calling for his help. At last, finding he could not get on with the cow, he cried out in distress, "Come here, man, and help me, and I'll give you half of whatever I get."

4. The duke went and lent a helping hand.

"And now," said the duke as they trudged along after the cow, "how much do you think you will get for the job?"

5. "I don't know," said the boy; "but I'm sure of something, for the folks at the big house are good to everybody."

6. On coming to a lane near the house, the duke slipped away from the boy and entered by a different way. Calling a servant, he put a gold-piece into his hand, saying, "Give that to the boy who brought the cow."

7. He then returned to the end of the lane where he had parted from the boy, so as to meet him on his way back.

8. "Well, how much did you get?" asked the duke.

9. "A shilling," said the boy; "and there's half of it to you.'

10. "But surely you got more than a shilling?" said the duke.

11. "No," said the boy; "that is all I got, and I think it quite enough."

12. "I do not," said the duke.

"There must

be some mistake; and as I am acquainted with

the duke, if you return I think I'll see that get more.'

you

13. They went back. The duke rang the bell and ordered all the servants to be assembled. 14. "Now," said the duke to the boy, "point me out the person who gave you the shilling." 15. "It was that man there," said he, pointing to the butler.

16. The butler fell on his knees, confessed his fault and begged to be forgiven, but the duke indignantly ordered him to give the boy the gold-piece and quit his service immediately.

17. "You have lost," said the duke, "your money, your situation and your character by your deceitfulness. Learn for the future that honesty is the best policy."

18. The boy now found out who it was that had helped him to drive the cow; and the duke was so pleased with the manliness and honesty of the boy that he sent him to school and provided for him at his own expense.

QUESTIONS.

In what country do you think this happened? What makes you think it was that country? What did the duke buy? How was the cow sent to him? How did the boy succeed in managing the cow? Whom did he call to help him? What bargain did he make with the duke? Can you tell the rest of the story? Do you know the Golden Rule? Which of these persons obeyed the Golden Rule, and which did not?

Daffy-down-dilly

II.

Had heard under ground

The sweet rushing sound
Of the streams, as they broke
From their white winter chains;

Of the whistling spring winds
And the pattering rains.

III.

"Now, then," thought Daffy, Deep down in her heart, "It's time I should start." So she pushed her soft leaves Through the hard-frozen ground,

Quite up to the surface,

And then she looked round.

IV.

There was snow all about her;
Gray clouds overhead;

The trees all looked dead.

Then how do you think
Poor Daffy-down felt,

When the sun would not shine,
And the ice would not melt?

V.

"Cold weather!" thought Daffy, Still working away:

"The earth's hard to-day! There's but a half inch

Of my leaves to be seen,

And two-thirds of that

Is more yellow than green.

VI.

"I can't do much yet;

But I'll do what I can:

It's well I began!

For unless I can manage

To lift up my head, The people will think

That the Spring herself's dead."

VII.

So, little by little,

She brought her leaves out,

All clustered about;

And then her bright flowers

Began to unfold,

Till Daffy stood robed

In he spring green and gold.

VIII.

O Daffy-down-diliy,

So brave and so true!

I wish all were like you!

So ready for duty

In all sorts of weather,

And loyal to courage
And duty together!

XXIX. HOW GOD'S WORKS PRAISE HIM.

LE

Well, to

ET us look for some illustration of God's goodness in the world around us. begin with, look up. There is the sky. color is it? Blue. Is blue a beautiful color?

Yes; there is none more beautiful.

What

2. On a bright day, after a storm, how pleasant it is to look up to the deep, clear, beautiful blue of the sky! I have sometimes stood and gazed at it till it has made me feel so glad and happy that I have been ready to clap my hands for joy, and say, "Thank God for the beautiful blue

sky!"

3. But does the sky just happen to be blue? Does it make itself blue? No; God makes it blue on purpose, because he knows that blue is a color which it is pleasant for us to look at.