LESSON XLV. THE REWARD OF DISOBEDIENCE. 1. ELIZA came running one day to her mother, And said, "Pray, Mamma, come and speak to my brother; He's naughty, and will not do what I desire, But stands at the fender, at play with the fire." 2. She spoke just in time, for the moment they came, They found master Robert envelop'd in flame ; And taking the carpet, they rolled him up tight, Which kept out the air, and extinguished the light. 3. The poor little fellow was terribly burnt, But from his misfortune a lesson he learnt; For, had he remember'd his mother's desire, Who told him he never must meddle with fire, 4. He would not so long have had cause to complain, That his hands and his face were still smarting with pain: Thus punishment constantly follows on crime, Though not always like his at the moment of time. LESSON XLVI. THE LITTLE PHILOSOPHER. MR. L. was one morning riding by himself, when, dismounting to gather a plant in the hedge, his horse got loose and galloped away before him. He followed, calling the horse by his name, which stopt, but on his approach set off again. At length a little boy in a neighbouring field, seeing the affair, ran across where the road made a turn, and getting before the horse, took him by the bridle, and held him till his owner came up. Mr. L. looked at the boy, and admired his ruddy, cheerful countenance. Thank you, my good lad! (said he) you have caught my horse very cleverly. What shall I give you for your trouble? (putting his hand into his pocket.) I want nothing, Sir, said the boy. Mr. L. Don't you? so much the better for you. Few men can say as much. what were you doing in the field? But, pray, B. I was pulling up weeds, and tending the sheep that are feeding on the turnips. Mr. L. And do you like this employment? B. This is not hard work; it is almost as good as play. Mr. L. Who set you to work? B. My father, Sir. Mr. L. Where does he live? B. Just by, among the trees there. Mr. L. How old are you? B. I shall be eight at Michaelmas. Mr. L. How long have you been out in this field? B. Ever since six in the morning. . Mr. L. And are you not hungry? B. Yes I shall go to my dinner soon. Mr. L. If you had sixpence now, what would you do with it? B. I don't know. I never had so much in my life. Mr. L. Have you no playthings? B. Playthings! what are they? Mr. L. Such as balls, tops, wooden horses and kites. B. No, Sir; but our Thomas makes footballs to kick in the cold weather, and we set traps for birds; and then I have a jumping pole, and a pair of stilts to walk through the dirt with, and I had a hoop, but it is broke. Mr. L. And do you want nothing else? B. No; I have hardly time for those; for I always ride the horses to the field, and bring up the cows, and run to the town of errands, and that is as good as play, you know. Mr. L. Well, but you could buy apples or gingerbread, at the town, I suppose, if you had money? B. O—I can get apples at home; and as for gingerbread, I don't mind it much, for my mother gives me a pie now and then, and that is as good. Mr. L. Would not you like a knife to cut sticks? B. I have one-here it is-brother Thomas gave it to me. Mr. L. Your shoes are full of holes-don't you want a better pair? B. I have a better pair for Sundays. Mr. L. But these let in water. B. O, I don't care for that. Mr. L. Your hat is all torn, too. B. I have a better one at home, but I had as lief have none at all, for it hurts my head. Mr. L. What do you do when it rains? B. If it rains very hard, I get under the hedge till it is over. Mr. L. What do you do when you are hungry before it is time to go home? B. I sometimes eat a raw turnip. can; I work on, Mr. L. Are you not dry sometimes this hot weather? B. Yes, Sir, but there is water enough. Mr. L. Why, my little fellow, you are quite a philosopher! B. Sir! Mr. L. I say, you are a philosopher, but I am sure you do not know what that means. B. No, Sir-no harm, I hope. Mr. L. No, no! Well, my boy, you seem to want nothing at all, so I shall not give you money to make you want any thing. But were you ever at school? B. No, Sir, but my father says I shall ter harvest. Mr. L. You will want books then. go af B. Yes, the boys have all a spelling-book and a testament. Mr. L. Well, then I will give you them-tell your father so, and that it is because I thought you a very good, contented little boy. So now go to your sheep again. B. I will, Sir. Thank you. |