Jo's Boys

appy quietude which comes to refresh us when the work and worry of the week are over. Daisy had a headache; and Aunt Jo remained at home to keep her co

bid the letter-writing. I hate to seem cruel, but it is too soon for my dear girl to bind herself in any way,' said Mrs Meg, as she rustled about in h

and them, and they always open their hearts sooner or later. You look like a nice, plump little Quakeress, Meg; and no one will believe t

are me a scene by and by. As for John, as long as he is satisfied with his old mother, I don't care what people

her son's arm and went proudly away to the carriage, where Amy and

aving the spider to watch for her first fly. She did not wait long. Daisy was lying down with a wet cheek on the little hymnbook out of whic

y from the Dovecote or lose a moment of nearness to his idol that last day. Mrs Jo saw him at once, and beckoned him to a rustic seat under th

e a steam-engine. He headed for the swamp where his pet snakes used to live, and I begged to

n so busy lately, I feel as if I didn't half know your plans; and I want to,' answered Mrs

I get afloat. It's a splendid start, and I don't know how I can ever thank Mr Laurie for all he's done, or you

n wit and wisdom to rely on. That will be the time to test the principles we have tried to give you, and see how firm they are. Of course, you will make mistakes-we all do; but don't let

improve in my music-can't help it there; but I never shall be very wise, I

love and longing that made his quiet face both manly and sad-pla

ve what seems hard, because I do most heartily symp

pe-I suppose it is too much to ask; only I can't help loving her, wherever I am!' crie

irl she tries to obey. Young people think they never can change, but they do in the most wonderful manner, and very few die of broken hearts.' Mrs Jo

g to wait for time to settle the matter for you both. Daisy will perhaps forget when you are gone, and be glad you are only friends. At any rate

at her so keenly that the truth had to come; for

n my place, what would you do?' he added, with a to

t prudence in sympathy I'm afraid,' thought Mrs Jo, surp

at I should do. I

only a good musician but an excellent man, and so command respect and confidence. This I will try for; and if

, poorer and stupider than I, have done great things and come to honour. Why may not I, though I'm nothing now? I know Mrs Brooke remembers what I came from, but my father was honest tho

She does not despise your poverty or your past; but mothers are very tender over their daughters, and we Marches, though we have been poor, are, I

ny way. We used to be rich and honoured years ago, but we've died out and got poor, and father was a street

indulged in a laugh to calm him

Now, cheer up; don't be lackadaisical and blue. Say good-bye cheerfully and bravely, show a manly front, and leave a pleasant memory behind you. We all wish you well and hope much for you. Write to me every week and I'll

I thought you all considered me a sneak who had no business to love such a precious girl as Daisy. No one said anything, but I knew how you felt, and that Mr Laurie sent me off partly to get me out of the way. O

ything. You must paddle your own canoe now, and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach. I don't know just what y

e time being sick, and you've given me doses enough to keep me all right, I guess.' Nat laughed

bies, was in full gallop when Emil was seen strolling about on the roof of the old house, that being his favou

you both good. Sit in the porch, so I can keep an eye on you as I promised'; and with a motherly pat on the shoulder Mrs Jo left

s initials afresh in the wood-work and singing 'Pu

h a playful salute. 'I'm just leaving a P.P.C. in the old pl

nd railings to remind me of my sailor boy'; and Mrs Jo took the seat nearest the blue figur

r weather and have a jolly send-off all round. Specially this time, for it will be a year or more before we drop anchor here again

. I'm going to be quite a Spartan mother, and send

n wish I could go too, and some day I will, when you are captain and have a ship of

larks to have you aboard, and I'd be a proud man to carry you round the world you've wan

ormy winds that blow. I've always thought I'd like to see a wreck, a nice safe one with all saved aft

cky dog and bring fair weather, so we'll save the dirty weather for you if you want

sibilities. Are you ready for them? You take everything so gaily, I've been wondering if you realized that now you will have not on

uess. I shan't have very wide swing with Peters over me, but I'll see that the boys don't

sk what nautical torture "bowsing jibs" is

rther, and makes things lively all round. I've seen him knock a fellow down with a belaying pin, and couldn't lend

It takes a fine character to rule justly and kindly; you will have to put by your boyish ways and remember your dignity. That will be excellent training for you, Emil, and sober you down a b

ith blue water under his keel. I had a long talk with Uncle last night and got my orders; I won't forget 'em nor all I owe him. As for you, I'll name my first ship as I say, and ha

it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is. Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked by misfortune, that sign shall s

off and a grave, bright look as if taking orders from a super

God, I

sometimes a chance word helps us, as so many my dear mother spoke come back to me now for my own comfor

ife, Aunty, but a wholesome one if a fellow loves it as I do, and has an anchor to windward as I have. Don't worry about me, and I'll come home next year with a chest of tea that will cheer your

ng cheerfully, neither dreaming when and where this little ch

in that busy family; when, while the rest were roaming about, Mrs Jo sa

called, with an inviting nod towards the big sofa where so m

t Dan looked as if he wanted to

if I were not,' laughed Mrs Jo, as Dan swung himself in a

t loose after a short stop. Odd, ain't it?' asked Dan, gravely picking grass and leaves out of his h

s Jo promptly. 'You've had your swing, and want a change. Hope the farming will give it to you, though

ired of my own company, I suppose, now I've seen so much better. I'm a rough, ignorant lot, and I've been think

the surprise this new outburst caused her; for till

e better; but as a boy only great activity and much adventure could keep you out of mischief. Time is taming my colt, you see, and I

as he lounged in the sofa-corner, wit

ness anywhere. I want to, and I try now and then, but always kick over the traces and run awa

ask before, knowing you'd tell me if I could help in any way. Can I?' And Mrs Jo looked anxiously at

n here,' he answered slowly; then, as if he had made up his mind to ''fess', as the children used to say, he s

ow you made

bigger sort of gambling. I won a lot; but I lost or gave it aw

so many. Keep to your mountains and prairies, and shun cities, if these things tempt you, Dan. Bette

s, said, in a lighter tone, though still t

emper of mine is more than I can manage. Fighting a moose or a buffalo is all right; but when you pitch into a man, no matter how great a scamp he is, you've got to look out. I

n't learnt yet,' said Mrs Jo, with a sigh. 'For heaven's sake, guard your demon well, and don't let a moment's fury ruin all your l

e these bosom sins of ours. Dan looked touched, also uncomfortable, as he always did when religion of any

I'm afraid of, if I settle down. I can get on with wild beasts first-rate; but men rile me awfully, and I can't take it out in a free fight, as I can with a bear or a wolf. Guess I'd

better class of people, who won't "rile", but soothe and strengthen you. We don't ma

once. Not so much as I used, though,' added Dan, after a short laugh at Mrs Jo's surprised face. 'I'll try y

ks and read; that's an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort. Let me pick out some fo

seem to relish 'em, and won't pretend I do,' said Dan, following to look

ng a hand on either broad shoulder,

ke, but don't shut your heart to it in whatever shape it comes. Nature is your God now; she has done much for you; let her do more, and lead you to know and love a wiser and more tender teacher, friend, and co

it, and only permitted her to catch a glimpse of the divine spark which smoulders or burns clearly in every human soul. He did not

verywhere, and this book is never old nor out of place. Begin with the stories you used to love when I told them to you boys. David was your favourite, you remember? Read him again; he'll suit you even better now, a

of face that was like a sunburst through a cloud

not hear any more just then. He seemed relieved; for it was always hard for him to show hi

e him and his tantrums, and read about 'em to Ted. Ther

oing bravely up the rocky defile, accompanied by the companions who ride be

e horse and hound are there, your Octoo and Don, faithful friends, unscared by the strange mates that go with you. You have not got the armour yet, but I'm trying to show you where to find it. Remember the mother Sintram loved and longed to find, and did find when his

ple of his temperament he was very impressionable, and his life among hunters and Indians had made him superstitious; he believed in dreams, liked weird tales, and whatever appealed to the eye or mind, vividly impressed him more than the wisest wor

of meeting folks in heaven. Guess mother won't remember t

l husband, to save her little son from bad influences. Had she lived, life would have been happier for you, with this te

wn on the page where Sintram kneels at his mother's feet, wounded, but victorious over sin and death. She looked up, well pleased to have touched Dan to the heart's core, as t

over, and maybe it will do me good. I'd like to

e; and when you read it try to believe that

ight,' Dan thrust it into his pocket, and walked straight away to the

r as they drove away in the old bus, waving their hats to everyone and kissing their hands, especially t

me of them, and they will never come back to me, or come

He