A Boy's Opportunity

" Well, what is it, tny boy?" asked Mrs. Leonard, as Frank cauio in froui school one Thureday afternoon and pettishlv threw his booka upon tho talie. Twirling liis hat in his hands, Frank answered, " It's everything, mother. You kuow it's coinposition day. Well, tlie subject is ' My Opportunities.' T don't believe I have any opportunities. I think I might write about somc other person's upportunitiett, tbough. Only think, the boys have all gone over to the cricket ground this afternoon, and here 1 have got to stay shut up in the house, to write that miserable composition. The other boys eau write tbeir's this evening, while I am ticd up to that old store. Tnat's just the way all my opportunities slip from me, - my opportunities for sport, at any rate." " 1 um glad you added that last clause," said nis mother, " but you could have gone with the boys." " Why, mother Leonard ! Do you think I would give up luy chance oí' goiog to college for au alternoon'.s i'un ? When 1 promised father I would save him tho expense of hiring a clerk by helping in the store evcnings and Saturdays so he could better aiford to send me to ooilege, I meant to stick to it. But, you see, the fathers of the othor fellows are able to send theni to college without their having to pinch and dig for it." " Frank, you are looking only at your opportunities for sport. Just think of some of your opportunities for making a noble, strong-minded, educated man of yourself. You forget how niany boys there are who cannot possibly receivo so good an education as you, beeause they haven't tho advantages. There is Torn. Howard. You have liften told me what a desirc that boy bas for learning. And tliere' a whole fainily looking to him for support, on aocount of the father's intemperance. But the boy is fast learning ïuany things that neither books nor school oouldteach nim." Frank lifted his face with a penitent yet eager look, and said : " Motbcr, I hád forfuten tbat blessed old Torn. I am afraid have been- well, at least, cracking the tenth couimauduient. Preach away, marm !" " I knew you wonld come round to the right view,' she answered. In missing the sport, you are rcally gaining somethiug better. By being obliged to depend on yourself in part for the expense of your cdueation, you are learning self-reliance, which will bc of inestimable valué to you in your future life. I think, too, that you will improve - and are iiuproving - your opportunities for learning better than if you were at no trouble to obtain it. We always prize a thing thatcosts something." lí Thanks for your sermón, mother," said Frank. "I believe 'my opportunities' will make a first-rato subject for a eoinposition. -