tle boy standing, pale, and
with eyes wild and distended with excitement, over the dead body of an
enormous snake.

"'Good gracious!' exclaimed the one who appeared to be the captain,
'what on earth are you doing with that amiable creature?'

"Harry, with his eyes full of tears, simply told his history.

"The officers were very much affected. They belonged to an American ship
of war that was just about returning home.

"'Would you like to go back with us?' said the captain, kindly.

"'Oh, Captain!' cried Harry, 'gladly will I go with you, but--'

"'But what?' asked the captain.

"'I want you to promise me that I shan't be beaten by Susan.'

"'What on earth do you mean?' cried the captain, as he and the rest
burst into a laugh.

"Harry explained how Jack Bowsprit used to beat him with a rope's end,
which he called his wife, Susan, and how he hated Susan worse than
poison.

"They all laughed again at this, and the captain promised that Susan
should be thrown overboard as far as he was concerned, and that he
should be taken safely home.

"So Harry went with the officers, who treated him as if he was their
son; and after a prosperous voyage, he arrived safely at New York; and
money was given him to get home.

"That very evening Harry stood once more before his sorrowing, almost
broken-hearted parents. What did they do? They did not utter one word of
reproach; they just opened their arms, and the boy flung himself upon
their breasts; and amid tears and blessings all was forgiven. But not
forgotten. Oh, no! for Harry, once so heedless, tried his utmost to
correct his faults, and with God's help, he _succeeded_; and now he is
so steady, industrious, and obedient, that it is almost impossible to
believe that he ever was called

HEEDLESS HARRY."

* * * * *

There was many a roguish, laughing look cast at Harry as this strange
story was being read; and when it was finished, George exclaimed,
eagerly--"Oh, mamma! what a pity Aunt Fanny did not know about Harry,
and the old black cook, and the dishcloth! Wouldn't she have laughed?"

"Tell us about it, Harry, do! do!" cried all the brothers and sisters.

The children knew the story as well as Harry, but they delighted to
watch the sparkle of his eyes, and his animated gestures, for to tell
the truth, he _did_ enjoy mischief beyond words to describe.

"Well," cried Harry, jumping up, "you see I _would_ go do