2. By patient labor and unceasing care, He earned, and so enjoyed, his daily bread Contented always with his frugal fare, ; Ambition to be rich ne'er vexed his head; 3. The gentle partner of his humble lot, The joy and jewel of his wedded life, 4. Grown old, at last, the farmer called his son, The youngest, (and the favorite I suppose,) And said, "I long have thought, my darling John, "Tis time to bring my labors to a close; So now to toil I mean to bid adieu, And deed, my son, the homestead-farm to you." 5. The boy embraced the boon with vast delight, 6. The farmer said," Well, let us now proceed, Come,-where's my staff?-we'll soon be on the way." But John replied, with tender, filial care, "You're old and weak-I'll catch the Dapple Mare. 7. The mare was saddled, and the old man got on, Beguiled the weary way with talk and song. With many a "foresaid," "therefore," and "the same," 9. Their business done, they left the lawyer's door, 10. Alás for truth!-alas for filial duty!— Alas that Satan in the shape of pride, (His most bewitching form save that of beauty,) Whispered the lad-"My boy, you ought to ride!" "Get off!" exclaimed the younker-" 't is n't fair That you should always ride the Dapple Mare!" 11. The son was lusty, and the sire was old, And so, with many an oath and many a frown, The man got off the steed, the boy got on, And rode away as fast as she could trot, And left his sire to trudge it home on foot! cal * And so forth. 12. That night, while seated round the kitchen fire Or aught to make him sad had e'er occurred,- 13. "I'm very sure, my son, it wouldn't hurt it," "To take the deed, my lad, and just insert it;" "Who now, my son, shall ride the Dapple Mare?" QUESTIONS.-1. What proposition did the father make to his son? 2 x What did the son promise to do? 3. How did the son treat his father after he got the deed? 4. What did the old gentleman do? LESSON LXXX. PAL' LID, pale. HARD' I HOOD, bravery. MAIN'-TRUCK, small cap at the top LU' RID, dismal; gloomy. 1 MA HŌN', (Ma hone,) a sea-port town on the island of Minorca, in the Mediterranean Sea. A LEAP FOR LIFE. 1. OLD Ironsides at anchor lay, (sl.) In the harbor of Mahon1; GEORGE P. MORRIS A dead calm rested on the bay,- When little Jack,* the captain's son, With gallant hardihood, Climbed shroud and spar,-and then upon 2. A shudder ran through every vein,- Alone he stood in air! At that far hight none dared to go,— 3. We gazed, but not a man could speak; With horror all aghast, In groups, with pallid brow and cheek, As, riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew. 4. The father came on deck. He gasped, "O God, Thy will be done!" Then suddenly a rifle grasped, "That only chance your life can save! (") Jump! jump, boy!" He obeyed. * A name commonly applied to a young sailor. 5. He sank,—he rose, he lived,—he moved,— He for the ship struck out! On board we hailed the lad beloved With many a manly shout. Those wet arms round his neck, QUESTIONS.-1. What did the captain's son do, on board the Ironsides? 2. Describe his situation. 3. What is said of the officers and crew? 4. What did the father say and do? 5. What did the boy.do? 1. IN the State of New York, where the dark, foaming waters of the Black River, after roaring and surging through many pleasant fields, beautiful groves, and dense woodlands, commingle with the clear, cold waters of Lake Ontario, the wandering pedestrian or the lone fisherman may see, resting upon a gravelly flat, the remains of an old Indian canoe, |