the domestic cock, his prodigious pinions are fifteen feet 3. When he chooses to oar his way, seriously, all distance vanishes; he breakfasts at the Senegal; he dines in America; or, if he thinks fit to take more time, and amuse himself on the way, he can do so. He may continue his progress through the night, uninterruptedly, certain of reposing himself. Upon what? On his huge, motionless pinion, which takes upon itself all the weariness of the voyage; or, on the wind, his slave, which eagerly hastens to cradle him. 4. Amid the glowing azure of the tropics, at incredible altitudes, almost imperceptible in the dim remoteness, we see him triumphantly sweeping past us- this black, solitary bird, alone in the waste of heaven; or, at the most, at a lower elevation, the snow-white sea-swallow crosses his flight in easy grace. 5. On looking at him, closely, you perceive that he has no feet. At all events, his feet, being exceedingly short, can neither walk nor perch. With a formidable beak, he has not the talons of a true eagle of the sea. Thence arises his life of uncertainty and hazard,- the life of a corsair and a pirate, rather than of a mariner. 6. The immense and superb apparatus of his wings becomes, on land, a danger and an embarrassment. To raise himself, he needs a strong wind and a lofty station -a promontory, a rock. Surprised on a sandy level, on tha hanko the low roofs where he sometimes halts the 2 XXII." TELLING ON ONE ANOTHER." AFTER we were all gathered in the hall, including Mrs. Bird and the teachers, as well as the master, Mr. Bird looked kindly out upon us, and said, "Well, boys, has anything happened during the week that we ought to discuss to-day? Is the school going along all right? Have you any secrets buttoned up in your jackets that you ought to show to me and to the school? Is there anything wrong going on which will do harm to the boys? "Yes; there is something wrong. I see it, in several faces; but Tom Kendrick can tell us just what it is. He will tell us just what it is, for Tom Kendrick never lies." 2. All eyes were instantly turned on Tom, a blushing, frank-faced boy of twelve. Tom hesitated, evidently very unwilling to begin. He looked, blushingly, at Mrs. Bird and the teachers, then looked down, and tried to start, but his tongue was dry. 3. “Well, Tom, we are all ready to hear you," said Mr. Bird. After a little stammering, Tom pronounced the name of Andrew, and told, in simple, straightforward language, how he had been in the habit of relating stories and using words which were grossly immodest; how he had done this, repeatedly, in his hearing, and against his protests, and, furthermore, how he had indulged in this language in the presence of smaller boys. Tom also testified that other boys, besides himself, had warned Andrew that, if he did not mend his habit, he would be reported at the family meeting. 4. I watched, alternately, the accuser and the accused, and I trembled in every nerve to see the passion depicted on the face of the latter. His face became pale at first — and then it deathly pale, then livid and pinched, burned with a hot flame of shame and anger. He sat as if he were expecting the roof to fall, and were bracing himself to resist the shock. 5. When Tom took his seat, Andrew leaned toward him, and muttered something in his ear. "What does he say to you, Tom?" inquired Mr. Bird. "But, 6. "He says he'll flog me for telling," answered Tom. 7. "We will attend to that," said Mr. Bird. first, let us hear from others about this matter. toll ne anything ?” YA11 Henry 11. "When boys first come here," continued Mr. Bird, they invariably have those false notions of honor which lead them to cover up all the wrong-doings of their mates; but they lose them just as soon as they find themselves responsible for the good order of our little community. Now, we are all citizens of this little town of Hillsborough, in which we live. We have our town authorities and our magistrate, and we are all interested in the good order of the village. 12. "Suppose a man should come here to live who is in the habit of robbing hen-roosts, or setting barns on fire, or getting drunk and beating his wife and children; is it a matter of honor among those citizens who behave themselves properly to shield him in his crimes, and refrain from speaking of him to the authorities? Why, the thing is absurd. As good citizens As good citizens as honorable citizens—we must report this man, for he is a public enemy. He is not only dangerous to us, but he is a disgrace to us.' 13. Mr. Bird paused, and, fixing his eye upon Andrew, who had not once taken his eye from him, resumed, "Now, here is a lad who has come to us from a good family; and they have sent him here to get him away from bad influences and bad companions. He comes into a community of boys who are trying to lead good lives, and, instead of adopting the spirit of the school, and trying to become one with us, he still holds the spirit of the bad companions of his previous life, and goes persistently to work to make all around him as impure and base as himself. 14. "Nearly all these boys have mothers and sisters who would be pained almost to distraction to learn that here, upon these pure hills, they are drinking in social poison with every breath. How am I to guard you from this evil, if I do not know of it? How can I protect you from harm, if you shield the boy who harms you 15. "There is no mischief of which a boy is capable that will not breed among you like a pestilence, if you cover it; and, instead of sending you back to your homes, at last, with healthy bodies and healthy minds and pure spirits, I shall be obliged, with shame and tears, to return you, soiled and spotted and diseased. Is it honorable to protect crime? Is it honorable to shield one. who dishonors and damages you?" 16. Continuing to speak, and releasing Andrew from his regard for a moment, Mr. Bird said, "I want a vote on this question. I desire that you all vote with perfect freedom. If you are not thoroughly convinced that I am right in this matter, I wish you to vote against me. Now, all those boys who believe it to be an honorable thing to nonort the norsistently bad conduct of a school |