fought all night only to be eaten in the morning, she said to herself that 't was better, perhaps, to be eaten at once; but then, thinking otherwise, she put herself 180 on guard, head low, horns forward, like the brave little goat that she was. Not that she had any hope of killing the wolf,-goats can't kill wolves, but only to see if she, too, could hold out as long as old Renaude. Then the monster advanced, and the pretty little 185 horns began to dance.

Ah! the brave goatling! with what heart she went at it! More than ten times - I'm not exaggerating, Gringoire-more than ten times she forced the wolf back to get breath. During each of these 190 momentary truces the dainty little thing nibbled one more blade of her dearly loved grass; then, with her mouth full, she returned to the combat. It lasted all through the night. From time to time M. Seguin's goat looked up at the stars as they danced on the 195 cloudless sky and said to herself:

Blanchette

"Oh! if I can only hold out till dawn!" One after another the stars went out. redoubled the blows of her horns, and the wolf the snap of his teeth. A pale gleam showed on the horizon. 200 The hoarse crowing of a cock rose from a barnyard.

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"At last!" said the poor little goat, who had only awaited the dawn to die; and she stretched herself out on the ground in her pretty white fur all spotted with gore.

Then the wolf fell upon her and ate her up.
From "Letters from My Mill."

GLOSSARY. M. Seguin; Gringoire; Esmeralda; insipid; ennui; tether; patois; mon Dieu; stupefied; Blanchette; Renaude; gorse; campanulas; chamois; wily; truces.

STUDY. This story is addressed by the teller to a friend, a poet, who is in hard luck and has just been offered a position as reporter on a newspaper. The poet proposes to refuse the offer on the ground that he wants to live free. "Well, then!" says the story-teller, "listen to the history of M. Seguin's goat. You will see what is gained by wishing to live at liberty."

Why did M. Seguin decide he would have no more goats? On what ground did he change his mind? Would you say that the goat was of too romantic a disposition in being discontented with the prosaic pasture? Does it seem at all strange that the goat could not see that it was best for her not to have her own way? Tell of Blanchette's day on the mountains. What evidences do you find of overwrought pride? Why did the goat not return? Detail the encounter with the wolf. What is the moral as applied to the goat? What is the lesson as applied to the poet mentioned above? Can you take the lesson home to yourself?

THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again

WILLIAM COWPER

John Gilpin was a citizen

Of credit and renown,

A train-band captain eke was he,
Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
"Though wedded we have been

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These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen.

"To-morrow is our wedding day,
And we will then repair

Unto the Bell at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair.

"My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself, and children three,

Will fill the chaise; so you must ride
On horseback after we."

He soon replied, "I do admire
Of womankind but one,

And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.

"I am a linen draper bold,
As all the world doth know,
And my good friend the calender
Will lend his horse to go."

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That 's well said;
And for that wine is dear,

We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear."

John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;
O'erjoyed was he to find,

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40

45

50

That though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allowed

To drive up to the door, lest all

Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in;

Six precious souls, and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,
Were never folk so glad,

The stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapside were mad.

John Gilpin at his horse's side
Seized fast the flowing mane,
And up he got, in haste to ride,
But soon came down again;

For saddletree scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,

When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.

So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it grieved him sore,