had never seen this lad before, and did not know what his name was, till he told her: but she perceived he was a boy of uncommon goodness, because he was so good and kind to his parents and sister.

He shivered very much with the cold; for he was but thinly dressed, and his ear-locks were white with frost. The lady asked him to come in and warm himself. As he sat in the chair by the

fire, she saw the tears run down his cheeks, and she tried to comfort him. "It is not for myself," said Frank, "that I cry. I don't mind a little cold; but I can't help thinking of the family at home. We used to be very happy; but a sad change har happened in our house."

"Are you not hungry?" said Mrs. Corbon. "Not much ma'am: that is not what troubles me. I had some potatoe for dinner yesterday." "Dic you not have supper last night?" "No ma'am." "Nor breakfast this morning?" "Not yet: but no matter: I shall get some by and by. If I try to do well, God will protect me: for so my mother

"You are a brave lad," said the lady; "I will be your friend, if you have not another on earth;" and the tears sparkled in her eyes, as she gave him a biscuit with a piece of meat, on a small plate. "Thank you ma'am," said Frank; "if you please, I will keep them to carry home. Don't you think ma'am, that somebody will hire me to saw wood?” "Yes, my dear little fellow," she answered, "I will give you money to saw mine." He thanked her again, and ran to the wood-pile to begin his work. The lady put on her cloak and went out among her neighbours. She told them Frank was a good boy, and hoped they would do something to help him to provide for the family.

So they came to the house where he was, and one gave him a six cent piece, another a shilling, and a third, twenty-five cents, till they made up nearly three dollars. They presented him a loaf of bread, a part of a cheese, some meat, and a cake, a jug of milk, and some apples to roast for his sick mother; with a snug basket to put them all in, so that he had as much as he could carry.

He told them he was very much obliged to them indeed, but he did not wish to be a beggar. He chose to work and pay for what he had, if they would let him; but they said he must not stay now. He might see to that another time. "We are going," said Mrs. Corbon, "to send the things to your mother, because she is in so great want of them, and I should like to go and see her myself."

Frank hurried back, tugging his load, and the whole family cried for joy. "Bless your dear little heart," said his poor blind father; "come here and let me get hold of you; I hope, my son, you

will never be unable to see the friends you love but we must not complain, nor forget the favors we receive, because we cannot have every thing we wish. My dear wife, a blessing has come upon us all for the sake of our dutiful child." The good man raised his hands in prayer, and thanked the Creator of the world, for giving him so hopeful a

son.

It is thirty years since this affair happened; and the same Frank Lucas is now a Judge, and one of the first men in the country where he lives. His father is at rest. Twenty summers the bell-flower has bloomed on his peaceful grave. His mother has grown very old and feeble, and can just walk about the house, leaning on her staff. She still lives with her son.

He says it will be but a short time, before this reverend parent must be called away to her eternal home; but while her life is spared, it shall be his delight to make her last days happy. "I should have been a poor wretch," he often remarks, “if it had not been for the early care of my kind moth

er.

This good old lady talks very sensibly about the different scenes she has passed through in life. She has been rich, and then very poor, and now she is rich again, in having so excellent a son; and she now seems only waiting for her Redeemer to call her to that bright world, where the souls of the righteous dwell, and where all is joy and peace.

Judge Lucas is married to a worthy woman, and has five children. They go to school; and their father tells them that if they intend to be useful, they must learn well while they are young; if they

expect to be blest in this world or the next, they must love God, honor their parents and teachers, and be kind to all; and that, in this free country, the way for a poor little boy to become a great and happy man, is to be honest, industrious, and good.

FILIAL DUTY AND AFFECTION.

Lo! the young stork his duteous wing prepares
His aged sire to feed with constant cares;
O'er hills and dales his precious load conveys,
And the great debt of filial duty pays:
Grateful return! by Nature's self design'd,
A fair example set to human kind.

MORAL.

Shouldst thou refuse thy parents needful,
The very stork might the foul crime upbraid:
Be mindful how they rear'd thy tender youth;

Bear with their frailties, serve them still with truth: So may'st thou with long life and peace be blest, Till heav'n shall call thee to eternal rest.

This bird is generally esteemed an emblem of filial love; inasmuch, that it has ever acquired the name of pious, from the just regard it is said to pay to acts of filial piety and duty.

Storks live to a very advanced age; the consequence of which is, that their limbs grow feeble, their feathers fall off, and they are no way capable of providing for their own food or safety.

Being birds of passage, they are under another inconvenience also, which is, that they are not able to remove themselves from one country to another at the usual season.

In all these circumstances, it is reported, their young ones assist them, covering them with their wings, and nourishing them with the warmth of their bodies; even bringing them provision in their beaks, and carrying them from place to place on their backs, or supporting them with their wings.

In this manner returning, as much as lies in their power, the care which was bestowed on them when they were young ones in the nest. A striking example of filial piety, inspired by instinct; from which, reason itself need not be ashamed to take example!

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, was an express commandment, and the only one to which a promise was annexed. Among the Israelites, the slightest offence against a parent was punished in the most exemplary manner