GEORGE THE HERO.
When George and his sisters were going to school, they all cried as if their hearts would break. Their mother tried to console them. "I know this parting of friends is one of the cruel sorrows of life," said she; "but do not forget, my dear children, that this pain brings us our sweetest pleasure."—"Oh! mother, what is that?"—"The joy of meeting." George wiped his eyes, and looked as cheerful and as manly as he could to calm his sisters. For he was a dear boy, and always tried to be kind to all, and to do good to all. When his mother left the room, he took her place, and went on with her efforts to soothe and comfort the weeping girls. Emma and Lucy could not hear his cheering words, could not look on his rosy face, with a tear in his eye and a smile on his lips, and not be soothed. "We are so happy at home!" said Emma. "And it is such pain to part!" cried Lucy. "I know all that very well," said George, with the air of a sage, and the firmness of a hero: "I know all that very well, my dear girls; but I also know that our home will seem dearer after this absence; and then the sweets of return will make up for these moments of anguish." The girls smiled upon him, and thought him a very fine fellow; so, to finish their regrets, he added, "Winter is not pleasant, but its rigours make us enjoy with double relish the charms of spring." All the party laughed at this sage speech, and George owned that he had learnt it from papa. They went to school; they were so busy there, and had so many playfellows, that time passed swiftly. Easter soon came, and George called to take his sisters home with him. The chaise rolled quickly along; soon they were at the well-known gates; soon George ran up stairs after his sisters; soon sprang after them into the dear room. Mamma was there and dear papa. The girls were in a moment hugging their mamma, whilst the sage and the hero, master George, stood one instant at the open door to exclaim, "Did I not tell you, girls, that the joys of meeting would repay the pangs of parting?" This was all he had time to say; for he, too, wanted to be in mother's arms, and prest to mother's heart. He, too, wanted to feel father's clasping hand, and hear father's dear "Welcome home!"