with a storm, you
can never hear the voice of the charmer, though he charm never so
wisely.

* * * * *

COMFORT AND SOBRIETY.

Let me here give you a few maxims to commit to memory:----

Avoid and shun the sources of misery.

Be sure not to _indulge_ your appetite.

Strong drink excites a person to do wrong.

Remember you are never out of temptation.

A _life of virtue and temperence_ will secure to you money and time;
will give you health, and prosperity, peace, character, respect, and
usefulness.

PLEDGE.

Our hands and our hearts we give
To the temperance pledge, declaring
That long as on earth we live,
All its bountiful blessings sharing,

We will taste not and touch not the bowl
That burns with intoxication,
And will lend our assistance to roll
The temperance ball through the nation.

* * * * *

THE TRUSTY DOG.

I am glad to introduce to you, the noble dog whose picture is before
you. He was an old and tried friend of mine, and I could tell you a
great many things about him. He was more trust-worthy than many a
little child that I have known; for though circumstances have thrown
me in the way of many beautiful children, some of the little ones with
whom I have met, were not so truthful and trusty as they ought to have
been.

[Illustration: "Erie," the trusty dog.]

But I must not forget the work I commenced; and run off into telling
you stories of bad children rather than of the good dog. I know that
you are already interested in this noble fellow, by this fine portrait
of him. Hasn't he a beautiful face. It is as kind and good natured a
dog as you ever saw. Now you want to know his name; and, perhaps some
of you are feeling curious by this time, to know what he is doing with
that great basket which he holds in his mouth, I will first tell you
his name, and then come to the question of the basket. His name was
"Erie." Mayhap you never knew a dog by this name. It is very peculiar
to call a dog "Erie," but, as this was an extraordinary wise dog, he
deserved a name somewhat different from ordinary dogs.

Now I will proceed to my story which is true, and may be believed as
well as wondered at.

"Erie" had great many wonderful tricks. He seemed to understand what
was said to him, and would obey promptly any person in whom he had
confidence, when they told him to do anything which was in his powe