136 CHILDREN'S BOO FOR SABBATH HOURS.

thing with books! 0 dear, how horrid that he began to be mortified if he did
everything is not know a lesson, instead of expecting
 Just then, the raven, peering in at the to fail, as he used to do.
window, and winking at Robbie, called At home there was much joy that Rob-
out: bie had really begun to apply himself,
 "Keep up a good heart!" and flew and his father, on his next birthday, gave
away. him a beautiful gold watch, in order to
 That day was really the beginning of encourage him to persevere. Robbie
a new career in Robbie's life. He felt took it to the jeweler, and asked him to
as if the bird was sent directly to him to engrave on the inside of the case these
say just what he needed to urge him on ; words that old Lony had taught him :
and even after he met Jack in the street Keep up a good heart and work with
with the bird on his arm, Robbie couldn't a will."
get over the impression. He tried, that Robbie, henceforth, took this as his
very day, to work with a will," and sur- motto and it has stood by him, all his
prised himself and every one else with life, and has made him a successful and
the result. The Latin lesson was learned useful man.
better than ever before, and Mr. Richards He did go to sea, after all; but not as
actually praised him. This made Robbie a common sailor. He went, first, to a
so happy that he tried again, on the next naval academy and then became a mid-
day, and then kept on trying. He en- shipman, and now he is Lieut. Robert
deavored to put as much energy into work Carter, U. S. N," an officer much re-
as he had before put into his play, and spected and beloved.
he found that it acted like a charm. When Jack Robbins died, he left old
Every time it was easier, until he had Lony to Robbie in his will. So, in his
made so much progress that his teacher last years, he still sails about the world,
began to think-" There is something in tenderly cared for by his new master, as
Robbie; he can do something, after all." he was by the old.
 The boys respected his new efforts and If any of you who read this story, need
ceased laughing at him and calling him encouragement, try Robbie's motto, and
" Know-nothing Rob and such names. see if it does not help you, as much as it
Robbie's own self-respect grew, also ; so did him.