Frank, speak to any one who better understands the pride of the heart than I do. I have had plenty of it here,” said James, striking his hand upon his bosom;

and if Mr. Kemp were here, he could tell you so. Jem Brown was a wild slip; but in all the pride of my heart, when I got my own way to the uttermost, I was never so happy as when I conquered myself, and bowed my proud spirit to obedience. No, my dear lad, I know just what

you feel : just entering on life, in all the vigour of youth, you think it is your turn to govern, and Andrews to retire. But while his master sees fit to retain him, and while he is capable of fulfilling the duties of his place, the struggle is vain; you must either give up or go. But oh,” said this nice young man, glad I should be, Frank Meredith, if you could think as I do, without the sin, the sorrow, and the suffering that has brought me to think thus; I do so love your brother.” “ Thank you,” said Fanny,“ thank you, dear James.”

“ And again thank you,” said Stephen.

“ I do so love your brother, that I should be glad to see you reap the fruit without the trouble of digging and watering.” “ I do not think it would be good for much,” said Stephen. “ Now hear me, Frank; let Andrews

66 how

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guide you, go on quietly the same way that I did, and if there is any thing you can now and then just recommend to him, gently and slowly, mind you, stili with submission to his opinion, I think all may yet be well.

You have never come to any open quarrel, I hope.” “No, not that exactly, only he told me yesterday, that he had not lived there so many years, and come all the way from Scotland to be taught by a boy." “ He was perfectly right, Frank,” said Stephen, you must obey.” “ Oh,” said James, “I wish 1 could prevail upon you, my good fellow, to think of these words, Not only to the good and gentle, but to the unthankful and evil,' we are called to obey. How that text did strike me, the first time I read it with attention.” « But I cannot consider him as my master, you see; Mr. Lascelles is my master, and I look upon him as my fellow-servant. “ You are in a great error then,” said Stephen, “and the sooner you recover yourself the better, unless

you

have a mind to go back to your father. This was spoken sharply, and dear Fanny, who was always the mediator, said, “ No, no, I cannot part with brother Frank, I want him.”

Oh, how powerful is the spirit of kindness and love! This haughty boy, whose

him away.

rebellious heart was preparing a pert answer to his displeased brother, melted at once, muttered out that he would do what he could, and the bond between him and Fanny remained firmer from that day. He had always loved dear sister Fanny, but the kindness now was doubly felt : it came at a moment when he wanted it; when Stephen, the brother to whom he had looked up, seemed willing to part, to send

It went hard with him, he took it unkind, and the ebullitions of his settling temper still uttered low murmurings of the unkindness. “ But then,

Fanny, dear sister Fanny, it was worth #bearing for her.”

Frank's high temper gave Stephen some anxious hours, but he did not begin to wish, like worldly people, that he had not troubled himself; but he consulted with Michael on the right way of guiding this headstrong boy. “ I have always found, said Michael, “ thật resistance strengthens opposition, and that if you meet it with equal spirit, you injure your own temper without benefiting theirs.” “ I told him he could not keep his place,” said Stephen; “ I should not have said that, because that is the last inconvenience; I should endeavour to make him feel that it would make me unhappy, and would be

a

very painful to Fanny; and all this, you know, is strictly true. But if, my dear fellow, a better principle should be imparted, how easy would it then be to bear the weakness of declining life, or gather that information from his experience which Andrew is both able and willing to impart.”

There was one class of small dependants on the Brow Farm whom Michael found it very difficult to manage, the crowkeepers:

, no sooner was his back turned, than their vigilance was over, and he frequently considered the best means of correcting this defect; and one day it occurred to him, that it was worth a little thought. Amongst children of this description employed by Michael, was Thomas Southby: he was to be in as soon as the day dawned, it was a very nice piece of wheat, and the birds were assailing it in all parts. The young watchman expected Michael; he was there clapping and hooting with the greatest vigilance; Michael was gone, he thought, and he was off to another part of the village. Throughout this day, himself and William at different periods visited this field; it was at a considerable distance from the house. This young culprit thought himself safe, and until noon never entered this place, when he was greatly surprised to find William doing that busi

ز

ness for which he was paid ; and on Saturday, when his wages were settled, Michael sent for his father, and referring to a paper on which he had carefully noted down all the hours this boy had spent elsewhere, payed him correctly for that time and no more. At first this caused a great outcry, but when it was found that to those boys who were punctual in the field, and did their duty steadily, Mr. Kemp gave a penny a-day more and a new hat at the end of the season. It worked complete reformation.

The following year, he had a number of little crowkeepers, and Tom Southby among the rest, as watchful as the best of them. The best guide in every case is the scripture guide, and we constantly find reward offered for good conduct, and patience exercised even with the rebellious. There is no doubt that sinners will elude vigilance, and young sinners will sometimes baffle every attempt to reduce them to order; but while mild measures may be used they are certainly best; and though sometimes an example must be made for the terror of evil doers, and the praise of them that do well, yet I believe it is rarely found that patient enduring kindness is without its fruit. Michael found it so in his case, he never had occasion to dis