one, and his face took that
effulgent expression which some children have when they are resolved
upon being good.

"--_and as I can't shake off the tickle, I have to bear it_," added the
little gentleman.

I call him the little gentleman advisedly. There is no stronger sign of
high breeding in young people, than a cheerful endurance of the rubs of
life. A temper that fits one's fate, a spirit that rises with the
occasion. It is this kind of courage which the Gentlemen of England
have shown from time immemorial, through peace and war, by land and sea,
in every country and climate of the habitable globe. Jack is a child of
that Empire on which the sun never sets, and if he live he is like to
have larger opportunities of bearing discomfort than was afforded by the
woolly worry of his bottle-green leggings. I am in good hopes that he
will not be found wanting.

Some such thoughts, I believe, occurred to his Aunt.

"That's right, Jack. What a man you are!"

[Illustration]

The rosy cheeks became carmine, and Jack flung himself upon his Aunt,
and kissed her with resounding smacks.

A somewhat wrecked appearance which she presented after this boisterous
hug, recalled the headache to his mind, and as he settled the beaver
hat, which had gone astray, he said ruefully,

"Is your headache _very_ bad, Auntie Julie?"

"Rather bad, Jack. _And as I can't shake if off, I have to bear it._"

He went away on tiptoe, and it was only after he had carefully and
gently closed the bedroom door behind him, that he departed by leaps
and bounds to show himself in his bottle-green coat and capes, and
white buttons and leggings to match, and beaver hat to boot, first to
the young Browns, and after that to the General Public.

[Illustration]

As an Observer, I may say that it was a sight worth seeing; and as a
Bird of some wisdom, I prophesy well of that boy.

PROVERBS.

Fine feathers make fine birds.

Manners make the man.

Clowns are best in their own company; gentlemen are best everywhere.

Where there's a will there's a way.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

What can't be cured must be endured.

[Illustration: OWL HOOT NO 2]

OWLHOOT II.

"Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling."
_The Raven._

"Taffy was a thief."--_Old Song._

I find the following letters at the Hole in the Tree.

"X LINES, SOUTH CAMP, ALDERSHOT.

"SIR,--You speak with great feeling of that elevated po