out and tasted a little of the water with evident
dissatisfaction.

"Willard," said he, "you didn't get this from the spring; this is creek
water. Now go right back and get a pitcherful from the spring."

Off started Master Willard to do as he was bidden, but on his way, the
originator of all mischief suggested to his fertile brain the idea of
playing a trick upon his father; so instead of going to the spring, he
simply loitered for a few moments out of sight of such of the family as
might be at the windows,

"Under an elm whose antique roots peep out
Upon the brook, that brawls along the wood."

He then quietly sauntered back, with the identical pitcher of water with
which he had come forth.

"There," said he, emphatically, as if he had fulfilled his mission, at
the same time placing the pitcher near his father's plate upon the
table. The good man took it up, examined the contents with a critical
eye, poured out a glassful of the sparkling liquid and drained it to the
last drop.

"Ah," said he, with a sigh expressive of great satisfaction, "_that_ is
something like water! _that_ does a man good!"

This evidence of parental fallibility Master Willard enjoyed hugely, but
it was many years before he ventured to give his father an opportunity
to join in the laugh at his own expense, by telling him of the
occurrence.

CHAPTER IV.

WILLARD GLAZIER AT SCHOOL.

School-days continued.--Boys will be boys.--Cornelius Carter, the
teacher.--Young Willard's rebellion against
injustice.--Gum-chewing.--Laughable race through the snow.--The
tumble into a snow-bank, and what came of it.--The runaway
caught.--Explanation and reconciliation.--The new master, James
Nichols.--"Spare the rod and spoil the child."--The age of
chivalry not gone.--Magnanimity of a school-boy.--Friendship
between Willard and Henry Abbott.--Good-bye to the "little
deacon."

Willard Glazier was, by no means, what is termed a bad boy, at school.

It is true he was full of mischief; was the last in for study and the
first out for recreation, but he was neither disobedient nor inattentive
to his lessons. One scholarly element, however, he lacked. The bump
which phrenologists term reverence had small development in him at this
period of his existence. His record always stood high in the matter of
lessons, but low in the matter of conduct. Instances of insubordination
occurred whenever he thought he w