﻿170 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



When Frank opened his eyes again he was lying upon his own 

 nice bed, and surrounded by his father and mother, the doctor, and 

 the same pale boy whom he had sent away that afternoon. 



His mother put her arms around him and kissed him again and 

 again, while she exclaimed, "Now God be thanked, my child, that 

 thou art still alive !" 



"Why, mother, what is the matter, and why do you cry so ? " 

 asked Frank, for he could not remember anything that had passed. 

 His mother told him that he had tipped the boat over, and that just 

 as he was sinking, this poor boy (whose name was John Brown) 

 returned to the spot to look for some of his fishing-tackle, and, see- 

 ing what had happened, plunged in and rescued him before it was 

 too late. Upon hearing this, Frank burst into tears, and holding 

 out his hand to John, said, 



" Oh ! can you forgive me for treating you so ? How could vou 

 risk your own life to save me, who had just driven you away in 

 such an unkind manner?" 



" My mother always taught me," answered John, " to return good 

 for evil, and to do to others as I would they should do to me. I did 

 no more than I ought to do for you or anybody, and do not deserve 

 to be praised for it." 



The doctor here interfered, and said that Frank must not talk 

 any more, but must go to sleep. Accordingly, all but his mother 

 left the room, and Frank soon sunk into a sound and refreshing 

 slumber. 



This lesson, though severe, proved very useful to Frank. It was 

 very seldom, after this, that he w r as known to disobey his parents, 

 or speak unkindly to any one not so much blessed as himself in 

 worldly advantages. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill took John Brown and 

 sent him to school, in a town some distance from where his father 

 was known, and he grew up to be a respectable and honest man. 

 Frank always was his friend, and was more kind to him than to 

 many richer and more high-born men. 



