he meet'n'house on the hill.
First a shiver, and then a thrill,
Then something decidedly like a spill--
And the parson was sitting upon a rock, 5
At half past nine by the meet'n'house clock--
Just the hour of the Earthquake shock!

What do you think the parson found
When he got up and stared around?
The poor old chaise in a heap, or mound, 10
As if it had been to the mill and ground!
You see, of course, if you're not a dunce,
How it went to pieces all at once--
All at once, and nothing first--
Just as bubbles do when they burst. 15

End of the wonderful one-hoss shay.
Logic is logic. That's all I say.

1. What kind of vehicle did the Deacon build? What
was his theory as to building a "shay"?

2. How did he carry out his theory? Read the
passages that answer this question. Make a list of
the special parts of the chaise named.

3. On what day did the Deacon complete his task? Is
Holmes correct as to the dates of Braddock's defeat
and the Lisbon earthquake?

4. Explain lines 10-11, page 286; 8, 17, 27, page
289; 17, page 290.

5. What happened finally to the "masterpiece"? Was
the Deacon still living? How did the chaise happen
to go to pieces? Was the Deacon's theory of
building correct?

6. Suggested readings: Holmes's "How the Old Horse
Won the Bet"; Lowell's "The Courtin'."

THE SCHOOLMASTER'S RIDE

BY WASHINGTON IRVING

The time of this story is post-Revolutionary.
Ichabod Crane, a lean, awkward schoolmaster, has
been courting the village belle, Katrina Van
Tassel, his rival being Brom Bones, a powerful
fellow, noted for his pugnacity. He has frequently
threatened Ichabod for aspiring to the charming
Katrina. Here, Ichabod, at a late hour, is leaving
the Van Tassel home after a "quilting frolic" where
he took occasion to propose to Katrina. Judge of
the young lady's answer!

Ichabod, heavy-hearted and crestfallen, pursued his
travel homewards, along the sides of the lofty hills
which rise above Tarrytown. The hour was as dismal as
himself. Far below him the Tappan Zee spread its dusky