The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-05-20


ers's house is quarter of mile nearer
of mile there is still a chance OF COM
mitting robbery. He determined still to
make the attempt, and cuts across the
wood with such rapid strides that he
reached the farmers gate just as the gig
drives up to it.
"Well. thank you, farmer,' saxs<the
midshipman, as he prepares to gst down.
'I wish you good night, gentlemen"
says the man, when he passes.
'Good night, friend" the farmer re-,
plies, II say, my boy, it's dark night
enough but I have mind to drive
you on to the parsonage and hear the
rest Of this long tale of yours about the
sea-serpeut."
The little wheels go on again. They
pass the man and he stands still III the
road to listen till the sound dies away.
Then he filings his stake into the hedge,
and goes back again. His evil purposes
have been frustrated-the thoughtless
boy has bafaed him at every step.
And now the little midshipman is at
home; the joyful meeting has taken
| place and when they have all admired
his growth; and decided whom he is like,
and measured his hight on the window
| frame, see him eat his supper, they be
| gin to question him about his adventures,
more for tho pleasure of hearing him talk
than any curiosity.
t.'Adventures r says the boy, seated
between father and mother on the sofa.
Why, ma, | did write you an account of
the voyage. aud there's nothing else to
tell. Nothing happened to-day-or at
least nothing particular.
You came by the coach we told you
of ?" asked the father.
80, yes, papa, and when we got about
twenty miles, there came up beggar,
while we were changing horses, and l
threw down as thought) shilling;
but as it fell, l saw it was a sovereign.
She was very honest aadlshowed me what
it y as, but didn't take it back, for you
know, mamna, it is long time since
gave anything to anybody.
"Fery true, my boy" his mother an
swers; '.but you should not be careless
with your money, and few beggars are
worthy objects of charity
! Il suppose you got down at the cross
roads 2'' said his elder brother.
Yes, and went through the woods.
should have been here sooner, if | hadn't.
/ lost my way here
Los, your way y said his mother,
alarmed my dear boy; You should not
have left the path at dusk
'0h, ma, said the little midshipman,
with a smile, t.you re always thinking We
are in danger. If you could see me some
times sitting at the jib>boom end. or across
the main top~niast cross-tree, you would
be frightened. But what danger can
there be IN wood %
"Well, my boy she answers. 81
don't wish to be over anxious, aud make
my children uncomfortable by my fears.
What did you stray from the path for =
''Only to catch lite owl, mamma;
but l didn't catch her after all. got
roll down a bank, and caught my
jacket against 4 thornbush, which was
rather uuiucky. All three large holes
[ see in my sleeve, and so [ scrambled
up again, and got into the right path
and asked at the cottage for some BEER
What long time the woman kept me,
to be sure. | thought it would never
come. But very soon after. Mr.. D
drove up in his gig, and he brought me
on to the gate.
s.And SO this account of your adven
tures being brought to close" his faith
er says, sswe discover there are ne adven-
lures to tell +"
mo, papa, nothing happened-noth-
ing particular, [ mean
Nothing particular. If they could have
known, they would have thought lightly
in comparison of the dangers of the jib-
boom S and the main-top> mast cross-trees.
But they do not know, any more than
we do, of the dangers that hourly besct
Us. Some few dangers we are aware of
and we do what we can to provide against
them; but for the greater portion our
eyes behold that we cannot see. We
walk securely under His guidance, with
out whom mot sparrow falleth to the
ground : and when we have had escapes
that the angels have admired at, we come
pened-at least nothing particular.
1t is not we'll that our minds should be
much exercised over these hidden dan
gers, since they are so, and 50 great
that no human art or foresight can pre-
vent them. But it is very we'll that We
should reflect constantly on that loving
Providence which watches every gootstep
of a track always balancing between
time and eternity; and that such refec-
tions should make US both happy and
afraid-afraid and trusting our souls too
much to an earthly guide or earthly Sc
curity--happy from the knowledge that
there is One with whom we may trust
them wholly, and with whom the very
hairs of our heads are all numbered
Without such trust, how can we rest or
be at peaee2 but with it we may say with
the Psainist, 81 will both lay me down
in peace, and sleep, for thou, Lord, only
makest me dwell In safety
True CouRAGE--He surely was
strong minded as well as healthy ne.ved