64

THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

 

nearly a fortnight from the first time set
for their departure, he thought he could
drive home. As they were to ride slow-
ly, and visit some friends on their way,
James hoped his face and hands would
be entirely healed before he should see
his father ; and he earnestly begged his
mother not to let him know what he
had done, making many promises that
he would be more thoughtful in future.
I.am happy to say that James has
very much improved, and bids fair to be
a respectable and useful man. By the
last account I had of Henry, though he

has grown in years, he has not altered
in character. He still continues to be
an affectionate and winning boy, but he
is reckless and wayward. If he should
chance to see this—as very probably he
may, for my story is a true one,—let me
beg of him not to gratify his love of fun
and mischief, at the expense of wrong
doing; and for the benefit of all my
young readers, I want to repeat the
words of the shopman: “ Always keep
your thinking machinery in motion, and
always mind your mother.”
L. B. M.

 

The Dog and his Shadow.

 

A FABLE——TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH, BY ELIZUR WRIGHT, JR.

 

This world is full of shadow-chasers,

Most easily deceived.

Should I enumerate these racers,
I should not be. believed.
I send them all to Asop’s dog,
Who, crossing water on a log,
Espied the meat he bore, below;
To seize its image, let it go;
Plunged in; to reach the shore was glad,
With neither what he’d hoped, nor what he’d had.