134

IN the Scottish Highlands there once lived a nobleman whose mansion was beautifully situated at the foot of a mountain, and beside a small lake. He had a favourite son, who was fond of fishing in the lake and of wandering over the heather hills with his dog.

This dog was a deer-hound, and a handsome creature it was. Wherever the boy went, the dog went with him. They were always together. One day the boy set out with his fishing-basket and rod to fish for trout in a little stream far up among the hills.

It was a bright day in autumn, and the boy and the dog marched merrily along. After a walk of several miles they reached the stream, and the boy soon had his fishing-tackle in order. He had good sport, and when his basket was half filled with fine trout, he prepared to return home.

Suddenly the sky became very dark and the air bitterly cold. A snow-storm came on; but the boy hoped he would be able to reach home before much snow had fallen.

So thick and fast fell the snow-flakes, that the boy could not see his way on the hills. He wandered about, hoping that he was on the right path, and wishing that the sky would clear. But, alas! in vain. He lost his way amid the driving snow; and in his stupor, he stumbled over a rock, and was severely hurt.

Unable to walk, he tried to crawl to the shelter of a high rock, where he would be protected from the bitter wind; but he became exhausted before he reached the spot, and sank down among the snow.

The faithful dog stood over him, and by many a loud bark and howl called for help.

But no one was near, and the sound was lost in the storm. Night was coming on, and there was great danger that before long the boy would be sleeping the sleep of death among the snow.

At last the falling of the snow ceased, and the dog could see the path down the mountain side. Stooping down to lick his little master's face with his warm soft tongue, he barked aloud, and the boy opened his eyes and looked around him.

Though he could not move, he was still able to judge of his terrible position. He knew that unless help came he should be lost. Looking up at the dog, he called to him, " Home, Hector, home! Away, away, as fast as you can."

The dog seemed to understand what was said to him, and set off at full speed down the mountain side. In less than half an hour he reached the castle.

As soon as the dog saw the father, it began to whine and moan; then it would run off for a little distance and come back again, when he did not follow.

This happened often er than once, and the father became alarmed. He gave orders for three of his men-servants to go with it up the hills. The dog, delighted to see them following, led the way. Up, up the hills they went, as fast as they could, over the heather and the snow.

They soon reached the spot where the poor boy lay. He was alive, but almost unconscious. Wrapped in a thick, warm plaid, he was carried with all speed down the mountain. Once safely home, he speedily recovered.

The brave dog had been the means cf saving its young master's life, and was ever afterwards the pet of all in the castle.

expression as possible.—"Why, friend," said the cat, " it must be dull work for you sitting in-doors in this sunny weather! Now, as your young ones cannot fly yet, and as I and my kittens are quite accustomed to living by ourselves here, I pray you to go out for a little and stretch your wings, while we look after your young ones."—" Thank you," said the pigeon; "but I never hand over the doing of what is clearly my own duty to another."

Never listen to the advice of those who clearly have reasons of their own for giving you their opinion.

Two boys began to serve their appienticeship in the office of a lawyer on the same day. Their master, having to be a good deal away from home, was in the habit of leaving a set amount of work to do for each; and for a good while he had been much pleased to find it finished in both cases. However, Tom, being the sharper of the two, but not so persevering as his companion Dick, began to become careless, and would often amuse himself by reading a book he kept in his desk, and then hasten to finish his work afterwards. Dick, on the contrary, always did his portion of work first; and if he had any time left over, he made use of it in reading any book he had brought, or in improving his handwriting.

"I say, Dick," said Tom one day, " now that the days are getting warmer, don't you feel less able to write than you used to do during the cold weather 1"

"Well, I cannot say I do," said Dick. "The mornings, I am sure, are cold enough; and I generally get my work done as quickly as I can. I think, if you were to do the same; you would not complain of the heat."

"I'm sure I heard you yesterday complaining of a headache," said Tom, "and

you said you felt the confinement rather hard upon you. I think you are far too diligent—more so than you need to be."

"Well, I do feel the confinement," said Dick. "You see, I have lived a much more active life than you have done; indeed, 1 was in the open air all day. But as for being too diligent, why, I cannot agree with you there."

"Well, if you won't think of yourself, you might think of me," said Tom sulkily. "The harder you work, the harder I must do so too, and it's not fair."

"Ah! I see now what has been the reason you have been so concerned about my health these few days back," said Dick, laughing. "But no, no, Tom; my duty is to obey my master first, and look after the headaches after; and as he never gives us more work to do than we can perform, I know I mean to do mine as well as I can.'

"You'll suffer for it by hurting your health; that's what I say," said Tom.

But Dick laughed as he replied, "Never mind; duty is duty all the world over."

THE SNOW-PRAYER.

A LITTLE girl went out to play one day -£*- in the fresh snow, and when she came in she said,—

"Mamma, I couldn't help praying when I was out at play."

"What did you pray, my dear 1"

"I prayed the snow-prayer, mamma, that I learned once in Sabbath school: 'Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.'"

What a beautiful prayer! And here is a promise to go with it: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." And what can wash them white I The Bible answers: "They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

137

THAT was a joyful day for the negroes in the West India Islands, when the English Parliament resolved that there should no longer be slaves on any part of British soil.

For forty years the struggle between the friends of freedom and the upholders of slavery had been going on in England; and at last the brave men who had fought the battle for the negro gained the victory.

The slaves did not, as a rule, become their own masters all at once. They were bound to work for a few years as hired servants to their former owners. One of the West India Islands, however,—namely, Antigua,—resolved to set her slaves free at once.

The 1st day of August had been fixed by Parliament as the day on which slavery was to cease. The day was Friday; and in Antigua notice was given that there would be holiday from Thursday evening till Monday morning.

We may fancy with what eagerness the negroes would look forward to the stroke of the hour that was to make them free. The clergymen did their duty well. They talked with the slaves, and tried to get them to look on the event as a very solemn one.

In this they succeeded; and it was arranged that the people should gather in the chapels, so that their first act as freedmen should be to give thanks to God.

When Thursday night came, when the last piece of slave-labour had been finished, great was the joy that filled every negro heart—joy that found vent sometimes in shouting and singing, sometimes in tears.

They gathered together quietly in their chapels as twelve o'clock drew near. Their

pastors advised them to receive the great gift in silence, and on their knees.

At the first stroke of midnight from the clock of the cathedral, all fell on their knees. No word was spoken. Nothing was heard but the slow tolling of the bell that rung the knell of slavery, and the stifled sobs of those who felt that they were passing, as it were, from death unto life.

The [people remained kneeling a few moments after the last stroke of twelve had been heard, each one silently opening his and her heart to God in thanksgiving.

Then there burst from the sky a flash of lightning, followed by a rattling peal of thunder, which made the kneeling people at once spring to their feet.

They could no longer keep down their strong feelings. Some shouted for joy. Some groaned as the load of a lifetime passed away. Some tossed up their arms to show that they were free.

Parents and children, sisters and brothers opened their arms to each other. In some of the chapels the masters were present with their slaves, and when the clock had struck, they shook hands with them and wished them joy.

Friday and Saturday were spent in mirth and gladness. Sunday brought the people back to serious thoughts. Their pastors strongly pressed on them the duty of being sober and diligent, and of living on good terms with their masters. To most of them the day was sweet because it was the first Sabbath they had ever called their own.

On Monday morning all went to work— work which now seemed noble in their eyes, because it was given by free men to buy the means of living for themselves and their families.

QUEEN VICTORIA is very fond of Balmoral Castle, her Highland home. Every summer she spends several months there, living in a very simple and homely way, and taking great delight in the Highland hills and the fresh breezes.

The castle was built many years ago by her husband, Albert the Good, who is now dead. While he was alive, the Queen and Prince Albert sometimes made trips as a plain lady and gentleman, not letting it be known who they were.

Once, they made one of these trips into a part of the country where few strangers went. They stayed at a country inn, like common travellers, and they enjoyed the fun very much. Boys and girls sometimes play at being kings and queens. Why should not a queen and a prince play at being common persons?

The secret was well kept till they were leaving the village. Then some one noticed the royal arms on the carriage. The news soon spread that the Queen was in the village, and there was great cheering as they drove along the road.

The good landlady was vexed that she had not known. She blushed when she thought of the homely food she had given her guests. "To think," she said, " that I had the Queen in my house, and did not know her!" But that was the very thing that the Queen wished.

Since Prince Albert's death the Queen has gone to Balmoral, as usual, every year. She is very kind to the people that live in the cottages near the castle. She often visits them; and when they are sick ahe takes them dainties and things that will give them strength.