The Children of the New Forest

better. As long as poor Jacob's body remains in the cottag

eplied Humphrey; "whe

plied Edward. "One day the old man said to me, that he sho

ght," replied Humphrey; "the moon is bright,

t I can not hel

If you will lie down a little, perhaps you will be able to

his tools, set to his task-he worked hard, and, before morning, had finished. He then went in, and took his place on the bed, by the side of Edward, who was in a

rent from what I did last night. If you will go and ge

in, but could not do more till Humphrey came to help him. They then wrapped

shall we cal

body laid in the grave first

rave, and laid it in it, and then returned

roper for reading over t

e not in the Bible, so we must read so

rd," said Humphrey, turning over the leaves; "here it is, the ninetieth, in wh

"and we will read thi

ters risen,

e," replied Humphrey, "

"Alice-Alice and Edith-come out immed

Humphrey led Edith until they arrived at the grave, when the

Psalms, and then closed the book. The little girls took one last look at the body, and then turned awa

aid Humphrey, wiping hi

paling roun

umphrey," s

ir, and took Alice and Edith to him.

, and with no one to look to for protection but Heaven. Here we are away from the rest of the world, living for one another. What, then, must we do? We must love one another dearly, and help one another. I will do my part, if my life is spared, and so will Humphrey, and so will you my dear sisters. I can answer for all. Now it is no use to lament-we must all work, and work chee

respective employments, and the labor of the day soon made them composed, although then

e wild violets which now peeped forth on sheltered spots, and planted the roots over the grave. Edward also procured all the early flowers he could collect, and assisted his sisters in their task; and thus, in planting it, and putting up the paling, the grave of the old man became the constant work-ground; and when their labor was done, they would still remain there and talk over his worth. The Sunday following the burial, the weather being fine and warm, Edward proposed that

not. One morning, Humphrey and Edward were conversing upon many points-the principal of which was upon Edward going to Lymington, for they were now in want of flour and meal, when Edward thought of what old Jacob had told him relative to the money that he would find in his

ey. "I don't know what is the price of things; but it

the price of flour, or anything else we have to purchase, nor do I know what I ought to be paid for venison. I don't like

est, and he and Humphrey then went out t

eeks after the death o

made his a

man, sir?" was h

w days after you le

rester. "Peace be with him-he was

ave a great deal to say to you; and first, let me ask you wha

d in few wo

exclaime

er, sir; in short, th

our sov

y dared t

ittle that is going on; but when I saw you last, I he

king? by the laws of our country, a man must be

d, he was strongly opposed to the deed, and did all he could to prevent it; but it was of no use. When he left, he gave me strict injunctions not to go away from the cottage

dined, Oswald?

at I ha

eave you for a while. Your intelligence has so astounded me that I can listen to noth

calming down. He quitted the cottage and walked ou

uch gallant blood has been shed in vain! Spirit of my fathers, didst thou leave none of thy mettle and thy honour behind thee; or has all England beco

etuous blood could return to its usual flow; at last, his mind having partially resumed its wonted calmness

Edward asked him whether t

ther. He said that I might go, but must return soon, as he must go back to London. I believe, from what Miss Patience told me, and what I have seen myself, that he is sincerely amazed and vexed at what has taken place; and so, indeed, are many more, who, alth

, Oswald: that will do as well a

hat you have no right to put her under such an obligation, and not give her an opportunity of expressing what she feels. Now, Mr. Edward, I am certain that she is earnest in what she says, and she made me promise that I would per

she was very kind to me; and as you say that the intendant will not be th

tive to the value of various articles, and to

tions, and Edward took down

d come to the ranger's cottage as soon as he could. "Should the intendant come back before he is expected I will

wald should see him in

out on hi

p my mind to go to Lymington to-morrow We must have some flour, and

both go, Edward?"

any danger, I admit; but should any thing happen to them, I should never forgive myself. Still, it is necessary that you should go to Lymington with me some time or another, that you may know wher

dward, that will

s remark, Oswald re-

n now or to-morrow. It is now early, and as you intend going to Lymington, it occurred to me that I had

I am much obliged

the cart out immediatel

ey, for I must go for s

ic

y to put the pony in the

one: if you do you will be calling me so before other people,

"indeed it would be better, for a slip of the to

ard having received further instructions from Al