uld himself.

It is sad to think that gross superstition was the cause of the death of
the faithful bird. The ignorant farmer afterwards killed it, fancying
that the mysterious affection of the goose boded him some evil.

Take warning from the fate of the poor goose, and do not bestow your
affection on those who seem unworthy of it, however clever or powerful
they may be.

THE BLIND WOMAN AND HER GANDER.

Bishop Stanley, who mentions the story, heard of an aged blind woman who
used to be led every Sunday to church by a gander, which took hold of
her gown with its bill. When she had seated herself, it retired to
graze in the churchyard till she came out again, and then it would lead
her safely home.

One day the clergyman called at her house, and expressed his surprise to
the daughter that the mother should venture abroad. She replied: "O
sir, we are not afraid of trusting her out of sight, for the gander is
with her."

When a poor despised goose can thus make itself of so much use, how much
more should you try to become useful.

THE PRISONER SET FREE.

Mrs F--, who has had much experience with poultry, considers them very
sensible and kind-hearted birds. The leg of a young duck had been
broken by an accident. She placed it in splints, and put the bird under
a small crate, on a patch of grass, to prevent its moving about till it
had recovered. It was one of a large family; and in a short time its
relatives gathered round the prisoner, clamouring their condolence in
every variety of quacking intonation. They forced their necks under the
crate, evidently trying to raise it, and thus liberate the captive; but
the effort was beyond their strength. Convinced, at length, of this,
after clamouring a little more they marched away in a body, while the
prisoner quietly sat down and appeared resigned.

A short time afterwards a great deal of quacking was heard, and a
regiment of upwards of forty ducks was seen marching into the yard,
headed by two handsome drakes, known by the names of Robin Hood and
Friar Tuck. Evidently with a preconceived purpose, they all marched up
to the crate and surrounded it. Every neck was thrust beneath the
lowest bar of the prison; every effort was made to raise it,--but in
vain. At length a parley ensued. Then the noise ceased. Only the
deep-toned quacking of Robin Hood was heard, when their object became
clear. All the tribe gathered together on one side of the crate, the
str