124 BRAGGADOCIO.

stakes for the corners of it. I have no doubt
Tom’s house will be quite equal to his boat.”
So saying, Howard returned the spy-glass
and walked off. George stood leaning over
the fence, still watching Tom and Bessie,
dissatisfied with himself and everything about
him, suffering all the pangs of envy, hatred
and malice. Evil passions sting like vipers
those who take them to their bosoms.
Meantime Tom and Bessie went on pleas-
antly with their work, till it was time to go
home. It was a sweet, serene sunset, and the
glowing sky in the west gave a rich and
beautiful coloring to the landscape. The drops
from the oars looked like melted gold falling
back into a golden river.
“ Let us sing mother’s favorite hymn,” said
Bessie. And they sang:
“Softly now the light of day
Fades upon my sight away ;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord, I would commune with thee!
Thou, whose all pervading eye,
Nought escapes without, within,

Pardon each infirmity,
Open fault, and secret sin,”