heir comfort.

Willy was never so happy and cheerful as when he was doing good and
planning something useful to his poor neighbors and friends, for this
was the way he lost sight of his own self-gratification, and grew up to
be a worthy and honorable man, respected and beloved by all who knew
him; for through his tender care and benevolence he dried many tears of
penury and sorrow.

PERSEVERANCE.

* * * * *

My master says this is done well,
How glad, how proud am I!
For I shall see a joyful smile
In mother's dear kind eye.

She'll lay her hand upon my head,
And kiss my forehead too,
And whisper softly in my ear,
"Did I not tell you true?"

For when I said, "Oh _dear_, I can't!"
And breathed a heavy sigh,
My mother said, "Nay, do not fear;
Come, let me see you try.

[Illustration: THE PERSEVERING BOY.]

"For if you will I'm very sure
It will not be in vain;
You know a hard task _really_ learnt
Is more than double gain."

I've learned it all, and written it
Without the least mistake,
And mother said, "I am right glad
To see the pains you take."

I did not know how pleasant 'twas
To study hard before;
But now, I'm very sure, I'll ask
For easy tasks no more.

[Illustration: "Now Tony might have been often seen sitting in front of
his father's cottage."--_See page_ 107.]

TONY THE MILLER'S SON

* * * * *

CHAPTER FIRST.

ABOUT A MILL, AND THE OLD MILLER WHO BECAME TIRED AND SOLD IT TO TONY'S
FATHER, AND OF THE ADVICE GIVEN TO THE NEW OCCUPANT.

For many long years there once stood a solitary mill. It was in a valley
between two high mountains. The stream that turned the great wheel was
so strong and rapid, that its current never ceased the year through.
Even in the hottest summer weather, when all other mills had to stop for
want of water, or in the depth of winter, when other mill-streams were
frozen over, this same mill could go on, ever working, and never
standing still.

For this reason people brought their grain from far and near, even from
the city on the farthest side of the lake which received the waters of
the stream.

Now it came to pass the old miller grew weary of the old mill, and as he
had made a handsome fortune by his industry, he determined to sell it
and go to the city, there to spend his days in a more social way, and of