never
pretended to do more than he could do; but that which he could do, they
might depend upon his doing, punctually, accurately, carefully, and
never leaving off till it was done. Therefore, though others might
be quicker, sharper, more "up to things" than he, there was no one so
reliable, and it soon got to be a proverb in the office of Bethune &
Co.--and other offices, too--"If you wish a thing done, go to Boyd."

I am bound to say this, for I am painting no imaginary portrait, but
describing an individual who really exists, and who may be met any day
walking about Edinburgh, though his name is not Donald Boyd, and there
is no such firm as Bethune & Co. But the house he does belong to values
the young fellow so highly that there is little doubt he will rise in
it, and rise in every way, probably to the very top of the tree,
and tell his children and grandchildren the story which, in its main
features, I have recorded here, of how he first began facing the world.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN."

We went to the Zoo the Leopard to see,
But found him an unsociable fellow.
He would not look at us or say where he bought
His polka-dot suit of yellow.

ROBERT OF LINCOLN.

Merrily swinging on briar and weed,
Near to the nest of his little dame,
Over the mountain-side or mead,
Robert of Lincoln is telling his name;
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,
Spink, spank, spink;
Snug and safe in that nest of ours,
Hidden among the summer flowers.
Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln is gayly dressed.
Wearing a bright black wedding-coat;
White are his shoulders and white his crest,
Hear him calling his merry note:
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,
Spink, spank, spink;
Look, what a nice new coat is mine,
Sure there was never a bird so fine.
Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife,
Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings,
Passing at home a quiet life,
Broods in the grass while her husband sings:
Bob-o'-l ink, bob-o'-link,
Spink, spank, spink;
Brood, kind creatures; you need not fear
Thieves and robbers while I am here.
Chee, chee, chee.

Modest and shy as a nun is she,
One weak chirp is her only note,
Braggart and prince of braggarts is he,
Pouring boasts from his little throat:
Bob-o'-link, bo