he
violence burst a blood-vessel, and the noble horse fell dead.

Before the boys could sufficiently recover to consider how they should
extricate themselves from the scrape, they were called to breakfast; and
the mistress of the house, knowing that they had been in the fields,
began to ask after her stock.

"Pray, young gentlemen," said she, "have you seen my blooded colts in
your rambles? I hope they are well taken care of. My favorite, I am
told, is as large as his sire."

The boys looked at one another, and no one liked to speak. Of course the
mother repeated her question.

"The sorrel is dead, madam," said her son. "I killed him!"

And then he told the whole story. They say that his mother flushed with
anger, as her son often used to, and then, like him, controlled herself,
and presently said, quietly:--

"It is well; but while I regret the loss of my favorite, I rejoice in my
son who always speaks the truth."

The story of Washington's killing the blooded colt is of a piece with
other stories less particular, which show that he was a very athletic
fellow. Of course, when a boy becomes famous, every one likes to
remember the wonderful things he did before he was famous; and
Washington's playmates, when they grew up, used to show the spot by the
Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg, where he stood and threw a stone to
the opposite bank; and at the celebrated Natural Bridge, the arch of
which is two hundred feet above the ground, they always tell the visitor
that George Washington threw a stone in the air the whole height. He
undoubtedly took part in all the sports which were the favorites of his
country at that time--he pitched heavy bars, tossed quoits, ran, leaped,
and wrestled; for he was a powerful, large-limbed young fellow, and he
had a very large and strong hand.

417

The _Autobiography_ by Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790) has become a classic in American
literature. Its simple style, practical
doctrine of industry and economy, and pleasing
revelation of the character of one of America's
greatest statesmen make it appropriate for use
in the seventh and eighth grades. (See also
note to No. 250.)

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

At ten years old I was taken home to assist my father in his business,
which was that of a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler, a business he was
not bred to, but had assumed on his arrival in New Engla