Fearless of future punishment and blame,

Away they hied,

Through many a verdant field, until they came
Unto the river's side.

The broad stream narrow'd in its onward course,

And deep and still

It silent ran, and yet with rapid force,

To turn a neighbouring mill.

Under the mill an arch gaped wide, and seem'd
The jaws of death!

Through this the smooth deceitful waters teemed
On dreadful wheels beneath.

They swim the river wide, nor think nor care:
The waters flow,

And by the current strong they carried are
Into the mill-stream now.

Through the swift waters as young Ned was roll'd,
The gulf when near,

On a kind brier by chance he laid fast hold,

And stopped his dread career.

But luckless Hal was by the mill-wheel torn ;—
A warning sad!

And the untimely death all friends now mourn,

Of this poor truant lad.

Ann and Jane Taylor.

The Boys and the Apple Tree

As William and Thomas were walking one day,

They came by a fine orchard's side:

They would rather eat apples than spell, read, or play, And Thomas to William then cried:

"O brother, look yonder! what clusters hang there!
I'll try and climb over the wall :

I must have an apple; I will have a pear;
Although it should cost me a fall!"

Said William to Thomas, "To steal is a sin,
Mamma has oft told this to thee:

I never have stole, nor will I begin,
So the apples may hang on the tree."

"You are a good boy, as you ever have been,"
Said Thomas, "let's walk on, my lad:
We'll call on our schoolfellow, Benjamin Green,
Who to see us I know will be glad."

They came to the house, and asked at the gate,
"Is Benjamin Green now at home?"

But Benjamin did not allow them to wait,
And brought them both into the room.

And he smiled, and he laugh'd, and he caper'd with joy,

His little companions to greet:

"And we too are happy," said each little boy,

"Our playfellow dear thus to meet."

"Come, walk in our garden, this morning so fine,
We may, for my father gives leave;

And more, he invites you to stay here and dine :
And a most happy day we shall have!"

But when in the garden, they found 'twas the same
They saw as they walk'd in the road;

And near the high wall when those little boys came,
They started as if from a toad.

"That large ring of iron you see on the ground,
With terrible teeth like a saw,"

Said their friend, "the guard of our garden is found,
And it keeps all intruders in awe.

"If any the warning without set at nought,

Their legs then this man-trap must tear":

Said William to Thomas, "So you'd have been caught, If you had leap'd over just there."

Cried Thomas, in terror of what now he saw,
"With my faults I will heartily grapple ;

For I learn what may happen by breaking a law,
Although but in stealing an apple."

Ann and Jane Taylor.

James and the Shoulder of Mutton

YOUNG Jem at noon returned from school,

As hungry as could be,

He cried to Sue, the servant-maid,

"My dinner give to me."

Said Sue, "It is not yet come home;
Besides, it is not late."

"No matter that," cries little Jem,

"I do not like to wait."

Now near the door young Jem was come,
He round the corner turn'd,
But oh, sad fate! unlucky chance!

The dish his fingers burn'd.

Low in the kennel down fell dish,
And down fell all the meat:

Swift went the pudding in the stream,
And sail'd along the street.

The people laugh'd, and rude boys grinned
At mutton's hapless fall;

But though ashamed, young Jemmy cried,
"Better lose part than all."

The shoulder by the knuckle seized,
His hands both grasp'd it fast,
And deaf to all their gibes and cries,
He gain'd his home at last.

"Impatience is a fault," cries Jem,

"The baker told me true:

In future I will patient be,

And mind what says our Sue."

Ann and Jane Taylor.

Rudeness

AMES went to the door of the kitchen and said,

JA

"Cook, give me this moment some honey and bread; Then fetch me a glass or a cup of good beer,

Why, cook, you don't stir, and I'm sure you must hear!'

"Indeed, Master James," was the cook's right reply,
"To answer such language I feel rather shy,

I hear you quite plainly, but wait till you choose
To civilly ask, when I shall not refuse."

What pity young boys should indulge in this way,
Whilst knowing so well what is proper to say;
As if civil words, in a well-manner'd tone,
Were learn'd to be us'd in the parlour alone!

Elizabeth Turner.