"I'VE LOST MY WAY.

FROM THE FRENCH.

LITTLE Antoine was a very obliging little boy, and in this respect quite unlike his elder brother, Julian, who was too selfish to do any person a favor. One fine warm day in August, the two boys wandered forth into the fields. They had not proceeded far before they saw a poor young woman, by the road-side, who had met with an accident and needed their assistance. She was going to market with a donkey, who was heavily laden with two panniers, when the strap which bound them broke, and a parcel of fine fruit and vegetables rolled forth from them upon the ground.

On seeing the accident, Julian and Antoine ran quickly to the spot, but with quite different motives. The younger brother was thinking only of the assistance which he could render the poor young woman, but Julian was thinking what a good chance it would be to have a fine feast of fruit. When they came up to the spot, Antoine set about assisting the woman to pick up the fruit and other things, and re

place them in the panniers. But Julian, alter selecting some of the finest peaches and grapes, sat down on a stone to devour them, without offering to be of any assistance. He even laughed at the accident, and wasted the grapes by throwing them about, or giving them to the donkey.

The young woman was sadly afflicted by the accident, as she was quite poor, and had hoped to get a good price for her articles. At last, with Antoine's good help, she succeeded in again arranging her panniers, and then went on her way. First, however, she gave Antoine the finest nectarine that she could find, although he did not wish to take it, since his brother had relieved her of some of the best of her store.

A few days after this adventure, the two boys wan. dered into the country to such a distance, that they both lost their way, and knew not what path to take, by which to return home. Antoine became quite tired, and could not keep up with Julian, who ran very fast. In fact, he ran quite away from his younger brother, and thus they were separated, as well as lost. Well: Julian proceeded on, till it was quite dark, and then he began to grow frightened. He saw several persons, whom he knew, but he was ashamed to ask their aid, for he had often treated them badly, or refused to render them some slight service. At last, when the night was more advanced, he came to a small hut, which he resolved to enter. He was tired, hungry, and frightened, and he could walk no farther.

He knocked at the door. It was opened by an old woman, who, on learning his errand, bade him come in. It was quite dark in her little room, but she said that she would light a candle in a moment, and fix some clean straw for him to lie on. When she had lighted the candle, Julian regarded her more attentively. What was his dismay to find that she was an old beggar woman, at whom he had thrown stones the day before! He tried to conceal his face, but she immediately recognised him, and said: "You see that there is no object so mean, which may not one day be of aid to you. Well, it is no matter. You stoned me yesterday, but I will give you lodging tonight. Food have I none. And may Heaven forgive you as readily as I do."

Julian's feelings were not the most enviable at that moment. He blushed deeply, and felt the acutest remorse. However, he was obliged to take up with the old woman's hospitality, and falling on his knees, he expressed his sorrow for his wicked conduct towards her the day before.

What became of little Antoine all this time? Before night-fall, the very young woman, whom he had assisted a few days before, passed by the spot where he stood. She was returning home on her donkey, and on seeing Antoine, she inquired of him what was the matter. "I've lost my way," was the reply. "Come, then, you shall go home with me," said she; and dismounting from the donkey, she permitted Antoine to ride in her place. They soon arrived at a neat little cottage, where a plentiful supper was