He was in the habit of sleeping in his parents' room, and that night his loud breathings and uneasy turnings disturbed and annoyed his mother, who at last called out in harsh tones, "Willie, Willie, for mercy's sake stop that horrid noise! I shall never get asleep this way.

I know there's no need of breathing like that!" "It chokes me so," sobbed little Willie, "but I'll try." Then pressing his hands tightly over his mouth, he tried the experiment of holding his breath as long as possible.

Hearing no sound from his mother, he thought her asleep, but not venturing to breathe naturally until assured of the fact, he whispered, "Ma, ma, are you asleep ?" "Asleep! no--and never shall be, as I see.

What do you want ?" "Oh, I want to breathe," said Willie.
"Well, breathe then; who hinders you ?" was the reply; and ere the offensive sound again greeted her ear, Mrs.Hamilton was too far gone in slumber to be disturbed.
For two hours Willie lay awake, tossing from side to side, scorched with fever and longing for water to quench his burning thirst.

By this time Mrs.Hamilton was again awake; but to his earnest entreaties for water--"Just one little drop of water, ma"-- she answered: "William Hamilton, if you don't be still I'll move your crib into the room where Carrie is, and leave you there alone!" Unlike many children, Willie had no fears of the cold white figure which lay so still and motionless upon the parlor sofa.