﻿48 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



rainy day, for hours together, and watch his lines ; and, as he knew 

 tolerably well the best time to take certain kinds of fish, he would 

 frequently come home with a nice parcel. Fishing upon the ice is 

 rather dangerous for boys, unless they are attended by an older 

 person, 



But the best of winter is the long evenings, and how many ways 

 there are to make them pass away pleasantly ! When the moon 

 shines brightly, the boys find great delight in coasting down the 

 long hills, and when a large party is collected, it is really an inno- 

 cent and excellent amusement. How well I remember that old 

 sleigh, which the boys of my native village used for this purpose, 

 night after night. 



Skating is another favorite winter amusement, though you should 

 never go out upon a river or pond to skate in the evening, no matter 

 how light it may be. It is far better to forego the pleasures of a 

 few hours' sport, than run the risk of being drowned. I loved to 

 skate myself, when young ; but one fatal night, a party of us had 

 gathered upon the river, and presently we missed two of our com- 

 panions. We at first thought they had gone home, but such was 

 not the case. They had both been drowned, and the next morning 

 I saw their bodies drawn up from the bottom of the river. It was a 

 sad lesson to me, though, perhaps, a profitable one, for I have not 

 had a skate on my feet since. Be warned before it is too late, and 

 never go upon the ice at night. 



After all, it is by the warm and comfortable fireside at home, 

 where true enjoyment is to be found. With some useful and 

 instructive book, the long hours will fly fast away. If you are fond 

 of company, invite in your schoolmates, and with some merry game 

 while away the time, and learn to value and appreciate your home. 

 And while you are thus surrounded with the bountiful gifts of Provi- 

 dence and all that can make you wise and happy, forget not those 

 wanderers through the world, who have no parents, no friends, no 

 home, and when you grow older be forward in relieving the misery 

 which you will find upon every side around you. 



P. S. I had written thus much about the pleasures of winter, 

 when, in going along the side-walk to my office, the other morning, 

 after a heavy fall of snow, I was politely reminded that I had for- 



