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BUILDING OF A HOUSE.

(Concluded).

Harry was some weeks before he again went to the house, owing to his having sprained his ankle; but as soon, however, as he was able to get out he hastened there. In some of the rooms he now found the glaziers cutting glass with a diamond into squares of the required sizes, and fixing them into the window frames with putty. In those rooms where this had already been done, the painter had commenced giving the woodwork its first coat of paint. Harry was informed that this is not at all a healthy trade, and that few of those engaged in it live to be very old. He learnt also that three coats of paint had to be laid on before the painter's work is done, but that each coat is not put on till the previous one is dry.

When Harry paid his next visit, he saw the bell-hanger putting up the bells, and fastening them to wires by means of which they could be made to ring. He then passed into one room where the paper-hangers were busy putting paper on the walls.

Here Harry stayed a little while and watched how they cut the paper into proper lengths, which they laid on a table, and put paste all over the plain side with a brush. Each length was handed to a man on a ladder, whose business was to spread it smoothly and evenly on the wall. In another room which Harry entered he found the

ironmonger and locksmith with their grates, locks, bolts, and bars. He also saw some of the chimney pieces fitted into their places, and at his last visit he watched the carpenters fix shelves and cupboards into the various recesses.

And now Harry had seen a house commenced and finished; he had enjoyed the time spent in so useful a manner most thoroughly; and one fine day, on passing the newly built house, he was very pleased to see a van load of furniture being unpacked and carried in. He knew at once the house was let, and that somebody would soon be living there.

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 its name: it stopped, 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 it by the bridle, and held it till the 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

6

I give you for your trouble?'

'I want nothing, sir, thank you,' said the boy. Mr. L. Don't you? So much the better for you.

Few men can say as much. But what were you doing in the field?

Boy. I was rooting up weeds, and tending the sheep that are feeding on turnips.

Mr. L. And do you like this employment?
Boy. Yes, very well, this fine weather.

Mr. L. But would you not rather play?

Boy. This is not hard work; it is almost as

good as play.

Mr. L. Who set you to work?

Boy. My father, sir.

Mr. L. Where does he live?

Boy. Just by, among the trees there.

Mr. L. What is his name?

Boy. Thomas Hurdle.

Mr. L. And what is yours?

Boy. Peter, sir.

Mr. L. How old are you?

Boy. I shall be ten at Michaelmas.

Mr. L. How long have you been out in this field?

Boy. Ever since six in the morning.

Mr. L. And are you not hungry?

Boy. Yes, sir; but I shall go to my dinner soon. Mr. L. If you had sixpence now, what would you do with it?

Boy. I don't know, sir; I never had so much to spend in my life.

Mr. L. Have you no playthings?

Boy. Playthings, sir? what are those?

Mr. L. Such as balls, ninepins, marbles, tops, and wooden horses.

Boy. No, sir, but our Tom makes footballs to kick in the cold weather, 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 broken. Mr. L. And do you want nothing else?

Boy. No, sir; 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 on errands; and that's 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?

Boy. Oh, I can get apples at home; and as for gingerbread, I don't care for it much, for my mother gives me a pie now and then, and that's as good.

Mr. L. Would you not like a knife to cut sticks with ?

Boy. I have one-here it is-brother Tom gave

it me.

Mr. L. Your shoes are full of holes; don't you want a better pair?

Boy. I have a better pair for Sundays.

Mr. L. But these let in water.

Boy. Oh, I don't care for that.

Mr. L. Your hat is all torn, too.

Boy. I have a better one at home, but I had as soon have none at all, for it hurts my head.

Mr. L. What do you do when it rains?

Boy. 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 ?

Boy. I sometimes eat a raw turnip.

Mr. L. But if there are none?

Boy. Then I do as well as I can; I work on and never think of it.

Mr. L. Are you not thirsty sometimes, this hot weather?

Boy. Yes, but there is water enough.

Mr. L. Why, my little fellow, you are quite a philosopher.

Boy. Sir?

Mr. L. I say you are a philosopher; but I am sure you don't know what that means.

Boy. No, sir.-No harm, I hope.

Mr. L. No, no! (laughing.) Well, my boy, you seem to want nothing at all, so I shall not give you money to make you want anything. But were you ever at school?

Boy. No, sir; but father says I shall go after harvest.

Mr. L. You will want books then.

Boy. Yes, sir; each of the boys has a spellingbook, a slate, 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.

Boy. I will, sir. Thank you.

Mr. L. Good-bye, Peter.

Boy. Good-bye, sir.