of the streets thronged by carriages, and followed their countless turnings without hesitation.

I found, on asking him, that every day he carried dinner to his father, who was then working on the left bank of the Seine; and this responsible duty made him careful and prudent. Unfortunately, the wants of his poor family had kept him from school, and he seemed to feel the loss; for he often stopped before the print-shops and asked his companion to read to him the names of the engravings.

In this way we reached a certain boulevard which the little wanderer seemed to know again. Notwithstanding his fatigue he hurried on; he was agitated by mixed feelings; at the sight of his house he uttered a cry, and ran toward the iron gate with the gilt points.

A lady who was standing at the entrance received him in her arms; and from the exclamations of joy, and the sound of kisses, I soon perceived she was his mother.

Not having seen either the servant or the child return, she had sent in search for them in every direction, and was waiting for them in intense anxiety.

I explained to her in a few words what had happened. She thanked me warmly, and looked round for the little boy who had recognized and brought back her son; but while we were talking he had disappeared.

Two BOYS OF PARIS, III.

After these events two years had passed, and it was now the first time since then that I had come into this part of Paris. Did the mother continue grateful? Had the two children met again, and had the happy chance of their first meeting lowered between them that barrier which may mark the different ranks of men, but should not divide them.

While putting these questions to myself, I slackened my pace, and fixed my eyes on the great gate, which I just perceived. All at once I saw it open, and two children appeared at the entrance. Although much grown, I recognized them at first sight; they were the child who was found near the parapet of the Louvre, and his young guide. But the dress of the latter was greatly changed. His blouse of gray cloth was neat, and even spruce, and was fastened round the waist by a polished leather belt. wore strong shoes, and had on a new cloth cap. Just at the moment I saw him he held in his hand an enormous bunch of lilacs, to which his companion was trying to add narcissuses and primroses. The two children laughed, and parted with a friendly good-by. The Duval boy did not go till he had seen the other as he turned the corner of the street.

He

Then I spoke to the latter, and reminded him of

our former meeting. He looked at me for a moment and then seemed to recollect me.

"Pardon me if I do not make you a bow," said he, merrily, "but I want both my hands for the nosegay Charles has given me."

"You are, then, become great friends?" said I. "Oh! I should think so," said the child. "And now my father is rich, too!"

"How's that?"

"Mr. Duval lent him a little money; he has taken a shop, where he works on his own account; and as for me, I go to school."

"Yes," replied I, remarking for the first time the cross which decorated his little coat; "and I see that you are a head boy!

"Charles helps me to learn, and so I am come to be the first in the class."

"Are you now going to your lessons?"

"Yes, and he has given me some lilacs; for he has a garden where we play together, and where my mother can always have flowers."

"Then it is the same as if it were partly your own."

"So it is! Ah! they are good neighbors indeed! But here I am; good-by, sir."

He nodded to me with a smile, and disappeared.

EMILE SOUVESTRA

Just where the. forest ended, grew a pine tree taller and more beautiful than all the others in the forest, and far away could be seen its feathery round crown, whose soft branches waved so gracefully when the wind blew across the plain.

At the foot of the pine tree the fields of grain began.

Here the farmer sowed seed of many kinds, but the flax was sowed nearest the pine. It came up beautiful and even, and the pine thought a great deal of the slender green thing.

And the flax stalk raised itself higher and higher, and, near the close of summer, it bore a little blue helmet on its head.

"Thou art so beautiful!" said the tall pine.

The flax bowed itself low toward the ground, but raised itself again so gracefully that it looked all like a billowy little sea, with rising and falling waves.

The flax and the pine often talked to each other, and became such great friends that they promised to keep each other company always.

"What kind of folly is that?" said the other forest trees to the pine. "Do not have anything to do with the flax! It is hardly an ell high, and is so weak and feeble. No; if you must have a friend, choose the tall spruce over there, or the birch tree yonder on the hill. They are tall and strong, and fit for you."

But the pine would not desert the flax, and did not listen to what its forest comrades said. The thistle, the burdock, and other small 'ants around 1 there, talked to the flax.

"Are you crazy to think of the lofty pine?" said they. "Do you think it troubles itself about you? It is tall and proud, and the favorite of all the forest trees. What can you do for each other? Children of a size play best together. Turn your attention to the juniper bush or the raspberry vine, as long as you are not so very clever, and content yourself with one of us."

"It

"I shall trust the pine tree," replied the flax. looks so honorable and faithful, and I am so fond of it." And so the pine and the flax did not desert each other, whatever was said round about.

But time passed on. The flax was pulled up, and ropes and cloth were made from it. The pine was felled, the branches chopped up, and it was carried to the city. Still they did not forget each other, although neither knew where the other was.