THE PRESENT.

Arthur left home early Monday morning. It was a cold, dreary day
without, and a dreary one within to Mrs. Hamilton. She had no unoccupied
moments in which to sit down, and pore over her troubles; but amid all
her cares and labors, the pleading, sorrowful face of her boy would rise
before her, like an accusing angel. She feared she had shown him too
little sympathy in his sufferings, and had too much repressed the
manifestation of his feelings. She seemed to herself, as her
imagination followed her weeping boy, a cruel, heartless mother; and
again only in prayer could she find relief and peace, and even then, a
weight still rested upon her spirits.

A few days after Arthur's departure, an idea occurred to Mrs. Hamilton
which she was sure would give him pleasure. This was to send him Rover,
to keep as his own. But would the children be willing to part with their
pet and playfellow? And if they were, would Mr. Martin give his consent?

That very evening she proposed it to the children, and she was pleased
to find how willing they were to make some sacrifice for their little
brother's sake. Even Emma, who loved so dearly to play with him, and
ride on the sled after him, seemed ready to part with him when she found
it would make Arthur happy. Yet it was with a mournful voice, she told
him, as she patted him and stroked his long ears,

"You must be a good doggie, Rover, and make my brother Arthur happy. He
be good brother, and you must be good doggie too. Won't you, Rover, good
fellow?"

Mrs. Hamilton wrote to Mr. Martin stating Arthur's fondness for the dog,