7. The boy who had the string ran as fast as he could go, and, as Billy had expected and intended, the kite-tail was blown around the boy who held the kite, became entangled in his legs, and broke off in the middle. The kite went up, diving about furiously in the air, and entangled itself in the trees.

8. Billy at once, when he saw that his trick had succeeded, set off to rejoin his uncle, running up the path as fast as he could go, and laughing immoderately.

9. "You managed that very ingeniously," said the captain.

"Didn't I?" said Billy.

10. "You got some good fun out of that, didn't you?" said his uncle.

"Yes," said Billy, "capital fun.”

11. "Now," said the captain, “it is my turn to have some fun. You sit down here on this flat stone, and see what I'll do."

"What is it that you 're going to do?" asked Billy. 12. "You'll see," said his uncle. "You must wait here till I come back."

13. So the captain went down the hill.

Boys," said he, as soon as he came within hearing of the boys, "don't be concerned. I'll help you clear your kite. I am an old hand at knotting and splicing, and all other kinds of rigging work.”

14. The boys looked at him with an expression of amazement on their countenances. They wondered who that man could be, that was coming to help them in so unexpected a

manner.

15. The captain took no notice of their surprise, but went directly and disentangled the boy from the remnant of the kite-tail.

16. "There," said he, laying the kite-tail smoothly upon the ground, "now let's see if we can get the kite down from the tree."

17. He walked along toward the foot of the tree, in

TWO KINDS OF FUN.

33

which the kite was lodged. The boys followed him, but were too much astonished to have anything to say.

18. Billy was equally astonished, sitting still on the rock where the captain had placed him. He had expected that the captain was going down to play the boys some other malicious trick; but instead of that he found him busily engaged in helping them recover their property and repair damages.

19. He began to wish to go down to where his uncle was, but he recollected that his uncle had directed him to remain at the stone until he returned.

20. Captain Gunnell, when he reached the foot of the tree, asked the boys if they thought they could climb it. The boys looked very seriously up into the tree, but did not answer.

21. "Well," said Captain Gunnell, "I can climb it. I am as good at climbing as I am at knotting and rigging. I began to go up to the mast head when I was but little older than you."

22. So saying he lifted up his arms and took hold of a branch just above his head, and by means of it raised himself up into a tree. He seemed to have the strength of a Hercules in his arms. He soon disentangled the kite and. brought it down to the boys.

23. While he was doing this, Billy called out, "Uncle, may I come down there?”

24. "No," replied his uncle; "you stay where you are. I am coming up very soon."

25. He then went on aiding the boys to get their kite in order, and assisted them in raising it; and when it was well in the air, he went up the path and rejoined Billy.

26. As soon as Captain Gunnell arrived at the place where he had left Billy, Billy asked him why he was not willing to let him go down and help get the kite down.

27. "Because I thought that would not be giving you any pleasure," said the captain. "That is not your kind of fun. Your kind of fun is teasing and troubling boys all

you can; mine is helping them, and giving them pleasure. I thought you would not like my kind of fun.”

28. Billy did not know what to say to this, and so he walked along a little way in silence. Pretty soon, however, the captain began to talk to him about other things, just as if nothing had happened.

JACOB ABBOTT.

I

II. THE BLUEBIRD.

1.

KNOW the song that the bluebird is singing,
Out in the apple-tree where he is swinging.
Brave little fellow! the skies may be dreary,—
Nothing cares he while his heart is so cheery.

II.

Hark! how the music leaps out from his throat!
Hark! was there ever so merry a note?

Listen a while, and you'll hear what he's saying,
Up in the apple-tree swinging and swaying.

III.

"Dear little blossoms down under the snow,
You must be weary of winter, I know;
Hark while I sing you a message of cheer!
Summer is coming! and spring-time is here!

IV.

"Little white snow-drop! I pray you arise;
Bright yellow crocus! come, open your eyes;
Sweet little violets, hid from the cold,
Put on your mantles of purple and gold;
Daffodils! daffodils! say, do you hear?—
Summer is coming! and spring-time is here!"
EMILY H. MILLER.

AUDUBON AND HIS PICTURES.

35

I

III.—AUDUBON AND HIS PICTURES.

AM going to tell you a short story about a great man. It may show how difficulties and annoyances should be met and overcome, and how much better it is to persevere and try again, than to give up and repine when a misfortune happens, or when things do not turn out as we wish.

2. Some years ago there lived in this country a great naturalist, that is, a man who studies the habits and the structure of animals and plants. His name was John J. Audubon. He had made up his mind to write a great book about the birds of America; and as he could draw and paint beautifully, he went out into the woods and shot wild birds of bright plumage, of which he made colored drawings while the bright tints on their feathers were yet fresh and gay.

3. He went on with this work for years, and at last had collected a thousand drawings. Fancy ten hundred drawings of birds, all large and beautiful, and all carefully finished. But by accident a fire broke out, and the whole collection was burned. There was a misfortune!

4. But what did Audubon do? Instead of repining, he began his work all over again. He made fresh drawings, and worked night and day until he had a thousand new ones ready. And then he produced a great book, which is considered one of the finest in the world, and which will cause his name to be always remembered.

EXERCISE.

READ THESE SENTENCES FIRST AS HERE GIVEN; THEN AGAIN, SUPPLYING WORDS OR PHRASES OF SIMILAR MEANING TO BE FOUND IN THE FOREGOING PIECE, IN PLACE OF THOSE IN ITALICS.

1. I am going to tell you a brief story about a noble man.

2. It may show how obstacles and troubles should be met.

3. It is better to keep on and make another effort.

4. He shot birds that had brilliant feathers.

5. Imagine a thousand pictures of birds.

6. Instead of complaining he commenced his labor again.

7. He prepared a book which is thought one of the best in the world.

He's raise for them a song.

URRAH for our ships! our merchant-ships!

Safely they glide o'er the foaming tide,

With timbers stout and strong.

They to and fro on the waters go,

And, borne on the rushing breeze,

Like birds they fly, 'neath every sky,
From north to southern seas!

II.

Hurrah for our ships! our stout steamships!
That float in strength and grace;

By fire and air their course they bear,
As giants in the race.