fine a bearing, and as noble a look, as any boy in that youthful flock. Although it was plain that he was the child of poor parents, it was equally clear that in mind he was at least equal to any of his companions. His broad, pale brow, his soft, bright, blue eyes, his intelligent look, told all who looked upon him that he was a boy of no ordinary stamp.

As the children crowded towards the narrow gateway leading to the road, it happened that Arthur and Ralph were hustled close upon each other. Arthur was a little in front of Ralph, and, yielding to the impulse to be first, which

seemed to animate all the children, he was pressing forward, and was about to step into the street before Master Randolph.

This attempt gave great offence to Ralph, and, looking very fiercely at Arthur, he seized him by the arm, and pulling him sharply round, slipped past him into the road, saying,

"Get out of the way, you Sam Patch!' The violence of this act had almost thrown Arthur down. But clinging to a post which stood in the middle of the narrow path, he saved himself from Turning to young Randolph,

falling.

he said,

"That was very unkind of you, Ralph. I would n't have served you so."

"I guess you would n't either, you little ragamuffin! Do you think I'd let such a poor thing as you are push me? No! I'd give you this, if you did;" and the little would-be gentleman ground his teeth together, and shook his fist in Arthur's face.

"Hit him a slap, Arthur!" "I wouldn't stand that, I know!' "Don't let that little lump of starch crow over you in that way, Arth," exclaimed the boys, as they came running together, expecting to see a fight.

"He hit me? No, he's too much of

a coward for that," replied Ralph with a sneer, as he stood with clinched fists still in front of his victim.

Arthur looked a little paler than usual, and a slight tremor crept over his frame, as he listened to this wicked, insulting language. But his heart was firm, and he nobly conquered his passions, and answered the cries of his playmates and the taunts of his young adversary by saying,

If I was, I

"I am not a coward! should fight with Ralph, for fear of being called a coward by you. I believe it is wrong for boys to fight; and I will not hit Ralph, though he has used me very unkindly indeed."

"Bravo!" cried young FREDDIE FRENCH, who was Arthur's particular friend, and who knew him to be a brave boy.

"Bravo! bravo!" cried the boys, catching Freddie's spirit. "Arthur is right. We know he is a noble fellow;" and, turning to Master Randolph, they said he was mean to serve Arthur as he had done.

Finding the boys were all against him, Ralph muttered something to himself, and, turning round, stalked off amid the hisses of his schoolmates, who stood and watched him, until he had turned a corner and was out of sight. Then one of them, taking off his cap, waved it in the air, and shouted, —