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no nonsense, girls; say the truth, and the truth only; you deal fairly with me, and I'll be a kind father to you. You've set your faces against this plan of Mr. Lascelles." "I would rather do any thing, papa!" Well, do something, I don't care what it is, but something ye must do." "I'd rather be a dressmaker, a great deal." "Can ye work, either of ye?" "Dear me, yes, to be sure we can!" didn't know it, I never saw any of your work." "I'm sure, papa, that's very odd," said Tiny, "the handkerchief you have got on now I hemmed and marked for you.' Well, I'm glad to hear ye can do something." The girls were glad to escape so well, and the plan was put in train the next day, of which we will speak more at a future time.

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But I am anxious to return to my old friends; and perhaps the reader will have no objection to hear a little of Ellen Meredith, of Jemima, and of all our Valley Farm acquaintances. It was long since Stephen had seen his mother, and he had often anxiously desired and earnestly pressed her to come, but so many children were a great tie, and now Ellen was living at the Farm with Mrs. Finch, so she could be less easily spared. But the time was now come, when Michael was to make

one of his quarterly payments to Mrs. Finch, and as it was rather a leisure time with Stephen, he proposed going to the Valley, and visiting his mother. Stephen, on the old sure footed mare, with his young Michael before him, set out on his journey.. How beautifully clean the fair haired boy was made, and how lovely his mother thought him in his nankeen vest and tunic, will easily be conceived and need not be related. Stephen took two days for the journey, on account of the child, and the old mare. As they drew

near the scene of his early days, how did his heart vibrate to every sight and sound. There was the pond where he had led his horses to water, there was the spire among the trees, there were the chimnies of the Valley Farm, and now appeared in sight a group of children: here every trace of remembrance was lost: if he had known these, it must have been in the earliest stages of their life, and they could not remember him. So he looked anxiously forward for something more advanced, and soon his delighted eye rested on the form of his beloved sister, and he was soon recognized by this dear relative. Is that your boy? Oh the lovely creature!" He was snatched from the horse with all the ardour of wild delight. The child had

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from earliest infancy been so accustomed to hear his father called Stephen, that he had caught the word, and most frequently addressed him by that familiar epithet; and though every one thought it wrong, yet there was something so droll and amusing in it, that they had never properly checked him, so that when off guard, he continually said it, though never before uncle Michael, who seriously disapproved it; saying, it lessened that respect which ought to be rendered by a child to a parent. At this moment he exclaimed, "Oh Stephen, take me, take me." Ellen gave him up, and hearing him call her brother Stephen, she concluded he was not her nephew. "Are you going to the Level Bit?" "No, first to the Valley, I have business with your mistress is she at home?" "Yes, and I'm sure will be glad to see you, it was but yesterday she was speaking of you with great kindness." In ten minutes he was in the presence of his old mistress, with his child in his arms. "Nice little boy," said Miss Jemima, "and are you Fanny Kemp's? then I must love you;" and she folded him gently in her arms. He made no resistance, and the maid bringing in the tea, and the bread and butter, he took a bit from her hand, as though she were an old acquaint

ance, sitting quietly on her knee, and betraying no desire to leave her.

There is something remarkable in the influence which some persons possess over children: whether it is that some act more sensibly, and that the children feel the power, I know not, but there is certainly a great difference, and they are much sooner subdued by the authority of one person than that of another. Michael had more influence with this boy than his own father; and often remonstrated very seriously with both parents, on what he called their democratical form of government. "If your boy turns out well, all will be well, if not, you will live to repent this." Fanny would reply, "Oh, my dear brother, I long to see how you will govern your own children." "I hope well my dear: I think it is a duty every man owes to society, not to bring up rebellious members to the state.' I never viewed it in that light.' "But you safely may, for the child that does not obey his own. parents, is not likely to obey his king."

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This is a very serious view you take of it, I shall attend to what you say." "Do, I have thought much of it: our father always brought us up well in that respect,' said Michael. "In every respect," said Fanny. 'Yes, certainly, but I mean to

say

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he insisted on our obedience. Thinking as you think," Michael replied, I am surprised you did not follow his example." Well, my dear brother, I am convinced, and you may rely on my attention to what you say.' 'Do, Fanny, for it involves important consequences." Thus they argued, and thus they always closed. Michael never insisted but when he knew he was really right, and Fanny always yielded, conscious that Michael never opposed without the deepest conviction of what he said, and if she had one mental reservation, it was only this, we shall see when my brother is a father: thus their little disputes ever ended, with an increase of love on both sides. Stephen, the judicious Stephen, much as he loved his Fanny, would say, Why now, 'tis a pity my wife should argue against her brother, for he's sure to know best." Reader, pardon this little peep at the internal politics of this happy family.

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"Well, you seem very happy, Michael," said the fond father, "shall I leave you with that lady?" He looked at her, then looked round, and said, Stay a little with that lady." "Sweet, lovely creature," said Jemima, "the very image of his mother, all her delightful openness of countenance!" Ellen thought to her