"And so you have run all this way to tell me of it, have you, my good boy?" "Yes, sir." 4. Mr. Bradley jumped out of the chaise, and saw that his trunk, which was strapped underneath his carriage, was unfastened at one end, so that a sudden jolt might have loosened it altogether, and he would have lost it without knowing how it had gone. "You are very kind, my little lad," said the gentleman, “to take all this trouble; you have saved me from losing my trunk, and I feel much obliged to you." "You are welcome," answered the boy. "And now, are you tall enough to hold my horse while I fasten the trunk as it should be?" said Mr. Bradley. "Oh yes, sir," said the boy, stepping up and taking hold of the bridle. He held the horse till Mr. Bradley was ready to start, and then said, “Good night, sir," and was stepping away. 5. "Stop a moment," said Mr. Bradley, taking a half-crown from his pocket; "here is some money to pay you for your trouble, and I feel very grateful to you besides." "No, sir," said the boy, drawing himself up erect, and casting his eye full in Mr. Bradley's face; "do you think I would take money for such a thing as that?" 6. "Ah!" said Mr. Bradley, as he related the story to me, "I saw by his noble look, that he had run from half to three-quarters of a mile for the sake of doing a kindness to a stranger, and not for the hope of pay; and I could not find it in my heart to urge him to take money, for I knew that the thought of having done good was a greater reward to him than money could have been. So I bade him good-night, and he ran toward home, while I rode briskly on; but I often think of that journey of mine through Hampshire, and the noble-hearted boy who lived among its hills." What part of the day did this incident occur? Where was the little village situated? What was the name of the gentleman who passed through it? How old was the little boy who ran after him? How much money did the gentleman offer to the boy? Why did he take all this trouble? 1. "I wish I were a little bird, And sail along the golden clouds, 2. "I'd be the first to see the sun 3. "Above the hills I'd watch him still, And sing to him my evening song, 4. And many a land I then should see, As hill and plain I cross'd; Nor fear through all the pathless sky 5. "I'd fly where round the olive bough And shelter from the moonbeams seek 6. "Now, if I climb our highest hill, Oh, had I but a pair of wings, REPLY. 7. "Wings cannot soar above the sky, 8. 'Not to the sun dost thou chant forth Thy simple evening hymn; Thou praisest Him before whose smile 9. "But thou may'st learn to trace the sun Around the earth and sky, And see him rising, setting, still, 10. "To other lands the bird may guide Ere yet he rest his wings, thou art 11. "Though strong and free, his wings may droop, Or bands restrain its flight; Thought none may stay-more fleet its course 12. A lovelier clime than birds can find While summers go and come, glit-ter-ing moon-beams noon-day love-li-er So you 1. Ha ha! sparkling little sunbeam! have come in to light up my home. Well, the clouds have kept you away long enough, to be sure! I almost imagined myself deserted by you entirely. For three long days I've been watching that huge gray cloud, behind which you have been playing "bo-peep," hoping to see you coming; but never would you peep long enough to let me have a full glimpse of you. |