r thought he could afford to give him. He could write a very good hand, and

ome into the shop and help me?" inqu

er?" he asked, instead of replying to his father's

I am able to give you," replied his father. "You will fare

"I think I shall not like to make candles, and I r

g to do what will insure us a livelihood. I know of no other business that wo

e were different from those of the English, so that the dyeing business could receive but little patronage. The next pursuit that presented itself, with fair promises of success, was that of "tallow-chandler and soap-boiler;" not so cleanly and popular a business as some, but yet necess

han starve," said Benjamin; "but nothing else

his than do nothing, for idleness is the parent of vice. Boys like you should be industrious, even

an earn something," said Benjamin. "People must l

r work for nothing than to be idle. If they are idle when they are young, they will be so when they become men, and idleness will finally be their r

ve employment. He allowed no drones in his family hive. All had something to do as soon as they were old enough to toil. Under such influences Benjamin was reared, and he grew up to be as much in love with

ster than labour wears; while

do not squander time, for tha

most precious, wasting time mu

iseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at

house hunger looks in,

of good luck, and God giv

is worth two

s, let not thy bus

hem that hel

which he compares slothfulness to rust, which will consume iron tools or machinery faster than their constant use will. As the use of a hoe or a spade keeps it polished, so the habitual exercise of t

ly bread, and his children do not cry with hunger. It is the lazy man's table that has no bread. His children

the kind. Many men whose faces are reddened and blotched by intemperance, begotten in the barroom where they have worse than idled away days and weeks of precious time, are often heard to lament over their "bad luck," as if their laziness and intemperance were not the direct cause of their misery. But it is not often that the diligent experienc

y are all charged with wisdom, and might be expanded into v

was obliged to turn his attention to hard work. It was rather an unpromising future to a little boy. No more schooling after ten years of age! What small opportunities in comparison with those enjoyed by nearly every boy at the p

pleasantry, on the evening before he was initiated into the mysteries of makin

arn how to do the work. So I am thinking you will continue to b

ust as well as a boy, or even a man, who

that is so easy!" added Be

er, run hither and thither upon errands, and do other things that will save my

ely, "that is inducement enough for any boy, but a lazy one, to work. You can make y

you do it, I can be employed in the more important part of my business, which no one else can attend to. Besides, your nimble feet can get ov

ing. On the following day he entered upon his new vocation, and, if "variety is the spice of life," then his first day in the shop had a ple

8 J

klin

there was much variety. And this was his work for successive weeks, very little of his time runn

etter than I thought I should," he sa

do, Benjamin?" replied his moth

like to g

quired, as if she did no

to Europe, or

had not dreamed that her son had any inclination to go to

sea," he answered; "and I am so tired of makin

hat. I should almost as lief bury you. And how can you want to leave your good home

e a desire to sail on a voyage to some other country. I like th

too much for me when your brother broke away from us, and went to sea. I could not pass through another such trial. So you must not persist in your wish, if you would not send me down to the grave." And here his m

work at the shop, with all his dislike for the business. His parents talked over the matter, and his father was led thereby to watch him more car

to go to sea, if you are willing;" and there

lead you to desire thi

ys thought I should like it,-though

have noticed that you loved to be in a boat better than to make candles. I am afraid that your sports on th

I ever did, and I like a boat no better now

r I shall never consent to it. You may as well relinquish at once all thought of going, since I strictly forbid your laying any such plans. If you do not wish

thought I would go if you and mother were perfectly willing. I can work at

ld have become a sailor. Children should always remember that their parents know best, as they have had more experience and time to observe. I sa

er's decision with as much cheerfulness and good feeling as could be expected in the circumstances. He knew that it was

ry short time, and not one of the boys so readily learned to manage a boat. He exhibited so much tact in these water feats, that he was usually regarded as a leader by the boys, and all matters of importance were referred to his judgment. It wa

e of the most distinguished men commenced their career. Behold Giotti, as he tends his father's flock, tracing the first sketches of the divine art in the sand with a clumsy stick,-a deed so unimportant that it foreshadowed to no one his future eminence. See Daniel Webster, the great expounder of the American Constitution, sitting, in his boyhood, upon a log in his father's mill, and studying portions of that Constitution which were printed upon a new pocket-handkerchief; a trivial incident at the time, but now bearing an important relation to that period

uring a thunder-shower, under a tree, or in a building not protected with lightning-rods. One day, in company with several associates, he was overtaken by a tempest, and some of the number proposed that they should take shelter under a large tree near by, while others advised to enter a neighbouring barn. But young Russell opposed both plans, and counselled going under a large projecting rock as the safest place. The result showed that a little knowledge of electricity was of great service to him; for both the barn and the tree were struck by lightning. But neither Benjamin Russell, nor any one else, from that day to this, would think of saying that there is no need of knowing much about electricity,

s Wharf.-S