it up and read," and do lots of funny tricks.

Then there was a white horse twenty-five years old, and just as sleek
and fat as a colt. Old Whitey has lived on the farm ever since he was a
little colt. Old as he is, he is still able to do a great deal of work.

[Illustration]

One day Uncle Wash was ploughing, and he put me on the back of Old
Whitey. Well, I liked that very much, and began to cluck, and jerk the
reins, to make him go along; when in an instant, without any warning, he
pricked up his ears, kicked up his heels, and ran away, leaving the
plough behind.

I can't tell you how scared I was. I held on as long as I could; but it
was of no use. The old horse ran through swamps and bogs, and dropped
me, head first, in the mud and dirt. I was hurt on my head and side, but
I would not cry because I was too big for that. When the men got to me,
I was hunting for my hat.

After getting rid of his load, the runaway coolly walked up to the barn,
and stood looking as mild as a lamb. I didn't have any faith in Old
Whitey after that, though his master said he never knew him to do such a
thing before.

NELSON.
WOODSTOCK, VT.

FRED AND NED.

[Illustration]

"OH, this is weather for play, for play!
And I will not go to school to-day,"
Said Master Frederic Philip Fay.

So he hung his satchel upon a tree:
And over the hills to the pond went he,
To frolic, and see what he could see.

He met a boy on the way to school,
And said, "Ned Foster, you're a fool
To study and plod because it's the rule."

Quoth Ned, "You'll find that _he's_ the fool
Who, for his pleasure, shirks his school:
Sun, moon, and stars, all go by rule."

Then Ned passed cheerily on his way,
And not another word did say
To Master Frederic Philip Fay.

Fred sat him down on a rock near by,
And cast a look on the bright blue sky,
And then at the sun, that was mounting high.

"Yes, truly, the sun has no time for play:
He has to go in a certain way,"
Said Master Frederic Philip Fay.

"Oh! what would become of us all, suppose
The sun, some morn, should say, as he rose,
'A truant I'll be to-day--here goes!'

"Then off should whirl in