2. He had a family of eleven children, and one morning he was greatly alarmed at missing the youngest, who was about four years of age. The distressed family searched for him in the river and in the fields, but to no purpose. Greatly terrified, they called their friends and neighbors to aid them in the search.

3. They entered the woods, which they examined with great care. A thousand times they called the child's name, but no answer came back save the echoes of the wilds. Almost in despair they assembled at the foot of the mountains.

4. After a brief rest and consultation they formed into several bands and renewed the search. The parents, as night approached, were in great distress, well knowing that wild cats and other savage animals abounded in the vicinity.

5. Often came into their minds the horrid idea of a wolf, or of some other dreaded animal, devouring their darling boy. "Derick, my poor little Derick! where art thou?" frequently exclaimed the mother, in tones of the deepest distress,- but all of no avail. The search, though long continued, proved unsuccessful.

6. Fortunately a friendly Indian, laden with furs, called at the house of Mr. Le Fever, intending to rest, as he usually did when passing that way. He was surprised to find no one at home but an old negro woman who was too feeble to aid in hunting for the child.

7. On learning of the cause of their absence he said, "Sound the horn, and if possible call thy master home. I will find his child." The horn was sounded, and soon

the father came home.

The Indian called for the stock

ings and shoes that little Derick had last worn.

8. He caused his dog, which he brought with him, to smell them. He then led him into a field about

twenty rods from the house and conducted him in a circle

round the house, bidding him smell the ground as they proceeded. He had not gone far when the dog began to bark. Following the scent he ran into the woods and soon barked again.

9. The sound brought some feeble ray of hope to the parents, and the party followed the dog with all speed, but soon lost sight of him. In about half an hour he was again heard to bark, and soon after he returned to his master. The appearance of the dog was visibly changed, and indicated that his search had not been in vain.

10. "I am sure he has found the child!" exclaimed the Indian, "but whether dead or alive I can not tell." He then followed his dog, which led him to the foot of a large tree, where the child lay in a very feeble state, and nearly dead. Taking him tenderly in his arms he carried him to the disconsolate parents.

were in some Their joy was

11. Happily, the father and mother measure prepared to receive their child. so great that for a time they could utter no words of gratitude to their benefactor. Words can not describe the scene. After they had bathed the face of their child with tears they threw themselves upon the neck of the Indian and wept for joy.

12. Nor did they forget the faithful dog. They caressed him with great delight as the restorer of their lost child, after which they provided, liberally, refreshments for all concerned in the search. When all had partaken they returned with glad and thankful hearts to their several homes.

How often do we sigh for opportunities of doing good, whilst we neglect the openings of Providence in little things, which would frequently lead to the accomplishment of most important usefulness.

LXI.-BEARS.

1. There are five kinds of bears: the brown bear of Europe, the white or polar bear, the American or black bear, the grizzly bear also of America, and the Asiatic bear.

2. The brown bear of Europe is large and fierce, and, when hungry or angry, will attack people. This kind differs from the others in the shape of his head; and in the autumn he goes into a cave and sleeps until spring, when he comes out very thin.

3. The polar bear is white, except his claws and the tip of his nose, which are black. His home is in the icy regions around the shores of the Arctic Sea. His hairy feet and strong claws enable him to run quickly over the fields of ice, and he has been seen to climb the smooth, glassy peaks of the icebergs.

4. This animal is as large as a cow, and very strong. He lives upon seals and fishes, and seems quite at home in the water. Some years ago a party of travelers in the northern regions knew a bear to swim from one place to another a distance of thirty miles.

5. The flesh is eaten by the inhabitants, and is considered very good. His thick, woolly skin is used for clothing and bedding, and sometimes we see it here as door mats and sleigh robes. The Laplanders call him "the old man in the fur cloak."

6. Some years since a polar bear was on exhibition in New York city. It was early in the spring, and to us uncomfortably cold, but the poor bear seemed to suffer with the heat. There was a tank of water near him, in which he bathed frequently, and when a block of ice was placed in his cage he seemed delighted, began to lick it, and at last rolled over and over upon it.

7. The black bear of America is a small, quiet animal, and very seldom attacks man, unless in self-defense. He will eat vegetables, fruits and small animals, and will climb trees and rob the wild bees of their honey.

8. The grizzly bear is the largest and most fierce of all; he is found only in the rocky mountains and the country around. The Indians hunt him, and any one who traps and kills a grizzly bear is considered very brave, and is allowed to wear a necklace of his teeth strung around his neck.

9. The Asiatic bear lives mostly in the mountains of India. His food is white ants, honey, rice, palm fruit and vegetables. When they are pursued, the little cubs will jump upon the backs of the old bears, which will run off with them.

LXII. THE FOX IN THE WELL.

1. Sir Reynard once, as I've heard tell,
Had fallen into a farmer's well,
When Wolf, his cousin, passing by,
Heard from the depths his dismal cry.

2. Over the wheel a well-chain hung,
From which two empty buckets swung;
At one, drawn up beside the brink,
The fox had paused, no doubt, to drink,
And putting in his head, had tipped
The bucket: fox and bucket slipped,
And, hampered by the bail, he fell,
As I have said, into the well.
As down the laden bucket went,
The other made its swift ascent.

3. His cousin, Wolf, beguiled to stop,
Listened astonished at the top;

Looked down, and, by the uncertain light,
Saw Reynard in a curious plight,—
There in his bucket at the bottom,
Calling as if the hounds had got him!

4. "What do you there?" his cousin cried.
"Dear cousin Wolf," the fox replied,
"In coming to the well to draw
Some water, what d'ye think I saw?
It glimmered bright and still below;
You've seen it—but you did not know
It was a treasure! Now, behold!
I've got my bucket filled with gold,—
Enough to buy ourselves and wives
Poultry to last us all our lives!"

5. The wolf made answer with a grin:
"Dear me! I thought you'd tumbled in!
What, then, is all this noise about?"
"Because I could not draw it out,
I called to you," the Fox replied;
"First help me, then we will divide.”

6. "How?" "Get into the bucket there."
The wolf, too eager for a share,
Did not one moment pause to think;
There hung the bucket by the brink,
And in he stepped. As down he went
The cunning fox made his ascent,
Being the lighter of the two.

7. "That's right!-ha, ha! how well you do!
How glad I am you came to help!"
Wolf struck the water with a yelp;

The fox leaped out.

"Dear Wolf," said he,