and restive at the sight or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, I am as fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she was steady and could teach me how to go better than could a strange horse. She told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that it was wisest always to do my best to please my master. "But," said she, "there are a great many kinds of men; there are good, thoughtful men like our master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, cruel men, who never ought to have a horse or a dog to call their own. Besides, there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and careless, who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses than all, just for want of sense. They don't mean it, but they do it for all that. I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name."-Anna Sewell. NOTES 1. Read the entire book, "Black Beauty." 2. Read Marshall Saunders' "Beautiful Joe." 3. Report the names of or tell other stories showing kindness to animals. 4. Chaise. A light, two-wheeled carriage in use in England. 5. Pales. A fence. 6. What with what with. Partly by means of nice oats and partly because of my master's pats, kind words, and gentle ways. 7. Be prepared to pronounce, define and give the meanings of the following words and expressions: broken in, frightened, crupper, breeching, chaise, weariness, headstall, girths, accustomed, clapped on, blinkers, fortnight, pales, restive. EXERCISES 1. How did the story of "Black Beauty" come to be written? 2. In whose words is the story told? 3. What is shown in Black Beauty's master in that he would not sell the horse until it was four years old? 4. How many things are included under "breaking in" Black Beauty? 5. What is the worst thing about being broken in? 6. How was Black Beauty trained not to fear the cars? 7. Why did the master first drive Black Beauty in double harness with the mother? 8. What advice did the mother give Black Beauty? 9. How did the mother describe men? 10. How many points in this story teach us to be kind to dumb animals? 11. Tell all the ways you can in which one may be kind to dumb animals. ADDITIONAL READINGS SAUNDERS: Beautiful Joe. WESTWOOD: Little Bell. WORDSWORTH: The Pet Lamb. O'REILLY: Dying in Harness. BROWN: Old Tray. LONDON: Call of the Wild. KIPLING: The Second Jungle Book Red Dog. THOMPSON-SETON: Wild Animals I Have Known. BROWN: Rab and his Friends. CARTER: Stories of Brave Dogs. BURNS: To a Field Mouse. THE CHILDREN'S HOUR PERHAPS ERHAPS no other poem than "The Children's Hour" has been more widely read by both old and young. It is the children's favorite, for it tells of the love of a father for his children, and of their joy in "surprising papa, which are experiences common to every happy home. Longfellow lived in the old Craigie house in Cambridge, a house now yearly visited by many thousands who love his poems. In this house, his study, furnished with splendidly carved old English furniture, is the castle. His arm-chair is the turret. His three little daughters slip noiselessly down the great hall stairs, and, after a moment of silent plotting, rush in upon him, as if they were soldiers taking the castle by storm. They devour him with kisses. They twine their arms about him, making him think of the Bishop who was devoured by mice at the tower of Bingen on the Rhine. With all the playfulness of a child, and with the great love of a father's heart, he gathers the children in his arms, and in playfulness of love, imprisons them in the round-tower of his heart. What wonder that Longfellow is called "The Children's Poet," and that this poem is read and loved by children everywhere! THE CHILDREN'S HOUR Between the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower, Comes a pause in the day's occupations, That is known as the Children's Hour. I hear in the chamber above me The sound of a door that is opened, From my study I see in the lamplight, Descending the broad hall stair, Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra, And Edith with golden hair. A whisper, and then a silence; A sudden rush from the stairway, They climb up into my turret O'er the arms and back of my chair; If I try to escape, they surround me; They seem to be everywhere. |