ual quarrelling with her neighbours, had resorted to washing and
getting up of fine linen, at which she was very expert, and earned a
good deal of money. To do her justice, she was a very industrious
woman, and, in some things, very clever. She was a very good
dress-maker, and used to make up the gowns and bonnets for the lower
classes of people, to whom she gave great satisfaction. She worked very
hard for herself and my sister, about whose dress and appearance she was
more particular than ever; indeed, she showed as much affection for her
as she did ill-will towards me. To look at me, with my old trowsers
tucked up above my knees, my ragged jacket, and weatherbeaten cap; and
then to see Virginia, so neatly and even expensively dressed, no one
could have believed that we were brother and sister. My mother would
always try to prevent Virginia from noticing me, if we ever met when she
was walking out with her. But my sister appeared to love me more and
more; and, in spite of my mother, as soon as she saw me, would run up to
me, patting my dirty jacket with her pretty little hand; and, when she
did so, I felt so proud of her. She grew up handsomer every day, and so
sweet in disposition, that my mother could not spoil her.

It was in the autumn that I gained undisputed possession of the office
of "Poor Jack"; and that winter I had an adventure which nearly
occasioned my making a vacancy for somebody else, and which, the reader
will agree with me, was anything but pleasant.

It was in the month of January,--the river was filled with floating ice,
for it had frozen hard for several days; and, of course, there were but
few people who trusted themselves in wherries,--so that I had little
employment, and less profit. One morning, as I was standing on the
landing-steps, the breath coming out of my mouth like the steam of a
tea-kettle,--rubbing my nose, which was red from the sharpness of the
frost,--and looking at the sun, which was just mounting above a bank of
clouds, a waterman called to me, and asked me whether I would go down
the river with him, as he was engaged to take a mate down to join his
ship, which was several miles below Greenwich; and, if so, he would give
me sixpence and a breakfast. I had earned little for many days, and,
hating to be obliged to my mother, I consented.

In an hour we started: there was no wind,--the water was smooth, and the
sun's rays glittered on the floating patches of ice, which gr