4. When I was twenty years old, and he was four, he would watch the time in the afternoon when I laid my work away, and always ask me then to go and run with him: and we used to run round the house together, for half an hour at a time. How pleasant it is to play with those who are kind and good! 5. His little feet went so fast, that he almost always reached the corner before I could; and the first thing I would see, would be his little sparkling eyes, and his gold colored ringlets blowing in the wind, as he bent forward to peep and see if I were coming. One day the kitten was running round the corner, when he came up very quick, and she was so scared, that she put up her back and hissed; and then you might have heard Edward all over the neighborhood, he laughed so loud. 6. When we went into the house, his cheeks would be as red as the beautiful little crab-apples in the garden, and his breath would come so fast, that he could hardly speak; but as soon as he could speak, he would say, 'Now you will tell me a story. Then he would take my hand, and lean his little curly head on my shoulder, by the hour together, as quiet and happy as a little lamb, that lies down by his mother's side, and chews clover in the sunshine. 7. One night when I took him up in my lap to undress him, I said, 'Whose boy are you, Edward?' 'I am God's boy,' said he; 'He has lent me to my father and mother, but one of these days I shall go to Him.' He sat for some time looking out at the window, and winking his eyes slowly, as if he was thinking of something; and then he turned towards me, with a look full o love and joy, as he said, 'If I am a very good boy, it may be that mother, and I, and all of us, will go to heaven together. I should like to have hold of dear mother's hand when we go.' 8. I kissed him; and I knew that, whether he lived to be a man, or died while he was a little boy, he would always be happy while he thought so much of the Lord. Indeed, he never seemed to forget that all his little comforts, and all things he loved, were given him by a good Father, who is in the Heavens. 9. One evening I was sitting at my chamber window, when I heard the girl coming up stairs to put Edward to bed. As he went by the door, I heard his sweet voice, as he said, 'Where is my aunt Maria ? I must bid her good-night.' I opened the door, and stooped down to take him up. He put his arms round my neck, and said in a very coaxing tone, 'You will hear me say my prayers-you will put me to bed, wont you?' 10. I could not say no to the little darling, because he was always so good. So the girl went down stairs, and he kneeled down and repeated the Lord's Prayer. He did not then wish to go to bed, but asked to sit down on the floor, and warm his feet in the moonshine. So he sat down where the moon shone brightly on his little white toes, and he looked up at the sky a moment before he said, 'The moon is a very bright thing. God made it. I wonder what he made it for.' 11. I told him that I supposed the moon was a great world, and that folks lived there, and that the moon did many good things which he was not old enough to understand; and that everything the Lord made, was on purpose to do good. I loved him the better for thinking who made the moon. 12. When I told him that it was time to go to bed, he did not say another word. He took my hand, and ran hopping and jumping along, - sometimes on one foot, and sometimes on the other - for his little heart was always glad. 13. Edward is now ten years old; but he does not forget to pray to the Lord, to read the Sacred Scriptures, or to do what he knows is pleasing to the Lord. On the Sabbath he chooses to go to church, or stay at home and learn how to do right, rather than join in any noisy play, or ramble about for amusement. 14. I could tell you more of this good little boy; but I have said enough already to show you how you must live in order to be happy yourself, and to make those happy who have the care of you. ERRORS TO BE AVOIDED IN READING AND CONVERSATION 1. bout for about; sayin for saying; thout for without. 3. countnance for countenance; mornin for morning. 4. olwuz for always; we use to run for we used to run. 5. forrard for forward; scarte for scared. 6. inter for into. 7. Ishl for I shall; winder for window; somethin for something. 11. sposed for supposed. 12. tuther for the other. 13. dooz for does; ruther for rather. 14. nuff for enough. QUESTIONS. 1. What pause is after old? How long should you pause at a comma? 2. What is after Him ? How long a pause is it? 4. What is after him? How long is it? 5. What is after coming and loud? How should the voice stop at a period? 9. What is after Maria? How long is it? 10. What is at the end of this paragraph? How long a pause is it? What is the Rule at the beginning of the Lesson ? NOTE. The figures show the number or paragraph in which the words or marks occur, that are referred to in the Errors and Questions. In some cases n. or no. is placed before the figures, where reference is made to several places: and the n. or no. stands for number or paragraph. Thus: what marks are used in Lesson 6, n. 10? In Lesson 2, no. 7? LESSON II. RULE. Read so slowly that you can speak all the words distinctly, and pronounce them correctly; but do not drawl nor whine your words. THE MORE LOVE, THE BETTER PLAY. 1. PETER and Philip were driving hoop, and each was striving with all his might to drive his hoop farther than the other. Away they went with great speed for twenty rods, and Peter thought he had gained several feet. Just then a cow stepped up into the path before Peter, and stopped his hoop. He was so angry, that he beat the cow with his bat, and then threw stones at her. Philip passed on, and won the race. 2. Why was Peter angry with the cow, and why was he so cruel as to beat her, when she intended no harm? Because he was selfish. He was trying to please no one but himself; and self hates everything that comes in its way.. 3. Come,' said Peter, that was not fair; we will try again. So they started again, but had not gone far when Philip's hoop broke. He had felt pleased when the cow stopped Peter, and now he was greatly vexed at his own misfortune. Peter won the game, and called out loudly - A fair beat, a fair beat.' But Philip contended that it was not fair; and so they disputed about it with many hard words, till they felt very unkindly towards each other. 4. Thus, both were made unkind and unhappy by their selfishness. Each wished to conquer the other, and neither could patiently bear any opposition. At length they agreed to try once more. Philip took a new hoop, and Peter looked carefully at his own, and found that it was strong. There were neither cows, nor any other things in the way, and each felt confident of the victory. 5. They both strove with all their might, and kept side by side for more than forty rods, without its appearing that either had gained of the other. The road was narrow, and each had tried hard to keep his hoop close to his own side; but at this place both hoops turned a little towards the middle of the road, which |