He the gray pony. Harry was much delighted with this proposal; and the thought of it occurred to him very often during the business of the morning. The sun shone cheerily in at the parlour windows, and seemed to promise fair for a fine day. About noon, however, it became rather cloudy, and Harry was somewhat startled to perceive a few large drops upon the flag-stones in the court. equipped himself, nevertheless, in his greatcoat at the time appointed, and stood playing with his whip in the hall, waiting to see the horses led out. His mother now passing by, said, "My dear boy, I am afraid there can be no riding this morning: do you see that the stones are quite wet?" "Dear mother," said Harry, "you surely do not imagine that I am afraid of a few drops of rain; besides, it will be no more than a shower at any rate." Just then his father came in, who looked first at the clouds, then at the barometer, and then at Harry, and shook his head. "You intend to go, papa, don't you?" said Harry. "I must go, I have business to do; but I believe, Harry, it will be better for you to stay at home this morning," said his father. "But, sir," repeated Harry, "do you think it possible, now, that this little sprinkling of rain should do me the least harm in the world, with my greatcoat and all?" "Yes, Harry," said his father, "I do think that even this sprinkling of rain may do you harm, as you have not been quite well: I think, too, it will be more than a sprinkling. But you shall decide on this occasion for yourself; I know you have some self-command. I shall only tell you, that your going this morning will make your mother uneasy, and that we both think it improper; now, determine." Harry again looked at the clouds, at the stones, at his boots, and last of all at his kind mother, and then he recollected himself. "This," thought he, "is the best opportunity for self-denial I have had to-day ;" and he immediately ran out to tell Roger that he need not saddle the gray pony. That day, at dinner, a magnificent mincepie made its appearance, and both the boys were helped to it with a liberal hand. "I should like another slice, I think, mother," said Frank, after he had despatched one huge hemisphere. "Any more for you, my dear Harry?" said his mother. "If you pleaseno; thank you, though," said Harry, withdrawing his plate; "for," thought he, "I have had enough, and more than enough, to satisfy my hunger; and now is the time for selfdenial." "Brother Harry," said his little sister, that afternoon, "when will you shew me how to do that pretty puzzle you said you would shew me a long time ago?" "I am busy now, child," said Harry, "don't teaze me now; there's a good girl." She said no more, but looked disappointed, and still hung upon her brother's chair. 66 Come, then," said he, sud denly recollecting himself, "bring me your puzzle ;" and laying down his book, he very good-naturedly shewed his little sister how to place it. That night, when the two boys were going to bed, Harry called to mind with some complacency the several instances in the course of the day, in which he had exercised self-denial, and he was on the very point of mentioning them to his brother Frank. "But no," thought he, "this is another opportunity still for self-denial; I will not say a word about it; besides, to boast of it would spoil all." So he lay down quietly, making the following sage reflections:-"This has been a pleasant day to me; although I have had one great disappointment, and done several things against my will, I find that selfdenial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end; and, if I go on this plan every day, I shall stand a good chance of leading a happy life." From JANE TAYLOR. TO A MOTHER. AND canst thou, mother, for a moment think Could from our best of duties ever shrink? |