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I could not make throughout the whole bear

nation

A most peculiar and profound sensation.

5. Suppose I fold my fore

paws on my breast,
And, rising with all elegance I can
Upon my hind paws, do my level best

To walk as walks that most conceited man.
I think, upon my word, the plan would do,
And bears allow I know a thing or two."

6. Just then the mother bear came growling in: "What! idling yet? Be off! 'tis for your good;

If

you want food, you've got it now to win." "Good mother, I was thinking of the wood." Well, go at once, not merely think and talk— Put off your thinking and begin to walk."

- LILLIE E. BARR.

LV. THE STONE IN THE ROAD

1. There once lived a prince who cared much for the proper training of his people in habits of thrift and order.

2. He caused at one time a stone to be so set in the middle of the highroad as to be seriously in the way of traffic. The place for the stone had previ

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ously been prepared, as will appear at the end of the story.

3. Early the next morning, a farmer, driving along the road, noticed the stone.

"Well, well," he

said, "I never saw such neglect. The idea of leaving a great stone in such a place!

It's a

wonder some one has not broken his neck over it," and whipping up his horses, he drove on, without touching the stone.

4.

Next came a soldier who had just received his pay. As he looked up to the blue sky over his head, he jingled the money in his pocket, and gayly hummed a song, but did not perceive the stone, until he pitched headlong over it. As he arose, his song changed to a growl at "the boors and blockheads who left that stone for decent folks to trip over." But he did not remove it.

5. The soldier was followed by a party of villagers on their way to a neighboring fair. The road was so blocked up by the stone, that, in order to pass, they had to file off on either side. "To think of that stone lying there, while hundreds pass by, and not one man to lift it!" said Robert. "It's a great shame!" added Charles, his companion, "but it only shows what lazy folks there are in the world." Yet neither stirred to lift the stone aside.

6. And so it went on, day after day, until a week

rolled by. Many passed that way, but, while all saw the stone and made some remark about it, not one stopped to remove it.

7. At the end of that time, the prince called the people together, and, when they were assembled, led them to the spot where the stone lay. "My friends," he began, “you know I like to teach you a lesson, now and then, in an odd way, and for such a lesson I have called you together to-day. A week ago I placed this stone here, and since then no one has troubled himself to move it, but contented himself with blaming his neighbor for not taking it out of the way."

8. When he had thus spoken he stooped down, raised the stone, and disclosed a round hollow lined with white pebbles, and in it a small leathern bag. This he held aloft, that all the people might see what was written upon it: "For him who lifts the stone!"

9. He untied it, turned it upside down, and out upon the stone fell, with a musical ring, a number of bright gold coins.

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