whiskers. On second thoughts, however, he sat down before his
writing-table, took a sheet of blue ruled foolscap paper, seized a quill
which he had mended six months previously, at a time when he happened to
be in high good-humour, and wrote as follows:--

To the Governor and Council of Rupert's Land, Red River Settlement.

Fort Paskisegun, _June 15, 18 hundred and something_.

GENTLEMEN,--I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of
26th April last, appointing me to the charge of Peel's River, and
directing me to strike out new channels of trade in that quarter. In
reply, I have to state that I shall have the honour to fulfil your
instructions by taking my departure in a light canoe as soon as
possible. At the same time I beg humbly to submit that the state of my
health is such as to render it expedient for me to retire from the
service, and I herewith beg to hand in my resignation. I shall hope to
be relieved early next spring.--I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your
most obedient humble servant, F. KENNEDY.

"There!" exclaimed the old gentleman, in a tone that would lead one to
suppose he had signed the death-warrant, and so had irrevocably fixed
the certain destruction, of the entire council--"there!" said he, rising
from his chair, and sticking the quill into the ink-bottle with a _dab_
that split it up to the feather, and so rendered it _hors de combat_ for
all time coming.

To this letter the council gave a short reply, accepting his
resignation, and appointing a successor. On the following spring old
Mr Kennedy embarked his wife and children in a bark canoe, and in
process of time landed them safely in Red River Settlement. Here he
purchased a house with six acres of land, in which he planted a variety
of useful vegetables, and built a summer-house after the fashion of a
conservatory, where he was wont to solace himself for hours together
with a pipe, or rather with dozens of pipes, of Canada twist tobacco.

After this he put his two children to school. The settlement was at
this time fortunate in having a most excellent academy, which was
conducted by a very estimable man. Charles and Kate Kennedy, being
obedient and clever, made rapid progress under his judicious management,
and the only fault that he had to find with the young people was that
Kate was a little too quiet and fond of books, while Charley was a
little too riotous and fond of fun.

When Charles arrived at the age o