during a short visit at home, and he met a man whom he half recollected, and who half recollected him. "Is this Henry?" "Is this Robert?" And very glad they were to see each other.

And how goes the world with you?" asked Robert.

"Miserably enough," replied Henry, sadly. am a pauper!"

12. Robert was shocked, and hardly knew what to say, but Henry went on frankly: "You had nothing but your energies to rely on. You went abroad, and have made yourself a name and a fortune. I had plenty of money. My friends were unwilling to have me leave them. I had no genius to impel me from within, and no necessity to force me from without. I led an aimless, useless life. I fell into extravagance from sheer listlessness. I was too lazy to rush into anything. I had barely sense enough left to see that my property was disappearing while there was yet a pittance remaining. Then I turned upon my steps, took care of the rest, and am now subsisting upon it, with no hope in this life and but little interest in the next."

13. And yet, dear children, this boy gave apparently as fair promise as the other. And now I give you the second reason why you should not be overmuch troubled if you are poor: That poverty seems

to be favorable to the best mental and moral train

ing of a vast majority of persons. Remember that this is not universally true. Many who are the sons and daughters of rich men are eminently fit for you to follow, by the grace of their manners, the wisdom of their minds, and the goodness of their hearts. The beauty of their daily life cannot be surpassed. But I think you will find that a large majority of those who are eminent for their talents, their virtues, and their usefulness, were not born in costly houses, did not wear rich clothes in their childhood, and were not provided with numerous servants, elegant carriages, and expensive toys.

14. Let me tell you also another thing. Your standing in the world is not going to be affected by these things. You will be appreciated when you are grown up according to what you are, and not according to what you have. Does your schoolmate slight you now because you dress plainly and have little money to spend? He is a silly child for doing it, and you are a silly child for minding it, though we do not blame either of you a great deal, because we do not expect children to be very wise. But when you shall be grown up, the time for such things will have gone by. No gentleman or lady will slight you for not possessing those things which are not essential to a gentleman or lady, and it is

impossible to be slighted by any one else. When you are grown up, we expect you to know this, and you could find a little comfort in it now I should be very glad.

if

15. Above all things, my little friends, do not be envious. Be as willing to see good traits in your rich companions as in your poor ones. Because your schoolmate comes with a new dress every week, do not try to make out that she is proud. Because a boy has a pony, do not insist that he tells lies. Be just and generous towards rich and poor. Think the best you can of every one, make the most of everything you do possess, enjoy the pretty things which your friends have, even though you cannot get them yourself, and you will be as happy and contented as if you owned all the silkworms and ponies in the world.

- GAIL HAMILTON.

LXVI. CONCORD

1. By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood,

And fired the shot heard round the world.

2. The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;

And Time the ruined bridge has swept

Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

3. On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone,

That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

4. Spirit, that made those heroes dare

To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON.

LXVII. THE PERSEVERING ANT

1. Timur, the warlike emir of Turkestan, was once hiding from his enemies in a ruined building.

2. Thinking of the evil chances of war and the dangers that surrounded him, he fell to watching an ant at its work.

3. The brave little insect was trying to carry a grain of wheat up the wall to some hiding place above, where its tribe had made their home.

4. It became very interesting to watch the ant at this heavy task, for the grain of wheat was larger than the ant's body.

5. Again and again the burden fell from its

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood,

And fired the shot heard round the world."