share it with his playmates, but devour it in private, even refusing to impart any of it to his best friend. Consequently, none of his playmates would ever give him a part of what they had, and seemed always desirous of shunning his company. 7. It one day happened, that a little boy observed him with an apple in his hand, and gave him, by surprise, a knock on the elbow, which made him let the apple fall. However, he picked it up hastily, and in order to revenge himself on the boy, set off to catch him; but in running, he fell into a hog-pond, and had like to have been suffocated in the filth. 8. He exerted all his power to get out, but to no effect. He endeavoured also, but without succeeding, to prevail on his playmates to take hold on his hand and help him out. Instead of assisting him, they laughed at his distress, and joyfully danced about the pond. 9. They told him to ask the assistance of those, to whom he had ever done the least kindness but among all his playmates, there was not one whose help he could demand on that score. At last, one of the boys who took pity on him, came forward, and gave him his hand, when he safely got out. 10. Samuel shook off the mud as well as he could, and then to show his gratitude to the little boy who had assisted him, he bit off about a quarter of the apple, which had caused this disaster, which he had never let go of, and desired him to accept of it. 11. But the boy disgusted with so pitiful a and gift, took the morsel and flung it in his face; this served as a signal for all the boys to hoot at him. Thus they pursued Samuel quite home, hooting at him all the he went. way 12. This was the first time he had ever been hooted at, and as he did not want for feeling, it threw him into the depth of thought. He kept out of his father's presence, and sought to be alone, for several days. 13. During this time, he reasoned with himself on the cause that could produce such treatment from his play-fellows. "For what reason, (said he to himself,) could my little neighbour, who kindly lent me his hand to get out of the pond, throw the apple in my face, and set all the boys to hooting me? Why has he so many good friends, while I have not a single one? 14. On comparing the good boy's behaviour with his own, he soon discovered the reason. To become sensible of our errors is half the work of reformation. He recollected, that he had observed his friend to be always ready to help every one: that whenever he had any fruit, confectionary, or the like, he seemed to feel more pleasure in sharing it with his companions, than in eating it himself; and had no kind of amusement, in which he did not wish every one to bear a part. 15. On this short review of circumstances, he plainly perceived wherein lay the difference between himself and this little good boy. He at last resolved to imitate him: and the next day, filling his pockets with fruit, he ran up to every boy he met, and gave him a part of it; but he could not, on a sudden, wholly give up self, but must have a little in his pocket to eat at home in private. 16. But though it was evident, that he had not yet completely conquered his avarice, yet he was not a little pleased with the advances he had made, since his companions were now, on their part, more generous to him. 17. They also showed themselves much more satisfied with his company, and admitted him a partner, in all their little pastimes. They divided with him whatever they happened to have, and he always went home pleased and satisfied. 18. Soon after, he made a still greater progress in conquering his selfish disposition; for he pulled out of his pocket every thing which he had, and divided it into as many shares as there were mouths to eat it, reserving only an equal part for himself. 9. Indeed, it was the general opinion of the boys, that his own share was the least. And by pursuing this conduct, he soon acquired a generous habit, and became liberal to those who had nothing to give in return. 20. He consequently acquired the love and esteem of his companions, who no sooner saw him than they ran to meet him, with joyful countenances, and made his pleasure their own. Thus instead of being miserable and wretched through avarice, he became very happy in the practice of generosity. 21. His father was exceedingly pleased with this change, and tenderly embraced him, promising to refuse him nothing in future, which might add to his pleasure and delight. Samuel hereby learned the value of a generous and benevolent disposition; and when he grew up, he became a very respectable and useful man, and was honoured and beloved by all his acquaint ance THE SNOW. 1. After many deceitful promises of its return, spring at length arrived. A gentle breeze warmed the air. The snow was seen to melt, the fields to resume their verdure, and the flowers to bud forth. The singing of birds was heard on every side. 2. Little Louisa had heard the first songs of the black-bird and the linnet, and had gathered some of the earliest violets. But the weather changed once more. There arose suddenly a violent north wind, that whistled through the groves, and covered the fields with snow. 3. Little Louisa went to bed that night shivering with cold, and blessed God for having given her so comfortable a shelter from the inclemency of the air. Ah! what a sight! when she arose the next morning. Every thing was perfectly white. There had fallen during the night, so great a quantity of snow, that it was knee deep in the roads. 4. This made Louisa very dull. The little birds appeared still more so. The ground being every where covered to a great depth, they D were not able to find the least grain or worm to appease their hunger. 5. All the feathered inhabitants of the groves took refuge in the towns and villages, to seek relief from man. Numerous flights of sparrows, linnets, chaffinches, and larks, alighted in the streets and court-yards of houses, and scratched with their claws and bills, in every heap of rubbish, to find, if possible, some nourishment. 6. There came near fifty of these guests into the yard of the house where Louisa lived. She saw them, and returned quite afflicted into her father's chamber. 7. What is the matter, my dear? said he Ah! Papa, answered she, there they are, all in the yard. The poor little birds that sung so sweetly only two days ago. They seem to be almost frozen and starved, and to ask for something to eat. 8. Will you give them a little corn? With the greatest pleasure, said the father. The barn was on the other side of the way. Thither she ran to get a few handfuls of corn and hemp seed, and came immediately back to scatter it in the yard. 9. The little birds approached, fluttering about her, in great numbers, and picking up every grain. Louisa amused herself in looking at them, and was quite delighted with the sight. She went to ask her papa and mamma to come and view them also, and to partake of her satisfaction. 10. But these handfuls of grain were soon picked up. The birds then flew up to the top |