1. A boy was once sent from home to take a basket of things to his grandmother.
  2. The basket was so full that it was very heavy. So his little brother went with him, to help carry the load.
  3. They put a pole under the handle of the basket, and each then took hold of an end of the pole. In this way they could carry the basket very nicely.
  4. Now the older boy thought, "My brother Tom does not know about this pole.
  5. "If I slip the basket near him, his side will be heavy, and mine light; but if the basket is in the middle of the pole, it will be as heavy for me as it is for him.
  6. "Tom does not know this as I do. But I will not do it. It would be wrong, and I will not do what is wrong."
  7. Then he slipped the basket quite near his own end of the pole. His load was now heavier than that of his little brother.
  8. Yet he was happy; for he felt that he had done right. Had he deceived his brother, he would not have felt at all happy.

LESSON XVII.

MY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING.

  1. "What are you good for, my brave little man?
    Answer that question for me, if you can,—
    You, with your fingers as white as a nun,—
    You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun.
    All the day long, with your busy contriving,
    Into all mischief and fun you are driving;
    See if your wise little noddle can tell
    What you are good for. Now ponder it well."
  2. Over the carpet the dear little feet
    Came with a patter to climb on my seat;
    Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee,
    Under their lashes looked up unto me;
    Two little hands pressing soft on my face,
    Drew me down close in a loving embrace;
    Two rosy lips gave the answer so true,
    "Good to love you, mamma, good to love you."

Emily Huntington Miller.

LESSON XVIII.