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MR. L. I say you are a philosopher, but I am sure you do not know what that means.

BOY. No, sir; no harm, I hope.

MR. L. No, no (laughing). Well, my boy, you seem to want nothing at all, so I shall not give you money to make you want anything. But were you ever at school?

Boy. No, sir; but father says I shall go after harvest.
MR. L. You will want books then.

BOY. Yes, the boys all have a spelling book and a Testament.

MR. L. Well, then, I will give you them. Tell your father so, and that is because I thought you a very good, contented boy. So now go to your sheep again.

BOY. I will, sir. Thank you.

MR. L. Good-by, Peter.
BOY. Good-by, sir.

Rud'dy, rosy; clev'er ly (klěv'er li), skillfully; Mich'ael mas (mik'el mas), the 29th of September, a church festival in honor of the archangel Michael; as liève, as soon; phi los'o pher (fi lõs'o fer), one who has practical wisdom.

STUDY HELPS

How did Mr. L. happen to meet the boy?

What did the boy say that led Mr. L. to ask him questions?
What did Mr. L. seem to be trying to find out?
Did the boy have everything he wanted?

answers that you liked most.

Why did Mr. L. decide not to give him money?
What did he promise the boy?

Read some of his

What do you think he meant by calling the boy "quite a philosopher"?

Would we use these expressions: (1) "rooting up weeds." (2) "just by"; (3) “run . . . of errands"; (4) "I will give you them"?

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One honest John Tomkins, a hedger and ditcher,
Although he was poor, did not want to be richer;
For all such vain wishes in him were prevented
By a fortunate habit of being contented.

Though cold was the weather, or dear was the food,
John was never found in a murmuring mood;
For this he was constantly heard to declare,-
What he could not prevent he would cheerfully bear.

"For why should I grumble and murmur?" he said;
"If I cannot get meat, I can surely get bread;
And, though fretting may make my calamities deeper,
It can never cause bread and cheese to be cheaper."

If John was afflicted with sickness or pain,
He wished himself better, but did not complain;
Nor lie and fret in despondence and sorrow,
But said that he hoped to be better to-morrow.

If any one wronged him or treated him ill,
Why, John was good-natured and sociable still;
For he said that revenging the injury done

Would be making two rogues when there need be but one.

And thus honest John, though his station was humble, Passed through this sad world without even a grumble; And I wish that some folks, who are greater and richer, Would copy John Tomkins, the hedger and ditcher.

Hědg'er, one who makes or takes care of hedges; ca lam'i ties (ka lăm' ĭ tiz), misfortunes; de spond'ence, loss of hope, gloom; stāʼtion, rank in life.

STUDY HELPS

In what way was John like the boy of the last lesson?
What kept John from wanting to be other than he was?

What did John say if the weather was bad or the food dear? What if he was sick or in pain? What did he say if some one treated him ill?

one?

How would revenging an injury make two rogues instead of

SWING AWAY

LUCY LARCOM

Swing away,

From the great crossbeam,
Hid in heaps of clover hay,

Scented like a dream.

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Higher yet!

Up, between the eaves,

Where the gray doves cooing flit
Through the sun-gilt leaves.

Here we go!
Whistle, merry wind!

'Tis a long day you must blow,
Lighter hearts to find.

Swing away!

Sweep the rough barn floor;
Looking through on Arcady,
Framed in by the door!

One, two, three!

Quick! the round red sun,
Hid behind yon twisted tree,
Means to end the fun.

Swing away,

Over husks and grain!

Shall we ever be as gay,
If we swing again?

Sun' gilt', made golden by the sun.

inary country of peace and happiness.

STUDY HELPS

Where was this swing?

Ar'ca dy (är'ka di), an imag

How can you tell they were having a good time?
Explain the fifth stanza.

Can you answer the question in the last stanza?

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