LESSON III.

THE DWARF AND THE GIANT.

Fictitious Narrative.-GOLDSMITH.

[OLIVER GOLDSMITH, a celebrated poet and voluminous miscellaneous writer, was born in Ireland in 1728; died in 1774.-The pupil should be able to tell what portions are narrative, and what descriptive in this lesson. Although it is mostly narrative, yet the following portions are descriptive: (1.) The Dwarf and the Giant are described as friends, and the Dwarf was very courageous; (2.) the Dwarf, after losing his arm, was in a woful plight; (3.) the Satyrs were bloody minded, ard the Dwarf less fierce than at first; (4.) The two friends were very joyful for their victory; and, finally (5.), the Dwarf had gained wisdom by his losses.]

1. A DWARF and a Giant, who were good friends, kept together. They made a bargain that they would never forsake each other, but go to seek adventures. The first battle they fought was with two Saracens; and the Dwarf, who was very courageous, dealt one of the champions a most angry blow.

2. He did but very little injury to the Saracen, who, lifting up his sword, fairly struck off the poor Dwarf's arm. The latter was now in a woful plight; but the giant, coming to his assistance, in a short time left the two Saracens

dead on the plain; and the Dwarf cut off the man's head out of spite. They then traveled on to another adventure. 3. This was against three bloody-minded Satyrs, who were carrying away a damsel in distress. The Dwarf was not quite so fierce now as before; but, for all that, he struck the first blow, which was returned by another that knocked out his eye: but the Giant was soon up with them, and, had they not fled, would certainly have killed them every one.

4. The two friends were very joyful for this victory; and the damsel who was relieved fell in love with the Giant, and married him. They now traveled far, and farther than I can tell, till they met with a company of robbers. The Giant, for the first time, was foremost now; but the Dwarf was not far behind. The battle was stout and long. Wherever the Giant came, all fell before him; but the Dwarf came near being killed more than once. At last the victory declared for the two adventurers; but the Dwarf lost a leg.

5. The Dwarf had now lost an arm, a leg, and an eye, while the Giant was without a single wound. Upon which the latter cried out to his little companion, "My little hero, this is glorious sport! Let us get one victory more, and then we shall have honor forever." "No," cries the Dwarf, who was by this time grown wiser, "no; I declare off; I'll fight no more; for I find in every battle that you get all the honor and rewards, but all the blows fall upon me.”

SUBLIME NARRATIVE. Monotone.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"-Rev. vi., 14.

LESSON IV.

A GOOD INVESTMENT.

FREEMAN HUNT.

[FREEMAN HUNT, an American author and journalist, born in Quincy, Mass., in 1804; died in New York in 1858. He is well known as the proprietor and conductor of "Hunt's Merchants' Magazine."

This may be either a true or a fictitious narrative, in the dialogue style (see p.223). Let the pupil point out those portions of the lesson which are descriptive. Thus, in the 1st verse, one of the persons is described as being in his teens, and the other as being a middle-aged gentleman—as having a look of surprise, etc.]

1. "CAN you lend me two thousand dollars to establish myself in a small retail business" ?" inquired a young man, not yet out of his teens, of a middle-aged gentleman, who was poring over his ledger in the counting-room of one of the largest establishments in Boston. The person addressed turned towards the speaker, and, regarding him for a moment with a look of surprise, inquired, "What security can you give me', Mr. Strosser's, &. 21

2. "Nothing but my note," replied the young man, promptly." Which I fear would be below par in market,” replied the merchant, smiling.

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'Perhaps so," said the young man; "but, Mr. Barton'2, remember that the boy is not the man; the time may come when Hiram Strosser's note will be as readily accepted as that of any other' man'.'

3. "True, very true," replied Mr. Barton, mildly; "but you know business men seldom lend money without adequate security; otherwise they might soon be reduced to penury."

At this remark the young man's countenance became very pale; and, having kept silent for several moments, he inquired, in a voice whose tones indicated his deep disappointment, "Then you can not accommodate me—can you' ?” 4. Call upon me to-morrow, and I will give you a reply," said Mr. Barton; and the young man retired.

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Mr. Barton resumed his labors at the desk; but his mind was so much upon the boy and his singular errand, that he could not pursue his task with any correctness; and, after having made several sad blunders, he closed the ledger, and

took his hat, and went out upon the street. Arriving opposite the store of a wealthy merchant upon Milk Street, he entered the door.

5. "Good morning, Mr. Hawley'2," said he, approaching the proprietor of the establishment, who was seated at his desk, counting over the profits of the week.

"Good morning',” replied the merchant, blandly. “Happy to see you. Have a seat'1? Any news'? How's trade' ?" 6. Without noticing these interrogations, Mr. Barton said, "Young Strosser is desirous of establishing himself in a small retail business in Washington Street, and called this morning to secure of me a loan of two thousand dollars for that purpose."

"Indeed'10" exclaimed Mr. Hawley, evidently surprised at this announcement; "but you do not think of lending that sum-do you'1 ?"

7. "I do not know," replied Mr. Barton. "Mr. Strosser is a young man of business talent and strict integrity, and will be likely to succeed in whatever he undertakes."

"Perhaps so," replied Mr. Hawley, doubtfully; "but I am heartily tired of helping to establish these young aspirants for commercial honors."

"Have you ever suffered from such a course'1 ?" inquired Mr. Barton, at the same time casting a roguish glance at Mr. Hawley.

8. "No," replied the latter, "for I never felt inclined to make an investment of that kind."

"Then here is a fine opportunity to do so. It may prove better than stock in the bank. As for myself, I have concluded that, if you will advance him one thousand dollars, I will contribute an equal sum."

9. Not a single farthing would I advance for such a purpose; and if you make an investment of that kind, I shall consider you very foolish."

Mr. Barton was silent for several minutes, and then arose to depart. "If you do not feel disposed to share with me in this enterprise, I shall advance the whole sum myself." Saying which, he left the store.

10. Ten years have passed away since the occurrence. of the conversation recorded in the preceding dialogue, and Mr. Barton, pale and agitated, is standing at the same desk at which he stood when first introduced to the reader's attention. As page after page of his ponderous ledger is examined, his despair becomes deeper and deeper, till at last he exclaims, "I am ruined-utterly ruined'10"

"How so?" inquired Hiram Strosser, who entered the counting-room in season to hear Mr. Barton's remark.

11. “The last European steamer brought news of the failure of the house of Perleh, Jackson, & Co., London, who are indebted to me in the sum of nearly two hundred thousand dollars. News of the failure has become general, and my creditors, panic-stricken, are pressing for payment of their demands. The banks refuse me credit, and I have not the means to meet my liabilities. If I could pass this crisis, perhaps I could rally again; but it is impossible: my creditors are importunate, and I can not much longer keep above the tide," replied Mr. Barton.

12. "What is the extent of your liabilities'3 ?" inquired Strosser.

"Seventy-five thousand dollars," replied Mr. Barton. "Would that sum be sufficient to relieve you'1 ?"

"It would."

13. "Then, sir, you shall have it," said Strosser, as he stepped up to the desk, and drew a check for twenty thousand dollars. "Take this, and when you need more, do not hesitate to call upon me. Remember that it was from you I received money to establish myself in business."

14. "But that debt was canceled several years ago," replied Mr. Barton as a ray of hope shot across his troubled mind. "True," replied Strosser, "but the debt of gratitude that I owe has never been canceled; and now that the scale is turned, I deem it my duty to come up to the rescue."

15. At this singular turn in the tide of fortune, Mr. Barton fairly wept for joy.—Every claim against him was paid as soon as presented, and in less than a month he had passed the crisis, and stood perfectly safe and secure his credit improved, and his business increased, while several others sank