not see him. "Oh! I forgot," said Julia. She gave her hand to her brother, and they both jumped in. Mr. Williams came nearer, but they did He knew that the pond was not deep. "If they do fall in," he thought, "I shan't have much trouble in getting them out again." The children wanted to unfasten the boat, and to sail into the middle of the pond, but they could not manage to undo the knots that held it. "As we cannot sail," said headstrong Charlie, "we'll have a see-saw." And getting astride on the stern of the boat, he began to tip it up and down. Their heads being a little giddy, the game did not go on long. They lost their balance, seized hold of each other in trying to regain it, and finally plump both went into the water. Mr. Williams sprang forward like lightning, jumped into the water, rescued the rash children, and carried them, half-dead with fright, into the house. Each was put into a warm bed. But they shivered with cold, and their heads ached violently; and the shivering was at last exchanged for fever. They sobbed and cried during the remainder of the day, and fell asleep towards evening, completely exhausted by fatigue. Early the next morning their father came to see how they were. "Not very well," they replied, in weak voices, "our heads still ache very much, and we have pain all over us. "Poor children," replied the father, "I am very sorry for you; what will you do to-day? you know no one will interfere with you; you can please yourselves." "Oh! no! no!" they both replied. 'Why not? you said the other day that it was too tiresome to have to be obedient." "We have been punished for our folly," replied Charles. "Enough to last for a long time," added Julia. Mr. Williams. You really don't want to be your own masters any more? Charlie. No, no, papa; tell us what we had better do. Julia. Yes, please, do. Mr. Williams. Think of what you are saying; for I tell you beforehand, if I am to tell you what to do, my first command will be an unpleasant one. Charles. Never mind, papa. We will do what ever you tell us. Mr. Williams. Well, I have got some very useful and very nasty physic here, will you drink it immediately? Charlie. Yes, yes, papa. Julia. Yes, if it is as bitter as aloes. Mr. Williams fetched it. Both children swallowed it without making any faces, and in a few hours both were pretty well again. Whenever either were naughty, no threat was so alarming as that of becoming again their own masters. The children were as frightened as if they had been told that they should be sent to prison. From "THE CHILDREN'S FRIEND." WHO STOLE THE BIRD'S NEST? To-WHIT, to-whit, to-whee! Who stole four eggs I laid And the nice nest I made? Bob-o-link! bob-o-link! Coo-coo! coo-coo! coo-coo! Caw caw, said the Crow! Chuck, chuck, said the Hen! Why, I haven't a chick Would do such a trick; On her and her brood. Don't ask me again. Chirr-a-chirr! chirr-a-chirr ! "I would not rob a bird!" How sad the bird would feel." A little boy hung down his head From "HYMNS AND RHYMES." |