little time, he was caught in his own trap, for he sat down bang in the chair, and the pin entered pretty deeply into his flesh! In his agony and surprise, he jumped into the air, and uttered a terrible cry.

She

At first everybody in the room looked about with wonder, but pretty soon Jane went to the chair, and there seeing the pin artfully arranged, she had no difficulty in guessing at the cause of the uproar. directed the attention of every one in the room to the pin, and at once all eyes were turned on Master Ned. He very speedily ceased crying, and hung down his head in shame. It was needless to preach a sermon to him on the occasion. He saw very clearly the moral of his adventure—which was, that he who sets traps for others, is sure some day or other to be caught. From that time he gave up his habit of teasing and mischief-making, and long before he was a man, he had learned to practise kindness to all around him.

But to return. Let me see where was I? Oh! I was speaking of Tom's being naturally a smart fellow; and when I say this, I beg to be clearly understood. To be smart, is not to be overbearing and to injure, oppress and tread upon those who are beneath

you; it is not to wound the body or the feelings of those who are more sensitive than you are; it is not to be selfish and make your own plans and interests prosper by sacrificing the interests of others. There are many people who thrive by being hard and selfish and therefore are called smart; but after all, this is a dangerous course. You remember my story of the TWO DOGS? No? Well, I may as well tell it.

Once upon a time, Two Dogs-the one a stout, athletic fellow-the other small, delicate, and feeble -were chained together. In this condition, they wandered from home, and set forth upon their adventures.

The large dog chanced to be entirely selfish, and cared for nothing but to gratify his own appetites, whims, and caprices. When he came across a piece of meat or a bone, he took it all to himself. When he desired to go in any particular direction, thither he went. If his little friend and companion begged for a portion of the food, rough old Jowler snarled and snapped at him, and would not let him have a bit. If little Trip grew weary, and desired to take some rest, the big dog dragged him along, and wondered

that such an insignificant creature should think of having any wishes of his own.

Thus affairs went on between the two dogs for several days. Jowler had his way in every thing, and was constantly out of humor with Trip, because he sometimes interfered with his appetite or pleasure. In all this, Jowler thought he was consult ing his own happiness; but selfishness blinded his judgment, just as it sometimes does the judgment of human beings. Jowler carried the joke too far. Poor Trip, getting nothing to eat, and being pulled and hauled about, grew very thin and faint. At last, he could bear his miseries no longer; so he lay down and died.

What a horrid situation was this for Jowler! He had lost his companion; but this was not all. The dead body clung to him, and he could not shake it off. He dragged it about for a time, but the effort was very painful. By degrees, Jowler grew weary, and at last, overcome with fatigue, he lay down upon the ground, from which he was unable to rise. Here he remained in great distress for some days, when at last he also died.

This is a sad story, but it conveys a lesson, which

it is well for all to learn. Selfishness toward our friends and companions is always wrong, and, soon or late, it is likely to bring punishment upon us. Even if no other evil come from it, the remembrance of our injustice is sure to haunt us, and be, like the dead body of Trip to poor old Jowler, a burden from which it is impossible to deliver ourselves.

But, really—I hardly know what is the matter with me. I believe I am getting sleepy, and no doubt you are too, my gentle reader. So, with your leave, I'll take a nap. When you want the rest of Tom Titmouse's biography, I beg you will wake me up!

THE WOLF AND THE FOX.

A wolf once made complaint that he had been robbed, and charged the theft upon his neighbor the fox. The case came on for trial before a monkey, who was justice of the peace among the quadrupeds in those parts. The parties did not employ lawyers, but chose to plead their cause themselves. When they had been fully heard, the judge, assuming the air of a magistrate, delivered his sentence as follows:

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My worthy friends and neighbors, I have heard your case, and examined it attentively; and my judgment is, that you both be made to pay a fine; for you are both of bad character, and if you do not deserve to be punished now, it is likely you will deserve to be so very soon. That I have good