e me so deathly sick, that I've
never wanted another. I wouldn't have done it, papa, if you had ever
forbidden me; but--but you had never said any thing to me on the
subject, and I'd seen"--Max hesitated, and left his sentence unfinished.

"You had seen your father smoke, and naturally thought you might follow
his example?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, my son, I can hardly blame you for that; but there are some
things a man may do with impunity, that a boy may not. Tobacco is said
to be far more injurious to one who has not attained his growth, than to
an adult. But it is not seldom injurious to the latter also: some seem
to use it with no bad effect, but it has wrought horrible suffering for
many. I am sorry I ever formed the habit, and I would save you from the
same regret, or something worse: indeed, so anxious am I to do so, that
I would much rather hand you a thousand dollars than a cigar, if I
thought you would smoke it."

"Papa, I promise you I will never try the thing again; never touch
tobacco in any shape," Max said earnestly.

"Thank you, my son; and I will give up the habit for your sake,"
returned his father, grasping the lad's hand with one of his, and, with
the other, flinging his cigar far down the avenue.

"Oh, no, papa! don't do it for my sake," said Max. "Cousin Arthur told
me that when a man had smoked for years, it cost him a good deal of
suffering to give it up; and I couldn't bear to see you suffer so. I'll
refrain all the same, without your stopping."

"I don't doubt that you would, my dear boy; and I fully appreciate the
affection for me that prompts you to talk in that way," the captain
said: "but I have set a bad example quite long enough, not to my own son
alone, but to other people's; and whatever I may have to endure in
breaking off from the bad habit, will be no more than I deserve for
contracting it. I should be very sorry, Max, to have you feel that you
have a coward for a father,--a man who would shrink from the course he
felt to be right, rather than endure pain, mental or physical."

"A coward! O papa! I could never think that of you!" cried the boy,
flushing hotly; "and if ever any fellow should dare to hint such a thing
in my hearing, I'd knock him down as quick as a flash."

The corners of the captain's lips twitched; but his tones were grave
enough as he said, "I don't want you to do any fighting on my account,
Max; and if anybody slanders me, I shall try to live it down.

"Th