to plague you; but keep your
peaches, for I cannot think of eating them."

"As to plaguing me, sister," answered William, "you may do that as often
as you like; but, I assure you, nobody shall do so but yourself: as to
the peaches, I most certainly will not eat them. I have already told you
so, and my word is like the law of the Medes and Persians, which
altereth not."

"For the very same reason," said Amelia, "I shall not eat them," and
immediately threw them both over the garden wall; for, besides her
having said she would not eat them, she could not bear the thought of
receiving a bribe to reconcile a quarrel. Amelia's next consideration
was, how to make it up with her mamma; and she said she should be happy
indeed, if she would but permit her to appear before her, and ask her
pardon.

The generous little William no sooner heard these words, than he
promised to settle that business, and away he instantly ran; but before
he had taken many steps, he stopped short, and, turning round, said, "I
will tell mamma, that it was I who made you anger her, by having vexed
you in the morning."

Little William succeeded beyond his expectations, and all parties were
soon reconciled to each other. A friendship so affectionate and generous
is highly worthy of the imitation of all my juvenile readers.

[Illustration]

THE RIVAL DOGS.

[Illustration]

A gentleman, whose name was Howard, had brought up two pretty dogs from
puppies. The one he called Castor and the other Pollux, hoping they
would live in such friendship together as did the two illustrious
heroes, after whom they were named. Though they both came from the same
mother, and, at the same time, had been fed together, and equally
treated, yet it was soon seen that there was a great difference in their
tempers and dispositions.

Castor was of a meek and tractable nature; but Pollux was fierce and
quarrelsome. When any person took notice of the generous Castor, he
would wag his tail, and jump about for joy, nor was he ever jealous on
seeing more notice taken of his brother than of himself. The surly
Pollux, on the contrary, whenever Mr. Howard had him on his lap, would
growl and grumble at Castor if he attempted to come near him, or if any
one took notice of him.

When any of Mr. Howard's friends happened to come on a visit to his
house, and bring their dogs along with them, the good-natured Castor
would immediately mix among them, and, in his way, endeavo