I have observed their influence in the course of ten years' experience with boys; and when I see one who has named his sled "Blackbeard," "Black Cruiser," "Red Rover," or any such names, I am sure he has been reading about the pirates, and has got a taste for their wild and daring exploits--for their deeds of blood and rapine.

One of the truant officers of Boston, whose duty it is to hunt up runaway boys, related to me a remarkable instance of the influence of improper books.

A few years ago, two truant boys were missed by their parents.

They did not return to their homes at night, and it was discovered that one of them had stolen a large sum of money from his father.

A careful search was instituted, and the young reprobates were traced to a town about ten miles from the city, where they were found encamped in the woods.