plough'-share. the blade of a plough
cow'-er-ing, crouching with fear
tim'-or-ous fearful
beast'-ie, a little beast
breast'-ie, a little breast
bick'-er-ing, running backwards
and forwards
so'-cial, friendly
just'-i-fy, to make just

| shieve, a bundle of corn
sil'-ly, simple

strew'-in' (for strewing), scattering
en-su'-in' (for ensuing), following
co'-zy, comfortable
coult'-er, the ploughshare

stub'-ble, stalks of corn left in the
ground after reaping
drib'-ble (n.), dropping of water

Sly little, cowering, timorous beastie !
O what a panic's in thy breastie !
You need not start away so hasty,

With bickering speed:

I should be lothe to run and chase thee,
I should indeed!

I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Hath broken Nature's social union,

And justifies that ill-opinion

Which makes thee startle

At me, thy poor earth-born companion,
And fellow mortal.

Sometimes, I doubt not, thou dost thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou must live;
A little barley in the shieve

Is small request;

And all thou tak'st, I do believe,

Will ne'er be missed.

Thy wee-bit cottage, too, in ruin!
Its silly walls the winds are strewin';
With nothing now to build a new on',
Of forage green;

And bleak December's winds ensuin',
So bleak and keen.

Thou saw'st the fields laid bare and waste,
And weary winter coming fast;

So cozy here beneath the blast,

Thou though'st to dwell;

Till, crash!—the cruel coulter pass'd
Right thro' thy cell.

That little heap of leaves and stubble
Has cost thee many a weary nibble!
Now thou'st turned out, for all thy trouble,
From house and hold,

To bear the winter's sleety dribble,

And hoar frost cold.

Thou'rt not alone, dear Mouse, 'tis plain,
In proving foresight may be vain :

The best-laid schemes of mice and men
May prove a toy,

And leave us nought but grief and pain,
For promised joy.

Burns.

be-hold', to look at

dis-cour'-a-ging, not cheering

sus-pi'-cious, causing one to think mol'-li-fied, softened

its prey

re-flect', to think seriously

ill of another

poach, to steal

coun'-ten-ance (n.), good-will, up

probation

grat'-i-tude, thanks for kindness

mon'-grel (adj.), of a mixed breed | gris'-tle, a substance in the body

game

high'-way, a common road

un-man'-ner-ly, rude

grat-i-fi-ca'-tion, pleasure

6

harder than flesh, but softer than bone

dis-com-po'-sed, made uncomfortable, disturbed

No wonder my master calls me sensible,' said Drover, who began to be proud of himself; he told the farmer yesterday he would n't part with me at any price, and I'm sure he would n't. Well! I've earned my character; for, as he says, I'm never idling when my work is ready; I never was caught worrying a sheep, as old Growler did when he got into a passion. I never thieve, if I'm kept ever so long without breakfast. No; no one can touch my character; I have that to reflect on, and it gives my meal an extra relish to think I deserve it. Besides, I know my work so well. When did I ever miss finding a stray sheep? or when did I ever let a suspicious dog come near my coat and

basket? Why, I know a rogue at a glance; and he must have more wit than most, who could take me in. Ha, ha! take me in, indeed!' and he diverted himself with the thought as he munched his breakfast.

He was just preparing for his last bone-the largest and the best-when a slight noise made him look beside him, and there, outside the wicket, stood an ill-looking, half-starved mongrel, with a ragged ear and one eye.

It's the tinker's dog,' muttered Drover, a poaching thief; what does he want, staring at me, while I am eating?'

But he could not order him off, as he was on the Queen's highway.

However, it so spoilt his breakfast, that in as polite a tone as he could manage, he begged him to understand his behaviour was very unmannerly.

Ah, sir,' said the tinker's dog, in a melancholy whine, if you only knew what a pleasure it is to see you eat, you would not wish me to go.'

Pooh, nonsense!' said Drover, you won't make me believe you care to see any one eat but yourself.'

That, naturally, is the highest gratification; but when it is out of the question, there is consolation in beholding the happiness of others;' and the tinker's dog began to whimper.

6

Be off," said Drover; you are a thief and a poacher, and you know it; you are half starved, and you deserve it; and take my word for it, if you do live in spite of starvation, it will only be to be hanged at last.'

Oh, sir,' said the tinker's dog, 'how very discouraging! but the truth is, I came to you for a little advice, and however severe you may be, I will thankfully listen. Pray go on, sir, with that

beautiful bone; for a moment.

I would not hinder you from it I smelt it from the end of the lane.' Drover was much mollified. C Advice, indeed! How long will you follow it?' he asked.

6

Only try me, sir,' said the tinker's dog, giving a sly look with his one eye at the bone.

Well, then, leave off your bad ways; that's my advice, and live honestly, and work.'

6

Oh, sir, if I'm only so fortunate as to get over this fit of hunger, I'll quite surprise you,' said the tinker's dog.

6

'Give up fighting.'

6

Ah, sir,' he replied, shaking his ragged ear and turning his blind side to him, see what fighting has done for me.'

6

And poaching,' said Drover.

If

Poaching!' was the answer; why I was out all last night and had a narrow escape of being shot. I lay close till the morning, and then, when my master found I came home with nothing, he nearly kicked my ribs in, and that's all I had for breakfast; is n't it time I was sick of poaching? I could only get through this sad business, and have the countenance and advice of a respectable member of society like yourself, I should, as I said, surprise you. But as it is, I must go, after I have had the pleasure of seeing you finish a breakfast you have so richly deserved, and die in a ditch-an example of the folly of bad ways.'

There!' said Drover, quite overcome, and standing away from his best bone, you may have it.'

Oh, impossible!' said the tinker's dog; wriggling through the fence, and seizing the bone, with his one eye fixed on Drover as full of admiring gratitude as it would hold.

You can be quick,' said Drover, who was still hungry, and while he heard the tinker's dog eating