are they taken? For what
purpose are they taken? In what country are the finest horses raised? Why
are the horses so excellent there? Are not animals always made better by
kind treatment? Why would not the Arab sell his horse? Relate the anecdote
of the planter and the shipwrecked seamen.

XLVIII. EMULATION. (132)

1. Frank's father was speaking to a friend, one day, on the subject of
competition at school. He said that he could answer for it that envy is
not always connected with it.

2. He had been excelled by many, but did not recollect ever having felt
envious of his successful rivals; "nor did my winning many a prize from my
friend Birch," said he, "ever lessen his friendship for me."

3. In support of the truth of this, a friend who was present related an
anecdote which had fallen under his own notice in a school in his
neighborhood.

4. At this school the sons of several wealthy farmers, and others, who
were poorer, received instruction. Frank listened with great attention
while the gentleman gave the following account of the two rivals:

5. It happened that the son of a rich farmer and the son of a poor widow
came in competition for the head of their class. They were so nearly equal
that the teacher could scarcely decide between them; some days one, and
some days the other, gained the head of the class. It was determined by
seeing who should be at the head of the class for the greater number of
days in the week.

6. The widow's son, by the last day's trial, gained the victory, and kept
his place the following week, till the school was dismissed for the
holidays.

7. When they met again the widow's son did not appear, and the farmer's
son, being next to him, might now have been at the head of his class.
Instead of seizing the vacant place, however, he went to the widow's house
to inquire what could be the cause of her son's absence.

8. Poverty was the cause; the poor woman found that she was not able, with
her utmost efforts, to continue to pay for the tuition and books of her
son, and so he, poor fellow! had been compelled to give up his schooling,
and to return to labor for her support.

9. The farmer's son, out of the allowance of pocket money which his father
gave him, bought all the necessary books and paid for the tuition of his
rival. He also permitted him to be brought back again to the head of his
class, where he continued for some time, at the expense of his generous
rival.

DEFINIT