Suppose you're dressed for walking, And the rain comes pouring down, Will it clear off any sooner

Because you scold and frown?
And wouldn't it be nicer

For you to smile than pout,
And so make sunshine in the house
When there is none without?

Suppose your task, my little man,
Is very hard to get,

Will it make it any easier
For you to sit and fret?
And wouldn't it be wiser
Than waiting like a dunce
To go to work in earnest

And learn the thing at once?

Suppose that some boys have a horse,
And some a coach and pair,
Will it tire you less while walking
"It isn't fair"?

To say,

And wouldn't it be nobler

To keep your temper sweet, And in your heart be thankful

You can walk upon your feet?

Suppose the world doesn't please you,
Nor the way some people do,
Do you think the whole creation
Will be altered just for you?
And isn't it, my boy or girl,
The wisest, bravest plan,
Whatever comes or doesn't come,
To do the best you can?

ǎni mals shoulder terri er mischief clump

más těr

quarrel

he'rōes

XXVII.-RALPH'S PETS.

Ralph Jones was a bright boy.

fond of birds and small animals.

He was

He had

a cat and a dog. These he trained to obey him. They became great pets.

He called the dog Fido, and the cat Floss. Floss was a large snow-white cat. Ralph taught her to jump through his arms, to cry for milk, and to climb up and sit upon his shoulder.

He would say to her, "Floss, come, jump through my arms and you shall have some sweet milk." When Floss did so, Ralph always gave her the milk. Floss learned to

trust and to obey Ralph, because he was kind to her.

Fido was a little black terrier. He was full of mischief. He would take Ralph's cap in his mouth and run away as fast as his legs could carry him. Ralph would call, "Fido,

Fido, bring back my cap." Then Fido would drop the cap, give a loud bark, and run back and leap up at Ralph's side.

One day Ralph missed his ball. He could not find it. He searched every room in the house. Fido ran after him and seemed to know what his master wanted to find. At last Fido gave a bark, as much as to say, "I can tell you where your ball is. ball is. Why don't you ask me?" Then Fido ran out into the yard.

Ralph looked out and saw Fido take the ball from a clump of grass under a tree.

Fido

had hid it there, and made his master hunt for it. It was fun for Fido, and Ralph did not scold. He was too fond of his dog to do that.

Fido and Floss became warm friends. Once they had a little quarrel over their food. But Floss curved her back and showed her claws when Fido snapped at her. Then Fido knew it was time to make peace with Floss. He did not want a sharp claw to scratch his

nose.

Fido learned to climb a ladder and to walk

on two legs. He liked to play soldier; so did Floss. Ralph would beat his drum, and Floss and Fido would stand up and march like the bravest heroes..

One day as these two friends were sleeping on a rug, a bold little mouse pushed its nose through a crack in the wall and crept slyly into the room.

The mouse was hungry. It was looking for some cheese. The mouse thought it was safe, because the cat and dog were sound asleep. But Floss was dreaming of milk, and Fido could smell a mouse even in his sleep.

Floss opened her eyes and leaped for the mouse. Fido at the same time sprang for it. Floss and Fido ran together and rolled over on the floor. Before they knew what had happened the little mouse was safe and snug in his home.

Fido looked at Floss; Floss looked at Fido. Who was to blame?

The little mouse sat in a dark hole and said, "I am so glad both wanted me at the same time. That saved my life."