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9. Nonsense!" said Frank; “I shall not stir yet, I promise you."

10. "Then good night to you," said Harry.

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II. Six o'clock was the time at which Harry was expected to rise; but not infrequently, since the cold weather set in, he had indulged an hour longer. When it struck six the next morning, he started up; but the air felt so frosty that he had a strong inclination to lie down again. But no," thought he; “here is a fine opportunity for self-denial;" and up he jumped without further hesitation.

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12. "Frank! Frank!" cried he to his sleeping brother, "past six o'clock, and a fine starlight morning."

13. "Let me alone," said Frank, in a cross, drowsy voice.

14. "Very well, then; a pleasant nap to you," said Harry; and down he ran as gay as a lark.

15. After studying half an hour, he had time to take a pleasant walk before breakfast; so that he came in fresh and rosy, with a good appetite, and, what was still better, in a good humor.

16. But poor Frank, who had just tumbled out of bed when the first bell rang, came down looking pale, and cross, and cold, and discontented. Harry, who, if he had no genius, had some sly drollery of his own, was just beginning to rally him on his for

lorn appearance, when he recollected his resolution. "Frank does not like to be laughed at, especially when he is cross," thought he; so he suppressed his joke: and it requires some self-denial even to suppress a joke.

17. During breakfast his father promised that, if the weather continued fine, Harry should ride out with him before dinner on the gray pony. Harry was much delighted with this proposal, and the thought of it occurred to him very often during the business of the morning.

18. The sun shone cheerily in at the parlor windows, and seemed to promise a fine day. About noon, however, it became cloudy, and Harry was somewhat startled to perceive a few large drops upon the flagstones in the yard. He nevertheless put on his greatcoat at the time appointed, and stood playing with his whip in the hall, waiting to see the horses led out.

19. His mother, now passing by, said, "My dear boy, I am afraid there can be no riding this morning; do you see that the stones are quite wet?"

20. "Dear mother," said Harry, "you surely do not imagine that I am afraid of a few drops of rain! I don't believe it rains at all now."

21.

"It seems to me to be coming up very heavy from the south," said his mother.

22. "It will be no more than a shower, at any

rate," replied Harry.

23. Just then his father came in.

Looking first at the clouds, then at Harry, he shook his head. 24. "You intend to go, father, don't you?" said Harry.

25. "I must go, I have business to do; but I believe, Harry, it will be better for you to stay at home this morning," said his father.

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26. "But, sir," said Harry, "do sible, now, that this little sprinkling of rain can do me the least harm in the world, with my greatcoat and all?"

27. "Yes, Harry," said his father, "I do think that even this sprinkling of rain may do you harm, as you have not been quite well; I think, too, it will be more than a sprinkling. But you shall decide on this occasion for yourself; I know you have some self-command. I shall only tell you that your going this morning would make mother uneasy, your mother and that we both think it improper. Now decide for yourself."

28. Harry again looked at the clouds, at the stones, at his boots, and last of all at his kind mother. "This," thought he, "is the best opportunity for self-denial that I have had to-day;" and he imdiately ran out to tell Roger that he need not saddle the gray pony.

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29. "Harry," said his little sister, after dinner, "when will you show me how to do that pretty puzzle? You said you would a long time ago.' 30. "I am busy now, child," said Harry. "Don't tease me now, there's a good girl."

31. She said no more, but looked disappointed, and still hung upon her brother's chair. Come, then," said he, suddenly recollecting his resolve; "bring me your puzzle;" and laying down his book, he very good-naturedly showed his little sister what she wished to know.

32. That night, when the two boys were going to bed, Harry said to himself, "This has been a pleasant day to me; although I have had one great disappointment in it, and have done several things against my will.” -JANE TAYLOR.

LXIV. A BALLAD OF THE WAR

1. "My arm?" I lost it at Cedar Mountain;

Ah, little one, that was a dreadful fight,
For brave blood flowed like a summer fountain,
And the cannon roared till the fall of night.
Nay, nay, your question has done no harm, dear,
Though it woke for a moment a thrill of pain,
For whenever I look at my stump of an arm here,
I seem to be living that day again.

2. A cloud of sulphurous haze hung o'er us,
As prone we lay in the trampled mire;
Shells burst above us, and right before us
A rebel battery belched forth fire.

All at once to the front our colonel galloped,
His form through the smoke looking dim and

large;

"You see that battery, boys," he shouted,

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We're ordered to take it. Ready! Charge!"

3. What a thrill I felt as the word was given!
At once to his feet each soldier leapt,
One long, wild shout went up to heaven,

Then down on the foe like the wind we swept.
Each fought that day for his country's honor;
We gained the edge of a slippery bank,
I drove from his post a rebel gunner,

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4. What need to tell of the days that followed,
Each dragging painfully, slowly by,
Till wearied out by my constant pleading,

They sent me home, as they thought, to die.
My sire was dead, and my own loved mother
Was wasting away with toil and care,

I'd a little sister and feeble brother,

And II could be but a burden there,

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