ts. If you, my son, were never to go
to school, nor have good seeds of knowledge planted in your mind, it would,
when you become a man, resemble the weed-covered, neglected bed we have
just been looking at, instead of the beautiful one in my garden. Would you
think me right to neglect my garden as Mr Parker neglects his?"

"Oh, no, father; your garden is a good garden, but Mr Parker's is all
overrun with weeds and briars. It won't yield half as much as yours will."

"Or, my son, do you think I would be right if I neglected my son as Mr
Parker neglects his son, allowing him to run wild, and his mind,
uncultivated, to become overgrown with weeds?"

Little Harry made no reply; but he understood pretty clearly what his
father meant.

"I send you to school," Mr Williams continued, "in order that the garden
of your mind may have good seeds sown in it, and that these seeds may
spring up and grow, and produce plentifully. Now which would you prefer, to
stay at home from school, and so let the garden of your mind be overrun
with weeds, or go to school, and have this garden cultivated?"

"I would rather go to school," said Harry. "But, father, is Charles
Parker's mind overrun with weeds?"

"I am afraid that it is. If not, it certainly will be, if his father does
not send him to school. For a little boy not to be sent to school, is a
great misfortune, and I hope you will think the privilege of going to
school a very great one indeed."

Harry Williams listened to all his father said, and, what was better,
thought about it, too. He never again asked to stay home from school.

JULIAN PARMELEE;
OR DISAPPOINTMENT SOMETIMES A BLESSING.

In a pleasant New England village, several years ago, there was a good deal
of excitement produced among the little folks, by the appearance, on the
sign-post, and in the tavern and store, of some large placards, with very
curious and funny pictures upon them. These placards made known the
important fact, that, for the sum of ninepence, (a shilling, according to
the currency of New York,) any boy and girl in the vicinity might have the
pleasure of seeing some of the most astonishing feats of trained animals
ever heard of. On a certain day there was to be a sort of juggler, who
would play on some kind of instruments. The music made by this man would
have the power of charming the animals--so the advertisement read--and the
instant they heard i