resume my labours as a relief from the daily perturbation of my mind. The first moment of her seeing the carpet, my step-mother adopted the opinion of her predecessor, relative to the improbability of its completion: this was a new stimulus to my perseverance, and my industry increased in proportion to her ill bodings and disapprobation; especially as she made very free remarks upon the tastelessness of the design, presuming, I suppose, on its having been done under my mother's direction. She suggested several alterations, which I plainly saw would have been improvements; not one of which, however, I adopted, while I secretly wished they had been proposed by any body else.

But what would have been the proper antidote for the unhappy temper which thus destroyed my peace? It was at hand, though I refused it:-religion offered both directions for my conduct, and consolation under my trials; - its

benign influences, shed over my perturbed spirit, would have calmed the internal storm, and allayed my turbulent passions. He, who "when he was reviled, reviled not again," who, "when he suffered, threatened not,"-has said, "learn of me, for I am meek and lowly, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." But how could I find rest, who had recourse to any thing rather than to that sovereign antidote for the troubled mind? It is true, that I had received some impressive lessons, during my visit at the farm; but the few seeds then scattered, not "falling on good ground," produced no fruit; and now I was left to all the baneful effects of an ungoverned spirit.

.

CHAPTER IV.

ONE day my father had requested his wife to call on a person, and leave a message, during her morning walk; adding, at the same time, that if she were there by a certain hour, she would be sure to find him at home. My mother, who was fond of making me wait upon her, in the hope, I am persuaded, of provoking me to disobedience, with one of her usual taps on the shoulder (which always produced an inexpressible effect on my nerves), requested me to be so good as to fetch down her hat and cloak. I immediately withdrew, and sat myself down quietly at the window of my own apartment; from whence, in about an hour, I saw her walking leisurely down the street; and I confess I felt a secret gratification in this silent triumph of my perverseness.

At dinner my father inquired if she had seen the person on whom she had called.

"No," she replied, "for he was just

"Out!" said my father,

were too late.”

" then you

"I was,—rather late," said she. "But did you not say you were going immediately?"

"I did, for I thought I was."

"You thought you were! and pray what hindered you?"

"Only a trifle, Mr. Burrows: I wish you would drop the subject."

"I cannot drop the subject," said he, " for it is no trifle to me; your negligence has occasioned me the greatest inconvenience. I beg to know, what prevented you from being there in time, according to your promise, Mrs. Bur

rows?"

Nothing worth mentioning-nothing at all," said she, " only that Lucy omitted

to bring my hat when I desired her; and, expecting it every minute, I waited till it was too late - that is all."

"Lucy," said my father, striking his hand violently on the table; "Lucy, you must obey your mother."

There was a dead silence: but the satisfaction of my mother, and the triumph of Peter, were too ill concealed to escape my notice; while my extreme agitation, I am sure, must have been equally visible to them. No sooner had we risen from table, than I fled to my chamber, made up a small parcel, and left the house, without any distinct idea of where I was going, or which way I should direct my course. I had reached the end of the street before I began to reflect on my situation; I then made a full stop. And while I pause here in my narrative, I will just take occasion to remark, that it is a serious thing for children to leave their parents' house under any circumstances; it is sallying forth into a world, of which (whatever they may think) they can know but