stood an allusion to an offence he had committed against the baker, for which he had been punished. In whatever voice and tone it was mentioned, he would get up and retire into the darkest part of the room with an air of distress. But if you said, "The baker was not hurt after all," Camp came forth from his hiding-place, capered, barked, and rejoiced. Growler, however, had many of those properties of observation which raise the canine race so high in the affections of man.

When Edward made his forenoon sortie from the office to look at his sleeping boy, Growler always accompanied him, and rested his forepaws on the head of the cradle. As the babe grew older, he loved to try experiments upon the dog's sagacity and the child's courage.

Sometimes Fred was put into a basket, and Growler drew him carefully about the room with a string between his teeth; as the boy advanced in strength, he was seated on the dog's back with a whip in his hand. When my attachment to Growler increased, new experi

"Angry? no," he replied. "How can I be angry with a true friend, and a lady too?" with a low bow.

"Thank you," said I, "and now that I have gone thus far, may I proceed?"

"Yes, cousin, I give you carte blanche."

"I shall do it by actions, not words," I said, with solemnity; "and I warn you to be prepared, for I have solemnly pledged myself in prayer to God that I will never again aid the cause of the destroying angel. But promise me (not that I claim any right over you but that of interest in your welfare) that you will abstain from ardent spirits, now in the sunshine of your youth, 'before the evil days come.""

Ingols hesitated, reflected, and promised half earnestly, half jestingly.

On the following day no decanter was to be seen on my sideboard or table, and I carried the keys up stairs. Ingols was very amiable, and our week passed happily away. Edward returned, and took no notice of the withdrawal of the decanters.

I had retired to my bedroom early one evening, when I heard Ingols enter, and ask Polly

for the keys. She came up stairs, and I gave them to her in silence. I heard her transfer them to him, and held my breath. He opened the door. I trembled so much that I could not stand. I had emptied every decanter. I heard the rattling of the keys as the door closed, and a faintness came over me at my own daring. A half hour passed away, and Polly came back with a slip of paper, on which was written, "You have conquered, cousin. I thank you, and thank God."

I burst into tears, and sobbed as if my heart would break; nor was I relieved until Edward returned and said he loved me better for my moral courage.

CHAPTER XV.

CONCLUSION.

Frae morn to e'en its naught but toiling,
At baking, roasting, frying, boiling.

The Twa Dogs.

THE successor of Mrs. Sliter was Sukey Hopkins, an untamed damsel from Nantucket; and as Edward required some attendance at the office, he engaged a friend of hers, Aaron Wheeler, who had driv her down, to remain with us. I passed every forenoon for a month in the kitchen, to initiate her in cookery; and even after that period was obliged to be with her whenever I had guests, of course at the period when I ought to have been most unincumbered with care. I was obliged to watch the last turn of the spit, and the last bubble of the boiling gravy, and even lay the meats in their right position; for know, inexperienced reader, that a