because his rich brother tells him they are in league with the Evil One. 6. The twin brothers are adopted by the hunter. 8. They procure the animals as companions. 10. The younger brother learns that the king's daughter is to be devoured by a dragon. 11. He slays the dragon. 12. He is killed by the king's marshal, who carries off the princess. 13. He is brought to life by the hare. 14. He returns to the king's country after a year and finds that the princess is to marry the marshal. 15. He sends his animals to the palace, where they are recognized by the princess. 16. The king sends for him. 17. He proves that he killed the dragon, and is married to the princess. 18. He meets a witch while he is hunting, and is turned to stone. 19. The older brother learns of his brother's fate. 20. He meets the witch and forces her to restore his brother to life. 21. The brothers return together to the palace, where the younger is recognized by the princess, his wife. Now, as you read that list, you will see that many, many things which the story tells us have been omitted; but you will also see that not one of the things set down in the outline could be left out. Suppose, for example, we left out number eleven or number thirteen-we could not understand what follows. Of course, we cannot say that the facts omitted from the list are unnecessary; they make the story more interesting, or they make it more beautiful, or they make it seem more real. A INDUSTRY AND SLOTH LAZY young man, being asked why he lay in bed so long, jocosely answered: "Every morning of my life I am hearing cases in court. Two fine damsels, named Industry and Sloth, are at my bedside, as soon as ever I awake, presenting their different cases. One entreats me to get up, the other persuades me to lie still; and then they alternately give me various reasons why I should rise and why I should not. As it is the duty of an impartial judge to hear all that can be said on both sides, I am detained so long that before the pleadings are over it is time to go to dinner." Many men waste the prime of their days in trying to determine what they ought to do, and end them without coming to any decision. WHOLE DUTY OF CHILDREN A By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON And behave mannerly at table; At least as far as he is able. THE TREE By BJÖRNSTJERNE BJÖRNSON HE Tree's early leaf-buds were bursting their brown: THE "Shall I take them away?" said the Frost, sweeping down. "No, leave them alone Till the blossoms have grown," Prayed the Tree, while he trembled from rootlet to crown. The Tree bore his blossoms, and all the birds sung: "Shall I take them away?" said the Wind, as he swung. "No, leave them alone Till the berries have grown," Said the Tree, while his leaflets all quivering hung. The Tree bore his fruit in the midsummer glow: Said the girl, "May I gather thy berries now?" "Yes, all thou canst see: Take them: all are for thee," Said the Tree, while he bent down his laden boughs low. YOUNG NIGHT THOUGHT By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON LL night long and every night, ALL When my mamma puts out the light, I see the people marching by, As plain as day, before my eye. Armies and emperors and kings, So fine a show was never seen At first they move a little slow, Whenever Auntie moves around, -Stevenson. THE DRUMMER By WILHELM AND JAKOB GRIMM YOUNG drummer was one evening walking across the fields, and as he came to a lake he saw lying on the shore three pieces of white linen. "What fine linen!" he said; and taking up one piece he put it in his pocket. He went home, thought no more of what he had found, and went to bed. Just as he was going to sleep he thought he heard some one call out his name, and heard distinctly a gentle voice say, "Drummer, drummer, wake up!" At first in the dark he could distinguish nothing, but presently he saw hovering over his bed a light form. "What is it?" he asked. "Give me back my dress," answered the voice, "which you took away from the lake to-night." "You shall have it," said the drummer, "if you will tell me who you are." "Ah," cried the voice, "I am the daughter of a mighty king, but I have fallen into the power of a witch, and am confined to a glass mountain. Each day I am obliged to bathe in the lake with my two sisters; but without my dress I cannot fly back to the iceberg, and my sisters have already gone away and left me alone. I pray you, therefore, to give me back my dress.' "Be at peace, poor child," said the drummer: |