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And when your linnet, on a day,
Passing his prison door,

Had flutter'd all his strength away,
And panting pressed the floor;

Well knowing him a sacred thing,
Not destin'd to my tooth,

I only kissed his ruffled wing,
And lick'd his feathers smooth.

Let my obedience then, excuse
My disobedience now!
Nor some reproof yourself refuse
From your aggrieved Bow-wow!

If killing birds be such a crime,
(Which I can hardly see,)
What think you, Sir, of killing time
With verse addressed to me.

BE KIND TO YOUR SISTER.

1. ONE morning, there was a little girl sitting on the door-steps of a pleasant cottage near the common. She was thin and pale. Her head was resting upon her slender hand. There was a touching sadness in her sweet face, which the dull, heavy expression about her jet-black eyes, did not destroy. What was she thinking of, sitting thus alone?

2. Perhaps of that pretty flower-garden, which she had cultivated with so much taste and care ;-those blue morning-glories, and bright yellow nasturtions, which she had taught to climb to her window;-or those four-o'clocks, which she had planted in so straight a line, under the little fence which encircled the flower-bed. She might have been thinking of these ;-perhaps wondering whether she should see these flowers, which she had been cultivating with so much care, open their pretty leaves to another summer's sun.

3. Her name was Helen. For several weeks she had seemed to be drooping, without any particular disease; inconstant in her attendance at school, and losing gradually her interests in all her former employments. Helen had one sister, Clara, a little older than herself, and several brothers. While she was most indisposed they had expressed a great deal of sympathy, and tried to amuse her, and had willingly given up their own enjoyments to promote hers.

4. But children will too often be selfish; and when Helen, for some days, appeared better and able to run about and amuse herself, they would forget how peculiarly sensitive she had become, and the cross words which they occasionally spoke, and the neglect with which they sometimes treated her, wounded her feelings, and caused her to shed many bitter tears, as she lay awake on her little cot at night.

5. This day she seemed better, and it was something her sister had said to her just before, which gave that expression of sadness to her face, as she sat at the door of the cottage. Clara soon came to her again.

"Helen, mother says you must go to school today; so get up, come along and get ready, and not be moping there any longer."

"Did mamma say so ?" inquired Helen.

66 Yes, she did. You are well enough I know, for you always say you are sick at school-time. Get your bonnet, for I shan't wait."

6. Helen got up slowly, and wiping with her apron the tear which had started in her eye, she made her preparations to obey her mother's command. Now Clara had a very irritable disposition. She could not bear to have Helen receive any more attention or sympathy than herself; and unless she were really so sick as to excite her fears, she never would allow her to be sick at all. She was determined not to go to school alone this morning, and had persuaded her mother to make her sister go with her.

7. In a few moments they were both ready: but now a difficulty presented itself. The distance to school was so great, that they seldom returned at Their dinner had been packed for them, in a large basket which stood in the entry. Upon whom, now, should the task of carrying this devolve?

noon.

"Helen," said Clara, "I've carried the basket every day for a week ; it's your turn now."

"But it is twice as heavy now, Clara. I can but just lift it."

8. "Well," answered Clara, "I don't care. I have got my Geography and Atlas to carry; so take up, and come along, Miss Fudge. I shan't touch

it

it."

Helen took up the basket without saying another word, though it required all her little strength, and walked slowly behind her sister. She tried hard to keep from crying, but the tears would come as fast

as she wiped them off. They walked on thus in silence for about a quarter of an hour.

9. Clara felt too much ill-humour to take the least notice of her sister. She knew she had done wrong, and felt uneasy, but was yet too proud to give up, and was determined to "hold out;" excusing herself by thinking," Well, Helen is always saying she is sick, and making a great fuss. It's just good enough for her." When she had reached the half-way stone, she had half a mind not to let her rest there, as usual; but the habit was too strong, to be easily broken, and she sat down sullenly to wait for Helen to come up.

10. This was a spot, which few could have passed unnoticed. The broad flat stone was shaded by a beautiful weeping willow, whose branches hung so low, that even little Maria could reach them by standing on tiptoe ;-and around the trunk of this tree, ran a little brook, which came up just to this rustic seat, and then turned off into the next meadow. It would seem as if the beauty of this place must have charmed away the evil spirit, which was raging in Clara's breast;-but no! the cool shade brought no refreshment to those evil passions, and the little ripples which sparkled in the sunbeam, did not, for one moment, divert her attention from her own cross feelings.

11. As I said before, she sat sullenly, till Helen came up, and then began to scold her for being so slow.

66

Why don't you come along faster, Helen? you will be late to school, and I don't care if you are: you deserve a good scolding for acting so."

"Why, Clara, I am very tired, my head does ach, and this basket is very heavy. I do think you ought to carry it the rest of the way."

12. "Do give it to me then," said Clara; and snatched it from her with such violence that the cover came off. The apples rolled out and fell into the water, the gingerbread followed, and the pie rolled into the dirt. It has been truly said, "Anger is a short madness;" for how little reason have those who indulge in it. Helen was not to blame for the accident, but Clara did not stop to think of this. Vexed at having thus lost her dinner, she turned and gave her little sister a push, and then walked on as rapidly as possible. O! could she have foreseen the consequences of this rash act-could she have known the bitter anguish, which it would afterwards cause her, worlds would not have tempted her to do it; but Clara was angry.

13. Helen was seated just on the edge of the stone, and she fell into the water. It was not deep. She had waded there many a day with her shoes and stockings off, and she easily got out again, but it frightened her very much, and took way all her strength. She could not even call to her sister, or cry. A strange feeling came over her, such as she had never had before. She laid her head on the stone, closed her eyes, and thought she was going to die, and she wished her mother was there. Then she seemed to sleep for a few moments; but by and by she felt better, and, getting up, she took her empty basket and walked on, as fast as she was able, towards school.

14. It was nearly half done when she arrived there, and as she entered the room, all noticed her pale face and wet dress. She took her seat, and placing her book before her, leaned her aching head upon her hand, and attempted to study: but in vain; she could not fix her attention at all. The strange feeling be

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