6. What we ought to do this minute, "Put it off" says By-and-By. 7. Those who heed the treacherous wooing,d 8. We shall reach what we endeavor, ELF-IN, a fairy; an imaginary wander- b THWART'-ING, opposing; frustrating. C UN-DER-TAK'-ING, any kind of business, [LESSON LXXXV. This is a lesson upon the danger of Procrastination —of putting off, till to-morrow, what should be done to-day. It is a fitting sequel to LESSONS XX., XXI., XXXI., XXXII., and LXXIV.] LESSON LXXXVI. THE CROWS AND THE WIND-MILL.-A Fable. 1. It seems there was once a wind-mill-history does not tell us exactly where, and I suppose it is not much matter where it was-which went round and round, day after day. It did no harm to any body. It never knocked any body down, unless he got under it, within reach of its great arms. What if it did use the air! It did not hurt the air any, for the air was just as good for breathing after it had turned the mill, as it was before. 2. But there was a flock of crows in the neighborhood, that took quite a dislike to the innocent mill. They said there must be some mischief about it. They did not at all like its actions. The swing. ing of those long arms, for a whole day at a time, really looked suspicious. And, besides that, it was rumored, in the crow-village, that a goodnatured crow once went to look at the wind-mill, and that the great thing hit him a knock with one of its arms, and killed him on the spot. 3. Some half a dozen of the flock of crows that felt so much alarmed were talking together, at one time, when the conversation turned, as was generally the case, upon the giant mill. After talking a while, it was thought best to call a council of all the crows in the country, to see if some means could not be hit upon, by which the dangerous thing could be got rid of. 4. The meeting was called, and the council met in a corn-field. Such a cawing and chattering was never before heard in that neighborhood. They appointed a chairman-perhaps we ought to say a chair-crow-and other officers, and proceeded to business. 5. As is usual in public meetings of this nature, there were many different opinions as to the question, "What is best to be done with the windmill?" Most of the crows thought the wind-mill a dangerous thing-a very dangerous thing indeed: but then, as to the best mode of getting rid of it, that was not so easy a matter to decide. 6. There were some crows at the meeting who were for going, at once, right over to the wind-mill -all the crows in a body-and destroying the thing on the spot. In justice to the crow family in general, however, it ought to be stated that those who talked about this warlike measure were rather young. Their feathers were not yet quite fully grown, and they had not seen so much of the world as their fathers had. 7. After there had been much loud talking, all over and around the great elm-tree where the council was held, one old crow said he had a few questions to ask. He had a plan to recommend, too— perhaps and perhaps not. It would depend upon the answers to his questions, whether he gave any advice or not. 8. He would beg leave to inquire, he said, through the chairman, if the wind-mill had ever been known to go away from the place where it was then standing, and to chase crows around the fields, for the purpose of killing them. 9. It was decided that such conduct on the part of the giant had never been heard of. Even the oldest inhabitant, who had heard, from his grandfather, the story about the unhappy fate of the crow that perished by a blow from the giant's arms, did not remember to have heard that the wind-mill had ever made such warlike visits. 10. "How then," the speaker wished to know, "was that crow killed in old times'?" The answer was, "By venturing too near the mill." 11. "And is that the only way that any of us are likely to get killed by the wind-mill?" "Yes," the scare-crow said, "that is the way, I believe." And the crows generally nodded their heads, as much as to say, “Certainly, of course." 12. "Well, then," said the old crow who asked the questions, "let us keep away from the mill. That is all I have to say." At this the whole council set up a noisy laugh of approbation. The meeting broke up. The general opinion was, that the advice of the last speaker was, on the whole, the safest and best that could be given. 13. There are some things, very harmless in themselves, and very useful too in their proper places, that will be very apt to injure us if we go too near them. In such cases, remember the advice of the wise crow, and keep away from the mill. a SUS-PI'-CIOUs, denoting something wrong. b RU'-MORED, reported; talked of. COUN'-CIL, an assembly for deliberation. d VENT'-UR-ING, daring to go. [LESSON LXXXVI. The fable of the crows and the wind-mill is designed to illustrate the folly of those who are continually going out of their way, and thereby getting into difficulty, and then finding fault with what does not concern them, and in which they have no interest.] LESSON LXXXVII. BETTER THAN PEARLS, GOLD, AND DIAMONDS. 1. Would it not please you, children, to pick up strings of pearls, drops of gold, diamonds, and precious stones, as you pass along the street'? Would it make you feel happy for a month to come'? 2. Such happiness you can often give to others. Do you ask how'? By dropping" sweet words'; by making kind remarks'; and by having a pleasant smile for all. 3. These are true pearls and precious stones, which can never be lost';-of which none can deIf you give them away', they will re prive' you. 4. Speak kindly to that orphan child'. Do you not see the diamonds drop from her cheeks'? Take the hand of that friendless boy'. Do you not see the bright pearls flash in his eyes'? Smile on the sad and dejected. Does not your kindness flush" the cheek with a joy more brilliant than the most precious stones'? 5. Wherever you meet the poor, and the sorrowing, give them words of kindness, and pleasant smiles, to cheer and to bless. You will feel happier, when resting upon your pillow, at the close of the day, than if you had found a casket of jewels. The latter fade and crumble in time': the former grow brighter with age, and will shine as stars in the firmament of heaven. a DROP-PING, uttering; speaking. d FLUSH, cause the blood to rush suddenly to the face. e CASK'-ET, a small box, or chest. [sky. f FIRM'-A-MENT, the region of the air; the [LESSON LXXXVII. is a farther illustration of the principle embraced in LESSON LXXVIII. Pleasant smiles, and words and acts of kindness, are often worth more, to the poor and the sorrowing, than pearls, gold, and diamonds. And, what is more, all of us have the former to bestow.] LESSON LXXXVIII. WORDS AND ACTS OF KINDNESS. 1. Little WORDS of kindness, How they cheer the heart'! What a world of gladness |