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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44031 ***
+
+[Illustration: _Published by Wait, Greene & Co._
+
+_"When she first sprung up a most exhilarating shout issued from
+the group."_
+                    _See Page 50_]
+
+
+
+
+                   THE
+
+                TALISMAN:
+
+
+                    A
+
+              TALE FOR BOYS.
+
+
+                 BOSTON:
+
+  WAIT, GREENE & CO.--13, COURT STREET.
+
+                  1829.
+
+
+
+
+DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS.--_to wit_:
+
+                    _District Clerk's Office._
+
+BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty fifth day of June, A. D. 1829,
+in the fifty third year of the Independence of the United States of
+America, WAIT, GREENE & CO. of the said district, have deposited in
+this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as
+proprietors, in the words following, _to wit_:
+
+    "The Talisman: a Tale for Boys."
+
+In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States,
+entitled "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the
+copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of
+such copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an Act
+entitled "An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the
+encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and
+books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times
+therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of
+designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."
+
+                    JNO. W. DAVIS,
+                    _Clerk of the District of Massachusetts_.
+
+
+    PRESS OF PUTNAM & HUNT.
+    41, Washington Street.
+
+
+
+
+THE TALISMAN.
+
+
+Frank had heard a great deal about the city, but he had never seen
+it, for he lived more than a hundred miles from New York, and still
+farther from Boston. His father and mother had made visits to both
+these places, several times, but it had never been convenient to
+them to take Frank. On their return, they always brought him many
+pretty presents of books or toys, and they told him about every thing
+they had seen there, which they thought would interest him, and he
+imagined the city to be the most delightful place in the world.
+
+Frank had no brother, and only one little sister, who was a very
+pretty play-thing for him, but not much of a companion. There was
+one boy in the neighbourhood, a farmer's son, with whom Frank played
+a great deal.
+
+The school was not near them, and Frank's mother had taught him every
+thing he knew. This was not more than other boys usually know at his
+age, but Frank thought he knew a great deal, for he had never seen
+a boy so well educated as himself. In the little village where he
+lived, none of the other boys were so fortunate as to have mothers,
+who could spare their time to instruct them, and the school was
+a poor one, so Frank thought himself very wise. When his mother
+perceived this, she invited his little friend, the farmer's son, Sam
+Brown, to come to her house and study with Frank. Sam was a year
+older than Frank, a good and intelligent boy, and he gladly accepted
+the invitation. Frank was soon obliged to make unusual exertion to
+keep up with him, but the pleasure he felt in having a companion in
+his studies, compensated him for his trouble.
+
+About this time, Mr. Courtland, Frank's father, went to Boston to
+attend the legislature, of which he was a member. He was absent many
+weeks, and Frank thought he never would come home. It was winter, and
+although Frank and Sam were industrious in their studies, and had
+much amusement in coasting, skating, making snow houses and images,
+the time appeared very long. At last, the stage which had driven past
+the house day after day, stopped before the gate, and Mr. Courtland
+jumped out. Frank was at the bottom of the walk before the trunk was
+taken off by the driver, and after he had welcomed his father, ran
+back to be the first to tell the good news to his mother, who was in
+her own room on the other side of the house, and did not even hear
+the noise of the carriage.
+
+When Mr. Courtland had got warm and taken tea, he opened his trunk
+and took out some books and a little printing press, and the model of
+a mill which could be taken to pieces and put together again, which
+he presented to Frank; and a beautiful doll dressed in the fashion,
+and some toys for his little daughter Ann. He also gave Frank a
+very pretty book, which he had bought for Sam, for he told him that
+he knew he would be pleased to have Sam get a present as well as
+himself. Frank ran directly over to the farmer's to carry it, and
+received as much pleasure in giving the book to Sam, as from those he
+had for himself.
+
+'Now father,' said Frank, (when he returned,) 'tell me about Boston;
+shall I ever see it, I wonder?'
+
+'Yes, my dear,' said his father; 'I think you will see it very soon.'
+
+'Are you in earnest?'
+
+'Yes, truly. I have written to your mother about my plans; but I
+perceive she has not thought it best to tell you.'
+
+'Perhaps she don't intend to let me go,' said Frank.
+
+'I believe she is rather reluctant,' answered Mr. Courtland; but I
+have persuaded her to consent to it. My plan, Frank, is to send
+you to school. I have thought for some time, that it would be
+advantageous to you to go from home, where you would be obliged to
+act more for yourself than you do now; and where you would learn some
+things which you cannot learn here.'
+
+'But I am sure,' said Frank, 'mother can teach me anything; and I
+know now, more than any boy in the village except Sam; who is a year
+older than I am.'
+
+'Except Sam,' said his father, 'the only boy who has received any
+good instruction! When you go to a school, my son, you will find many
+boys, who know more than yourself, and some that are more capable;
+but I hope you will not find any, more amiable or honest. I think you
+are a dutiful, good boy, Frank; if I did not, I should not be willing
+to trust you so far away from your mother and myself.'
+
+'Why, am I to go alone! go without mother!' said Frank.
+
+'Yes:--for neither your mother nor myself wish to go to school: we
+must stay at home, and take care of little Ann, and the house, and
+the farm.'
+
+'I don't believe I shall be contented there, without any of my
+friends; _if_ it _is_ Boston, or the most delightful place in the
+world.'
+
+'If you are not contented, I shall bring you home; for you could not
+learn to advantage, unless you were happy; and I should not willingly
+place you where you were not so.'
+
+'Then I may come home if I don't like it.'
+
+'Yes.'
+
+'I think then, I shall be willing to go.'
+
+'I expect, Frank,' said Mr. Courtland, 'that you will feel a little
+strange at first, and even homesick; but you will not yield to this,
+but wait till you have become acquainted with your teachers, and
+schoolfellows; and see if your studies and amusements do not enable
+you to get through the day very pleasantly; and then, although you
+may not like it as well as home, I think you are such a sensible
+child, that you will content yourself to remain, if it is important
+to your education that you should do so. But Frank, it is not in
+Boston, after all, that you are to live, though very near there. I
+did at first think of letting you reside with your Aunt Willard, and
+go to some one of the excellent day schools which are kept in Boston;
+but I heard of a situation a few miles out of the city, which pleased
+me better. Mr. and Mrs. Reed, who keep it, are delightful people; I
+went to see them myself. They have a charming house, garden and play
+ground. Twenty or thirty boys live with them. They have no children
+of their own; but they love these children, and treat them exactly as
+if they were really their own. I never saw a school, which appeared
+to me to possess so many of the pleasures and advantages of home, as
+this does. Mrs. Reed is particularly lovely in her person, manners,
+and kind and attentive to the scholars. I expect you will love her
+next to your mother, before you have been there six weeks.'
+
+'It may be _next_, father;' said Frank; 'but I think there will be a
+long, long way between mother and Mrs. Reed, or Mrs. any body else.
+Am I to go so soon?'
+
+'Not immediately; your mother tells me, she wishes you to write a
+better hand, to spell correctly, and to get on a little more, in
+arithmetic first.'
+
+'O, I will be very industrious,' said Frank. 'Why did you not tell me
+about this plan, mother, when you urged me to study, and said you had
+a good reason for wishing me to get longer lessons than I had done
+before?'
+
+'Because,' answered his mother, 'the plan was not decided on; and I
+hoped my asking it would be the strongest inducement I could offer.'
+
+'Well, I did try, but I should have tried more, if I had known that I
+was going where all the boys knew so much.'
+
+'This is one reason why I consent to your going,' said his mother.
+'I find you do not learn as fast, as with your talents you ought;
+because you have not the ambition or the sympathy, by which you would
+be excited, among a number of boys of your own age.'
+
+'Mother, why do you look so sober;' said Frank; 'are you sorry I am
+going. Father won't send me, unless you consent.'
+
+'I have consented, Frank; because I think it will be for your
+advantage to go; but I cannot feel happy when I think of parting with
+you.'
+
+'O mother, don't speak about parting; I shall never be able to go,
+if you do,--if my staying with you makes you happy, I don't think I
+ought to go.'
+
+'If you do well and learn fast, and continue as good and innocent as
+you now are; this will make me happier than even keeping you at home.'
+
+'Well, I am sure I shall do that.'
+
+'Not so sure yet, my dear. You have little idea of the trials and
+temptations you may meet with; you know you cannot bear trials very
+well, Frank.'
+
+'But I shall learn to bear them. You told father so, last summer,
+when I broke my flower-pot.'
+
+'You will learn this better away from home,' said Mrs. Courtland;
+'and this is another reason why I consent to your absence.'
+
+'I think going from home is to cure me of all my faults.'
+
+'It will afford you the best opportunity of curing them; but after
+all, this must depend on yourself.'
+
+Although Frank's pleasure at the prospect of seeing the city of
+Boston, was somewhat damped by the thought of leaving his parents, he
+was eager to go; and so rapid was his improvement, in consequence of
+this excitement, that his mother became more and more satisfied it
+was best for him to leave her; and her selfish desire to retain her
+son, who was the joy and the occupation of almost all her hours, gave
+way to her views for his improvement. She could not but perceive,
+that Frank had some of those little faults to which children brought
+up in private are peculiarly liable; and she trusted that her
+religious and moral instructions had sunk too deeply into his heart,
+to be overpowered by the temptations to which in his new situation,
+far away from her care, he might be exposed.
+
+Before the weather and roads were sufficiently settled, to venture on
+so long a journey, Frank was all prepared to depart; he had been very
+attentive to his lessons, particularly in writing, and although he
+was but twelve years old, few persons of any age, wrote a better hand.
+
+His mother provided every thing for his comfort and amusement,
+which affection and a thorough acquaintance with his habits could
+devise. He was fond of amusing himself with drawing; and could draw
+remarkably well for his age. His mother made him a neat port-folio,
+and filled it with paper; and a case for his pencils, pen-knife,
+&c.; and when she found he was not to set off as soon as she had
+expected, she employed herself in the evening in filling a book
+with drawings, which would answer for patterns for him. There were
+landscapes, animals and flowers, all very simple, but quite pretty
+and interesting.
+
+She did not show it to Frank till it was finished.
+
+'When did you draw this, mother?' said Frank; 'I have not seen you
+drawing for a long time; you have been making my clothes every day
+from morning till night.'
+
+'I did it after you were in bed.'
+
+How kind, thought Frank, though he did not say it; for children do
+not often speak when they are much moved by kindness.
+
+'They are beautiful,' at last he exclaimed; 'just such as I like.'
+
+'When you are in want of amusement, you can copy these,' said his
+mother; 'and then you will think of me.'
+
+'And so I shall, let me do what I will.'
+
+'I hope so,' said his father; 'it will be your surest talisman.'
+
+'Talismans are good things, father. I wish there were real ones in
+the world; such as I have read about, in the Arabian nights. If I had
+one to take away with me, you would always feel sure that I was safe.'
+
+'If you kept it; but you know, they may be lost.'
+
+'O, I should keep it; never fear that.'
+
+'Well, there are no such things except in fiction. God will protect
+you my son; and to his protection I willingly trust you; only try
+yourself to do right. Good night,--day after to-morrow, if the
+weather is fine, we are to start.'
+
+'So soon, father,' said Frank, and his eyes filled with tears; but
+neither of his parents spoke of this, though it gave them pleasure to
+see it.
+
+The next day was a busy scene at Mr. Courtland's; every body was
+employed in the preparations for the journey. Frank was rejoiced
+to find, that his father himself intended to take him; as he had
+proposed his going with a friend, who expected to have occasion to
+visit Boston about this time. Frank was indebted to his mother for
+this pleasure. Mr. Courtland found that it would lessen his wife's
+solicitude at parting with her son, to have his father go with him,
+and remain a short time, to ascertain whether he was contented; and
+this decided him to relinquish his first plan.
+
+At the tea table this evening, every one was very sober; even the
+lively little Ann was silent. After tea, they all went to the piazza
+to look at the sky, which was brilliant with the setting sun.
+
+'This promises a fair day for our journey,' said Mr. Courtland; 'are
+you all ready, Frank?' but Frank could not answer; and his mother
+turned away and went to her own chamber, for she did not wish to
+let Frank witness the effect of her feelings, lest his heart should
+fail him, when he came to bid her good bye. In a few minutes, she
+recovered her self-command, and returning to the parlour, told Frank
+she should like to call with him, on several of the neighbors, that
+he might take leave of them; particularly of Sam and his family.
+All were very sorry that Frank was to quit the village for so long
+a time. Sam, who, though a manly boy, was not much accustomed to
+self-control, wept aloud; and said he should have no one to study or
+to play with.
+
+'I will write you letters, Sam,' said Frank, 'and tell you about all
+the fine things in Boston, and the school, and what sort of boys
+there are there. I shall not like any of them, I am sure, as well as
+I do you. Will you write to me?'
+
+'Yes,' said Sam with more composure.
+
+'Good bye,' said Frank.
+
+Although Frank was to rise earlier than usual, the next morning;
+yet his parents unconsciously suffered his bed hour to pass by.
+They were engaged in conversation with him; impressing on his mind
+the importance of resolution and self-control, and endeavouring to
+acquaint him with the temptations and trials to which he would be
+exposed, among such a number of boys; many of whom, probably, had not
+been as carefully educated as himself; and who might have some bad
+habits and propensities, which Frank, without watchfulness on his
+part, would be in danger of imitating. At last, Mr. Courtland looked
+at his watch, and was surprised to find it almost ten o'clock.
+
+When Frank went to his own room, his mother followed him. 'I will
+lock your trunk to-night, Frank, and tie up your travelling bag, and
+place all your things in readiness, for fear you should over-sleep
+yourself in the morning.'
+
+'No I shan't, mother; I am not in the least sleepy, and feel as if I
+should not get to sleep till daylight.'
+
+'This excitement will cause you to be very drowsy, after you have
+once been asleep,' said she.
+
+'I have one more thing to put in your trunk,' added his mother;
+'which I expect you to value very much, and take the greatest care
+of. You know you wished for a talisman the other night; here is
+one, whose power to preserve you from what I regard as the greatest
+danger, to which you are exposed, will I think prove effectual.'
+
+'A real talisman! why, father told me there were no such things,
+except in fiction; where did you get it? will it really preserve me
+from harm as long as I keep it? Is there a charm in it?'
+
+'You can judge for yourself as soon as you look at it. It is from
+moral harm; from the danger of temptation, to do what you know to be
+wrong, that I expect it to preserve you;--this is the harm from which
+I have ever been most anxious to guard you,--this is the harm which I
+most dread, when you are removed from my care and inspection.'
+
+The talisman was contained in a small box. Frank took it out of his
+mother's hand, opened it and looked at it steadily for a moment,
+and then exclaimed, 'O, it is beautiful: it will, it will, mother,
+preserve me.'
+
+'Keep it safe, my son; consult it every night, when you go to bed;
+_it_ will inform you if the day has been passed with innocence and
+improvement; if you can regard it with pleasure, you have nothing to
+fear; but if otherwise, attend to its admonitions;--do not let it
+appeal to you in vain.'
+
+Frank's cheeks were wet with tears; his mother indulged herself in
+one long, close embrace, and uttering only 'God bless you,'--left
+the room. Frank was alone. He put the box in his trunk; far down,
+where he thought it would be safest, and locked the trunk, which
+his mother in her emotion had forgotten to do, and then remained a
+moment motionless. He had thoughts and feelings which he had never
+before experienced; and formed resolutions which it seemed to him,
+at that time, would never be broken. He then said his prayers with
+fervour and satisfaction; as soon as his head was on the pillow he
+fell asleep; and did not, as his mother had apprehended, wake, till
+called to breakfast. In a few moments, he made his appearance with a
+serious and satisfied air; and when the stage drove up, went off with
+a far better grace, than his parents had anticipated.
+
+We will not attempt to describe his mother's desolate feelings,
+when her husband and son were fairly out of sight. None of my young
+readers can estimate a mother's feelings, though they know that they
+are the kindest and truest in the world. Neither can we stop to tell
+about Frank's journey, lest the story should be too long. Every thing
+was new and engaging to him; the weather was fine, and on the second
+day, they arrived just before sunset, at the door of Mrs. Willard,
+who was standing on the balcony with her two little girls, looking
+out for the coach.
+
+Mrs. Willard's house was more elegantly furnished than any one
+Frank had ever seen. He was so much pleased in looking round on the
+pictures, mirrors, &c. that he did not feel so badly, as he had
+expected. What he liked best to look at, however, was his Aunt, who
+was his mother's sister, and resembled her, though she was older and
+as Frank thought, not nearly so handsome. Her kind manner soon placed
+him at ease. She told him, she supposed he would like to change his
+dusty clothes, and refresh himself after so long a journey; and
+led him to a chamber, where he found his baggage had been already
+carried. A servant came to ask if he wished any assistance; but
+Frank, who had been accustomed to wait on himself, said 'no, I thank
+you, _Sir_;' which made the servant smile; for he perceived that
+Frank did not take him for a servant:--indeed, he was better dressed
+than most of the people whom Frank had ever seen. A consciousness
+of his mistake glanced across Frank's mind; and the thought that
+he should be taken for an ignorant country boy, made him blush. He
+unlocked his trunk, found every thing safe, even his talisman; at
+which he gave a look, and soon perceived that the mistake he had
+made with regard to the servant, was one he need not be ashamed of,
+he resumed his composure and was dressed and looked fresh and happy,
+when his Aunt called him to tea.
+
+After tea, Mr. Courtland asked Frank if he should like to walk about
+a little, as he had been sitting in the coach all day. He said yes;
+and they went into the mall and common, which were near his Aunt's
+house. Though the twilight was fast fading away, the view looked
+beautifully; the grass was green, but the trees were not in full
+leaf; for they are elm trees, which are the last to show their
+foliage, and the earliest to lose it; a few willows near the pond
+were in leaf or rather in blow, as it is the blossom which appears
+first. Round the pond, were a group of boys; some running up and down
+the little hill on its border, others sailing boats and ships. 'How
+many boys!' said Frank.
+
+'More than you ever saw in your whole life before,' said his father.
+'I hope to see you playing in just such a group before many days.'
+
+The next morning, Mr. Courtland said to his son, 'I will devote this
+morning to shewing you something of the city; and after dinner, I
+will take you out to Mr. Reed's, for I wish you to be there a few
+days before my return, that I may tell your mother how you like it.'
+
+'O do allow Frank to pass a day or two with us, before he goes to
+school,' said his Aunt; 'we wish to get acquainted with him a little.
+You shall take him round the town this morning, and in the afternoon
+we will all ride into the country, and let Frank see something of our
+vicinity, which you know, is thought equal to the environs of any
+city in the Union. It does not look as well now as it will a month
+hence, to be sure. We will call at Mr. Reed's on our return. They are
+friends of mine, you know, and we will introduce Frank to them, but
+not leave him there to night.'
+
+'If you think this arrangement best, sister,' said Mr. Courtland, 'I
+will agree to it, although this will detain me some days longer. It
+will suit his mother, I imagine, no less than it will Frank.'
+
+Frank felt his Aunt's kindness, and thanked her sincerely for her
+invitation. He said the plan certainly pleased him; for he expected
+to feel pretty badly when he went to school.
+
+'I don't think you will,' said his cousin Emily,--'it is a delightful
+place, and you will like Mr. and Mrs. Reed. Mr. Reed is a droll man;
+he always makes me laugh, whenever he comes here: he has so many
+diverting anecdotes to tell, about the boys. Do you remember the
+monkey he told us about, mother; which the boys had taught to take up
+slates, set sums on them, and then hand them to each boy, as he came
+up to the desk, just like the master.'
+
+'I should not think Mr. Reed would like that; was not he angry,' said
+Frank.
+
+'O no, indeed,' answered Emily; 'he is too good natured; the boys
+did not mean to take off Mr. Reed; but had the monkey for their
+master, when they were playing school. One day, a gentleman entered
+the school room to speak to Mr. Reed, and the monkey followed; and
+when Mr. Reed left his desk, and went to the other side to meet the
+gentleman, up jumped the monkey in his place, and began to take up
+the slates which lay on the desk and set sums; and some boys went
+up to receive them, which made Mr. Reed and the stranger laugh very
+much. It took so long to get settled, and bring the school to order
+again, that they were obliged to keep in half an hour beyond the
+usual time, before all their recitations were finished. So the boys,
+Mr. Reed said, took good care that the monkey should not play any
+more of his tricks in school time.'
+
+We need not tell any Boston children what Frank saw in his walk, or
+his ride; and perhaps not many others will ever read this story. They
+stopped at Mr. Reed's about 5 o'clock; which was the tea hour; and
+the bell was ringing and the boys flocking in. Mrs. Reed came to the
+door to meet her friend.
+
+'You see,' said she, 'that it is just our tea time; for our children
+prefer having their supper as soon as school is out, that they may
+have the remainder of the afternoon to play, without interruption;
+and I like to accommodate them in these little matters.--Will you
+take your tea with them, or will you walk in the garden till it is
+over; and let us have our tea by ourselves?'
+
+'I should prefer joining your family circle,' replied Mrs. Willard.
+'I have brought my nephew to introduce to you, who is to be your
+scholar,--here he is; master Frank Courtland, Mrs. Reed.'
+
+Mrs. Reed took his hand; 'you are welcome here, my little fellow,'
+said she; 'we shall try to make you love us.'
+
+Frank thought he had never been greeted so kindly by a stranger
+before; and he did not feel the least reluctance to take Mrs. Reed's
+hand, and accompany her to the tea room. There were collected boys
+of all sizes; most of them, however, about the age of Frank; they
+were all conversing very pleasantly and familiarly together; and
+appeared to be under no restraint, with Mr. and Mrs. Reed. One young
+gentleman had just come from town, and was giving an account of a
+fire which had taken place there the day before. It was a house of
+his cousin's; the fire had caught in the upper story and consumed
+that and the roof; but was extinguished before it did farther damage.
+
+'Did it burn the house down, James?' said Mr. Reed.
+
+'No; I think it burned the house up, Sir,' he replied.
+
+Frank joined in the laugh which this little sally of wit excited; for
+it does not take much to make a group of boys laugh.
+
+Mrs. Reed called two or three boys to her and introduced them to
+Frank; and told them to take him into the garden and play ground.
+The others soon followed. The mere sight of so many merry, lively
+fellows, was exhilarating to Frank; who had lived in retirement, and
+to whom society of his own age was a rare pleasure.
+
+The young gentlemen into whose hands he was entrusted, were very
+polite and attentive. They did not laugh among themselves at any of
+Frank's peculiarities, or express surprise at his ignorance of many
+things, which they knew. Their manners were as much attended to as
+their minds. Mr. Reed told them he wished to live among gentlemen, as
+well as scholars.
+
+They led Frank to their own gardens; each boy had a bed; and many had
+violets and hyacinths in blow, which they gathered and presented to
+Frank.
+
+'What, have you all gardens?' said he; 'I am glad of that. I
+regretted very much leaving my garden, and still more my little
+sister's, of which I had the care: but I have left a kind friend
+behind, who has promised to be my gardener.'
+
+'What is his name?'
+
+'Sam Brown; he is a farmer's son, a very fine boy, and the only
+play-fellow I have had.'
+
+'We have some farmer's sons in our school; they are clever fellows,
+and help us about our gardens, and we help them about their lessons.
+But should not you like to see _your_ garden?'
+
+'Mine!' said Frank; 'how came I to have a garden?'
+
+'Why, a month ago, Mr. Reed told us, you were coming here in April;
+and said you were from the country, and would no doubt be fond of
+gardening; and so he told us that any of us who liked, might choose
+a spot, and get it ready, and put what we could find in it. Such a
+number of boys offered, that we had to draw lots; for Mr. R. said
+that four only should undertake it; and I am one of the four,' said
+the speaker: whose name was William Gardiner. 'We laid it out in
+four divisions, with a circle in the middle; and Mr. Reed said we
+might put roots in the circle; but that we must leave the beds empty,
+because you would like to plant them yourself.'
+
+Frank went to the spot, and found a rose bush in the centre, and the
+whole circle filled with roots. There was a beautiful crocus in blow,
+and strawberries and violets; with many other plants, which do not
+bloom till late in the season.
+
+'I must bring out some seeds with me to plant,' said Frank.
+
+'No, you need not,' said William Gardiner; 'we shall all give you
+some of ours, and that will make more than you will want.'
+
+'You are very kind,' said Frank, 'I told my friend Sam, when I left
+home, that I did not think I should see any boys, whom I should like
+as well as him; but I suspect I shall find myself mistaken. What is
+that frame and those posts for?' said Frank.
+
+'O, that is our gymnasium; did you never hear of gymnastics?'
+
+'No, what are they?'
+
+'Why, I don't wonder he never has heard of them,' said Tom Blanchard;
+'it is a new thing here. This was put up only last fall.'
+
+'It is to teach us various sorts of exercise, climbing, jumping, &c.'
+said Albert Lawrence. 'Do you see that tall pole? I believe I can
+climb up to the top, though it is smooth.' He immediately ran off,
+and to Frank's astonishment, ascended the pole, which was 30 feet
+high, and when he had reached the top, took off his cap, swung it,
+and put it on again, and came down in safety. A few minutes after,
+Emily came out and called, 'cousin Frank, we are going home now.'
+
+'What already?' said Frank. And he took a friendly leave of the boys,
+who begged him to come out soon.
+
+When they were in the carriage, Mr. Courtland asked Frank if the
+place answered his expectations.
+
+'O yes, it is pleasanter than I expected; and I admire the boys; will
+they always be as kind, I wonder?'
+
+'Perhaps not,' said Mr. Courtland; 'people are usually polite to
+strangers.'
+
+'I suspect you will always find them so, Frank,' said his aunt.
+'I have been there a great deal, and think it the most harmonious
+family I ever knew. They have so many occupations and amusements, and
+Mr. and Mrs. Reed are so familiar and affectionate, that all their
+talents and good feelings are called forth. They have no time for
+weariness, and rarely any cause of dissatisfaction.'
+
+After two more days had elapsed, Frank's father asked him if he was
+then willing to go to school; and he answered 'yes,' without any
+hesitation. It was proposed that he should come into town, and pass
+Sunday with his aunt, whenever he felt inclined.
+
+'If you are a good walker, Frank,' said she, 'you will always find
+companions; many of the boys walk in and out the same day, although
+it is four miles.'
+
+'O, that is nothing,' said Frank; 'I have walked ten miles in a day,
+many a time.'
+
+Frank took a cheerful leave of his aunt and cousins, and even of
+his father, who told him he should be out, once or twice before he
+returned home. The boys came up to welcome Frank, as soon as he
+arrived; and told him they were glad he had come to stay. For the
+next day was a holiday, and they were going into the woods to collect
+wild flowers and evergreens.
+
+Frank had a bed to himself, and William Gardiner had another in
+the same room. William told him there were four in some of the
+apartments; and that after they came up at night, they could talk
+till ten o'clock, if they wished, provided they were not noisy; and
+that they took this time to settle all their plans.
+
+'We have a great many plans,' said William, 'and some of the boys
+agree to them, and some do not; some are fond of fun, and don't mind
+a little mischief; and some are cowardly fellows, whom we can't get
+to undertake anything, unless it is so plain and easy, that there is
+no fun in it.'
+
+Frank did not exactly understand the drift of this speech, except
+that he perceived that William called those cowardly boys, who minded
+doing a little mischief. Frank had always thought the fear of doing
+wrong, was a praise-worthy feeling; but he had not the resolution to
+tell William so, lest he should class him at once, with the cowardly
+boys.
+
+'Now,' said William, 'if you are a boy of spirit, I will tell you a
+plan we have for to-morrow.'
+
+Frank had omitted to take his talisman out of his trunk that night,
+as he did not wish to look at it before any one: the image of it,
+however, was strongly impressed on his mind; and this idea inspired
+him with resolution, not to join in any plan, he thought wrong.
+
+'I do not know what you call spirit,' said Frank; 'but I am not
+afraid of doing any thing, because it is difficult or dangerous, if
+it is not wrong.' These remarks made William hesitate to communicate
+his plan to Frank. At last he said, 'Will you promise not to tell, if
+you don't choose to join? you must know we all hate tell-tales; and
+a boy would have no comfort here, who told.'
+
+'I shall never be a tell-tale,' said Frank; 'I dislike them myself;
+they are mean fellows. I promise not tell,' added he, his curiosity
+much excited.
+
+'You know,' said William, 'we are all, (that is, a great many of us)
+going into the woods to get evergreens to make arbours of, and to set
+out in our play ground; we do this very often, and some of the trees
+take root; there are six alive, which was set out last fall.'
+
+'That may be,' said Frank; 'for fall is the best time to set out
+trees.'
+
+'I believe it is not for evergreens,' said William; 'but that is no
+matter, for if they do not live, we have the pleasure of getting
+them, which is the thing we care most for. Well, we are going off
+early, soon after breakfast, and stay till sunset. We are to take
+some cakes, crackers, and cheese, for our dinner. Mrs. Reed, who you
+must know, if you have not found it out already, is kindness itself,
+has provided them for us, on condition that we will not buy nuts or
+raisins, or such things at the store, because some of the boys have
+been made sick by them. We have promised her we would not buy any
+thing, but oranges; and when we make Mrs. Reed a promise, we always
+keep it through thick and thin.'
+
+'It is very wrong to break a promise to any body,' said Frank.
+
+'So it is,' replied William; 'I don't like to make a promise, and
+so I seldom make one, for I hate to be tied down to any thing. But
+I must make haste, and tell you, or it will strike ten, and then we
+must all be mum.'
+
+'Now when we get up into the woods, we want to have a little fun, as
+well as work; and after we have got our trees, and some wild flowers,
+we are going to send up a balloon.'
+
+'A balloon!' exclaimed Frank, 'can boys manage a balloon?'
+
+'Hush, don't speak so loud--you promise not to tell, and I will
+inform you all about it. A man in Boston makes paper balloons to send
+up on election days, Independence, and such days; some of us boys
+have clubbed together, and got money enough to buy a small one, and
+the materials for filling it with gas. I want to send up a cat in
+it; but James Alcott is such a chicken-hearted fellow, he will not
+consent, and I suppose we must give that up.'
+
+'Where _is_ the balloon,' said Frank.
+
+'Where you would never guess--in this room, folded up very snug, in
+a box in my trunk. Now you know we must have some fire, to make the
+gas, and that we could not get in the woods.'
+
+'Why, yes you could,' said Frank, 'with a tinder box. Sam Brown, and
+I have made many a fire in the woods, in that way.'
+
+'This is too much trouble, besides we have not any tinder box.
+But I have bought a box of phosphoric matches, which take fire
+spontaneously, as it is called; that is, right off, as soon as they
+come to the air. I was afraid to bring them into the house, for Mrs.
+Reed has told us never to bring any here; she had the bed-clothes set
+on fire by a box, a boy once had in his room. I have put them under a
+stone in one corner of the play ground. When we get to the wood, we
+shall make a halt, and choose a captain who is to command the rest;
+then the captain will say, we have a plan for some fun, all those who
+join, come on my right, and those who do not, on my left. There is
+the clock striking ten, so I can't tell any more; you will see the
+rest to-morrow, but not a word of it to any one. Good night.'
+
+Frank could not go to sleep immediately; the communication William
+had made, perplexed him very much; he did not clearly see any thing
+wrong in it; he was just going to ask him, if Mr. Reed knew of their
+project, but remembered that not another word could be said.
+
+His thoughts naturally turned to home, and he wished himself there,
+quietly laid in his own room, without doubts or hopes in his mind.
+'My mother told me I should meet with many temptations, to do what I
+thought wrong. I wonder if this is going to be one of them. I will
+look at my talisman: 'let it not appeal to you in vain,' were her
+last words that night. Frank joined to these reflections a sincere
+prayer for assistance from God, for the welfare of his parents, and
+dear little sister, and fell asleep.
+
+Morning came; William did not speak of the subject of their last
+night's conversation; Frank, who was modest, and a stranger, did not
+like to introduce it. At one time, he thought of not joining the
+party to the woods; he knew that if he remained at home, he should
+be far from the temptation, whatever it might be: but he did not
+know what reason to give, for declining a proposal, with which he
+seemed so much pleased, the night before; he feared that he should
+be regarded as one of the cowardly boys, and get a bad name, the
+first thing, on coming to the school. He was called out of his room,
+suddenly, and did not look at his talisman; and after breakfast,
+joined the scholars in the play ground, without having come to any
+decision.
+
+They all took it for granted, that he was going, and called on him
+to assist them in making preparations. Mr. Reed had lent them his
+hand-cart, in which they placed their knives, axes, hoes, and their
+baskets of provision, some tin tumblers, and a pitcher, to get water
+from the brook. Frank looked in vain for the box containing the
+balloon, and began to think the project had been abandoned. Presently
+William Gardiner called out,
+
+'Boys, let's take some of our cloaks to sit on, or in case it would
+rain, or be chilly. I will run up and get mine; shall I bring yours,
+Frank?'
+
+'O no, I scarcely ever need a cloak, and the weather is very fine to
+day.'
+
+Several boys, however, approved the proposal, and William Gardiner
+offered to fetch them all from their rooms. He soon came out, with a
+large bundle of cloaks; then giving three cheers, off they started,
+fifteen of them. The others were either too young, to engage in such
+an expedition, or had gone to pass the holiday with their friends in
+town.
+
+When they had proceeded about two miles, drawing the cart by turns,
+they halted, as William had described, and after some altercation,
+chose Albert Lawrence for captain. He was a tall, manly-looking boy,
+and as soon as the choice was made, took an epaulet out of the cart,
+which he said they had put in for the captain, and fastened it on his
+shoulder, and a cane, which he shouldered like a gun. The address was
+then made, but nothing was announced, as to the nature of the plan.
+
+Only five boys remained on the left side. Frank was not one of
+these; almost unconsciously when he saw the majority start for the
+captain's right side, he went too. William Gardiner seized his hand;
+'you are the right sort--one of the brave ones; I see I was not
+mistaken,' and he gave a significant nod to the captain. Although
+this speech was made with a look of approbation and kindness, it did
+not excite such a pleasant feeling in Frank, as the approving smile
+of his friends had always done before, and he made no reply.
+
+'You who will not agree to join us, must promise not to tell,' said
+the captain; 'for if you do, we will never forgive you, nor speak to
+you again. Promise solemnly.' They all promised, well knowing that
+their residence in the school would be intolerable, under the odium
+of the character of tale bearers. The captain added, 'we shall work
+first, and play last. First, we must get all our trees, roots, and
+flowers, and fill the cart; then, we will meet on the flat rock, at
+the top of yonder hill, and eat our dinner, and then I will explain,
+and hope you will consent to join the majority.'
+
+When this was accomplished, and the feast spread out, the boys became
+merry, and talkative. The captain in an insinuating way, divulged
+their purpose, and produced the box containing the balloon, from
+among the bundles of cloaks, which as Frank now perceived, were taken
+only for the sake of concealing it. The phosphoric matches were then
+displayed; the method of inflating the balloon described; and its
+beautiful appearance and ascent represented, in glowing language.
+All were excited and exclaimed, 'let us see it, let us see it.' When
+it was opened, and the gay colours and streamers met the view, their
+pleasure rose still higher, one or two of those who refused at first
+to join in the plan, now said, they saw no harm in it, and that they
+should like to see it go up.
+
+'That is as you please,' said the captain--'if you stay to see it go
+up, you are each one of us, and take your share in the blame and
+the danger; if you will not run this risk, file off to the other end
+of the wood, and amuse yourselves with picking flowers; for you had
+better keep your eyes on the ground; it will go up so high in the
+air, that you can't help seeing it, if you look up; and this you will
+have to own, should any one ask if you saw the balloon.'
+
+'Perhaps it will never be heard of,' said one.
+
+'I shall take care of that,' replied William Gardiner, 'if it goes
+well. I have written a paragraph already, which I intend to put in
+the newspaper, describing the ascent of a beautiful and mysterious
+balloon, which, it is presumed, must have come from the clouds, and
+contain a heavenly visitant, as no trace or account of it whatever,
+can be found on the earth.'
+
+'That will set people a guessing well,' said one of the group.
+
+'Now let us begin to prepare; there is no time to be lost,' said the
+captain. 'You ten, who came on my right this morning, I count my
+own, if you are true men; for a deserter is a meaner fellow than a
+coward.'
+
+Whatever good resolutions, were rising in Frank's mind, were all put
+down, by this last remark.
+
+'I say,' said Thomas Blanchard, one of the five, 'I see no harm in
+setting off a balloon for our amusement, if we had asked Mr. Reed's
+consent, and if it were not for the fire; but you know, Gardiner,
+we have been forbid to take fire into the woods, ever since the
+time, when we liked to have burned up the country, by leaving some
+there, which kindled and spread so fast, it might not have been
+extinguished, but for a lucky shower; and you know, I promised Mr.
+Reed I would have nothing to do with fire, in the woods again; and he
+said as I was the ringleader, if I did not, he should hope the others
+would not.'
+
+'There is more than one ringleader in the school, luckily for the
+cause of fun,' said Gardiner. 'But if you have promised, there is
+an end of it--start off. The only reason why we did not tell of the
+balloon, was on account of the fire. But _we_ made no promise. So we
+are not obliged to keep any. We only listened, but did not speak.
+Besides, that was in August, when every thing was as dry as tinder;
+there is no chance of burning any thing at this early season. Move
+off with your five righteous, they can't save the city.'
+
+Owing to the resolution of Tom Blanchard, those who with himself had
+in the morning kept on the left side, slowly took their departure.
+Frank respected, and envied the little band; but that word _deserter_
+rung in his ears, and he remained.
+
+After his choice was irrevocably fixed, he endeavoured to frame
+excuses for his conduct.
+
+'It was no project of mine,' said he to himself; 'I have not been
+forbidden to take fire into the woods; I was a stranger to the rules
+of the school; who can blame me for what I had taken no share in?'
+
+These considerations put an end to any farther effort, to take the
+right course, but did not restore his tranquility, or enable him to
+enter into the frolic, with as much relish as the others, who as
+soon as the five were out of sight, appeared to be relieved from all
+restraint, and immediately commenced their operations.
+
+What was William Gardiner's dismay, when he found that he had omitted
+to put up a part of the direction for inflating the balloon.
+
+'This is a pretty business, indeed,' said Albert Lawrence, 'to spoil
+all our fun, by such carelessness; what can you have done with it?'
+
+'I don't know; it was on two pieces of paper, and only one of them is
+here. In my hurry this morning, to get the box safely into the cart,
+I must have left the other in my trunk.'
+
+Frank at first rejoiced at this accident; but the disappointment
+evinced by his companions, excited his sympathy.
+
+'Don't any of you know how it ought to be done?' said the captain.
+'He shall be king forever if he can tell. Did not you attend a course
+of chemical lectures, last winter, William.'
+
+'Yes, and it was that which first put it into my head, to have a
+balloon; I wish I had been a little more attentive to the lectures,
+though, and then I should have remembered how to fill it; but the
+truth was, I only went to see the experiments.'
+
+Frank was acquainted with the process; his mother had taught it to
+him, together with many other things in chemistry; and whatever she
+taught him, he had learned thoroughly. He perceived at once, that
+here was an opportunity of obliging his companions, making himself
+popular, and of showing off his superior learning. Vanity filled his
+heart, he forgot every other consideration.
+
+'Will you let me read the part, which you have?' said Frank.
+
+'Why, do you know any thing about it?' asked the captain, with an
+air of surprise.
+
+'I believe I do,' said Frank.
+
+He then went on, and stated with clearness and accuracy, the whole
+process. The manner of all the boys towards him, was changed at once,
+and they treated him with marked attention.
+
+'I told you he was a right one, and a _wise_ one, too, only you were
+not acquainted with him,' said William Gardiner. 'I saw it the first
+day he came out. Come King Francis the first, issue your orders; we
+are your willing and obedient slaves.'
+
+Frank now entered heart and hand into the business; all his scruples
+were forgotten. He directed each step in the process. All was
+successful. The balloon ascended with a graceful, easy motion;
+floated awhile over their heads, the streamers dancing in the breeze,
+then rose so high, as to be a mere speck--afterwards, it took a
+horizontal direction, and having traversed the air, during half an
+hour, rapidly descended, and fell, they could not see exactly where.
+
+When it first sprung up, a most exhilarating shout issued from the
+group, then in perfect silence, they all followed with their eyes,
+every motion of the graceful form, and when it was gone, Frank was
+the first to exclaim, 'was it not glorious!' 'Glorious! glorious!'
+they all uttered. There seemed to be no damper to their enjoyment;
+each one talked as fast as he could, of its grace, beauty, motion and
+colour; and every now and then, turning to Frank, they said,
+
+'It is all owing to you; was it not worth coming for? I am glad you
+did not move off with that cowardly band, we should have lost all our
+fun.'
+
+Frank's heart did not echo this sentiment, and his former feelings
+returned; his sense of duty was too keen to leave him in quiet
+possession of his triumph, and he said nothing to all their
+congratulations. Some of the boys thought this was owing to modesty,
+but William Gardiner suspected the true cause.
+
+All marks of the proceeding were carefully obliterated, and the spot
+covered with stones, both for the purpose of concealment, and to note
+the scene of their festivity. At half an hour before sunset, the
+whole party met at the foot of the hill, where they had left their
+cart. No questions were asked by the smaller number, when they came
+up. They had gathered a large basket full of wild flowers, which they
+had laid in wet towels, to keep them fresh, that they might present
+them to Mrs. Reed. She was very fond of flowers, and usually had her
+parlour ornamented with them, from the earliest in spring, to the
+latest of autumn. These wild flowers reminded Frank of his mother,
+for whom he had so often gathered them, and a sadness came over him.
+
+'I wish I had gathered some for Mrs. Reed,' exclaimed he.
+
+'Do you,' said Tom Blanchard; 'I will give you a bunch of mine.'
+
+'No, I thank you, I cannot tell her I gathered them myself.'
+
+'That's honest,' said the captain; 'no, let the boys have their
+flowers, they have a right to all the praise.'
+
+When they reached home, it was after sunset. Mrs. Reed was at the
+door.
+
+'I am glad to see you all safe at last,' said she; 'I began to be a
+little anxious; I hope you have enjoyed yourselves.'
+
+'O yes,' said several, 'we had a royal time.'
+
+Tom brought forth the basket of flowers, and presented them to Mrs.
+Reed.
+
+'All these for me,' said she; 'you have been very industrious in my
+behalf. I am pleased to be remembered when absent. I thank you all,
+for I suppose all have contributed.'
+
+Tom only made a low bow, and retired.
+
+'Tom is generous,' whispered William Gardiner, 'to let us share in
+the credit of the flowers, is he not Lawrence?'
+
+'How is my young friend, Frank Courtland?' said Mrs. Reed. 'It seems
+to me, you look sober; I hope you like our rural sports; perhaps you
+are fatigued.'
+
+'Not in the least,' said Frank.
+
+'Then it may remind you a little too much of home; your father has
+been here, and was pleased to hear you were gone on the party, and
+said you would be in your element in the woods. I told him I was glad
+that he was not uneasy at our letting you go away, for a whole day,
+with so many wild fellows'--he said 'no, he believed he might trust
+to his son's discretion; at least, he should never know, till he had
+put him to the trial.'
+
+These words were daggers to Frank's heart; but he was obliged to
+command himself, and Mrs. Reed perceiving that the mention of his
+father, had affected him, changed the subject, and inquired about the
+manner, in which they had passed the day.
+
+Albert Lawrence and William Gardiner were the spokesmen. They gave
+an animated and amusing account, of their journey to the wood, and
+various little adventures in cutting down, and cutting up the trees,
+and roots--of their feast on the flat-rock, &c. They told nothing
+that was not strictly true; and with this degree of honesty, appeared
+to satisfy their consciences, and to feel no compunction for the
+important part, which they had entirely omitted. They made out
+incident and occupation enough apparently, to fill the day. Mrs. Reed
+listened with interest and pleasure, to the account, and bestowed on
+them a smile, to which Frank wished from the bottom of his heart,
+that he could feel himself entitled.
+
+Frank retired to his own room, before his companions, and his first
+impulse was to get his talisman, which he had not looked at for ten
+days. But a strong disinclination to open the box, arose in his
+mind. When at last he got resolution to do this, the sight brought
+compunction to his heart, such as he had never known before.
+
+'It is deception that I have been guilty of,' was the distinct
+feeling of his mind. 'I never have deceived before. I am not as my
+mother has often called me, an honest boy; nobody deserves that
+name, who is not above all deception. Why am I alone here, without
+a friend? what can I do? it will weigh upon my mind, and I have no
+one to consult; if Tom Blanchard was not so much older than I am, I
+could consult him; yet he is such a stranger. If I write about it to
+mother, it will grieve her too much. If we are found out, I shall
+never be willing to stay here another day. I will repent of my fault;
+I will pray for pardon; I will be more watchful of myself; I will
+never omit to consult my talisman again.'
+
+These ideas, passed rapidly, and some of them indistinctly, through
+Frank's mind, in much less time, than it would take any one, to read
+them. He heard the steps of the boys, coming up to bed, shut his
+trunk, assumed a more composed aspect, and began to undress.
+
+'Don't go to bed yet,' said William Gardiner, as he entered the room,
+'we are going to set in Albert's chamber a little while, and talk
+over things.'
+
+Frank followed, almost unconsciously.
+
+'Did not we make a good account of our day,' said Gardiner.
+
+'It was good, as far as it went,' answered Frank, 'but it was not a
+true one.'
+
+'I should be glad to be informed what there was in it untrue?'
+
+'The part you did not tell,' said Frank. 'I am sorry to offend any
+of you, but I shall not be satisfied with myself, unless I declare,
+that I think we have done wrong; and if it were not for betraying my
+companions, I should confess the whole to Mr. Reed, bad as it would
+make me feel; but I will never lisp a word of it to any one. I hope
+Gardiner, you will not put that paragraph in the paper, for that will
+excite attention, and I think we may never hear of it again.'
+
+'I have not any very serious intention of doing that,' said Gardiner,
+smiling; 'and I agree with you, that the less there is said of it,
+the better for us. We had a grand time; it went off nobly. You are a
+freshman, Frank; when you have been longer among boys, you will get
+used to their pranks, and not mind a little concealment. I think as
+much of honour, as any body need to, and would not tell a lie, or
+break a promise, to escape a good flogging; but there is no fun, when
+every thing is done in open daylight.'
+
+Notwithstanding these, and other reckless expressions of Gardiner,
+and Lawrence, they could not disguise to themselves, the increased
+respect which they felt for Frank, in consequence of his bold avowal
+of his sentiment, and it would never have occurred to them, at that
+moment, to have called Frank a coward.
+
+Frank's secret mortification at his fault did not wear off, and he
+gradually assumed a shy and reserved manner, towards Mr. and Mrs.
+Reed, which disappointed them, as he had appeared very frank the
+first time they saw him, and they were afraid he was not contented.
+Mrs. Reed, however, in time, gained his confidence, by her gentle
+and judicious conduct. She did not press him to converse either with
+herself, or any one else. She suggested objects of curiosity and
+enterprise, which drew him out, and displayed the quickness of his
+intellect, and the delicacy of his feelings. It must be owned, Frank
+became a favorite with her. This refinement, and even his reserve,
+interested her, and he was a frequent companion of her walks and
+rides.
+
+In one of these excursions, when Frank was driving Mrs. Reed in
+their little waggon, Miss Reed, a niece of hers, who was also in the
+carriage, said, 'do aunt, if you go near the spot, call and see how
+old widow Black's granddaughter is.'
+
+'What is the matter with her?'
+
+'Why, have you not heard? it is a very strange thing. She went up
+into the woods to get spruce, winter green, and herbs for her
+grandmother, to make that nice beer, which you know she sells to
+travellers, who pass by her hut; there she trod on something, which
+set her stocking on fire, for she had a large hole in her shoe;
+she stamped, and stamped on it; but this did not put it out, but
+only made it burn more, and she had the thought to run as fast as
+she could to the brook, which, fortunately, was not far off. She
+put her foot in the water, and this relieved the pain, and as she
+believed, extinguished the fire; but as soon as she took it out of
+the water, it burnt again, and it never occurred to her to take off
+her stocking, till she reached home, dreadfully burned, and she has
+been unable to move a step, since.'
+
+'Oh dear!' exclaimed Frank, with an emotion, which struck both the
+ladies, as very peculiar, 'do go to see her. I have a recipe for a
+burn. My mother told me always to keep it in my pocket-book; it is
+very efficacious, even after the wound has been made some time.'
+
+The tears rolled down Frank's cheeks, in spite of all his efforts
+to check them. He remembered, the phosphoric matches, and could not
+doubt it must have been some of these carelessly dropped, and so
+covered, as not to get to the air, till the little girl had disturbed
+them, with her foot, which caused the mischief.
+
+They stopped at the hut, and found the child as described.
+
+'It is a very mysterious thing,' said the old woman; 'did you ever
+hear before, ma'am, of fire, which water would not put out?'
+
+'Yes,' replied Mrs. Reed; 'there is a substance, called phosphorus,
+which, although kept under water, for a long time, will burn as soon
+as it comes into the air, and by stamping on a small piece, it is
+spread about, and burns quicker. I don't see, however, how this could
+have got into the woods.'
+
+The girl was suffering a great deal. Frank produced his recipe, but
+the ingredients were not to be found in this humble abode, nor could
+they be obtained nearer than the apothecary's, in the village.
+
+'May I run back for them,' said Frank?
+
+'What, three miles!' said Mrs. Reed, 'no, there is not time; but we
+will ride back, as quick as possible, and send for them.'
+
+'And then may I return, and bring them?' asked Frank, with great
+earnestness.
+
+'Why, you are a noble young gentleman,' said the grandmother, 'to
+take so much pains for us poor folks.'
+
+Frank felt more ashamed, than pleased, at this praise, his heart
+telling him all the while, that he was making but imperfect
+reparation for his fault.
+
+When they got home, he ran to the apothecary's, with the
+prescription. It took some time to make the preparation, and it was
+nearly dark, before he returned. Mr. Reed said it was too late to
+trust Frank so far alone, as there was no moon.
+
+'Then let one of the big boys go with me; let Tom Blanchard go.'
+
+'Why, you are very earnest, my little fellow,' said Mrs. Reed.
+
+'Mrs. Reed thinks it will answer to-morrow morning.'
+
+'I will walk there, and back again, if you are afraid to trust me
+with the horse.'
+
+'No,' said Mr. Reed, 'what should I say to your father, if any
+accident happened to you? I will let my man Amos, go on horseback,
+and take it; there is no need of any one's accompanying him; he knows
+the place.'
+
+It was a disappointment to Frank, not to go, for he wanted to give
+the little girl some money; yet he did not like to send it.
+
+'I must go,' said he, inadvertently.
+
+'What is it makes you so eager in this affair,' asked Mr. Reed; 'it
+is quite unusual for you.'
+
+Frank made no answer, for he could not tell the truth. Mr. Reed then
+turned away; and William Gardiner, who had gathered the story by
+listening to their conversation, came to Frank, and whispered in his
+ear, 'they will guess something, if you appear so earnest.'
+
+Frank said no more. Amos took the medicine, and did not get back,
+till after Frank was in bed.
+
+The next day, Frank longed to ask permission to go and inquire after
+the little girl, but had not courage. Mrs. Reed, remembering his
+feeling, the day before, proposed going, and asked him to drive
+her. When they arrived, Frank had the satisfaction to find that the
+application had allayed the pain, and would evidently cure the burn.
+
+Frank went to the girl, and gave her a dollar, and begged her to
+accept it from him.
+
+'I must first ask grandmother,' said she; which she did immediately.
+
+'That is a large sum,' said Mrs. Reed, who was attracted by the
+little girl's question, to her grandmother. 'That is a large sum for
+you to give away; how came you to have so much?'
+
+'My father,' answered Frank, 'said that I should have a dollar a
+month, while I was at school, for pocket expenses; I shall be able to
+do without, till next month. I would rather give it to her, than do
+any thing else with it.'
+
+'I believe,' said Mrs. Reed, 'you could not give it where it is more
+needed, and as you sacrifice your own pleasure, merely, in making the
+donation, I shall not object.'
+
+'That I shan't,' said Frank, in the same emphatic manner, which
+she had observed the evening before, and which appeared quite
+unaccountable to her.
+
+They then took leave, after promising to call again the next time
+they rode that way.
+
+Though Frank knew that money was a poor compensation for the
+little girl's pain, and could not obliterate the recollection
+of the circumstance which occasioned it, from his mind, yet the
+consciousness of having made a personal sacrifice, was the most
+satisfactory feeling he had experienced since the unfortunate day of
+the balloon.
+
+Frank looked at his talisman, with more pleasure than he had done,
+since that time, and he began to resume his cheerfulness, and to make
+greater improvements in his studies. The mysterious way, in which the
+little girl's foot was burned, was several times alluded to, and the
+boys who had shared in the balloon, felt in jeopardy, whenever this
+happened, but the balloon itself was never heard of. It had probably
+caught in the tops of some trees, in a distant and unfrequented wood.
+
+Lawrence, Gardiner, and the other boys, who had joined in the plan,
+soon ceased to feel any compunction, for the deed, and engaged in new
+projects of diversion, some of them innocent, while in others, they
+betrayed the want of nice, moral feeling, so rarely found, in those
+whose early impressions have not been carefully watched.
+
+Frank, however, never forgot the lesson. It was a long time before he
+could even look at his talisman, without recurring to it, painfully,
+and seeing a stain on his character, which before, had been
+unblemished.
+
+We must pass over many weeks, and even months, of Frank's school
+life, during which time, he had become quite domesticated, in Mr.
+Reed's family, and felt as much at ease there, as he did at home. His
+attachment to Mrs. Reed, had increased as his father had predicted,
+and he acknowledged that he loved her, now, next to his mother, and
+not such a great distance between them, either. I shall only insert
+one or two letters, written by Frank, during this period.
+
+    'DEAR MOTHER,
+
+    I do not wonder that you thought my last letter formal, for I
+    wrote it on composition day, that is, on Thursday morning. All
+    the scholars write something; either choose a theme, or write
+    a letter to one of their friends. They show their composition
+    to the master, who corrects it, and awards to each, so many
+    merits. I got quite a high mark for that letter, though I
+    believe it was for the hand writing. I knew it was not the
+    least like such an one, as I should write, all by myself. I
+    told Mrs. Reed what you said about it, and she advised me, to
+    write to you in play hours, not show it to any one, and tell
+    you every thing I could think of. So I have determined to write
+    my play hour letters to you, mother, and my composition letters
+    to father; and if you do not think this is treating you fair, I
+    will now and then, write a composition letter to you; but I do
+    not know as I shall ever venture to send one of the other kind,
+    to father.
+
+    I suppose you will excuse me for telling you, that I am second
+    of all the school, in arithmetic, as nobody else will tell you,
+    and it will please you very much to know it. We had a trial of
+    skill the other day; each took the same sum, it was a dreadful
+    hard one, each began at the same moment. William Gardiner,
+    who is fourteen years old, finished his first; I handed mine
+    up second; when they were all done, Mr. Reed examined them,
+    and only twelve were right, out of twenty; and mine was one
+    of those which had 'correct' written on it. Mr. Reed praised
+    me very much, and said I had paid great attention to his
+    instructions, in cyphering, and that if the other boys had
+    been as attentive, they might, at least, have equalled one so
+    much younger than many of them. I was delighted when Mr. Reed
+    spoke of my success at table, and praised me to Mrs. Reed, and
+    after dinner, she came up to me, and took my hand, and said, in
+    such a kind manner, 'I am glad you have gained so much credit,
+    Frank.' I did feel elated, I must own, mother. When I went up
+    to my room, at night, I took out my talisman: as soon as I
+    put my eyes on it, I perceived the reason of my doing the sum
+    right, and where the praise was due. It was to you, who took
+    such pains, just before I left home, to make me perfect in the
+    four first rules of arithmetic, so that let me cypher in what
+    rule I may, I am sure to get right, because I never miss in
+    adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing; and the truth
+    is, I have been less _attentive_ to Mr. Reed's instructions in
+    arithmetic, than most of the others, because I knew so well,
+    for he takes great pains in this branch. After looking on my
+    talisman a few moments, I was no longer at a loss what I ought
+    to do, and though it was rather disagreeable, I resolved on it.
+
+    I had not the courage to apply to Mr. Reed, but I went to Mrs.
+    Reed, and told her, I did not deserve the praise of being
+    more attentive to arithmetic than the other boys; for in the
+    whole, I had been less so, and that several of those who failed
+    yesterday, had been very attentive; and then I explained how
+    it happened, that _I_ did the sum, and asked her to tell Mr.
+    Reed, that although the boys did not succeed as well as myself,
+    yet they deserved as much praise for attention. This was in
+    the morning, and I believe she told Mr. Reed after school; for
+    at dinner this day, he began and said--'young gentlemen, I owe
+    you an apology. I find you have been quite as attentive in
+    your arithmetic, as Frank Courtland has;' and then he repeated
+    what I had said, but added he, this 'ingenuousness deserves
+    still higher praise, than what I bestowed yesterday. If Frank
+    Courtland is not the best arithmetician, is he not the most
+    honest boy in the school?' 'Yes sir, yes sir,' they all called
+    out, and clapped their hands loud enough to stun us. This is
+    the happiest moment I have had, since I left home; and if
+    you knew some things which I cannot tell you, then you would
+    understand why it delighted me so exceedingly, to be called an
+    honest boy.
+
+    I have been three days, writing this letter, and yet I have not
+    said half I want to say. I must beg you to excuse the writing,
+    for I have written a good deal of it on the steps of the barn
+    door, a shady place, where I often sit with my port-folio, you
+    made me, and my little pocket inkstand. Love to Sam, I hope
+    he has received my last letter; love to father, and a kiss to
+    little Ann.
+
+        Your affectionate Son,
+
+                    FRANK.'
+
+    'DEAR SAM,
+
+    I thank you for your long letter. I am glad you have written
+    to me at last; for I began to think you never would. You need
+    not have waited till you could write a better hand; for I am
+    not obliged to show the letters I receive, unless I choose. I
+    did show yours, because it was written so well. Mr. Reed said,
+    that it did you great credit and also your instructor; so I
+    thought I would tell him that it was mother who had taught you.
+    He said he wished he could have another of mother's pupils in
+    his school; and I wish to my heart you _could_ come. There
+    are many clever boys here. I like some of them very much; but
+    they think differently from you and I in many respects. They
+    get into scrapes and get out of them wonderfully. They used to
+    lead me into them, when I first came; but they don't invite me
+    now, for they know I will not join them, if I think it wrong.
+    They are good boys on the whole; and William Gardiner and
+    Albert Lawrence are so brave and droll, and kind, that I can't
+    help liking them; and so do all the boys. Thomas Blanchard is
+    an excellent fellow, though rather serious; he is three years
+    older than I am. He helped me very much about my latin, when
+    I first came, or I am sure, I never should have got along;
+    for it is harder than any thing I ever learned; and you must
+    not suppose that it is as easy to learn a thing at school, as
+    with mother; for you know how much patience she has, and how
+    clear she makes it before she has done. I am glad you continue
+    your studies with mother, for I know you are very desirous of
+    learning, and it must be a great amusement to her.
+
+    As Tom Blanchard was so kind in helping me to get my latin
+    lessons, I have taught him to draw. You will wonder how I could
+    do this, since I know so little myself. I remembered mother's
+    instructions and repeated them to him, and lent him my pencils
+    and all my patterns; he is such a genius, that he has got on
+    far before me, and draws very prettily. He has taken a view of
+    Mr. Reed's house and garden for me. As I know you would like to
+    see what a pleasant place I live in, I am going to send it to
+    you. Tom says, he shall not be affronted. Will you shew it to
+    mother? and tell sister Ann, that if she can write as well as
+    you tell of, I wish she would write me a letter. I should be
+    proud to shew one from a little sister, six years old.
+
+    I had no chance to send this letter the day I wrote; therefore
+    I will fill the sheet.
+
+    We had a grand time, the day before yesterday. It was the
+    fourth of July; we wished very much to celebrate it, and asked
+    Mr. Reed a month before it came, to let us have some music,
+    and invite the young ladies of this village, and some from
+    Boston, and have a dance. Mrs. Reed begged him to consent, and
+    so he did. My cousins came, and a great many more; and William
+    Gardiner thought my cousin Emily was the prettiest girl in the
+    room. I had a share in planning a very pleasant part of the
+    entertainment. I proposed to Gardiner, Lawrence, and some of
+    our best fellows, that after we had danced some time, we should
+    take the musicians out among the trees in the garden; and that
+    while the company were sitting down to rest, they should strike
+    up some fine tunes, which would attract them to the door, and
+    into the garden; and then we would have a number of sky rockets
+    sent up, all at once, from the bottom of the garden. We boys
+    were to club and pay for the rockets, and no one else was to
+    know a lisp of the plan. I insisted on asking Mr. Reed's leave;
+    but we wanted to surprise Mrs. Reed, so she was not told of it.
+
+    Mr. Reed consented on condition that we would take our
+    allowance of spending money, and not incur any further expense,
+    to which we agreed. And then we thought of another thing, which
+    made it very pretty. We formed an arbour of evergreen branches
+    and flowers and hung in it some coloured lamps, which William
+    Gardiner procured in town; for he is a capital fellow to do any
+    thing that he sets about. Tom Blanchard made a transparency,
+    and wrote on it, 'In honor of Mrs. Reed,' which was to be put
+    over the entrance of the arbour. But Albert Lawrence and some
+    others said this was not appropriate; as it was the fourth of
+    July, we ought to have something about independence. I thought
+    they were right, though I was sadly disappointed, that we could
+    not pay the compliment to Mrs. Reed. Tom altered the motto, and
+    put the word independence on it.
+
+    The sky rockets went off grandly, and the arbour looked
+    beautifully when it was lighted. Mrs. Reed and some of
+    the ladies sat in it, and we handed them some fruit and
+    flowers, of both which we had a great variety and abundance
+    from the garden. If you do not know what coloured lamps or
+    transparencies are, I will tell you when I come home, or you
+    can ask mother. I shall have enough to tell you; we are always
+    having some pleasant thing on foot; but we are obliged to study
+    very hard, to procure these indulgences; for they are all given
+    as rewards. I found this studying very tiresome when I first
+    came: yet now I am used to it, I can do more in an hour, than I
+    could in a forenoon at home.
+
+    Please to give my respects to your father and mother and
+    brothers. Your affectionate friend,
+
+                    FRANK.'
+
+The summer months passed rapidly away.--Frank continued to meet with
+temptations, which as he usually had the strength to resist them,
+served to confirm his self-control. If, as was now and then the case,
+he was betrayed into vanity, peevishness or imprudence, the sight of
+his faithful talisman brought conviction of the error to his mind,
+and inspired him with resolution, to make all the reparation in his
+power. The boys all loved and respected him; and many, who from
+timidity used to join a party they disapproved, were now emboldened,
+by his example, to abide by their better judgment, and mischievous
+projects became gradually less popular in the school.
+
+Frank was spirited and active, and never refused to join in any thing
+however hazardous or fatiguing, provided it was not dishonorable.
+No one would venture to say, he wanted courage or ingenuity; though
+William Gardiner and a few others, still persevered in asserting,
+that he was squeamish; and they ascribed this to his having been kept
+during the first years of his life, out of the society of boys of his
+own age. The purity and moral sensibility which were by this means
+preserved in his character, more than compensated for any little
+defects, which the retirement of his childhood had occasioned. His
+kind and judicious parents had selected the right moment to change
+the influence to which he had been subjected; and had sent him from
+home when his principles had gained sufficient strength to resist the
+danger, to which a contact with others less pure than himself, might
+expose them; and before any bad habits or narrow views had become
+fixed in his character.
+
+One such boy in a large school, so attractive in his manners and
+disposition, and at the same time, so inflexible in virtue, is of
+inestimable value. Their good influence over the other boys, the
+majority of whom are of that uncertain class who always follow a
+leader, and whose destiny depends on their finding a good or a bad
+one, cannot be too highly appreciated. Mr. Reed was fully aware of
+this, and it was with great pleasure that he communicated to his
+wife, a letter he had received from Mr. Courtland, requesting that
+Frank might return home to pass the autumn vacation, and engaging a
+place for him for the next term.
+
+We shall only relate one more of the many little incidents which
+occurred to Frank, during this summer, and then take our leave.
+
+'Frank,' said Mr. Reed one pleasant afternoon, 'you like a long walk;
+will you do me the favor to take this letter to Squire Brazer's and
+get an answer? It must go to night.'
+
+'Yes, with pleasure,' answered Frank; and took his hat.
+
+'You would like a companion?'
+
+'If you please. Shall I ask William Gardiner?'
+
+'You need not hurry yourselves; but take a pleasant walk and pick
+blackberries by the way; only get home by dark.'
+
+The boys walked on a mile or two, stopping now and then to gather
+berries, and some of the last wild roses, which yet remained, in a
+few sequestered spots; and conversing very pleasantly, when they
+approached an old house, standing back from the road, and nearly
+concealed by a row of elm trees. At the fence, by the road side, was
+standing very quietly, though not fastened, an old horse, and rather
+a shabby chaise.
+
+'That's Parson Allen's chaise,' said William Gardiner. I'll warrant
+you, he is making a sermon a mile long, to the old maids within; who,
+no doubt are listening to him with the most flattering attention: for
+I suspect, a call from a gentleman is a rare occurrence to them.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frank, laughing; 'I dare say we might ride to the
+Squire's and back again in his chaise, before the sermon was ended;
+and the old horse would like it better, than standing here in the
+sun.'
+
+'It is rather provoking,' said Gardiner; 'that as there is so much
+shade, he could not be put in it.'
+
+'I make no doubt he was,' replied Frank; 'when the parson first
+stopped; but probably the sun has moved on to another place, since
+that time.'
+
+'That is a good thought of yours, Frank,' said Gardiner; 'come get
+in, I will take all the risk, and pay all damages. It would be a
+lucky hit for his reverence, if we broke the vehicle, and had to get
+a new one.'
+
+'More lucky for him than for us,' said Frank, who had his foot on the
+step, ready to get in; 'second thoughts are best; no, we had better
+not.'
+
+'There is your ridiculous particularity; I don't believe there is
+another boy in the school, would refuse.--If the parson should come
+out, and find the horse had walked off, he would only go back and
+make the old ladies another sermon, which would be so much the more
+for the good of their souls.'
+
+Frank's good genius prevailed; his talisman rose up to his thoughts
+like a guardian angel, and he said, 'it will be safest not to go.'
+
+'Well, I will not be baulked of the ride,' said William,--'Lawrence
+says, that I once took the lead in every thing; but that now I am no
+better than your shadow; and that you govern me entirely; so I will
+go, if it is only to tell him, I have acted once for myself.'
+
+'I will walk on with the letter,' said Frank, 'and shall probably
+meet you on my return.'
+
+William Gardiner jumped into the chaise, and by dint of twitching the
+reins, and applying the whip, succeeded in getting the horse into a
+trot, and was soon out of sight. Frank proceeded with a light step,
+and a still lighter heart, and delivered the letter. After waiting
+half an hour for the answer, he returned, walking very fast, as it
+was late. When he passed the old house, he saw Mr. Allen's horse and
+chaise standing exactly in the same position in which they first
+found it; and a short distance beyond, he overtook William.
+
+'You have been gone for ever,' said he; 'why, I do believe I have
+rode six miles, at least. I left the chaise in the same spot;
+nobody but yourself, I will venture to say, is the wiser for the
+expedition; for I turned down that unfrequented lane.'
+
+They reached home before night; Frank delivered the answer to Mr.
+Reed. Gardiner told of his ride to Albert Lawrence and a few other
+boys. They had a good laugh,--said it was a capital trick, and they
+thought it would be a real kindness to the horse, to relieve him
+occasionally, from the tiresome business of standing an hour or two,
+in the same spot.
+
+The next evening, the minister called on Mr. Reed, and finding he was
+in the play room, and all the boys round him, (for he often passed an
+hour with them in this way,) he walked in. Mr. Allen was an amiable
+man, and a group of happy young folks was always a pleasing sight to
+him.
+
+The boys were relating remarkable occurrences; each one trying to
+recollect something strange, which he had lately heard or read of.
+
+'I believe I can tell a singular story, which happened only
+yesterday,' said Mr. Allen; though it may be rather too sad to
+relate in this merry company. But they may as well look on the
+shadows now and then, in the morning of life; for their turn must
+come. I went yesterday afternoon to call on the Miss Bradford's,
+worthy women as any in my parish. The special object of this visit,
+however, was not themselves, but their niece, Miss Alice Bradford;
+who has been in a consumption for more than a year, and came out here
+six weeks ago, for the benefit of the country air. The change was
+rather hurtful than beneficial; she failed fast, and became too ill
+to be carried back. I had not, however, thought her quite so near
+her end, as she proved to be. When I got there yesterday afternoon,
+I entered into prayer with her, and found her spirit peaceful and
+resigned. The piety and innocence of her short life, gave tranquility
+and hope to her dying hour. Neither she nor her aunts appeared to
+apprehend immediate dissolution. I had witnessed too many death-bed
+scenes, not to know its symptoms, even when most deceitful. Her
+aunt said, that she appeared to have but one earthly wish remaining;
+and that they hoped to gratify, the next morning. It was to see her
+younger sister, who had been purposely kept away; as the sight of
+Alices' sufferings distressed her exceedingly. My mother has gone
+before me, said the sweet girl. I am ready to join her; though I
+had hoped it might be the will of our Heavenly Father that I should
+be spared to my sister. Not as I will, but as thou wilt, she added,
+after a moment's pause, and a great struggle; but I should like to
+take leave of her and give her a few words of advice; as they are the
+last, they will make a deep impression on her mind. I called one of
+the ladies aside, and told her the present was the only time; I did
+not believe her niece would be alive in the morning. She shuddered,
+and exclaimed, what shall I do! how can I send for her sister now. I
+have no horse,--no man. I will go, I replied; my horse is at the door
+I shall be back before it is late; I will go directly. Thank you,
+sir; thank you a thousand times; do go directly--and she returned to
+prepare the young woman to receive her sister.
+
+When I went to the bottom of the avenue, my horse and chaise were not
+there; by the marks in the road, I found he had turned round, and
+presumed he had taken a homeward direction. I hastened there, when
+I arrived out of breath at home, no one had seen him. I resolved to
+lose no more precious time, for I knew that the sands must be nearly
+all out in the poor young creature's glass: so I hurried to Dr.
+Parker to beg him to lend me his chaise; the Dr. had gone to visit
+at Brookline: then I went to farmer Thomson; he willingly lent his
+horse, but had neither chaise nor waggon. I determined to go over
+to Mr. Welles' and borrow his chaise. In doing this, I of course,
+passed by Miss Bradford's house. I had lost nearly an hour and a
+half,--there I found my horse standing exactly as I had left him,
+in the former part of the afternoon. I could not stop to make either
+inquiries or reflections; but got in, hastened into town, and brought
+the young sister out in the shortest time possible.
+
+Soon after my departure from Miss Bradford's, the unequivocal
+symptoms of death began to come on; but the poor creature made great
+exertion to keep up her strength, anxiously expecting the arrival of
+her sister, and wondering at the delay. She took some drops which
+revived her a good deal; and half an hour before I arrived, conversed
+freely with her aunts; spoke of her perfect reliance on the goodness
+of God, and the merits of the Saviour, and gave many injunctions
+in case she did not see her sister. Ere _we_ reached there, it was
+too late. She took her sister's hand, looked up in her face with
+an expression of disappointment which I shall never forget; but
+she was speechless. The hour and a half which I lost, in looking
+for a chaise, deprived her of that last and most earnestly desired
+satisfaction, the power of taking leave of her sister, and of giving
+her the invaluable instructions of her dying hour.
+
+I went there again, this morning. She lived till daylight, but did
+not speak. The sister is overwhelmed with grief.--'Could she have
+spoken to me,--could I have been with her but one hour earlier I
+could have borne it,' was all she said.'
+
+Every one present was deeply affected by the narration; all mirth
+ceased, and tears and sobs came in its place. Mr. Reed was himself
+surprised at the effect it had produced on some of the boys, touching
+as it was; he remarked a deadly paleness on William Gardiner's
+countenance; little did he suspect the true cause.
+
+'I fear I have thrown a gloom over your happy family,' said Mr.
+Allen. 'It was not my intention to make the sad relation when I
+came among you; but I was led to it from the singular circumstance
+of my horse having gone off; for I have used him ten years, and
+never knew any thing of the sort to happen before. He knows all my
+parishioners' doors, I believe, as well as I do, and has never shown
+before, that he thought my visits to them too long.
+
+I should have imagined that some mischievous fellow had taken him;
+but every body, even the smallest boy round this part of the country
+knows the animal, and I can't believe that there is one among them,
+would play me such a trick, and if any one had done so, I should not
+probably have found the horse returned quietly to the same spot in
+which I left him.'
+
+'I must believe,' said Mr. Reed, 'that the horse was led away; and I
+would make inquiry about it.'
+
+Will Gardiner could stand this no longer, but slipped out of the
+room, lest some questions should be asked.
+
+'Did you pass Miss Bradfords' on your way to squire Brazer's, or did
+you take the other road, Frank?' said Mr. Reed.
+
+'I passed that way,' answered Frank.
+
+'Did you observe the horse and chaise, as you went?'
+
+'Yes, it was at the gate.'
+
+'And on your return?'
+
+'It was there then also.'
+
+'Well, well, say no more about it, Mr. Reed,' said the good
+clergyman; 'if it was a piece of mischief, I leave the person who
+committed it, to the reproaches of his own conscience; he need suffer
+no greater punishment, if he has any feeling. Though I own it would
+be a satisfaction to me to know, that my old faithful horse was not
+to blame.'
+
+Mr. Allen took leave, and the boys soon retired. When Frank went to
+his room he found William Gardiner in bed; and believing him to be
+asleep, took a long look at his talisman, revolving in his mind,
+whether it was his duty to tell all that he knew about the horse,
+or to be silent on the subject, for William's sake. He remained
+undecided; but felt no pain or compunction, for he was conscious,
+that as soon as he had found out the right course, he should not fail
+to adopt it.
+
+After he had been in bed a short time, William Gardiner raised his
+head and said, 'Frank, are you asleep.'
+
+'No.'
+
+'Why don't you talk then.'
+
+'I thought you were asleep.'
+
+'No, I am wide awake; I can't get to sleep. What is that little box
+you have been looking at, so earnestly.'
+
+'It is something.'
+
+'Well I suppose it is; but do you want to keep it a secret; if you
+do, I won't ask.'
+
+'Why no, not exactly,' said Frank; 'it is something my mother gave
+me, the night before I left home.'
+
+'Well, what is it, I say?'
+
+'It is a talisman,' said Frank, rather hesitatingly.
+
+'A talisman; what is that?'
+
+'Have you never read of talismans in fairy tales? it is a charm which
+protects you from danger, as long as you keep it and consult it.'
+
+'I know that is the description of them, in genii and fairy tales;
+but you do not believe in _such_ things do you?'
+
+'No, but this is real; it has a charm for me, to keep me from doing
+wrong; this is the danger which my mother expected it would secure me
+against.'
+
+'If it has that sort of power, I wish I had had it this afternoon;
+then I should have let alone that horse and chaise. Was it the
+talisman which made you turn away, when your foot was on the step,
+and you were just ready to jump in?'
+
+'It was the thought of it, I am persuaded. I consult it so
+frequently, and like to look at it so much, that now it is fixed in
+my mind; and I see it as distinctly, as if it were really in my hand,
+whenever I am going to do wrong.'
+
+'And does it stop you short, as it did this afternoon?' said William.
+
+'Unless I am very earnest indeed, too earnest to attend to its
+admonitions.'
+
+'What did it say to-night, when you looked at it?' asked William.
+
+Frank repeated what the parson had said, after William left the room;
+the questions Mr. Reed asked, with his own answers; and told William
+that he was trying to come to a decision, what he ought to do.
+
+'O you won't tell, will you? It is an evil spell that prompts you to
+betray a friend. Besides, what good can it do? If it could restore to
+the poor dead creature that one hour, I would tell myself instantly.'
+
+'I have decided not to tell,' said Frank, 'without your consent.'
+
+'Don't ask me to give that; it is impossible.'
+
+'Why, you said just now, you would tell yourself, to restore that
+lost hour. This I know cannot be done; but something as valuable,
+which you have lost yourself, may be restored, by confessing the
+truth.'
+
+'What is that?'
+
+'Your own peace of mind; have you not lost that?'
+
+'Yes, I have; I cannot shut my eyes without beholding that
+speechless, dying girl; it is frightful; I never was such a coward
+before. But I shall get over it I know, in a few days. Whenever I get
+into a scrape, I always feel horridly at first, for fear I should be
+found out,--but I never am, and I soon forget it.'
+
+'But the consequences are seldom so serious, of any of our pranks,'
+said Frank.
+
+'Why there was the widow's granddaughter who was burned so badly, all
+owing to my carelessness in dropping that piece of phosphorus, or
+some of the matches, on the day of our balloon frolic. It troubled
+me when I first heard of it, as much as it did you. I bought her a
+new pair of shoes, and I have given her or her grandmother something
+every time I go that way; and persuaded several of the other boys to
+do so too. The old woman said the last time I was there, that she
+hoped she should be brought to a realizing sense that every thing was
+ordered for the best; for Sally's accident had proved a real blessing
+to the family.'
+
+'It is striking ten, William;' said Frank.
+
+'Is it?' replied William.--'O dear! I shall never get asleep.'
+
+Frank waked earlier than usual, the next morning; and he found
+William up and dressed.
+
+'How early you are up,' said he.
+
+'I am going to take a walk,' replied William. 'I feel as if I should
+smother, if I stay any longer shut up here.'
+
+'Should you like to have me go with you?' said Frank.
+
+'Will you? that's a good fellow.'
+
+After they had walked a little way in silence, Gardiner said, 'I am
+glad Frank, that I know you have got something to help you to do
+right; for now there don't seem to be such a difference between us.
+Albert said, he believed you had a good genius always at your elbow,
+when you declined going into swimming with us, the day after the
+guards were broken by the high wind; and Mrs. Reed said your good
+genius was your virtuous thoughts; but she did not know the whole. If
+_I_ had not gone at that time, Greenville would have been drowned;
+for there was not a fellow among them all, who had the courage
+to jump in after him when he floated outside the bars; so I can't
+reproach myself for that.'
+
+'You said,' replied Frank, 'Mr. Reed commended your courage very
+much: but he told you you were as wrong as the others in going; and
+that we must not do evil that good may come of it.'
+
+'Well, Frank,' said William, 'what would you do in my place about the
+chaise? suppose I go and tell parson Allen the whole truth; where is
+the use of it? It would only disgrace the school, to have it talked
+about all over the neighborhood; and injure the other boys as well as
+myself.'
+
+'I agree with you,' said Frank; 'but can't you tell Mr. Reed?'
+
+'How could that make the matter any better?'
+
+'You would be relieved from the dread you now feel, of being found
+out.'
+
+'That is something, I acknowledge; for I never did feel so badly
+about being found out before.'
+
+'Then,' said Frank, 'if you confess the fault and say you are sorry,
+you will have made all the reparation in your power, and your
+conscience will be lightened of a load.'
+
+'I know it, and if I had your talisman, perhaps I should.'
+
+'But you may, if you choose, have the good genius which Mrs. Reed
+thinks I have--_virtuous thoughts_.'
+
+'I wish I always did have them, I am sure.'
+
+'If you once brought your mind to confess this,' said Frank; 'I
+think you would never engage in any more mischief. You know that Mr.
+Reed told you the day you saved Greenville, that you were a noble
+fellow; and if you could break yourself of your little mischievous
+propensities, you might be one of the first in his school, in
+character, as you now are in talents.'
+
+'Yes,' said William; 'and I remember he advised me to make you my
+model; and if I had the courage, I would do as you advise.'
+
+'Will you agree to this,' asked Frank; 'you know the questions Mr.
+Reed asked me about the horse.'
+
+'Yes.'
+
+'I was sorry not to be able to tell all I knew; this will make it
+natural enough for me to speak of it first; and then I will say I
+had your consent to tell the whole; that you are very sorry, and are
+determined to break off your mischievous habits.'
+
+'What will the boys say when they know it?' said William.
+
+'Perhaps Mr. Reed will not choose to tell them; and if he does, all
+those whose opinions are worth caring for, will think the better of
+you.'
+
+'I believe they will,' said William; 'for I know we did not think any
+the less of you, for what you said, the night of the balloon. Frank,
+I consent; only I should feel better to have you tell it to Mrs. Reed
+first, and let _her_ tell Mr. Reed,--she is so kind, she will make
+the very best that can be made of it; and she will not say a harsh
+word to me.'
+
+'I will,' returned Frank; 'take courage, you will never be sorry,
+when it is once told,--like having a tooth out, it will be soon over,
+and you will be relieved.'
+
+'When shall you tell?' asked William.
+
+'When I get a suitable opportunity; don't be too anxious.'
+
+As soon as Frank found Mrs. Reed disengaged, he related to her the
+whole affair; and represented as he could, with sincerity, that it
+was only meant as a harmless joke. He said as little of himself as
+possible, throughout the narration; and omitted almost entirely, the
+persuasion he was obliged to use, to induce William to take this
+step. Mrs. Reed sent for William into her own room, and remained
+alone with him some time; treating him with the tenderness of a
+mother, and taking care to say nothing which should make him regret
+for an instant, that he had opened his heart to her.
+
+She then dismissed him, and in the course of the day communicated
+the matter to her husband; who, though mortified to find that the
+disgrace of such an affair belonged to any member of his family; yet
+rejoiced at this proof of an ingenuousness in William Gardiner, which
+he had almost begun to despair of ever seeing in his character.
+
+In the interview which succeeded, he did not inform William whether
+he should disclose the truth to Mr. Allen or not; indeed, he had not
+at that time, made up his mind on the subject.--But he said he should
+not mention it to any one of the scholars. This indulgence he thought
+due to the great effort he knew it must have cost William to make the
+confession.
+
+'I never should have done it, but for Frank; he persuaded me into it.'
+
+'He is your good genius then, William; and I advise you to attach him
+as closely to your side as possible. Some how or other, he contrives
+to discern and preserve the right course more perfectly than any of
+you.'
+
+'I believe,' said Frank, 'I do not deserve more praise on that
+account, than the others.'
+
+'And why not, if you do in fact excel them?'
+
+'Because,' said Frank, with some embarrassment,--
+
+'Shall I tell?' said William.
+
+'Yes.'
+
+'Because he has something which none of us have; which helps him in
+doing right.'
+
+'That must be a valuable possession in such a little world as this
+school,' said Mr. Reed; 'what can it be?'
+
+'A talisman,' answered William; 'which his mother gave him, and said
+that it would secure him against all harm.'
+
+'From moral harm,' said Frank; 'only from doing what I know to be
+wrong.'
+
+'If he only just looks at it,' said William, 'it makes him do right.'
+
+'It inspires me with courage to do right,' said Frank.
+
+'May we see this curious treasure?' asked Mr. Reed.
+
+'Yes sir,' said Frank. 'I have intended to show it to Mrs. Reed, for
+some time.'
+
+Frank ran up to his trunk, took it out and brought it into Mrs.
+Reed's room. He opened the box and presented it to her. She smiled
+and looked surprised.
+
+'There is a charm indeed; I do not wonder at its magical
+influence.--It is, said she--looking up at Frank,--
+
+'My mother's picture,' he answered.
+
+'What a delightful countenance,' exclaimed Mr. Reed. A glance at such
+features would, I am sure, drive away all evil thoughts. 'Especially
+if they were a mother's,' said Mrs. Reed; 'and these were the lips
+from which had proceeded, all your lessons of virtue.'
+
+'I can have no such talisman,' exclaimed William, with a sigh. 'I
+have no mother. I do not remember her face. She died when I was an
+infant.'
+
+'This is a great excuse for your faults,' observed Mr. Reed. 'Nothing
+can supply a mother's place entirely, in the important period of
+childhood. But you have found a friend who may be a talisman to you,
+through life, if you will but adhere to him.'
+
+'That I shall, I am resolved,' replied William; 'if he will adopt me.'
+
+'Affection for a worthy object,' said Mrs. Reed; 'whether it be
+parent or friend, is a talisman which has preserved many a noble
+youth from the dangers of temptation.'
+
+I trust it will not be uninteresting to our young friends to be
+informed, that Frank and William's friendship, increased every year;
+and that it was a source of mutual advantage through life. When
+Frank went home in the vacation, his parents were delighted with
+his improvement in looks and manners; he had acquired a manly air,
+a clear and ready manner of expressing himself. His progress in his
+studies exceeded their expectations; and his mother told him she was
+repaid for the sacrifice she had made in parting with him.
+
+The vacation passed away; and when Frank returned to school, both
+his father and mother accompanied him to Boston. Mrs. Courtland was
+very desirous of becoming acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Reed, to whom
+she and her husband felt so much indebted for the happiness and
+improvements which Frank had found in their family.
+
+Sam Brown's father was so much struck with Frank's improvement,
+that he resolved to send his son to the same school; though it was
+rather difficult for him to afford the expense of it. Sam was a boy
+of fine talents, and well rewarded his father's exertion. He entered
+college at the same time with Frank and William Gardiner. They were
+so attached to each other, that they went by the name of the friendly
+trio; and having quitted the University with honour, became highly
+respectable and worthy men.
+
+Frank was his mother's pride in manhood, as he had been her hope and
+comfort in youth.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+    NEW BOOKS,
+
+    FOR JUVENILE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL LIBRARIES,
+    PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY
+
+    _WAIT, GREENE & CO._
+
+
+    The Happy Valley.
+    The Happy days, 2 parts.
+    The Warning.
+    The Talisman: a tale for Boys.
+    Little Edward, the Good Boy.
+    Life of Leigh Richmond.
+    --N. B. The above are just published.
+    The Well spent Hours--bound.
+      Helen and Maria, 3 parts.
+    Sketches of Natural History.
+    Sketches of Wallington Family.
+    Ann Beaumont.
+    Ellen Sinclair.
+    Harry Hobart.
+    Susan and her Lamb.
+    Sunday School Hymn Book.
+    Sunday School Hymn Book. 1st part separate.
+    Wm Cooper and his family.
+    Biographical Sketches of great and good men.
+
+The above Books are among a large collection, for sale by W. G. &
+Co., which have been carefully examined, and are recommended to the
+public.
+
+They also publish
+
+The _Juvenile Miscellany_, at $2 per year; also--_The Christian
+Teacher's Manual_, at $2 per year.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious typographical errors, including several cases of missing or
+incorrect punctuation, were repaired.
+
+In the list of books at the end, ditto marks in the original have
+been replaced by the actual words they represent.
+
+Top illustration caption: "Published" appeared as "Pub." followed by
+a superscript "d" in the original.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Talisman, by Anonymous
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44031 ***