4. William lived in the country, and the house stood in the middle of the farm, a long distance from the road. The approach to it was through a wide avenue lined with beautiful hedges and rows of very large elm trees. 5. William used to go down to the road every morning, when the mail coach came along from the city, to get for his father the morning paper, which the driver of the coach brought along with him. Carlo always went with him, and sometimes carried the paper his mouth. in 6. One morning William was sick, and could not go out of doors. When Carlo heard the mail coach at a distance, he went down the avenue alone, and when the driver threw off the paper, he caught it in his mouth, and carried it to William's father. 7. Carlo was much caressed for this exploit, and so pleased was he that he went alone for the paper every morning afterwards. 8. William made a little cart, into which he harnessed Carlo, and Carlo used to draw him in it about the streets. When he was drawing the cart, he would take no notice of any other dogs that he met. 9. But one day, William had put his little brother Robert into the cart for a ride, and was just telling Carlo that he must be very careful, when a cat appeared in sight crossing the street. 10. The dog started off, as fast as he could run, after the cat; and, turning a corner, he upset the cart, and threw little Robert out on the ground. Luckily, it was where the grass was high and soft, and Robert was not much hurt. 11. Carlo returned, looking very much ashamed; but William did not whip him. He knew that dogs would chase cats whenever they saw them. He was careful, however, not to put his little brother in the cart again. 1. ONE cold day, a little boy came to a farm house, and asked a lady, who was at the door, if she would hire him to saw wood, or to do any other kind of work. 66 2. The lady said that she did not want any help. "O," said the boy, "what shall I do?" 3. "Why, what is the matter?" asked the lady. 4. "My father is blind," said the boy, "my mother is sick, and I have just left my little sister at home, crying for food. I want to work, to get something for them to eat." 5. The lady had not seen the boy before, but she was much pleased with his love to his parents and sister. So she told him to come in. 6. He was very cold, and, as he sat in a chair by the fire, she saw the tears run down his cheeks. She tried to comfort him. 7. "It is not for myself that I cry,” said he. "I do not mind a little cold; but I cry for those who are at home. We once were very happy; but a sad change has come over us." 8. "Will you not have something to eat?" said the lady. 9. "No, not yet," get some by and by. will take care of me. said the boy. "I shall If I try to do well, God I want employment." 10. "I will hire you," said the lady, "and pay you well for your labor." 11. The boy then went to the wood pile and began his work, while the lady went out to some of her friends to see what could be done for him. 12. Some help was soon obtained, and bread, and milk, and other things were sent for the poor boy's mother. But the noble little boy said that he did not wish to beg; he wanted to work, and to pay for what he had, if they would let him. 13. The lady then went to see the family, and found that every thing was true that the boy had said. She helped them at once. The father and mother wept for joy to hear such a good report of the conduct of their son, and prayed that a blessing might rest upon him. 14. It is now more than thirty years since this affair happened; and this same boy has now become one of the first men in the country. 1. I'M little Robin Redbreast, sir; My nest is in the tree; If you look up in yonder elm, And all the time we worked at it 2. The green leaves shade our lovely home From the hot, scorching sun; So many birds live in the tree, We do not want for fun. The light breeze gently rocks our nest, We're up betimes to sing our song, 3. I have a secret I would like 4. Joe Thomson robbed the nest last year, And year before, Tom Brown; |