THE COURAGEOUS BOY. In England, one day, a farmer at work in his fields saw a party of huntsmen riding over his farm He had a field in which the wheat was just coming up, and he was anxious that the gentlemen should not go into that, as the trampling of the horses and dogs would spoil the crop. He sent one of his farm hands, a bright young boy, to shut the gate of that field and to keep guard over it. He told him that he must on no account permit the gate to be opened. Scarcely had the boy reached the field and closed the gate when the huntsmen came galloping up and ordered him to open it. This the boy declined to do. "Master," said he, “has ordered me to permit no one to pass through this gate, and I can neither open it myself nor allow any one else to do so." First one gentleman threatened to whip him if he did not open it; then another offered him a sovereign; but all to no effect. The brave boy was neither to be frightened nor bribed. Then a grand and stately gentleman came forward and said: "My boy, do you not know me? I am the Duke of Wellington, one not accustomed to be disobeyed; and I command you to open that gate that I and my friends may pass. The boy took off his hat to the great man whom all England delighted to honor, and answered: "I am sure the Duke of Wellington would not wish me to disobey orders. I must keep this gate shut, nor permit any one to pass without my master's express permission." The brave old warrior was greatly pleased at the boy's answer, and, lift ng his own hat, said: "I honor the man or the boy who can neither be bribed nor frightened into doing wrong. With an army of such soldiers I could conquer, not only the French, but the whole world." As the party galloped away, the boy ran off to his work, shouting at the top of his voice, "Hurrah! hurrah for the Duke of Wellington!" Courageous (kŭr a'jus): bold, daring, not afraid. Per mit' to consent to, to allow to be done. SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP! Sleep, baby, sleep! Thy father watches his sheep; Thy mother is shaking the dreamland tree, And down comes a little dream on thee. Sleep, baby, sleep! Sleep, baby, sleep! The large stars are the sheep; The little stars are the lambs, I guess; And the gentle moon is the shepherdess. "Lullaby" from the German. A BOY'S SONG. JAMES HOGG. JAMES HOGG (1772-1835) was born in Selkirkshire, Scotland, and died at Altrive. He was known as the "Ettrick Shepherd Poet," as he lived in the district known as the forest of Ettrick, and his first occupation was that of shepherd. Next to Burns, Hogg is considered the greatest peasant-poet of Scotland. Where the pools are bright and deep, Where the blackbird sings the latest, Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest, Where the mowers mow the cleanest, Where the nazel bank is steepest, Why the boys should drive away Or love to banter and fight so well; But this I know; I love to play, A KIND WORD. HENRY COYLE (1870– HENRY COYLE. ), an American writer of prose and poetry and editor. This elevating and beautiful poem is from one of his books, called "The Promise of Morning." A block of marble, white and bare, A sculptor came of genius grand, A strip of canvas, black and gray, An artist came with brush and paint, And pictured there a pious saint. Down in a cavern, deep and dark, A weary heart was in despair, Within the stone, an angel lay, And these the world would never know But for the sculptor's cunning skill, Ah! greater far than sculptor's art, Is one kind word it is divine. Canvas (kǎn'vas): a strong cloth, linen or cotton. Märt a market. Sculptor (skulp'ter): one who carves statues and other works of art. Aim at the highest. - Milton. |