strangers were quite anxious to see. Joseph, the oldest and most
forward, began to be on quite intimate terms with Oscar and Alfred. He
threw off every restraint, and laughed and talked with them just as if
they were old acquaintances. One thing very noticeable about him, was
his profanity. Neither Alfred nor Oscar, I am sorry to say, was
entirely free from this wicked and disgusting habit; but they had made
so little advance in this vice, compared with their new friend, that
even they were slightly shocked by the frequent and often startling
oaths of Joseph.

The younger lad, whose name was Stephen, appeared to be quite unlike
his brother. Though sociable, he was less gay and more reserved than
Joseph, but he seemed to be much interested in the novel sights that
met his eye at every step.

On their way, the boys came to a cellar which was occupied by a dealer
in fruits and other refreshments. Around the entrance were arranged
numerous boxes of oranges, apples, nuts, candy, and similar articles,
to tempt the passer-by to stop and purchase. The owner was not in
sight, and Joseph, as he passed along, boldly helped himself from one
of the boxes, taking a good hand-full of walnuts. On looking around, a
moment after, he saw a man running up the cellar steps, and concluded
that he, too, had better quicken his pace. He accordingly started on a
brisk run, the other boys joining in his flight. The man, who happened
to witness the theft from the back part of the cellar, soon saw that
pursuit would be useless, and contented himself with shaking his fist,
and uttering some anathemas which were inaudible to those for whom they
were intended.

"That was a pretty narrow escape, was n't it?" said Joseph, after they