The her poor baby-larks were motherless. gentleman, who saw what happened, felt sorry for the helpless family, and what to do with them was the next question. 66 2. He thought of a robin's nest built on a tree near his door, and so he said to himself, Perhaps Robin will adopt them." Watching his chance when the robins were away, he took out their eggs, and put the little larks in their stead. 3. Mrs. Robin soon came home, and was just about to hop in, when lo! what caught her eye but three little baby-birds! She spread her wings, and looked very much astonished indeed. 4. She looked at them, first with one eye, and then with the other, cocking her small head to the right, and to the left, as if to be sure there was no mistake. 5. Then she flew away as fast as she could, and presently came back with Mr. Robin; and Mr. Robin was as much surprised as his mate was. They chirped and chattered together a long time over this strange state of things, and then both suddenly darted off. 6. "Oh," thought the gentleman, who was on the watch, "they mean to leave the poor orphans to their fate!" But just as he was coming to this sad conclusion, back they came with worms in their bills. "No, no!" said the gentleman, "I wronged the good robins." 7. The little strangers were kindly fed; the robins adopted them, and brought them up as tenderly as if they were their own; and I feel sure the young larks were as grateful and good as young larks could be. TWO MARKET BOYS. 1. Two lads came at an early hour to a country market-town, and spreading out their little stands, they sat down to wait for customers. One sold melons and other fruits, the other dealt in oysters and fish. 2. The market hours passed along, and each little dealer saw with pleasure his stores steadily decreasing, while the money was filling his pockets. 3. The last melon lay on Harry's stand. A gentleman came by, and placing his hand upon it, he said, "What a fine large melon! I think I must buy it. What do you ask for it, my boy?" 4. "The melon is the last I have, sir; and though it looks very fair, there is an unsound spot on the other side," said the boy, turning it over. 5. "So there is," said the man; "I think I will not take it. But," he added, looking into the boy's face, "is it very business-like to point out the defects of your fruits to customers ?" 6. "It is better than being dishonest, sir," said the boy, modestly. 7. "You are right, my boy. Always remember to speak the truth, and you will find favor with God and man. You have nothing else I wish for this morning, but I shall not forget your little stand in future. 8. "Are those oysters fresh?" he continued, turning to Ben Wilson's stand. 9. "Yes, sir; fresh this morning," was the reply; and a purchase being made, the gentleman went his way. 10. "Harry, what a fool you were to show the gentleman that spot in the melon! Now you can take it home for your pains, or throw it away. 11. "How much wiser is he about those oysters? I sold them at the same price I did the fresh ones. He would never have looked at the melon until he had gone away." 12. "Ben, I would not tell a lie, or act one either, for twice what I have earned this morning. Besides, I shall be better off in the end, for I have gained a customer, and you have lost one." 13. And so it proved; for the next day the gentleman bought quite a supply of fruit from Harry, but never spent another penny at the stand of Ben. Thus the season passed. 14. The gentleman, finding he could always get a good article of Harry, always bought of him, and sometimes talked a few minutes with him about his future hopes and prospects. 15. To become a tradesman was his great ambition; and when the winter came on, the gentleman, wanting a trusty boy for his shop, decided on giving the place to Harry. 16. Steadily and surely he advanced in the confidence of his employer, until he became at length an honored partner in the firm. BY MRS. HAMLIN, OF CONSTANTINOPLE. 1. "O! I am so happy!" the little girl said, As she sprang like a lark from the low trundle-bed; ""Tis morning, bright morning! Good morning, papa! O give me one kiss for good morning, mamma! |