Year: 1860

A great many years ago, before railroads
and stage coaches had chased the fairy people
from, the green meadows and smooth lawns,
where they loved to sport beneath the soft light
of the moon-and from the shady groves, ana
sequestered glens, where they were wont 10 re-
pose, during the long summers day, eraaiea
within the bell of the modest cowslip, or the
fragrant honey-suckle---and before SUNDAY
schools. and infant schools had driven them
from their homes in the hearts aud imagina-
tions of England's simple peasantry;--in those
days when the active, industrious maiueh
would, ON awaking in tho morning. ma "a
tester in her shoe,n and the lazy sloyen who
had been sleeping when she ought to nave
been working would be "pinched black and
blue;"--when joy was often turned TO grei,
and mourning TO gladness, by fair agency; !;
there lived in village in the west OF England
n voune man named Robert, or rs he was COM
monly called, Robin Maynard. lie was the son
of Moor parents who died when he was very
Young. but the little orphan was not deserted
his uncle, William Maynard, received him IN
der his humble roof, and brought him up with
a fathers care.


Robin was taught to read and write at the
village school, and, as soon as he was old en-
ough to work his uncle began to instruct him
in his own trade, which was that Of shoeina-
kcr.


As Robin was clever, industrious lad hewas
able in the course OF few years to be very
useful, aud BY his attention and diligence, to
make some return for the kindness which he
had received from his uncle during the years OF
his helpless infancy. William Maynard was
very fond Of his nephew, and loved to look for
ward TO the time when he would be comfort
and support to his old age. But this time was
never to arrive. William was taken suddenly
i'll; earthly help was vain, and, before days had
elapsed, Robin followed to the grave the re-
mains of his kind uncle


tis sad feeling to awake in the morning
with nm underlined sensation of grief lying cold
and heavy at the heart, and gradually, as the
memory awakeus, and the perceptions become
more clear, to feel as the mournfui truth pre-
sents itself by degrees to the mind, that the
dreams of the night, gloomy though they were,
were not so dark as the sad reality.


Such were the feelings of Robin when he
opened his eyes, and gazed around the desolate
apartment, on the morning after his uncle's fu-
neral. He had lost all that was most dear to
him in this world, and he felt that he was in
deed alone.


But his was not a disposition to give way te
useless dependency. He thought how much





cause he had to be thankful that so kind {
friend had been spared him for so many years
and he felt more than ever grateful TO tina
friend for having brought him up in habits
industry and self-denial.


Robin now set himself seriously to conside
his present situation, and to arrange his plan
for the future. Hc was nineteen years of age
strong and active, and m excellent workman
he certainly was but young to commence busi
ness for himself but yet he did not despair
success; he trusted that his uncles old friend
would not desert his nephew, and he resolve
il should not be his fault, if those who employ
ed him were not satisfied. He soon found hi
his b.s hopes realized he was honest an
moreover he was the only shoemaker in til
village. II is not, therefore, to be wondered {
that work came in rapidly


Now Robin WAS not only very good wori
man, but be was also q very good dlookingyoun
man. His figure was tall and well proportion
cd, and he had bright eye, and white teet
and dark hair which fell in rich curs over
smooth open forehead, and, as he sat by b
cottage door, on summer evening, singing
his work, it may readily be supposed that mar
bright eye pccped from beneath its dal
fringe, and many n rosy lip disclosed thepear
teeth, as it parted in smile Of greeting to d
handsome young shoemaker, as the villa
maidens passed and rcpassed, on their vnrio
errands Of business or pleasure. Robin bad
funny smile and a merry jest ready for all, b'
after they were gone, he returned to bis wo
and his song, with heart as light and as fr
rs over. Yet there was one gentle, quiet 81
perhaps the only one who took notice OF Rob
and probably for that very reason, because
did not look at him, he was particularly anaio
to look at her. But this is not love sto
therefore the sooner we come TO an end OF I
mart OF our tale the better. Suffice IL to 8
that awhere there is will there is wa
and Robins will was to become acquain
with Tho pretty Alice and to make her his "
All this in due time he accomplished.


And now, instead of sitting alone in his por