LAST AND WORST, : 8]

“ Oh, lucky! lucky! lucky !” said Dick and Tom, upon
joining them. “Two frolics in one day is a rare thing.
Now, Maurice, do you not wish you had gone?’ Who
is the wiser for it? I would not have missed it for
anything.” |

The school was assembled next morning when Mr.
Harding entered. He stood in his desk, and addressing
his pupils, said— Before: commencing the lessons of
the morning, I have a few words to say. The chief
design I have in celebrating the little festivals on the
birth-day of my children, is to give a pleasant holiday
to my school. You must perceive it is attended with
much trouble and expense, and did I not think it gave
much pleasure to you all, and that it would be among
the pleasant remembrances of your school-days in after-
life, and cause you to feel that your teacher loved you,
and was desirous of promoting your pleasure in every
innocent way, as well as your improvement, be assured
the celebration of yesterday would be the last,

“There are many among you who understand my
plans, and appreciate my indulgence, and I am sure
they look upon me as a friend as well as a teacher ; but
there are others among you of a very different disposi-
tion. I do not doubt that you all enjoyed yesterday’s
pastimes, and you doubtless thought I did-also; but
you are mistaken, I hoped to have enjoyed the day as
I usually have done; but there was one circumstance

which brought a chill over my heart and spirits, and
100) 6