A New Companion [Illustration] During this summer, I made the acquaintance at school of a boy called Peter Mason.

Peter was a clever boy, from whose merry eye a sparkle was always ready to break.

He seldom knew his lesson well, but, when _kept in_ for not knowing it, had always learned it before any of the rest had got more than half through.

Amongst those of his own standing he was the acknowledged leader in the playground, and was besides often invited to take a share in the amusements of the older boys, by whom he was petted because of his cleverness and obliging disposition.

Beyond school hours, he spent his time in all manner of pranks.