3

4. Soon I dreamed that the little brook murmured these words: "O, when shall I leave this dark and dismal shade? I am weary of this melancholy place; I am tired of these same old trees that I have seen ever since I was born.

5. "When shall I escape from this narrow pathway between these chilly, gray stones? I never see the sun; I can only catch, here and there, a little speck of the clear, blue sky. It is but now and then that I get a glimpse of a star, and my solitary waves dance with delight at the presence of a single moonbeam.

6. "No one visits me but those who are as dull as I am myself; and they come alone, and talk in mourn. ful tones, and sing sad songs.

7. "The merry squirrel never stays a moment by my side; but, as soon as he has satisfied his thirst, away he scampers to the light again.

8. "The bobolink' never visits my gloomy borders, either to drink or to sing his gladsome, heart-cheering song, that I can hear only afar off.

9. "But the mournful thrush comes and sings here at sunset, and his voice is just in tune with mine. I grow sadder and sadder every day.

10. “These pebbles fret me, too; I cannot get along as fast as I wish to, because of them. O, if I were only flowing through green meadows, with the clear, blue sky smiling in my face, and nothing to interrupt me in my course!"

11. Just then, methought a tall fern, that was bow ing its head gracefully over the little brook, turned into a beautiful, green fairy; and, in sweet tones that sounded like another smaller brook speaking, she said, "If, complaining brook, you wish to leave this cool,

green shade, the fragrant flowers that fringe your banks, and your old friends and protectors, these beautiful trees, you may do so.

12. "If your murmuring waves are willing to leave these mossy stones and polished pebbles, with whom they have held sweet converse from their earliest days, speak, thoughtless stream, and your wish shall be accomplished; and henceforth your course shall be through the open fields, and by the sunny wayside."

13. "Quickly," said the impatient brook, "quickly, kind fairy, let me go into the joy and light of the world! I am dying of melancholy in these shades."

14. In a moment, the course of the pretty brook was changed. There were no longer tall trees hanging over it. There were no dark alders, no fragrant birches, no sweetbriers and wild roses upon its banks. The small, music-making pebbles were all gone. In broad sunshine, through open, green fields, and by the high-road, the little stream hurried on, reflecting only the bright, blue sky and the dazzling, white clouds.

15. It sparkled awhile with light and gladness. Presently it grew narrower and narrower, the heat seemed to consume it, and it disappeared.*

16. Then I thought I saw again the place where the little rivulet used to run along so beautifully. The flowers were drooping over its empty channel; the very stones looked sad, and mourned in silence, and the tall fern bowed sorrowfully.

17. "Alas! alas!" said I, "the sweet stream is gone, is lost forever."

18. In a moment, the tall fern was a fairy again. "Gone only for a time, not lost forever," she said, in a silvery tone. "It will return wiser for its sufferings.

19. "Look at yonder little, white cloud, and you will see what has become of the complaining brook. Before long, it will descend in a gentle shower upcn its own sweet, flowery home, and return to its mossy fountain, a humble penitent"; and never again leave the shelter of these rocks and trees, but flow on, henceforward rejoicing" in its own sweet music.

20. "It has wasted its pure waters sadly, but it has learned to value its blessings, and to be contented with the place and the work assigned it by Him who rules all things well, for the simple and the obedient.10">

9

21. As the sweet voice of the fairy died away, she seemed again only a tall, graceful fern, waving her head as the soft wind passed over her. Then I heard a gentle pattering upon the leaves, and felt drops of rain in my face. I awoke.

22. When I was at home again, I wrote down my dream; for I thought the fate of the little brook might teach a lesson of contentment."

1 GURGLING. Flowing with noise, as
water from a bottle.

2 LULLING. Putting to rest.
8 MELANCHOLY. Gloomy, sad.

6 DISAPPEARED. Was lost to view.

7 PENITENT. One sorrowful for sin. 8 REJOICING. Feeling joy.

9 ASSIGNED. Appointed, allotted.

BOBOLINK. A beautiful singing bird 10 OBEDIENT. That obeys.

of America.

{ ACCOMPLISHED. Brought to pass.

11 CONTENTMENT. Quietness and sat isfaction of mind.

1. Thomas. WHAT's your hurry, Frank? Stop a minute.

2. Frank. I can't stay! Father sent me with this letter to the railroad depot.

3. Th. Well, the depot won't run away.

4. Fr. But the cars will; there's a gentleman going to New York, who promised to carry this letter, and there's money in it for my brother.

5. Th. But don't you see it's but ten minutes past three? and the cars don't start till four, and you have time enough for what I want of you.

6. Fr. Well, what do you want?

7. Th. Just step in here to see the wild beasts with me. You have never been — have you?

8. Fr. No: I'll go when I come back from my errand.

9. Th. No, you can't; for then it will be time to go to the writing-master.

10. Fr. Then I'll go with you to-morrow.

11. Th. No, you can't; for this is the last day of "the exhibition.

12. Fr. Is it? That's too bad! I did not know there were any beasts in town till to-day. How many are there?

13. Th. Ever so many; there's a polar bear, and an elephant, and a most beautiful rhinoceros1

14. Fr. I have seen a rhinoceros, and he is the ugliest creature that ever was; his skin sits as loosely upon him as a sailor's trousers.

15. Th. Well, there's a royal tiger

16. Fr. Is there? I never saw a royal tiger.

17. Th. O, he's a beauty!-all yellow, and covered with black stripes. Then there are little leopards,* playing just like kittens; and There! there! do you hear that? That's the lion roaring!

18. Fr. What a loud noise he makes! How long Iwill it take to see them all?

19. Th. O, not half an hour; and it won't take you five minutes to go down to the depot afterwards, if you run as fast as you can.

20. Fr. Are there any monkeys?

21. Th. Plenty of them! the funniest monkeys you ever saw; they make all sorts of faces

22. Fr. Well, I don't know, what if I should be too late for the cars?

23. Th. No danger of that, I tell you; the town clock up there is too fast; it's all out of order; and, besides, you might see half the beasts while you are standing here thinking about it,-looking up the street and down the street.

24. Fr. Well, come along, then. money?

Where's your

25. Th. O, I don't pay! I got acquainted with the door-keeper after I had been in twice, and now he lets me in for nothing every time I bring a fellow that does pay.

26. Fr. O, ho! Well, I suppose it's a quarter of a