1. Such was the report the hired man brought in to Mrs. Templar one pleasant May morning, when she had been planning a ride.
  2. "I suppose it can not be helped, but I wanted her very much," she said, as she turned away.
  3. "What was it you wanted, mother?" asked Jenny Templar, a bright, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl of twelve, who had just come into the room.
  4. "Fanny," said the mother. "It is such a beautiful morning, I meant to drive down to the village, get some groceries, then call for your Aunt Ann, have a nice ride up the river road, and bring her home to dinner.
  5. "But father is away for all day, and the men have been trying nearly an hour to catch Fanny; one of the men says she can't be caught."
  6. "Maybe she can't by him," said Jenny, with a merry laugh. "But, get ready, mother; you shall go if you like. I'll catch Fanny, and harness her, too."
  7. "Why, my child, they say she jumped the ditch three or four times, and acted like a wild creature. You'll only be late at school, and tire yourself for nothing."
  8. "It won't take me long, mother. Fanny will come to me," said Jenny, cheerily. She put on her wide straw hat, and was off in a moment, down the hill, to the field where the horse was grazing.
  9. The moment Fanny heard the rustle of Jenny's dress, she pricked up her ears, snorted, and, with head erect, seemed ready to bound away again.
  1. "Fanny! O Fanny!" called Jenny, and the beautiful creature turned her head. That gentle tone she well knew, and, glad to see her friend, she carne directly to the fence, and rubbed her head on the girl's shoulder. As soon as the gate was opened, she followed Jenny to the barn.
  2. The men had treated her roughly, and she remembered it. But she knew and loved the voice that was always kind, and the hand that often fed and caressed her. She gave love for love, and willing service for kindness.

LESSON LXV.

POOR DAVY.

  1. It was recess time at the village school. The bell had rung, and the children had run out into the bright sunshine, wild with laughter and fun.
  2. All but poor Davy. He came out last and very slowly, but he did not laugh. He was in trouble, and the bright, golden sunlight did not make him glad.
  3. He walked across the yard, and sat down on a stone behind the old maple. A little bird on the highest branch sang just to make him laugh.
  4. But Davy did not notice it. He was thinking of the cruel words that had been said about his ragged clothes. The tears stole out of his eyes, and ran down his cheeks.
  1. Poor Davy had no father, and his mother had to work hard to keep him at school.
  2. That night, he went home by the path that led across the fields and through the woods. He still felt sad.
  3. Davy did not wish to trouble his mother; so he lingered a while among the trees, and at last threw himself on the green moss under them.