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auditor; who, as soon as it was finished, thanked his brother for his good advice, and expressed a determination of endeavoring to profit by it." I am afraid," said he, "I have never learned to deny myself as I ought; but I hope, brother Frank, that I shall not forget this lesson of yours: I wish now you would be so kind as to give me some more good hints on the subject.”

Now Frank, not considering this the best possible compliment that could be paid to his composition, felt disappointed that, instead of commenting upon the force of his arguments, or the graces of his style, he should begin gravely to moralize about it; and it confirmed him in a favorite opinion of his, that his brother Harry had not a spark of genius, nor ever would have.

Harry repeated his request; but finding his brother more inclined to discuss the merits, and relate the success of his essay, than to draw a practical improvement from it, he contented himself with his own private resolutions. "To-morrow," said he to himself, "to-morrow morning I will begin. But why not begin to night?"-The clock had just struck, and Harry recollected that his mother had desired them not to sit up a minute after the clock struck nine. He reminded his brother of this order. "Never mind," said Frank-" here's a famous fire, and I shall stay and enjoy it.""Yes," said Harry, "here's a

famous fire, and I should like to stay and enjoy it; but that would not be self-denial, would it Frank?"

"Nonsense!" said Frank, "I shall not stir yet, I promise you."-" Then good night to you," said Harry.

Now, whether his brother was correct in his opinion of Harry's want of genius, we shall not stay to inquire; indeed it is a question of very little importance, either to us or to him; since it cannot be denied, that his reflections, and his conduct, on this occasion, displayed good sense, good principle, and strength of character: and these are sterling qualities, for which the brightest sparks of genius would be a poor exchange.

Six o'clock was the time at which Harry was expected to rise; but not unfrequently since the cold weather set in, he had indulged an hour longer. When it struck six the next morning, he started up, but the air felt so frosty, that he had a strong inclination to lie down again.—“ But no!" thought he-" here is a fine opportunity for self-denial; and up he jumped without further hesitation."

"Frank, Frank," said he to his sleeping brother-"past six o'clock, and a fine star-light morning." "Let me alone," cried Frank, in a cross, drowsy voice." Very well, then; a pleasant nap to you," said Harry, and down he ran as gay as a lark.

After finishing his Latin exercise, he had time to take a pleasant walk before breakfast this morning; so that he came in fresh and rosy; with a good appetite; and, what was still better, in a good humor.

But, poor Frank, who had just tumbled out of bed when the bell rang for prayer, came down, looking pale, and cross, and cold, and discontented. Harry, who, if he had no genius, had some sly drollery of his own, was just beginning to rally him on his forlorn appearance, when he recollected his resolution-" Frank does not like to be laughed at, especially when he is cross, thought he; so he suppressed his joke; and it requires some self-denial, even to suppress a joke.

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During breakfast, his father promised that if the weather continued fine, Harry should ride out with him before dinner on the gray pony. Harry was much delighted with this proposal, and the thought of it occurred to him very often during the business of the morning. The sun shone cheerily in at the parlor windows, and seemed to promise fair for a fine day. About noon, however, it became rather cloudy, and Harry was somewhat startled to perceive a few large drops upon the flag-stones in the court: he equipped himself, nevertheless, in his great coat at the time appointed, and stood playing with his whip in the hall, waiting to see the horses led out. His mother now passing by, said, "My dear

boy, I am afraid there can be no riding this morning; do you see that the stones are quite wet?""Dear mother," said Harry, "you surely do not imagine that I am afraid of a few drops of rain!- besides, I don't believe it rains at all now." "It seems to me to be coming up very heavy from the South," said his mother.“ It will be no more than a shower at any rate," replied Harry. Just then his father came in; who looked first at the clouds, then at the barometer, then at Harry, and shook his head.

"You intend to go, papa, don't you?" said Harry.

"I must go, I have business to do; but I believe, Harry, it will be better for you to stay at home this morning," said his father.

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'But, sir," repeated Harry, "do you think it possible, now, that this little sprinkling of rain should do me the least harm in the world?-with my great coat, and all!"-"Yes, Harry," said his father, "I do think that even this sprinkling of rain may do you harm, as you have not been quite well: I think, too, it will be more than a sprinkling. But you shall decide, on this occasion, for yourself. I know you have some self-command. I shall only tell you that your going this morning would make your mother uneasy; and that we both think it improper;-now determine."

Harry again looked at the clouds; at the stones; at his boots: and, last of all, at his kind moth

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er, and then he recollected himself: :- This,' thought he, "is the best opportunity for selfdenial that I have had to-day; and he immediately ran out to tell Roger that he need not saddle the gray pony."

"I should like another half, I think, mother," said Frank, that day at dinner, just as he had despatched a large hemisphere of mince pie.

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Any more for you, my dear Harry?" said his mother.

"If you please-no thank you, though," said Harry, withdrawing his plate, "for," thought he, "I have had enough, and more than enough to satisfy my hunger: and now is the time for selfdenial."

"Brother Harry," said his little sister, after dinner, "when will you show me how to do that pretty puzzle? you said you would, a long time ago.

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"I am busy now, child," said Harry—"don't tease me now, there's a good girl."-She said no more, but looked disappointed, and still hung upon her brother's chair.-"Come, then," said he, suddenly recollecting himself; "bring me your puzzle;" and laying down his book, he very good-naturedly showed his little sister how to place it.

That night, when the two boys were going to bed, Harry called to mind, with some complacency, the several instances in the course of the

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