But the dream has a moral. How many of our best deeds are spoiled by having the cream taken off? The most princely gift, if given with an unloving heart, is to the giver at least nothing but skimmed milk. And the same is true of all good deeds done only from a desire to obtain the praise of men. The lady who loads the little beggar at the door with the richest dainties of her table, but gives no loving smile or friendly word, gives after all, but skimmed milk to the hungry child. Love is the golden cream of all good deeds, and without it they are at best only skimmed milk. Blessed are they who from great gain Who gives one coin with pitying heart! The Christian at Work. DICTATION. Cellar, seller; bowl, boll; off, of; heart, hart; praise, prays; done, dun. NE'ER droop your head upon your hand, And wail the bitter times; The self-same bell that tolls a knell What use to stand by Fortune's hill, To overcome impediments That rudely stop your way, Prate not about new-fangled plans; Mine's best, if you'll observe it: I say, Success is any man's, If he will but-DESERVE IT. "New-fangled plans," new plans, which are not expected to be good or successful. DICTATION. Time, thyme; wail, wale; bell, belle; knell, Nell; rough, ruff; rude, rood; new, knew. A GENTLEMAN living at a short distance from Boston, United States, engaged a servant to work upon his farm, and found his services very satisfactory in all respects except that, when he came into the house, and into his master's room, he always kept his hat on. In America the people desire to be considered all equal; and even servants refuse to give any tokens of respect to their masters for fear of degrading themselves. This betokens great ignorance; for nothing renders social intercourse more pleasing than by rich and poor being always civil and respectful to one another. "John," said the gentleman one day to his servant, "you always keep your hat on when you come into the house." Well, sir, haven't I a right to?" answered John. AMERICAN MANNERS. "Yes, I suppose you have." 19 "Well, if I have a right to, why shouldn't I?" This was a poser from one man to another, in a country where all have equal rights. So, after thinking a moment, he said, "But, John, what'll you take-how much more wages will you ask— to take off your hat whenever you come into the house, or into my room?" "Well, that will require some time to consider, I guess." Take time to consider it, then, and tell me to-morrow morning." The morrow comes. "Well, John, have you considered how much more wages you would desire for taking off your hat?" "Well, sir, I guess it's worth a dollar a month." "It's a bargain, then, John.; you shall have another dollar a month." And the gentleman retained a good servant, while John's hat was always in his hand when he entered the house. American manners are sometimes practised by servants in this country; but, although masters may not bargain to pay a dollar a month to their servants for taking their hats off, yet it is a fact that those servants are most prized, and longest retained, who have learned to be respectful to their superiors. DICTATION. There, their; right, wright, rite, write; one, won; would, wood; practise, practice. 20 20 AMERICAN MANNERS. Supply the words omitted in-I have is useless. I have You should Give him penny. I QUESTIONS. What is the person first mentioned does this betoken? What renders in this lesson called? Where did he social intercourse between rich and live? What did he engage the servant poor most pleasing? What was the to do? In what respect were his ser- servant's name? How much did John vices not satisfactory? What do people ask for taking off his hat before his in America desire to be considered? master? What servants are most Why do servants there refuse tokens prized, and longest retained in all of respect to their masters? countries? What CLOSE the curtains, gently, softly; Over which dim shadows creep; Look, those flaxen curls are lying Why in sorrow bends the mother Hand and cheek, and neck and brow? |