Splice and Mainbrace, the great ship- brokers of Leadenhall Street, to whom I wrote some time since, about taking you in one of their vessels, Allan, on your expressing such a desire to go to sea." "Oh, father!" was all I could say.
"They inform me now," continued he, reading from the broker's communication, "that all the arrangements have been completed for your sailing in the Silver Queen on Saturday next, which will be to-morrow week, your premium as a first-class apprentice having been paid by my London agents, by whom also your outfit has been ordered; and your uniform, or `sea toggery' as sailors call it, will be down here next Monday or Tuesday for you to try on." "Oh, father!" I cried again, in wondering delight at his having settled everything so promptly without my knowing even that he had acceded to my wishes.

"Why, you seem to have decided the question long ago, while you were asking me only just now if I would not prefer any other profession to the sea!" "Because, my son," he replied affectionately, "I know that boys, like girls, frequently change their minds, and I was anxious that you should make no mistake in such a vital matter as that of your life's calling; for, even at the last hour, if you had told me you preferred being a clergyman or a doctor or a lawyer to going to sea, I would cheerfully have sacrificed the money I have paid to the brokers and for your outfit.

Aye, and I would willingly do it now, for your mother and I would be only too glad of your remaining with our other chicks at home." "And why won't you, Allan ?" pleaded mother, throwing her arms round me and hugging me to her convulsively.

"It is such a fearful life that of a sailor, amid all the storms and perils of the deep." "Don't press the boy," interposed father before I could answer mother, whose fond embrace and tearful face almost made me feel inclined to reconsider my decision.

"It is best for him to make a free choice, and that his heart should be in his future profession." "But, Robert--" rejoined mother, but half convinced of this truth when the fact of her boy going to be a sailor was concerned.
"My dear," said father gently, interrupting her in his quiet way and drawing her arm within his again, "remember, that God is the God of the sea as well as of the land, and will watch over our boy, our youngest, our Benjamin, there, as he has done here!" Father's voice trembled and almost broke as he said this; and it seemed to me at the moment that I was an awful brute to cause such pain to those whom I loved, and who loved me so well.
But, ere I could tell them this, father was himself again, and busy comforting mother in his cheery way.
"Now, don't fret, dear, any more," he said; "the thing is settled now.
Besides, you know, you agreed with me in the matter at Christmas-tide, when, seeing how Allan's fancy was set, I told you I thought of writing to London to get a ship for him, so that no time might be wasted when he finally made up his mind." "I know, Robert, I know," she answered, trying to control her sobs, while I, glad in the new prospect, was as dry-eyed as you please; "but it is so hard to part with him, dear." "Yes, yes, I know," said he soothingly; "I shall miss the young scaramouch, too, as well as you.