Louise, with the consent of her mother, gave him a ring, within which was engraved, "Pensez a moi."

Joseph was about taking leave without thanking Madame for her politeness, when Frank gave him a hint to do so.

Joe said she would not understand him; but Frank waited for him, and at length he said, "I tank you berry much for de politeness you hab show me," thinking he should be better understood in broken English.

Frank could scarcely refrain from laughing outright, while Madame and Louise bowed with the greatest civility, although their countenances expressed very perceptibly that they were exceedingly amused.

When they had gone, Madame said, "Frank Wood is a very polite, fine boy, and will make people think well of Americans wherever he goes."

"Yes, mamma, he will, if he does not take that great awkward boy with him to destroy the good opinion."

"Let us ever, my child, cherish the memory of the good and the agreeable that we discover,

and obliterate the bad and the disagreeable," said Madame.

Louise was in no danger, in this instance, of not following her mother's wise injunction.

CHAPTER XII.

A STORM AT SEA.

THE Vessel had a speedy voyage up the Mediterranean to Smyrna, and, having taken in her lading, sailed for Boston.

The voyage continued prosperous for several days; after they had left the Straits of Gibraltar, head winds prevailed, and then a dead calm. Several of the sailors were seized with a malignant fever. The captain, too, was ill. The labor of working the ship, as well as the care of the sick, came upon a few.

Frank, who had, till this time, continued to act as captain's clerk, now cheerfully returned to the duties of a common sailor.

Brandon's visit at Marseilles for a time rendered him quite proud and pretending; but there was no use in it, no good was gained, and Frank

advised him never again to boast, among his messmates, of "that famous French dinnerparty."

From a notion that ardent spirits would keep off infection, Brandon took large quantities of Frank warned him seriously of the danger he incurred of becoming intemperate.

rum.

"I thought you had too much taste to be a tee-totaller," said Joe.

"You did not think I had a taste for rum?" replied Frank.

"No; but I thought, with all your ideas of refinement, that you would drink wine like a gentleman. I was surprised to see you refuse Champagne and Burgundy at that famous French dinner-party."

"I promised my father, before I left home the first time, that I would not drink wine nor ardent spirits, and I have not broken my promise."

"Well, I can tell you that those stylish French people looked at you as if they thought you were terrible green not to take wine; I dare say they thought you never saw any thing of the kind before."

"You are quite mistaken, I told them that I

never drank wine, and they, with true politeness, did not urge it upon me."

In spite of his precautionary measures, Brandon was seized violently with the fever. Two of the sailors had already died, and were buried in the depths of the ocean. Poor Joe was terribly

alarmed.

66

Frank," said he, "I do not think I shall get over this, for every body is so selfish that I can now hardly get a cup of cold water brought to me. O, if I only had my mother to take care of me.' 99

"The sailors have all so much to do, poor fellows!" replied Frank, kindly," that they cannot devote as much time as they would wish to the sick. I will do all that I can for you, and I am glad that I went to the hospitals at Marseilles, for I there learnt many things which may be of use to us now. I shall sponge you as often as I can with cold water, and use some other remedies of which I there heard. Keep up good courage, Joseph, and I think you will do well. There is one thing I want you to promise me; that is, when you recover, that you will drink no more ardent spirits."

"Never, in all my life?" inquired Joe.