ride down to Pine Pleasant, and visit the
poorhouse. Great changes have come over Redfield. Squire Walker, Jacob
Wire, and most of the paupers who were the companions of our hero, are
dead and gone, and the living speak gently of the departed.

At Pine Pleasant, they fasten the horse to a tree, and cross over to
the rock which was Harry's favorite resort in childhood.

"By the way, Harry, have you heard anything of Ben Smart lately?" asks
Mr. Nason.

"After his discharge from the state prison, I heard that he went to
sea."

"He was a bad boy."

"And a bad man."

"I believed he killed his mother. They say she never smiled after she
gave him up as a hopeless case."

"Poor woman! I pity a mother whose son turns out badly. What a wreck
of fond hopes!"

"Just so," added Mr. Nason.

After visiting various interesting localities, Mr. West and his lady
returned home. In their absence, a letter for Julia from Katy Flint
has arrived. The Flint family are now in good circumstances. Joe is a
steady man, and, with Harry's assistance, has purchased an interest in
the stable formerly kept by Major Phillips, who has retired on a
competency.

"What does she say, Julia?" asked Harry, as she broke the seal.

"They have heard from Edward."

"Bad news, I am afraid. He was a hard boy."

"Yes; he has just been sent to the Maryland penitentiary for
housebreaking."

"I am sorry for him."

"Katy says her mother feels very badly about it."

"No doubt of it. Mrs. Flint is an excellent woman; she was a mother to
me."

"She says they are coming up to Rockville next week."

"Glad of that; they will always be welcome beneath my roof. I must
call upon them to-morrow when I go to the city."

"Do; and give my love to them."

And, here, reader, I must leave them--not without regret, I confess,
for it is always sad to part with warm and true-hearted friends; but
if one must leave them, it is pleasant to know that they are happy,
and are surrounded by all the blessings which make life desirable, and
filled with that bright hope which reaches beyond the perishable
things of this world. It is cheering to know that one's friends, after
they have fought a hard battle with foes without and foes within, have
won the victory, and are receiving their reward.

If my young friends think well of Harry, let me admonish them to
imitate his virtues, especially his perseverance in trying to do well;
and when they fail to be as good and true