number of their spears, and letting them run into himself, while the other Swiss soldiers rushed through."

"He was indeed a brave man," said John. "No man can do a braver thing than to offer up his own life to save his friends."

"Shall I tell you another story which I have read?' asked Frank. "It is about Karl the blacksmith martyr. The people in his village were all keeping a feast one day, and enjoying themselves at play. Karl was there with his two little children. Just as the games were at their height, a growl was heard, and out rushed a mad dog panting and growling. Karl knew that some of the people or children must be bitten by it, so he pushed his own little ones back and ran out and caught hold of the dog."

"Oh, Frank, it might have bitten him.”

"It did bite him, John. When the people looked, they saw that its teeth were in poor Karl's shoulder. They did not know what to do; they were afraid to go and help him, and while they stayed to think, Karl ran away into the woods, carrying the dog in his arms. As soon as the men had found weapons, they went into the wood to look for Karl. They found the dead body of the dog, but they could not find Karl. At last they heard him in the forge at work. What do you think he was doing? Making strong chains to bind himself; for he knew that as the mad dog had bitten him, he must become mad too. So he stayed there, and would not let any one go near him till he died.”

"Ah! he was a noble fellow," said John, drawing a long breath. "I'm afraid I could not have done that."

"I hope we shall never be tried like that," said Frank "Now tell me of anything you have read."

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'I once read about a boy who was walking along by the side of a railroad, when he saw a little girl-not much more than a baby, you know-walking on the rails, and just at that minute he heard a train coming up. He saw that in another minute she must be killed. So he rushed to the

child, caught her up, and threw her right across the rails on the bank on the other side, and then sprang back himself, just in time to escape the engine which came panting along." 'Yes, he was a brave boy, and he had, not only bravery, but, what is almost of as much use, great presence of mind."

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"I think we sometimes make a mistake," said John. "We always call a boy a coward when he won't fight; but I think he is the bravest boy who can forgive a wrong, instead of fighting over it.”

"Yes: and often boys who refuse to fight do very brave actions. I have heard of one who had been called a coward by some boys. They were walking beside a river as they quarrelled, and one little boy slipped, and fell in. It happened to be in a very dangerous part of the river, where the water was both quick and deep; and the boys all knew that, and thought of it as they turned pale, and wondered what was to be done. But this boy who had been called a coward, did not stop long to think; he pulled off his jacket and plunged in. All the other boys shouted to him not to go; for he would be drowned. But he was not afraid; he fought with the water, and dived under it, and swam about, until he found the boy, and caught hold of him, and carried him safely to the bank."

"I should think the others felt rather ashamed of themselves."

"They did; and they told him so, and confessed that they were the cowards, and he the brave boy."

"I have heard of another boy who had been called a coward. Soon after, he was walking down a street when he saw a house on fire. One by one the people were brought down, until it was supposed that all had been got out in safety. But all at once, a poor old woman cried out that her little child had been left in the very top-room of the house. This boy-this coward-did not stay to hear more, but rushed in through the smoke and flame, up the stairs, and felt about until he found the child. When he tried to

come down the stairs, he found that it was impossible, as they were all in a blaze. So he ran to the window, and dropped the child into the arms of the people below. But he could not get out himself, and it was feared that he must be burned to death. But a ladder was fetched and he escaped, though a wall fell down, which made it more dangerous still."

"I see that it is not necessary to be a soldier, in order to be a brave man."

"Oh, no; firemen, and lifeboat-men, and missionaries, are brave men, and so is every one who tries to do what is right when it is hard."

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I think I know what help to make men brave-fearlessness, and promptness, and care for others, and unselfishness." Yes, I think you are right; and one more thing, prayer. For, if God helps, us and we try with all our hearts, we shall have plenty of opportunities of proving ourselves not cowards, but brave boys and men."-Christian World.

THE ELDER BROTHER.

Na family there were two boys. One was named Harry, the other Fred. Harry was a good boy, and every one who knew him expected that he would grow up a holy and a useful man. Fred was very wild and wicked, often disobeyed his father, and did things that grieved his friends. One day he had been very naughty, and had been sent to his room. His father would neither see him nor speak to him; and Harry, sorry to see him in such disgrace, went into his room. Tears of pity were in his eyes as he said to his brother,

"Oh, Fred, Fred! why will you be so very foolish ?'

Fred looked at him with a sullen look upon his face and said, "I don't care!"

Harry talked kindly to him, however, and after a little

while Fred said,—

"It is no use; father will never forgive me!"

“Ask him,” said Harry.

"I dare not," was the reply.

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Do, now; go and tell him you are sorry for what you have done, and beg his forgiveness," said Harry.

"No," said Fred, in a sad hopeless tone.

"I am sorry, but I could not find words to say so to father, and, besides, I do not think he would forgive me now, whatever I might say."

"Well, then, let me ask him," said Harry.

"Ah, if you would! Father will listen to you!" he exclaimed.

So the two boys went together to their father's room, Harry stepping in first, boldly and happily.

Fred was afraid and hung back. "I dare not go in," said he, as the door opened.

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"Oh, come along!" said his brother, in an encouraging tone of voice; and stepping up to his father he said, "Father I come to tell you that Fred is very sorry for what he has done, and asks you to forgive him,"

The father looked up and said, "Could you not come yourself, Fred ?"

Oh, no," said Harry, "he was so sorry and ashamed that he could not he dared not, and I persuaded him to let me ask you to forgive him for my sake."

Then the father opened his loving arms, and the guilty boy fell sobbing upon his breast.

"Now, for your brother's sake, be a good boy in time to

come.

Dear children, Jesus is called our "elder Brother,' you know, and if we go to Him in sincerity He will go with us and intercede for us, as this boy did for his brother. Jesus is called the "Intercessor," which means that when we do wrong He pleads with His Father for us.

HERE are many species of Parrots of various colours ; some of them are

very beautiful.

merous in hot

They are most nuclimates, especially in the torrid zone. They are also found in South America, in India, Australia, New Zealand, and other places. They have a powerful bill, a fleshy tongue, and live chiefly on fruits.

Their voice is naturally very disagreeable; but they can be trained to imitate that of human beings, and sometimes manifest a wonderful facility in the acquisition and articulation of words. Some parrots are great talkers: the parrot's tongue, indeed, is, not unfrequently, like that of its owner, an unruly evil."

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