Boston to of his son. to pass the residue of the winter at the house 8. "That he might be prepared for journeying, as he proposed to do, in the spring, he took with him his light wagon, and for the winter his sleigh, which he fastened behind the wagon. He was, as I have just told you, very old and infirm; his temples were covered with thinned locks, which the frosts of eighty years had whitened; his sight and hearing too were somewhat blunted by age, as yours will be. 9. "As he was proceeding slowly and quietly along, almost forgetting himself in the midst of his thoughts, he was suddenly disturbed, and even terrified, by a loud and repeated clattering upon the top of his covered wagon. In his trepidation he dropped his reins, and, as his aged and feeble hands were quite benumbed with cold, he found it impossible to gather them up, and his horse began to run away. 10. "In the midst of the old man's trouble, there rushed by him with loud shouts a large party of boys, in a sleigh drawn by six horses 'Turn out, turn out, old fellow-give us the road, old boy.' 'Pray, do not frighten my horse,' exclaimed the infirm driver. Turn out, then- turn out,' was the answer, which was followed by repeated cracks and blows from the long whip of the 'grand sleigh,' and three tremendous huzzas from the, boys who were in it. 11. "The terror of the old man and his horse was increased, and the latter ran away with him, to the imminent danger of his life. He contrived, however, after some exertion, to secure his reins, which had been out of his hands during the whole affray, and to stop his horse just in season to prevent his being dashed against a loaded team. 12. "As he approached he overtook a young man, who was walking towards the same place, and whom he invited to ride. The young man alluded to the 'grand sleigh which had just passed, which induced the old gentleman to inquire if he knew who the boys were. He replied that he did, that they all belonged to one school, namely, that of Mr. 'Ah!' exclaims the former, with a hearty laugh, 'do they indeed? Their master is my son, at whose house I shall be in a few minutes, and to whom I shall tell the whole story.' 13. "That son, boys, is your instructor, and that aged and infirm old man—that 'old fellow,' and 'old boy,' who did not turn out for you, but who would have gladly given you the whole road, had he heard your approach—that ‘old boy' was your master's father." 14. It is not easy to imagine the effect produced by this new translation of the boys' own narrative. Apologies, regrets, and acknowledgments, without end, were offered immediately to the instructor; who, of course, forgave all, cautioning his pupils, however, to be more civil for the future to inoffensive travellers. CHAPTER XLIV. THE MERRIMACK. 1. STREAM of my fathers! sweetly still Poured slantwise down the long defile, 2. There's not a tree upon thy side, Nor rock, which thy returning tide No small boat with its busy oars, But lies distinct and full in sight, 3. Home of my fathers! I have stood Have seen along his valley gleam 4. Yet, wheresoe'er his step might be, And saw, amidst the curtained gloom 5. Remembered groves in greenness grew, |