Rollo in Paris

g the C

early life, to bear pecuniary responsibilities, and to exercise judgment and discretion in the use of money. Many young men never have any training of this sort till they become of age. Before that time, whenever they wish for money, they go to their father and ask for it. They take all they can get; and when that is gone, they go and ask for more. They have no direct personal motive for exercising prude

And yet Rollo did not dislike it. He felt that his uncle was treating him more like a man, on this account, or rather more like a large boy, and not like a child. In fact,

d to his uncle that they sh

id Mr. George, "and then I must return

n hour," re

. George, "we will

al survey of the harbor, and of the vessels that were lying in it, and also o

eorge, "to look off over the channel, and see

there,"

e than half an hour,

et's go on board the

o the brink of the pier. Mr. George looked over, and

Mr. George, in a tone

sible?" repeat

o. "What is it that s

ravel on one of the great thoroughfares betwee

ey descended these stairs, one before the other, for the space was not wide enough to allow of their going together; and when they reached the foot of them they found themselves in a small cabin, with one tier of berths around the sides. The cabin was not high enough for two. There were berths for about twenty

rica, with their splendid and capacious cabins on three different decks, their promenade saloons, sometimes one hundred and fifty feet long, wit

as between New York and Albany. And yet there are half a dozen steamers every day on the North River, carrying from five hundred to one thousand passengers; while here, on

aces, for there were no divisions separating the sleeping-places from each other except what was formed by the cushions. There was a long cushion for each sleeper, covered with crimson velvet or plush; and a round cushion, shaped like a bolster, and covered in the same way, for

ed down to the water. There were several small boats at the foot of the steps, and in one of them was a man doing something to the rudder. Rollo saw that on the other side of the water was another long staircase leading down from the bank there, s

s boat, and touching his hat at the same time, or rather making a sort of jerk with his hand, which was

said Mr. George. "W

an pleases," said the man,

lly please?" said Mr. George

y likes," said the man. "We alw

After a moment's pause,

e to go, sir?

will tell me what the usual ferriage is, I ca

n, "gentlemen usually gives

ece. Very wel

efore he decided the question. He would have considered this a mer

ay in a smooth road which led along the bank. Rollo wished to go farther; but Mr. George said that his time had expired, and

o go to the top of the hill, at the outlet of the harbor, a

said Mr. George, "to

have nothing but my

aid Mr. George. "You can pay me th

any pennies in F

get sous there. You must pay me fou

hey will make out yours and mine together, and you can pay me your share to-mor

I lose it?"

hat is all. You will lose about twenty francs; unless, inde

put it away safely in his wallet, and then went on. The road was very smooth and pleasant to walk in, being bordered by green fields on the one hand, and the water of the harbor on the other. Rollo came at length to the hill. There were successive terraces, with houses built upon them, o

very long, and it did not become dark till quite late. When, at length, the shadows of the evening began t

s, as he thought that there would be enough to amuse and occupy him all this time on and around the pier. His first duty, however, was to go

three hours before we are to leave. Wh

enty to amuse mysel

ier, unless there is somebody at hand to pull you out of the water with a boathook, if you fall in. Amuse yourself

himself, by examining every thing there, he concluded to go on board the steamer. A train of cars had arrived from London while he and his uncle had been on the

ldren's voices on the stairs, talking French. Presently these children came into the cabin. Their mother was with them. There were two of them, and they were not more than five or six years old. Rollo was exceedingly astonished to hear such little children talk French so well. Rollo listened to see if he could understand what th

as interested in watching their movements, and in listening to the fragments of conversation which he heard. He found his position very comfortable, too, and the sounds around him produced so lulling an effect, that, before

graph in his journal, laid down his pen, drew a long breath, looked out t

nd look about on the pier, and in the packet, and see

with a quick courtesy; and

and said that the young master was in

his turn. "Much obliged to you."

pulling him gently by the shoulder. He opened his eyes, and saw before him a face that he did not exactly know,

t, if you p

e were in their berths, some in groups on the seats, and one or two were just preparing to lie down. The engine was in motion, and the ship was e

ou please, sir," r

his uncle lying quietly in his place, his head being on a cu

said Rollo, "he

ge, without moving, "

So, after fumbling for a time in his pocket, he brought out h

ut two other tickets in Rollo's wallet, in the place of the one which he h

for the

wallet, and put

f you please,"

ill not much more than half awake

said he, "he w

shilling, then,

llo attempted to count the change, but he soon perceived that his ideas of francs and shillings were all in confusion. So he turned the change all togethe

before him a place where there were piers, and batteries, and other constructions indicating a town, while on either hand there extended long ranges of cliffs, with smooth, green slopes of land above, and broad, sandy shores below. In half an hour more the steamer arrived at the entrance of the harbor, which was formed of two long piers, built at a little distance fr

ING D

et is called a quay.[B] Quays are built in almost all the cities of Europe where there are rivers or basins of water for shipping; and

s they were now about to land, the baggage would be brought out, and that the several passengers would be called upon to select their own. But there was no movement of this k

re thrown out. People in queer dresses, some of them soldiers, who were standing on the pier, c

steamer on her arrival,-but every thing was quiet and still. By and by a plank was laid. Then the passengers were called

ong ropes stretched, one from the stem and the other from the stern of the steamer, to the opposite sides of the door of this building, so as to enclose a space on the quay, in front of the building, in such a manner as to hem the passengers in, and make it nece

and a word they

e; "but we can watch an

ance without a passport. A passport is a paper given to the traveller by his own government. This paper tells the traveller's name, describes his person, and requests that the French government will allow him to pass through their country. Frenchmen

ook them in turn, opened them, copied the names in his book, and then gave them back to the owners. Mr. George and Rollo followed on in the line. When their passports h

e done next?

w," said Mr. George, "

me out from the custom-house, seemed all very quiet, as if waiting for something. A great many of them seemed to be French people, and they fell into little groups, and began to talk very vo

of them," said Rollo,

don't understand theirs." In a moment, however, he turned to a young man who wa

speak

a very foreign accent, but

aiting for?" a

he baggages, and then for

?" said M

d Rollo might go and have some breakfast, if they chose. But Mr. George thought

ination of the baggage. A soldier stood at the door to prevent too many going in at a time. Mr. George and Rollo followed the rest, and at length it came their turn to have their trunks examined. This was done very quick-the officers appearing to think, from the appearance of the travellers, that they would not be likely to have any smuggled goods in their possession. The officer, accordingly, just looked