road, and thoughtlessly ran directly before him, when,
had it not been for his sagacity, it would inevitably have been crushed
by the wheels. On seeing what had occurred, the good old horse took the
child up by its clothes with his teeth, carried it a few yards, and then
placed it by the wayside,--moving slowly all the while, and looking back
occasionally, as if to satisfy himself that the cart-wheels had passed
clear of it.

In all his duties he was equally steady and precise, and could be
perfectly trusted.

That is just the character you should aim at deserving. To merit being
perfectly trusted, shows that your talent is employed to the best
advantage--that you are labouring, really and truly, from a conscious
sense of duty. Only thus will you labour honestly.

THE FAITHFUL HORSE AND HIS RIDER.

Horses have been known to fight for their friends, both human and
canine.

A farmer near Edinburgh possessed a hunter which had carried him safely
for many a day over moorland heath as well as beaten roads. He was one
day returning from the city, where he had attended a jovial meeting,
when, feeling more than usually drowsy, he slipped from his saddle to
the ground, without being awakened by the change of position, and
letting go the bridle as he fell. His faithful steed, which had the
character of being a vicious horse, instead of galloping home, as might
have been expected, stood by his prostrate master, keeping as strict a
watch over him as a dog could have done.

Some labourers, coming by at daybreak, observed the farmer still
sleeping near a heap of stones by the roadside. Intending to assist
him, they drew near, when the horse, by his grinning teeth and ready
heels, showed them that it would be wiser to keep at a distance. He did
not, probably, understand their humane intentions; but not till they had
aroused the farmer, who at length got on his feet, would his equine
guardian allow them to proceed.

Mrs F--mentions another instance of a high-spirited Irish horse, which,
under similar circumstances, used to defend his master.

This man, a dissipated character, often coming home at night tipsy,
would fall to the ground in a helpless state. Had the horse, while the
man was in this condition, forsaken him, he would have been run over by
any vehicle passing along the road; but the faithful horse was his
vigilant guardian and protector. If nobody approached, the animal would
stand patiently beside his pro