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42 having found an old bone in the gi ass, lazily gnawed at it. “ Here comes Miss Tabby,” said he, after awhile, as he raised his head from the bone, “ and I should not wonder if she also had something against the boys, for she scampers so fast, and looks very wild and frightened. Oh! dear me, Miss Tabby, how dripping wet you are,” said he, as she came up to him. “ What has happened to you ? do sit here in the warm sun; it will dry you, and then pray tell us how you come to be so soaked.” “ I was taking a good sound nap near the well-house,” said Miss Tabby, “when master Dick and his friend Harry came out for a drink, and seeing me asleep, and the bucket standing near full of water, they thought it would be fine fun to turn it over me, which they did. Oh ! how I started to my feet, trembling all over, and feeling so drenched and chilled. I ran off, however, as fast as I could, for the boys seemed to enjoy their fun, as they called it, so much, I was afraid they might try it again. They laughed and shouted after me, and said, ‘ Puss, puss, come here, you dear little sleek puss, and have a little cold water for your health.’ Now to be aroused from a comfortable snooze in such a way as this is not pleasant, es pecially when one dreads cold water as much as I doand here poor little Miss Tabby shuddered all over, and began licking her wet paws and shaking the water from her back, while the Donkey, the Dog, and the Frog all sympathized wfith her, told her how they had suffered, hoped she would not take any cold from her ducking, and advised her in the fu ture, like themselves, to be more w T atchful when their two young masters were about. “Indeed, w T e must all be more watchful after this,” said Mrs. Eobin Eedbreast, as she hopped on a branch just above their heads; “we cannot be too careful. I built a snug, warm nest in one of those thick bushy willows on the road side, thinking that no one would see it there. I laid four little eggs in it, and was look ing forward to the time when I should feel so proud and happy with four little birds to feed and keep warm, and after awhile to teach to fly, and get their own living. It Avas all my pleasure to think of this, and I could not help singing out from my full heart, as loud as I could. This was one reason w T hy the same boys you all complain of found* my nest. I was singing in the tree just above it, and they looked up to see me; spying it, they clambered up, took out my nest from its resting place, played with it awhile, and then threw it away at one side of the road, and hey made holes through the eggs' BUEKE’S WEEKLY. and strung them on a string. Oh! how badly I felt; my heart was almost broken. I fluttered, screaming around and above them, hoping I might persuade them to stop; but no, I had to see all this take place, and could do nothing but fly about and cry. Just as I was in my greatest distress, and the boys still stood there, who should come along but Mr. Goodman. I felt very sorry that he had not come sooner; perhaps he might have saved me this bitter trial, for he is kind and good to all God’s creatures. “ Oh! my dear boys,” said Mr. Good man, “is it possible you have been so cruel as to rob a poor bird of her nest, which she has been building so long and patiently, one little straw or hair at a time, all twisted and woven in so as to make a warm shelter for her little ones when hatched ; and here in one moment almost all her labor goes for nothing. See how distressed she is; how could you bear to give anything so much pain ? God watches over all his creatures. Do you not know what the Bible says?— c That not a sparrow falleth to the ground without his knowledge.’ Can any one, then, presume to hurt or annoy any thing he has made and cares for ? Begin from this moment to do better, my dear boys; put this little nest and the string of eggs somewhere where you can see them, and when you do, let them put you in mind of the wrong you have done; and, after this, never disturb a bird’s nest, or injure any creature, however small or insignificant. I am about gathering a Sunday-school in the village, and you must come. There you will be taught your duty towards all things—that you must be kind to all. Why, this very robin, which you have so distressed and robbed, could teach you many a lesson of patience, industry, and gentleness. It is most interesting to study the instincts and habits of the birds and beasts about us. We shall have many library books telling of them ; how wonderfully God has made them. These you must read, and after awhile you will never have any desire to hurt or destroy anything. I will see your parents to-day, and I trust I shall see you next Sunday.” “ The boys looked very much ashamed while Mr. Goodman was talking. They could not raise their eyes from the ground. I think, however, they felt sorry for what they had done, for when Mr. Goodman left them they stood still awhile, and then Dick said, ‘ Well, I wish this nest and the eggs were safe in the tree again; don’t you, Harry?’ Harry answered, ‘Yes,’ and I thought a tear-drop or two trem bled in his eyes.” “ I hope the boys will do better,” said the Donkey. “I highly approve of hav ing a Sunday-school, and after our young masters have attended it awhile, I think we shall not have to complain of their treatment of us. Here comes Air. Good man now; he is probably going to sec about the boys.” As Air. Goodman passed along, he pat ted the Donkey on his back, and Tray on his head, and spoke very kindly to Aliss Tabby. They returned these attentions with every demonstration of appreciation the Donkey laid his head lovingly against Air. G’s shoulder, Tray jumped up looking in his face and wagging his tail, while Aliss Tabby rubbed herself against him, purring very loudly. After a few mo ments he walked on to Mr. Appleblo’s house, and as the door closed behind him a shout Avas heard : “ Hallo, Dick ! come, let’s have some fun this afternoonand as Dick and Harry emerged from behind the barn talking over Avhat they should do, their appearance had a decided effect up<fn these five friends. The Donkey galloped off to the farthest corner of the meadow; Tray leaped over the wall, and ran doAvn the road as fast as his legs could carry him ; Aliss Tabby took refuge in the barn: while Airs. Eobin Eedbreast flew up to the topmost branch of a tall locust tree, and Aliss Emerald Green, forgetting how badly her foot pained her, gave one dive down to the bottom of the brook, hiding herself under the long grass which droop ed over the edge. Not long after this, however, these same friends meeting together, the Donkey in formed them with great pleasure that they need not be afraid of nor run from their young masters any more, for they attend the Sunday-school regularly; and taking part in its services, learning their lessons, and reading the good library books, together with the most excellent instructions of the Eev. Mr. Goodman and his faithful teachers, had wrought a great change in them; and they had learned, as Mr. G. told them they would, to be kind to all things. Where the Donkey received blows, he is now favored with caresses, and once in a while with a niqp mess of oats ; Tray is their chosen com panion and often gets a bone to pick; Aliss Tabby tells of being fondled and played with, and of having good sweet milk for her supper ; Aliss Emerald Green will sun herself on the big stone in the brook, while the boys sail their boats and play in the water; and Mrs. Eobin Eed breast builds her nest where she pleases, undisturbed, and sings louder than ever before.