man's eyes, and were fast running down his sun-burnt cheeks : every feeling of a father's heart was stirred within him; he saw the future greatness of his son before his eyes; he felt that God had blessed him in his children, beyond the lot of most men. 14. His pity and sympathy were awakened by the eloquent words of compassion, and the strong appeal for mercy; and, forgetting the judge in the man and father, he sprang from his chair, (while Daniel was in the midst of his argument, without thinking he had already won his case,) and, turning to his older son, dashing the tears from his eyes, exclaimed, 'Ezekiel, Ezekiel, you let that woodchuck go!” 66 QUESTIONS.-1. What did Ezekiel propose to do with the woodchuck after he was caught? 2. What argument did he offer for so doing? 3. What did Daniel wish to do with him? 4. What argument did he offer? 5. What was their father's decision? LESSON XV. SOLVE, explain; work out. IN' DO LENT, idle; lazy. DINT, force; means. CON' SCIOUS, self-perceived; felt. DO IT YOURSELF. 1. Do not ask the teacher or some classmate to solve that hard problem. DO IT YOURSELF. You might as well let him eat your dinner as "do your sums" for you. It is in studying as in eating; he who does it, gets the benefit, and not he who sees it done. In almost any school, the teacher learns more than the best scholars, simply because he is compelled to solve all the difficult problems, and answer all the questions of the indolent pupils. 2. Do not ask your teacher to parse that difficult word, or assist you in the performance of any of your studies. DO IT YOURSELF. Never mind, though they do look dark. Do not ask even a hint from any one. TRY AGAIN. Every trial increases your ability, and you will finally succeed by dint of the very wisdom and strength gained in the effort, even though, at first, the problem was beyond your skill It is the study, and not the answer, that really rewards your labor. 3. Look at that boy, who has just succeeded after six hours of hard study. How his large eye is lit up with a proud joy, as he marches to his class! He treads like a conqueror ! And well he may. Last night his lamp burned, and this morning he waked at dawn. Once or twice he nearly gave it up. He had tried his last thought; but a new thought strikes him, and he ponders the last process. He tries once more, and succeeds; and now mark the air of conscious strength with which he pronounces his demonstration. 4. His poor, weak schoolmate, who gave up that same problem, after his first trial, now looks up to him with something of a wonder, as a superior being. And he is his superior. That problem lies there, a great gulf between those boys who stood side by side yesterday. 5. The boy who did it for himself, has taken a stride. upward, and what is better still, has gained strength to take other and better ones. The boy who waited to see others do it, has lost both strength and courage, and is already looking for some good excuse to give up school and study forever. 6. DO IT YOURSELF. Remember the counsel given to the artist, who lay reclining upon his couch, and wondering what the fates would work out for him. Directing his attention to a block of unhewn marble, with a chisel lying by its side, the sculptor in the vision is represented as thus addressing him: "Sir, "There's the marble, there's the chisel, Thou alone must shape thy future, Heaven send thee strength and skill!" QUESTIONS.-1. Who is benefited in studying? 2. What really rewards the labor of study? 3. What is said of the boy who succeeded after six hours of hard study? 4. What, of the boy who gave up, after the first trial? 5. What counsel was given to the artist who wondered what the fates would work out for him? How are the words to be read, which are printed in Italics and in capitals? See page 22, Note III. LESSON XVI. SLACK' EN, relax; lessen. OUT STRIP' PED, outrun; excelled. VIC TO RY, conquest; triumph. UT'TER MÖST very best. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. 1. Life is a race, where some succeed, 'Tis luck, at times, at others, speed, But, if you chance to fall behind, Just keep this wholesome truth in mind: 2. If you can keep ahead, 'tis well; 'Tis better late than never! 3. Ne'er labor for an idle boast But, while you strive your uttermost, And hold your purpose ever; 4. Choose well the path in which you run,- Then, though the last, when once 'tis won, Then never fret, if left behind, Nor slacken your endeavor; " Tis better late than never! 5. Yet, would you cure this sad defect, Begin, at once, and now correct This day resolve,—this very hour, Nor e'en a moment wait; Go, make this better maxim yours,— 'Tis better never late! QUESTIONS.-1. To what is life compared, first verse? 2. What advice is given you chance to fall behind? 3. How ought you to treat your competitors? 4. What is a very common failing? 5. How may it be cor rected? 6. What the use of the apostrophe in the word repining's, fifth verse? WHY wouldst thou leave me, O gentle child? Where many an image of marble gleams, BOY. Oh, green is the turf where my brothers play, |