and the future. A year ago he had entered London friendless, but hopeful; he was now leaving it again as friendless as ever, but far from hopeful.

Just as Dick rose to go on his journey, the bells from

the church rang out a merry peal. The boy listened to their sweet music until he fancied they spoke to him. They seemed to say,

The voice of the bells gave new hope to the poor

boy, and he hastened back again, resolved to do his duty, and bear his troubles patiently.

trudged weary busy thought future trouble bundle waggon city fuel fortune music

DICK WHITTINGTON.

PART II.

nar-ra-tive in-vi-ta-tion anx-i-ous pack-a-ges car-ri-age dil-i-gence as-ton-ished o-pin-i-on mer-chant bus-i-ness part-ner-ship up-right-ness

DICK's master was a merchant; and whenever he sent one of his ships on a long voyage, he used to ask his servants if they had anything to send. The captain was told to sell whatever they sent, and bring back the money to them. On the day after Dick's return, his master informed the servants that he was about to send a ship to Africa. So they all packed up what things they could spare, and carried the packages to the ship. But poor Dick sent nothing.

At length the day came for the ship to sail. The merchant and his little daughter went to the ship to see her off. The little daughter saw Dick looking on, and asked him what he had sent.

"Nothing," said Dick.

"Have you nothing to send?"

"Nothing at all," answered Dick,-"unless indeed a

cat."

Why not send it?" said his young mistress.

The ship was ready to sail, but the merchant said it should wait for the cat. Dick ran home for his cat, and soon afterwards saw the ship leave the dock with his best friend on board. With a heavy heart poor Dick went to bed that night.

All

Months and months passed away; and Dick had almost forgotten his cat, when the ship returned. the servants were anxious to know what good fortune the captain had brought them. What was their surprise to hear that he had far more money for Dick than for all the rest put together!

It seems, from the captain's narrative, that when the vessel reached one part of the coast of. Africa, he and his crew were treated in a very friendly way by the king of the country. At his invitation, they went to dine with him. When the dinner was ready, and the guests were about to sit down, a host of mice ran out from their holes and almost covered the table. The sailors were astonished at this, and the king and queen told them they did not know how to get rid of these pests. The captain said he had an animal on board that would soon clear them away. The king and queen were delighted at this news, and offered to give a large sum, in gold and silver, for such an animal. So the

captain sent one of the sailors to the ship, and pussy was brought. The queen, who had never seen a cat before, was much pleased with his beautiful skin and soft velvety paws. Still more pleased was she on the following day, when the dinner was brought in, to see the cat spring among the host of mice, killing many and chasing the rest back to their holes. In a day or two not a mouse was to be seen. So the cat was left with the queen in exchange for a large sum of money.

Dick was now the master of this money; and with it he began business as a merchant, in partnership with his late master. Dick by his honesty, uprightness and diligence, won the good opinion of his partner and the hand of his daughter. And, strange to say, what the bells said came true-Whittington became Lord Mayor of London. And if ever you go to the Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor lives, you will see there a picture of Whittington and his cat.

voyage captain daughter

money

sailor mistress

mayor

guest velvety
queen honesty picture

THE TRAVELLER'S RETURN.

SWEET to the morning traveller

The song amid the sky,

Where, twinkling in the dewy light,

The skylark soars on high.

And cheering to the traveller

The gales that round him play, When faint and heavily he drags Along his noontide way.

And when beneath the unclouded sun

Full wearily toils he,

The flowing water makes to him

A soothing melody.

And when the evening light decays,

And all is calm around, There is sweet music to his ear

In the distant sheep-bell's sound.

But oh! of all delightful sounds
Of evening or of morn,

The sweetest is the voice of love

That welcomes his return.