XXIII. THE MAN WITH AN AX TO GRIND. WHEN I was a little boy, I remember one cold winter's morning I was accosted by a smiling man with an ax on his shoulder. "My pretty boy," said he, "has your father a grindstone?" "Yes, sir," said I. "You are a fine little fellow," said he; "will you let me grind my ax on it?" Pleased with the compliment of "fine little fellow," "Oh yes, sir," I answered; "it is down in the shop." 2. "And will you, my man," said he, patting me on the head, "get me a little hot water?" How could I refuse? I ran, and soon brought a kettleful. "How old are you, and what's your name?" continued he, without waiting for a reply; 66 "I am sure you are one of the finest lads I have ever seen. Will you just turn a few minutes for me?" 3. Tickled with the flattery, like a little fool, I went to work, and bitterly did I rue the day. It was a new ax, and I toiled and tugged till I was almost tired to death. The school bell rung, and I could not get away; my hands were blistered, and the ax was not half ground. At length, however, it was sharpened, and the man turned to me with, "Now, you little rascal, you've played truant! scud to the school, or you 'll rue it!" 4. "Alas," thought I, "it was hard enough to turn a grindstone this cold day, but now to be called a little rascal is too much." It sank deep in my mind, and often have I thought of it since. When I see a merchant over-polite to customers, begging them to take a little brandy and throwing his goods on the counter, thinks I, that man has an ax to grind. 5. When I see a man flattering the people, making great professions of attachment to liberty, who is in private life a tyrant, methinks, Look out, good people! that fellow would set you turning grindstones. When I see a man hoisted into office by party spirit, without a single qualification to render him either respectable or useful, Alas! methinks, deluded people! you are doomed for a season to turn the grindstone for a booby. Benjamin Franklin. EXERCISES IN INFLECTION. 1. My pretty boy, has your father a grindstone? 2. How old are you, and what's your name? 3. You are one of the finest lads I have ever seen. 4. Now, you little rascal, you've played truant. 5. Look out! that fellow would set you turning grindstones. ΑΝ XXIV. THE CUNNING ARAB. N Arab, belonging to the tribe of Neggden, owned a remarkable horse, the fame of which was spread far and wide. A Bedouin of another tribe, whose name was Daher, desired very much to possess him. 2. He offered to give his camels, and, indeed, all he possessed, for him; but his owner would not part with him. Daher, however, had made up his mind that he would have the beautiful animal; so he resorted to a stratagem to obtain him. 3. He disguised himself, by staining his face with the juice of an herb and dressing himself in rags. Pretending to be a beggar, crippled and ill, he placed himself near where he knew that Nabar, the owner of the horse, must pass. 4. After a time, Nabar approached upon his beautiful steed. The pretended beggar then cried out, in a weak voice, "I am a poor stranger, and ill, and for some time have been unable to move from this spot to seek for food. Indeed, I am dying. Will you help me? Heaven will reward you." 5. Nabar kindly listened to his entreaties, and at once generously offered to take him upon his horse and carry him to a place where he could be cared for. But the cunning rogue replied, "I can not rise. My strength is gone. I must have some as sistance." 6. So Nabar dismounted, and led the horse to where the beggar lay, and with some difficulty placed him upon the animal's back. No sooner was Daher in the saddle than he seized the rein, and, forcing the horse into a gallop, he called out, "It is I-Daher. I have got your horse, at last." 7. Nabar, however, called to to something he had to say. him to stop and listen Daher, feeling quite certain that he could not be overtaken, halted, and turned to hear what Nabar would say. 8. Nabar then said: "You have succeeded at last in getting my horse. Perhaps heaven has willed. that it should be so. Take good care of him; and above all, I pray you, never tell any one how you obtained him." 9. "Why not?" asked Daher. "Because," replied the noble Arab, "some day other men may be really ill, and need the assistance for which you have asked, and those of whom they ask it may be deterred from doing a charitable act for fear of being deceived, as I have been." 10. These noble words made Daher's face burn with shame. After a moment's silence, he sprang from the horse and returned him to his owner, whom he thanked for the lesson he had taught him. 11. Nabar forgave him, and took him to his tent, where he remained a few days. Ever after they were firm friends. EXERCISES IN EMPHASIS. 1. He offered to give his camels, and, indeed, all he possessed, for him. 2. He resorted to a stratagem to obtain him. 3. I am dying. Will you help me. Heaven will reward you. 4. My strength is gone. I must have some assistance. 5. Never tell any one how you obtained him. 6. These noble words made Daher's face burn with shame. XXV.-BURIAL OF MOSES. BY Nebo's lonely mountain, On this side Jordan's wave, In a vale in the land of Moab, And no man knows that sepulcher, For the angels of God upturned the sod, 2. That was the grandest funeral Noiselessly as the daylight Comes back when the night is done, And the crimson streak on ocean's cheek 3. Noiselessly as the spring-time Her crown of verdure weaves, Or voice of them that wept, Silently down from the mountain's crown 4. Perchance the bald old eagle, Looked on the wondrous sight; Still shuns that hallowed spot; That which man knoweth not. 5. But when the warrior dieth, With arms reversed and muffled drum, They show the banners taken, They tell his battles won, And after him lead his masterless steed, While peals the minute-gun, 6. Amid the noblest of the land We lay the sage to rest, And give the bard an honored place, With costly marble dressed, |