beaver is highly prized. The men who
hunt these animals are called trappers.
11. A gentleman once saw five young beavers playing.
They would leap on the trunk of a tree that lay near a beaver
dam, and would push one another off into the water.

12. He crept forward very cautiously, and was about to
fire on the little creatures; but their amusing tricks reminded
him so much of some little children he knew at home, that he
thought it would be inhuman to kill them. So he left them
without even disturbing their play.

3,3

34 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON X.

THE YOUNG TEACHER.

1. Charles Rose lived in the country with his father, who
taught him to read and to write.
2. Mr. Rose told his son that, when his morning lessons
were over, he might amuse himself for one hour as he
pleased.
3. There was a river near by. On its bank stood the hut of a
poor fisherman, who lived by selling fish.
4. His careful wife kept her wheel going early and late.
They both worked very hard to keep themselves above want.
5. But they were greatly troubled lest their only son
should never learn to read and to write. They could not teach
him themselves, and they were too poor to send him to
school.
6. Charles called at the hut of this fisherman one day, to
inquire about his dog, which was missing.

THIRD READER. 35
7. He found the little boy, whose name was Joe, sitting by
the table, on which he was making marks with a piece of
chalk. Charles asked him whether he was drawing pictures.

8. "No, I am trying to write," said little Joe, "but I know
only two words. Those I saw upon a sign, and I am trying to
write them."
9. "If I could only learn to read and write," said he, "I
should be the happiest boy in the world."

36 ECLECTIC SERIES.
10. "Then I will make you happy," said Charles. "I am
only a little boy, but I can teach you that.
11. "My father gives me an hour every day for myself.
Now, if you will try to learn, you shall soon know how to
read and to write."
12. Both Joe and his mother were ready to fall on their
knees to thank Charles. They told him it was what they
wished above all things.
13. So, on the next day when the hour came, Charles put
his book in his pocket, and went to teach Joe. Joe learned
very fast, and Charles soon began to teach him how to write.
14. Some time after, a gentleman called on Mr. Rose, and
asked him if he knew where Charles was. Mr. Rose said that
he was taking a walk, he supposed.
15.