ward; but old people like
myself look back, and it makes us reflect how few of the noble
aspirations and longing anticipations of our youth are ever realised!"

"Old people like yourself indeed, little mother!" said Eric indignantly,
tossing up his lion-like head, and looking as if he would like to see
any one else who would dare to make such an assertion, the next moment
throwing his arms round her neck, and hugging her fondly. "I won't have
you calling yourself old, you dear little mother, with your nice glossy
brown hair, and beautiful bright blue eyes and handsome face--a face
which I fail not to see Burgher Jans gaze on with eloquent expression
every Sunday when we go to the Dom Kirche. Ah, I know--"

"Fie, my son!" exclaimed Madame Dort, interrupting him by placing her
hand across his mouth, a process which soon stopped his indiscreet
impetuosity, a warm blush the while mantling her comely countenance; for
she was yet in the bloom of middle-aged womanhood. "Suppose, now, any
one were to overhear you, audacious child!"

"Ah, but I know, though," repeated the boy triumphantly, when he had
again regained his freedom of speech. "I won't tell, little mother;
still, I must make a bargain with you, as I don't intend that fusty old
Burgher Jans to have my handsome young mutterchen, that's poz! But, to
change the subject, why are you so despondent about my leaving you now,
dear mother? I've been already away from you two voyages, and yet have
returned safe and sound to Lubeck."

"You forget, my child, that the pitcher sometimes goes once too often to
the well. The ocean is treacherous, and the perils of the sea are
great, although you, in boy-like fashion, may laugh at them. Strong men
have but too often to acknowledge the supremacy of the waves when they
bear them down to their watery grave, leaving widows and orphans, alas!
to mourn their untimely fate with sad and bitter tears! Don't you
remember your poor father's end, my son?"

"I do, mother," answered the boy gravely; "still, all sailors are not
drowned, nor is a seafaring life always dangerous."

"Granted, my child," responded his mother to this truism; "but, those
who go down to the sea in ships, as the Psalmist says, see the perils of
the deep, and lead a venturesome calling! Besides, Eric, I must tell
you that I--I do not feel myself so strong as I was when you first left
home and became a sailor boy; and, although I have no doubt a good
Providenc