10. They struggled half an hour longer under the tumbler, and when I looked again the black soldier had severed the heads of his foes from their bodies, and the still living heads were hanging on either side of him like ghastly trophies at his saddle-bow, still apparently as firmly fastened as ever; and he was endeavoring with feeble struggles-being without feelers, and with only the remnant of a leg, and I do not know how many other wounds-to divest himself of them; which at length, after half an hour more, he accomplished.

11. I raised the glass, and he went off over the window-sill in that crippled state. Whether he finally survived that combat, and spent the remainder of his days in some hotel for invalids, I do not know; but I thought that his industry would not be worth much thereafter. I never learned which party was victorious, nor the cause of the war; but I felt for the rest of that day as if I had had my feelings excited and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle before my door.

H. D. Thoreau.

XXIX. PRINCIPLE PUT TO THE TEST.

YOUNGSTER at school, more sedate than the rest,
Had once his integrity put to the test:

His comrades had plotted an orchard to rob,
And asked him to go and assist in the job.

2. He was very much shocked, and answered, “Oh no!
What, rob our poor neighbor? I pray you, don't go:
Besides, the man's poor, and his orchard's his bread;
Then think of his children, for they must be fed."

3. "You speak very fine, and you look very grave;
But apples we want, and apples we'll have;
If you will go with us, we'll give you a share,
If not, you shall have neither apple nor pear."

4. They spoke, and Tom pondered: "I see they will go;
Poor man! what a pity to injure him so!

Poor man! I would save his nice fruit if I could,
But my staying behind will do him no good.

5. "If this matter depended alone upon me,

His apples might hang till they dropped from the tree;
But since they will take them, I think I'll go, too-
He will lose none by me, though I do get a few."

6. His scruples thus silenced, Tom felt more at ease,
And went with his comrades the apples to seize.
He blamed and protested, but joined in the plan;
He shared in the plunder, but pitied the man.

7. Conscience slumbered awhile, but soon woke in his breast, And in language severe the delinquent addressed: "With such empty and selfish pretenses away!

By your actions you're judged, be your speech what it may."

XXX.-GEN. SCOTT AND THE INDIANS.

WHILE a prisoner in an inn at Niagara, Scott

was told that some one wished to see the "tall American." He immediately passed through into the entry, when to his astonishment he saw standing before him two savage Indian chiefs, the same who would have killed him when he surrendered himself a prisoner of war, but for the interposition of a British officer.

In

2. They had come to look on the man at whom they had so often fired with a deliberate aim. broken English, and by gestures, they inquired where he was hit; for it was impossible that out of fifteen or twenty shots not one had taken effect. The elder chief-a tall, powerful savage-grew furious at Scott's asserting that not a ball had touched him, and seizing his shoulders rudely, turned him round to examine his back.

3. The young and fiery colonel did not like to have such freedom taken with his person by a savage, and hurling him fiercely aside, exclaimed, "Off, villain, you fired like a squaw." "We kill you now," was the quick and startling reply, as knives and tomahawks gleamed in their hands.

4. Scott was not a man to beg or run, though either would have been preferable to taking his chances against these armed savages. Luckily for him, the swords of the American officers who had been taken prisoners, were stacked under the staircase beside which he was standing. Quick as thought he snatched up the largest, a long saber, and the next moment it glittered unsheathed above his head.

5. One leap backward to get scope for play, and he stood towering even above the gigantic chieftain, who glared in savage hate upon him. The Indians were in the wider part of the hall, between the foot of the stairs and the door, while Scott stood farther in where it was narrower. The former, therefore, could not get in the rear, and were compelled to face their enemy.

6. They maneuvered to close, but at every turn that saber flashed in their eyes. The moment they

came to blows, one, they knew, was sure to die; and although it was equally certain that Scott would fall under the knife of the survivor before he could regain his position, yet neither Indian seemed anxious to be the sacrifice.

7. While they thus stood watching each other, a British officer chanced to enter, and on beholding the terrific tableau, cried out at the top of his voice, "The guard," and at the same instant seized the tallest chief by the arm and presented a cocked pistol to his head. The next moment the blade of Scott quivered over the head of the other savage, to protect his deliverer. In a few seconds the guards entered with leveled bayonets, and the two chieftains were secured. J. T. Headley.

EXERCISES IN EMPHASIS.

1. He immediately passed through into the entry.
2. The elder chief—a tall, powerful savage-grew furious.
3. "Off, villain, you fired like a squaw.”

4. Scott was not a man to beg or run.

5. The Indians were in the wider part of the hall.

6. Scott stood farther in, where it was narrower.

7. Neither Indian seemed anxious to be the sacrifice.

XXXI.-LABOR.

AUSE not to dream of the future before us;

PAU

the wild cares that come o'er us;

Pause not to weep
Hark, how creation's deep, musical chorus,
Unintermitting, goes up into heaven!

Never the ocean wave falters in flowing;
Never the little seed stops in its growing;

More and more richly the rose-heart keeps glowing,
Till from its nourishing stem it is riven.

2. "Labor is worship!" the robin is singing;
"Labor is worship!" the wild bee is ringing;
Listen! that eloquent whisper, upspringing,

Speaks to thy soul from out nature's great heart.
From the dark cloud flows the life-giving shower;
From the rough sod comes the soft-breathing flower;
From the small insect the rich coral bower;

Only man, in the plan, ever shrinks from his part.

3. "Labor is life!"-'Tis the still water faileth;
Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth;

Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth!
Flowers droop and die in the stillness of noon.
Labor is glory!—the flying cloud lightens;
Only the waving wing changes and brightens;
Idle hearts only the dark future frightens;

Play the sweet keys, would'st thou keep them in tune.

4. Labor is rest, from the sorrows that greet us;
Rest from the petty vexations that meet us;
Rest from sin-promptings that ever entreat us;
Rest from world-sirens that lure us to ill.
Work-and pure slumbers shall wait on thy pillow;
Work-thou shalt ride over Care's coming billow;
Lie not down wearied 'neath Woe's weeping willow:
Work with stout heart and resolute will.

5. Droop not, though shame, sin, and anguish are round thee;* Bravely fling off the cold chain that has bound thee; Look to yon pure heaven smiling beyond thee;

Rest not content in thy darkness-a clod: Work-for some good, be it ever so slowly; Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly; Labor!-all labor is noble and holy;

Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy God.

Mrs. F. S. Osgood.

EXERCISES IN INFLECTION.

1. "Labor is worship!" the robin is singing.

2. Listen! that eloquent whisper, upspringing, speaks to thy soul from out nature's great heart.