said the Emperor to them, that you thought of crossing the sea in this ?" Sire,' said they, if you doubt it, give us leave to go, and you shall see us depart.' 'I will, you are bold and enterprising men; I admire courage wherever I meet with it. But you shall not hazard your lives -you are at liberty and more than that, I will cause you to be put on board an English ship. When you return to London, say how I esteem brave men, even when they are my enemies.' Rapp, who with Lauriston, Duroc, and many others, were present at this scene, were not a little astonished at the Emperor's generosity. If the men had not been brought before him, they would have been shot as spies, instead of which they obtained their liberty, and Napoleon gave several pieces of gold to each,' pleasant to those who go thither to complete their Medical education. THE NEW-YORK Knickerbocker.-Among the many merit, either in their matter or typographical execution, to of the tremendous mushroom found in Mr. Institution superior to this. It combines every advantage periodicals which reach our table, none are of superior Lewis either way, as his literary qualifications are entirely unknown to us, but judging from the few numbers which have already been issued, we anticipate the future ones will be particularly distinguished for sound judgment, refined taste, and real facetiousness when wit is attempted. Clark & Edson, at $3 per annum, and is composed of entirely original matter by the first writers. The Knickerbocker is published monthly in New-York, by A PARISIAN, who was loaded with debt, and just on the point of dying, told his confessor that the only favor he craved of God was, that he would be pleased to prolong his life till he could pay his debts. The confessor, thinking him in earnest, said, his motive was so good, that he had great reason to hope God would Received at this Office, ending Wednesday last, deducting be pleased to hear his prayer. Ah!' says 6 A Touch of the Marvellous. the sick man,' turning to one of his own A GAY Irishman a short time since arrived companions, if God would but grant me this at the Hotel de Suede, in the rue de Riche-indulgence, I should never die.' fieu, Paris, and having a quantity of dirty linen, sent for a washerwoman, and told her A GOOD fellow of our acquaintance, who is to pick it up from the floor. Shortly after-not quite so regular in paying his debts as wards the washerwoman returned, and to the he ought to be, was on the point of leaving traveler's great surprise put into his hands a his house the other day, when the insiduous number of bank-notes, which had been negli-knock of a dun was heard upon the lion's gently left among the linen. The Irishman head. Popping into a closet that was just at was very grateful, and strongly urged the hand, he desired his servant to say he was young woman to accept a reward for her not at home. As luck would have it, howhonesty; but she resolutely refused to do so, ever, the creditor overheard the debtor's and seemed quite humiliated at the offer. movements, and walked right into the closet. Some days after, a marriage was celebrated Ha, ha!' says he, what, I've found you at the church of St. Thomas d'Aquin which out have I?'-No,' says the other, you attracted a vast number of persons. It was haven't-you've found me at home!' easy to perceive from the dress and manner AN Irishman comparing his watch with the of the bridegroom that he was a foreigner, and from the timid and embarrassed deport- Town clock, burst into a fit of laughter. ment of the bride, that she did not belong to Being asked what he laughed at, he replied, Here is my little] the same class as her intended, and that it and how can I help it? was decidedly a marriage of inclination.watch, that was made by Paddy O'Flaherty, The above anecdote got into circulation on Ormond Quay, and which only cost me among the crowd-in a word, the bride was five guineas, has beat that big clock there a no other than the young washerwoman, whom the Irishmam thought worthy of sharing his fortune and destiny. Letters Containing Remittances, the amount of Postage paid. R. H. B. Smith's Mills, N. Y. $1,00; A. H. South Adams, Ms. $1,00; L. V. Derby, Vt. $1,00; J. P. Milford M. Waterford, Vt. $2,00; P. M. Gayhead, N. Y. $1,00; P. Y. $1,00; P. M. Whitney's Valley, N. Y. $1,00; J. L. $1,00; W. C. Center Cambridge, N. Y. $1,00; D. J. R. full hour and a quarter since yesterday states that it is the intention of the directors to have the morning. • Yes road finished by the middle of next May, and that the different sections between that place and Waterford have been put under contract for grading, and will be completed by the first of August. 30,000 engraved portraits of General Lafayette, have been ordered from Paris for the United States. The free-hearted and open handed Nantucketers have recently made up the handsome purse of six hundred dollars for the benefit of the Institution of the Blind at Boston. In a trip from Hudson to Troy, a few days since, Mr. Burden's boat accomplished eighteen miles in an hour and five minutes. BAD MEMORY.-A village pedagogue in Two Irishmen lately traveling in the in- despair with a stupid boy, pointed at the terior of France, were struck with astonish-letter A, and asked him if he knew it. Well what, is it? I know him very ment to hear the well known air of St. sir.' Patrick's day,' from the violin of a French- well by sight, but rot me if I can remember man. One turning to his companion re- his name.' marked By the powers, Munsaer, must have had a confounded deal of patience to taich his little instrument to play a tune from ould Ireland.' 'Och,' replied Larry 'not at all boy; mayhap 'tis an Irish fiddle, and he can't persuade the little crather to spae anyBERKSHIRE MEDICAL INSTITUTION.-This institution is Bedford brig. thing else but the native airs of his country. located in one of the pleasantest New England villages, Experiment. that is, Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Its ORIGINAL POETRY. For the Rural Repository. A Fragment. ONE sultry eve, when smooth and calm Her Rupert, from the distant shore. As dusky evening closed the scene; She hastened to the well known spot Upon the high and broken strand, Where seated on her favorite rock, She prayed for Heaven's protecting hand. Close she surveyed the little cove Where Rupert oft was wont to moor With majesty and beauty bright, Her vision soon with joy descried The well beloved known bark to ride; With hope her gentle bosom heaved That Rupert soon would reach the shore, And she within his arms be blessed, Would think of childish fears no more. But vain her hopes-the murmuring sounds Of Erie's ruthless storm arise— Too soon the fury spreads her wings And fills with gloom the Western skies; What horror filled her tender soul, When loud the boisterous winds drew nigh, And soon by lightning's flash she saw The waves on waves roll mountain high. With hands upraised to Heaven in prayer, Firm on the rocky shore she stood, While every gleam of lightning showed Her Rupert's danger on the flood; My God, she cried, while thundering peals Rolled o'er the foaming, raging wave, How can I hope that this frail bark His dear, his precious life can save. The brittle bark dashed on the shore, Rolled back beneath the sullen wave, And she to rescue him she loved Soon found a cold and watery grave. Next morn moored in the little cove In fond embrace their forms were found, Locked in each others arms they lay And cold beneath the silent sod They fill the gloomy, lurid urn, Hard by the favorite, lovely spot, Where oft she watched her love's return; Now as the hardy sailors pass (Columbia's pride) o'er the proud wave, They tell the tale, and point the spot, Where sleep the beautiful and brave. For the Rural Repository. YOUTH hath gone, and I am wasting, Youth hath gone-ah, youthful pleasures, Youth hath gone-and youthful friendships, Youth hath gone-and age is on me, This is all of worldly good. Youth hath gone-and life is waning, So the morning sun with brightness, OSMAR. For the Rural Repository. Sailor, this is a Stormy Night! SAILOR, this is a stormy night, The waves are running high, See how the waters dash and foam The wind is whistling thro' the sails, Stranger, you see yon distant light, But, should the waves upon us roll, Oh, trust in Him who rides the storm, PATRICK. Lines written in an Album. As on the cold sepulchral stone, Some name arrests the passer-by; Thus, when thou view'st this page alone, May mine attract thy pensive eye! And when by thee that name is read, Perchance in some succeeding year, Reflect on me as on the dead, And think my heart is buried here. HEALTH SECURED, BY THE USE OF HYER'S HYGEIAN VEGETABLE Universal Medicine. The Hygeian Medicine is composed of the purest vegetable substances in nature, without the least particle of inineral or mercurial matter, which is uncongenial, and therefore destructive to the human system, being admitted into his admixture. It purges the blood, gives tone and elasticity to the nerves, equalizes the circulation, and renews healthy action through the entire range of the system. This Medicine is perfectly harmless in all cases, and a steady course is sure to remove all disease that is not organic. They insinuate their purifying particles through every pore and fibre of the living body, and change the diseased condition of the secreting, absorbing, circulating and nervous system. These Pills have been in use for upwards of two years, and thousands have already testified to their astonishing powers in the cure of disease. Even the best informed physicians use them in their practice. It is the bounden duty of the heads of families to keep this Medicine in their possession, that on the attack of any disease they may arrest it, and thereby save much human suffering. I have in my possession hundreds of certificates, of cures which have been effected by the use of this Medicine in the short space of eight months, a few of which may be seen at my store, to convince those who are still wavering, that Hyer's Pills, the genuine Hygeian Vegetable Medicine, always carry with their effects a certainty of cure, and that there can be no failure, except by abuse of the means proposed by the author. These Pills are put up in packages of one and two dollars each. Each package contains a pamphlet of eight pages, giving a beautiful picture of the system, the origin of all disease, with full directions for using it in all cases, and signed on the outside label with red ink-W. G. Hyer. None others are genuine. They have been found effectual in Quinsy, Heartburn, Flatulency, Dyspepsia, Colic, Painters' Colic, Surfeit, Constipated Colic, Costiveness, Looseness, Spasmodic Cholera, Bilious Colic, Intestinal Concretions, Stone, Gravel, Worms, Strictures, Tenesmus, Piles, Jaundice, Visceral Turgescence, Polypus, Cough, Asthma, Disturbed Sleep, Pain in the Side; Yellow, Typhus, Remittant and Intermittant Fevers; Fever and Ague; Inflammations, Biles, Apostemes, Tumors, Erysipelus, Visceral Inflammations, Mumps, Croup, Peripneumony, Pleurisy, Ophthalmy, Catarrh, Influenza, Dysentary, Rheumatism, Gout, White Swelling, Scarlet Fever, Measles, Rash, Small Pox, Plethora, Hemorrhage, Emaciation, Decline, Consumption, Scorfula, King's Evil, Cancer, Syphilis, Elephantiasis, Scurvy, Aneurism, Gangrene, Ulcer, Insanity, Morbid Sight, Morbid Hearing, Morbid Smell, Morbid Taste, Nerve Ache, Tic Doloureux, Cramp, Palpitation, Saint Vitus's Dance, Palsy, Headache, Vertigo, Syncope, Convulsions, Gonorrhea, Flux, Corpulency, Dropsy, Leprosy, Itch and all cutaneous eruptions; as well as every other disease to which the human frame is liable. CAUTION! A Medicine has lately been introduced, signed H. Shephard Moat, from a pretended British College of Health, purporting to partake of the virtues of the genuine article, as manufactured by Hyer. It would be well for every one to be on their guard against impositions of this kind, as there is no such institution as the British College of Health in existence. It is therefore necessary that people look before they buy, and not be gulled by foreign adventurers, nor certificates from dead people, which are published in their books, which is well known by many to be the case. Hyer's Pills contain more virtue than the pretended British, and are put up in packages of one hundred and eighty for a dollar; whereas the other Pills are put up about sixty to seventy five for a dollar. By this, people can see which it is their interest to buy. Hyer's Pills, the American Vegetable Uuiversal Hygeian, can be obtained of J. FORDYCE WHITNEY, General Agent, and Northern Hygeian Delegate, Nos. 148 and 150 Water-street, Albany. Also for sale by his Agent, ASHBEL STODDARD. Hudson, March, 1834. THE RURAL REPOSITORY IS PUBLISHED EVERY OTHER SATURDAY, AT HUDSON, N. Y. BY Wm. B. Stoddard. It is printed in the Quarto form, and will contain twenty-six numbers of eight pages each, with a title page and index to the volume. TERMS.-One Dollar per annum in advance, or One Dollar and Fifty Cents, at the expiration of three months from the time of subscribing. Any person, who will remit us Five Dollars, free of postage, shall receive siz copies, and any person, who will remit us Ten Dollars, free of postage, shall receive twelve copies and one copy of the ninth or tenth volumes. No subscriptions received for less than one year. All Orders and Communications must be post paid to receive attention. DEVOTED TO POLITE LITERATURE, SUCH AS MORAL AND SENTIMENTAL TALES, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELING SKETCHES, POETRY, AMUSING MISCELLANY, ANECDOTES, &c. VOL. XI.-[II. NEW SERIES.] SELECT TALES. The New Year's Gifts. A glimpse of the days that are over.', It was New Year's morning, 1718, and to do honor to the holiday, the breakfast table had been set in the best parlor belonging to the establishment of Mr. Clarke, a wealthy merchant of Boston, and whose residence in the North square was at that period considered one of the most elegant private mansions in the town. The weather was severely cold. An immense fire of huge logs (supported on extremely tall brass andirons, and brought far out on the hearth) tinted with its ruddy glow the beautiful carving of fruit and flowers that decorated the chimney-piece, and brightened the vivid pictures which were painted on every pannel of the wainscot, As the season was winter, the chief beauties of the tesselated floor (particularly the family coat of arme in the centre) were concealed under a square of Turkey carpet; but round the outside of its edges a small uncovered space gave evidence of the infinite variety of the woods, and the taste and ingenuity of their general arrangement. The window seats and chairs were cushioned with velvet, corresponding with the curtains. Large oval looking-glasses, the frames carved in foliage, inclined forward from the walls. Through the glass doors of the closets or buffets that occupied the recesses, were seen pyramids of India china, arrayed in regular order, and at the other side was a rich display of silver plate, on every article of which was engraved the crowned swan, the ancient crest of the Clarke's; for in those days few of the Americans who derived from their European ancestor any claim to armorial bearings were remiss in setting forth the distinction. When Mr. Clarke came down to breakfast, he had a handsome new cane in his hand, and was followed by a servant carrying a large covered basket, the sight of which excited much curiosity in the mind of his son Harry, and also in George and Lucy Ellis-two children who were on a visit to the house, their own parents having gone to Salem. They were not long in suspense, for Mr. Clarke informed them that the basket contained New Year's gifts; and he proceeded immediately to distribute them. To Mrs. Clarke he presented a superb muff of black velvet, embroidered with gold and decorated on one side with her initials in pearls; to little Lucy he gave a large French doll, richly dressed; to her brother George, the above HUDSON, N. Y. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 1834. NO. 6. mentioned cane, which was finely clouded, || disinclination for all books whatever. I think and had a gold top and gold cord tassels,George having frequently expressed a wish for such a one. 'Now,' said George, who was very vain and foppish, I can say that no boy in Boston carries a cane equal to mine. If my mother would only consent to my wearing a wig, I know no one could come up to me in what she calls the true look of real fashion.' if any thing like reading can possibly engage your attention, it will certainly be riveted by these very amusing tales, with their faithful delineations of Oriental manners. They are really of Eastern origin; and these identical narratives are to this day related by the itinerant story tellers of Arabia to the groups that assemble round at the coffee houses, and other places of public resort; the audience 'Indeed,' said Mr. Clarke, I must agree always listening with intense interest, and with my friend, your mother, in thinking that rewarding the narrator with a contribution in nothing is so becoming to a boy as his own money whenever he ceases. Monsieur Galhair. However fashionable wigs may be, Iland translated these tales from the Arabic have not yet seen a single child that looked into French, and the English version was well in one.' made from his.' 6 'So I think,' exclaimed Harry; and for my part, I would not for a hundred guineas be encumbered with a wig. I hate every thing that is inconvenient; and that was the reason I took my penknife yesterday, and cut away all the buckram lining from the skirt of my new coat. Why, it stood out like a shelf all around me! And for my part,' said George Ellis, I would not abate one inch of my buckram for the world.' 'Well, dear father,' said Harry, you seem in no haste to show me iny New Year's present.' Yes, father,' replied Harry, looking tired, I have no doubt of their all being very good stories; and I dare say they are entertaining enough to people that are fond of reading; but for my part Harry,' said his father, interrupting him, and pointing out the tale of the Forty Thieves,' I will only ask you to try this one as a specimen; and I am sure when you have finished it you will gladly read them all.' Harry took the volume; and while his father was engaged with some letters he had just received, and his mother was preparing to pour out the coffee; while Lucy sat on a low stool and played with her doll, and George took his hat and strutted about the room with his new cane, and surveying himself in the glass, the reluctant reader established himself on the window seat; where he reclined with one eye on the page and the other on the street,-after having settled his position with considerable difficulty, as is always the case with persons to whom books al-are irksome. Mr. Clarke presented his son with an elegant set of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments.' Harry received the books with proper respect; but his countenance did not brighten, and, in fact, he looked a little disappointed. You do not seem particularly delighted with my present,' observed Mr. Clarke; must confess I feared as much.' I 'Dear father,' replied Harry, I have ready many books; to tell the truth, I hoped you would have given me a pair of skates.' 6 Harry,' said his mother, I have always refused my consent to your having skates. Think of Edward Warren, who while skating on Charles River, broke through the ice and was drowned.' Before he had time to get interested in the story his attention was attracted by a sudden noise; and looking out, he perceived that some boys who were playing in the square before the house, had just completed a gigantic figure of snow, and were huzzaing in consequence. The snow-man has no hat,' exclaimed Harry; I'll just run out and show them how to make him one.' He flew from the parlor with the book in his hand and throwing it hastily on the hall table he was out of doors in an instant, and busily engaged the next moment in assisting the boys. 'It has given me much pain, Harry,' said Mr. Clarke, to perceive with numerous good qualities and with an understanding by no means of an inferior order, you seem to have an innate disrelish for books, and for every thing that can only be acquired by study. I have determined to indulge you for a time in reading works of fiction exclusively, in the hope that they may awaken in you a desire for literature of a more important description. I would rather see you passionately fond of the most extravagant story books, than witness, as I do continually, your strangel misdemeanors.' 6 His father looked after him, and sighed. My dear,' said he to Mrs. Clarke, we have always been too indulgent to Harry. He knows that a mere reproof is the only punishment he need expect, whatever may be his His misdemeanors,' said the doating, mother, are only such as will in time correct themselves. Though I confess that he is impetuous and giddy, and that as yet he shows no fondness for any thing that resembles study, yet I hope much from the excellence of his capacity, the goodness of his heart; and the generosity and kindness of his feelings.' What surprises me most in Harry,' said George Ellis, and it is certainly his worst fault, that he has no notion of his own dignity -no idea of keeping up his consequence: and when I talk to him on the subject, he only laughs, and says, that it is too much trouble for him to be always acting the gentleman. And once he actually told me that he hated dignity, and hated consequence, and that he had none to support. I reminded him of course of his father's ships and his mother's jewels, and of the fine house that he lives in, and of the elegant clothes that he could have for asking (though I do not believe that he ever does ask any.) It's surprising how little he values these things. Why, one day, when he was playing in the common, he took the plume out of his new cocked-hat and divided it among the boys to feather their And really,' pursued George, (as he seated himself carefully at the table, and spread out his skirts so that they could not be rumpled,) It is absolutely amazing that Harry Clarke will play with any boy, whatever, and that (instead of walking slowly up and down the Mall, as a young gentleman of family and fortune ought to do, or seating himself on his spread pocket handerchief, and resting himself gracefully against the great elm) the moment he gets on the common, he scampers off towards the Mill-dam, where all the town boys resort; and he joins that very instant in their boisterous plays. Wool hats and fustian jackets make no sort of difference with him. I do not believe he ever gives a thought to their style of dress. All he cares for, is that they should be what he calls good fellows, and that they should play well.' We must hope that he may grow wiser in time,' said Mr. Clarke, smiling. He does not scruple to overlook and indeed to overset young gentlemen of decided elegance,' continued George, glancing his eye over his own blue suit of velvet laced with gold. Why 'tis my old friend Ben Franklin,' exclaimed Harry; I see he has taken up the volume of the Arabian Nights that I left on the hall table; and while he has a book in his hand he will feel no cold. But I will go and pull him in.' Suiting the action to the word, Harry immediately hauled in the reluctant printerboy, who at first showed a disposition to resent the unceremonious kindness of young Clarke, but his attention being attracted by the paintings that ornamented the wainscot, he allowed himself to be conveyed into the parlor, where his eyes wandered with delight round the pictures, but rested not a moment on the splendid furniture, and rich table equipages. Is not that what is called a printer's devil?' said George Ellis, edging his chair as far as possible from the boy. 'Harry Clarke,' said Franklin, 'I should like to speak with you a moment in the ballthat is if the lady will give me permission.' He bowed to Mr. and Mrs. Clarke in a manner that set George tittering, and went out accompanied with alacrity by Harry. George got up and was following to hear what they were going to say, but Harry shut the door in his face. 'Harry,' said Franklin, 'I will acknowledge to you, that (after I have bought a present for my mother) all the money I shall collect as New Year's gifts will be devoted to the purchase of books. I heard you regretting the other day, that you had spent all your weekly allowance at once, and that you would Oh! brother, brother,' exclaimed little have no more until next Monday, tho' you Lucy, 'what naughty words you are saying! were very desirous of buying a bumming top I am sure he is not at all black now, and his that we saw at the toy shop. Now I will hands and face are very clean.' make a bargain with you. I'll give you this Mr. Clarke took up the New Year's ad-silver crown which your mother had just dress, which was printed on a small narrow presented to me, if you will lend me-observe strip of paper, with a rude wood cut at the I only say lend-if you will lend me these top representing a postman blowing his horn. books of the Arabian tales, and allow me to These verses are really not bad,' said he; have the reading of them, and let me take I should like to know who is the author.' this volume home with me.' There he stands,' cried Harry; this is he. I am very sure that Ben Franklin wrote them (clapping him on the shoulder.) Why the boys all know that Ben can make verses.' 'Harry,' said Mr. Clarke, hand him this basket of cake.' Young Franklin bashfully declined the cake; but Harry siezed him and forced a large piece into each pocket. I suppose, boy,' said George, you never The young printer colored. 'I breakfasted As to the books,' replied Harry, if they were not a New Years's gift from my father, I would not hesitate an instant to make you a present of them. But as to the crown piece I shall not take it. I can easily wait till Monday for my humming top: or, indeed, if I was to coax my father a little, I dare say he would give me the money at once. Only I don't like to take advantage of his kindness; and the last time I asked for my allowance in advance, I promised that I would never again make such a request. The truth is, I do spend too much money, and my father is right in trying to check my profuseness. However you are quite welcome to the books, and I am sorry I have never offered to lend ||you any. But it is too true, that somehow books are things that seldom come into my head. Why did you not ask me?' Because,' said Franklin, though you do play with me on the common of Valley Acre, and are sociable and friendly enough, yet I Indeed!' said George with a sneer, and remember always what I have heard my pray tell us what this same abundant break-father say, that when common people happen fast might consist of? Beans and homminy to have any intercourse with great people, I suppose.' they had better avoid encroaching too much, lest they should be considered forward and obtrusive, and meet with a mortifying repulse. I have also heard him remark, the most great people (kings in particular) are like cats, and though they pur round one minute, they may scratch you the next.' Upon this, Harry cast a menacing look at George, and doubled his fist; but at a glance from his mother, he opened it again, saying, forgot he was a visiter.' To a boy of your mind and feelings,' said Mr. Clarke, addressing the young printer, it must be very irksome to go about solicit He was stopped short in his animadver-I sions by the return of Harry, who came back with such a glow of exhileration, and gave so animated a description of the improvements he had made in the snow-man, that his fonding New Year's gifts.' parents had not the heart to check his vi vacity. They had nearly finished breakfast when a knock was heard at the front door; and John, the servant man, brought in a paper of verses, and announced that the news carrier had come for his New Year's gift. Mr. Clarke felt in his pocket and found that, he had no change about him, and Mrs. Clarke had left her purse up stairs. Tell the boy to come and warm himself,' said she, and desire Sally to bring me down my purse.' The man delivered the message to the newspaper boy; but they heard him reply that he would rather stay in the hall. I do not solicit,' replied Franklin; I never ask twice. It is almost the only means I have of obtaining- He stopped and remained silent. The maid, Sally, then entered with Mrs. Clarke's purse, for which, she said she had a long search, it not having been left in the usual place. Mrs. Clarke took out a five shilling piece, called in English coinage a crown, and offered it to Franklin. The boy advanced to take it, and thanked the lady in a few words. Well,' said George, for a person that is not poor enough to consider plumb cake any object, you seem glad enough to get that But I am not the least of a cat,' said Harry-To be sure I am often inclined to fly at that sickening fellow George Ellis; and if he had not been a visiter, I should have settled him long ago.' 'Well,' said Franklin, I shall be very glad indeed to give this crown piece for the reading of the Arabian Nights. I know no one else that has the book, and I find it mentioned in the Spectator in a manner which convinces me that it is delightful. As this is a holyday, I shall have time to read— and, besides, I can easily sit up all night. I often do so when I borrow a book that must be returned immediately. You may be sure I will take great care of it and bring this volume back to-morrow. Sce here is the money, and now you can go and buy the humming top.' some knowledge of drawing. But after all, Persons who are fond of reading are ing his brows to more than their usual frown, he pronounced it wretched stuff,' and inquired what vain fool had written it. He asked this question twice before he was heard by Franklin, who stood at the window absorbed in his book. Boy,' said Bangs, turning sternly_round, what is it takes your attention? Let me see the book that has made you forget in whose presence you stand. It is well for you that you are not still my pupil, though wholesome chastisement can never come amiss. I tell you to give me the book.' Indeed I shall do no such thing as take that money,' replied Harry. Why Ben you do not scruple to borrow books of Dick Jackson, and Ned Jones, and Tom Smith.' 'No,' answered Franklin, because they are boys of my own class, and I lend them my books in return; for, like myself, they have but few. But the sons of rich men have books enough of their own, and do not want to borrow from people in my station. I would not much hesitate to accept favors from 'I don't know,' replied Harry; I often grown gentlemen; but I do not like to be thought of offering to do so, but then I always under obligations to boys that are above me.' forgot it again. I am sorry for my remissWell, Ben,' said Harry, you are a strangeness, for I recollect hearing several weeks fellow. Ben I know that lately you have been ago that he had exhausted the stock of every very full of independence and heroism, and body he knew; and I suppose that latterly all such things, from having read a great deal he has been at a loss for something to read, about the Greeks and Romans. You shall as he has frequented the play ground more have both volumes now, for I am in no hurry than usual. Sometimes when he gets to to read them, and would rather defer it till discussing books with John Collins and I feel more in the humor, if that should ever others of the reading boys, he forgets to play, and you would be surprised to hear how sensibly he talks. Altogether, Ben Franklin is the best fellow I know.' 'Poor Boy,' said Mr. Clarke, how hardtaining,' observed Franklin. he tries to acquire knowledge! And you, who besides having free access to my library, have books lavished on you almost without number, cannot be prevailed on to read a single one of them through. Mark my words: I prophesy that this Benjamin Franklin will eventually become a great man, and that his name will be an honor to his country and the world, when yours is forgotten.' be.' Harry then ran into the parlor, and instantly flew back again with the other volume. You must take this crown,' said Franklin or I will not take the books.' Harry paused a moment and then took the crown, resolved in his own mind to make Franklin resume it when he returned the books.' And now,' said Franklin, say that you do not think me an object of charity.' I don't indeed,' replied Harry, smiling and shaking him by the hand; I see that you are thinking of George Ellis's impertinence; but never mind-sensible boys need not care a farthing for the insolence of fools.' Franklin now took his leave, and Harry returned to the parlor. On being asked by his mother why he remained so long in the hall talking to the newspaper boy, he replied that he had been lending him the Arabian Nights, as he knew poor Ben would take more pleasure in reading them than he would himself. I am sorry,' said Mr. Clarke, that you are in so little haste to avail yourself of my New Year's gift.' Indeed, father,' replied Harry, I cannot dissemble, and pretend to like books better than I really do. It would take me two or three months to get through those volumes; and I have no doubt of Ben Franklin's devouring every line of them in less than three days, and faithfully performing his task in his brother's printing office besides.' Now tell me exactly who this Ben Franklin is,' said Mr. Clarke, and how you became acquainted with him.' ` We will now proceed with Franklin, who almost fancied himself in Paradise, when he walked off with the Arabian Tales under his arm, and as it was a holyday, he felt strongly inclined to relinquish all further pursuit of New-Year's gifts, and to shut himself up for the remainder of the day with his new acquisition. But he thought of the happiness of being able to procure some other books with the money he might collect, and he had a great desire to possess a complete set of the Spectator, of which, as yet, he had only been able to obtain the reading of one or two odd volumes; inspired by this hope he pursued his rounds with increased alacrity of step. After calling at several other houses, he came to the residence of Mr. Inflict Bangs, a schoolmaster, who once for a short time, had numbered Franklin among his pupils, and who was now preparing himself for the ministry, with a full disposition to carry into that holy profession all the gloomy austerity and unjustifiable rigor which had character ized his rule as an instructor of youth. He was a yellowish, bitter-faced man, with a Why,' replied Harry, he is the youngest harsh, croaking voice, and though thin and son of old Joshua Franklin, the tallow-bony, he had prodigious strength of arm, of chandler and soap-boiler-George, you need not turn up your nose. It was intended that he should be brought up to his father's trade and he was for a while employ-in rich relations. ed in cutting wicks and filling candle moulds; but very naturally disliking such jobs he is now with his brother, James Franklin, learning the printing business. I first met with him on the Common, among the boys who go there to play, and also on the cricket ground of Valley Acre. He is the very best cricket player I ever saw; nothing comes amiss to him, and he has taught us many new diversions, some of them his own invention. He is also very ingenious in making things in wood and metal, and he has even which the majority of his scholars had daily at first experience, particularly those who were deficient, not in application to their books, but Mr. Bangs was seated at his desk when young Franklin was ushered into his study—| a little front room on one side of the street door. Come in, boy,' said he, without looking up, and wait till I have finished this page.' Franklin went up to the window, and turning his face towards it, he opened a volume of the Arabian Nights, and began to read unwilling to lose time while waiting. Franklin approached and reluctantly presented the volume. Mr. Bangs took it, looked through it; and groaned. Great,' he exclaimed, is the abomination of the times, particularly in this degenerate town. Every day I meet with something to assure me that a terrible punishment is hanging over Boston. Boy, I have heard of this wicked book, but hoped that it had not found its way across the ocean. It is filled with genii and magic-with strange transformations, and with palaces of gold and diamonds.' Then I am sure it must be very enter Answer me not in that tone,' resumed Bangs, but give me the other volume,' taking it from under Franklin's arm; and before the amazed boy could rescue them from his grasp, he had thrown both the books into the fire, and they were in a moment consumed in the blaze. "There let them burn,' said the relentless bigot, as I hope their heathen authors are now burning in another world. Entertaining, forsooth! what right have people to read for entertainment? If they fulfil their duties properly there will be no time for recreation. Are not all books of fiction made up of lies? and what good man can endure a lie in any shape whatever?' Poor Franklin stood swelling with grief for the loss of the books, and resentment at their destroyer; and it was with great difficulty he restrained himself from attempting immediate vengeance on the person of Bangs who waved his hands pompously towards the door, and said, 'Now, Boy, depart in peace : I have given you a wholesome lesson to remember as long as you live. Thank me as you ought.' Thank you! exclaimed Franklin, almost choking with vexation, thank you for what? I'll die before I'll thank you. To say nothing of your depriving me of the pleasure of reading these books, which I had set my heart on, you have shamefully destroyed what was not my own property, and which I know not how to replace. The books were lent to me by Harry Clarke, and only this morning they were given to him by his father.' What, the rich Mr. Clarke of North Square!' said Bangs in a voice of dismay; boy, why did not you tell me of this at first? Mr. Clarke is a man of standing and influence.' Franklin, still trembling with suppressed emotion now opened the door to go out, when Mr. Bangs called him back and said to him in a voice he intended for a mild one, but which was only more nasal than ordinaryMy young friend, Benny Franklin, there is no need of mentioning this small error into which I have been strangely betrayed. It is When Mr. Bangs had completed his page, better that you should keep it to yourself; I he looked over the New-Year's Ode which perceive not the least necessity of your Franklin had laid on his desk, and contract-repeating the circumstance.' |