hers rushed down,
Impatient to learn what the trouble might be;
I have not a doubt that each brow wore a frown,
Only frowns on their brows are not easy to see.
For a moment they gazed, perplexed and amazed;
Then began both together to--gnaw off the tail!
So, quick I released him,--do you think that it pleased
him?
And up the small staircase they fled like a gale.
Julia C. R. Dorr.
LESSON XXVII.

THE NEW YEAR.
1. One pleasant New-year morning, Edward rose, and
washed and dressed himself

70 ECLECTIC SERIES.
in haste. He wanted to be first to wish a happy New Year.
2. He looked in every room, and shouted the words of
welcome. He ran into the

street, to repeat them to those he might meet.
3. When he came back, his father gave him two bright,
new silver dollars.
4. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for
a long time to buy some pretty books that he had seen at the
bookstore.

THIRD READER. 71
5. He left the house with a light heart, intending to buy the
books.
6. As he ran down the street, he saw a poor German
family, the father, mother, and three children shivering with
cold.
7. "I wish you a happy New Year," said Edward, as he
was gayly passing on. The man shook his head.
8. "You do not belong to this country," said Edward. The
man again shook his head, for he could not understand or
speak our language.
9. But he pointed to his mouth, and to the children, as if to
say, "These little ones have had nothing to eat for a long
time."
10. Edward quickly understood that these poor people
were in distress. He took out his dollars, and gave one to the
man, and the other to his wife.
11. How their eyes sparkled with gratitude! They said
something in their language, which doubtless meant, "We
thank you a thousand times, and will remember you in our
prayers."
12. When Edward came home, his father asked what
books he had bought. He hung his head a moment, but
quickly looked up.

72 ECLECTIC SERIES.
13. "I have bought no books," said he, "I gave my money
to some poor people, who seemed to be very hungry and
wretched.
14. "I think I can wait for my books till next New Year.
Oh, if you had seen how glad they were to receive the
money!"
15. "My dear boy;" said his father, "here is a whole bundle
of books. I give them to you, more as a reward for your
goodness of heart than as a New-year gift.
16. "I saw you give the money to the poor German family.
It was no small sum for a little boy to gi