lothes over
again till they can make new ones." Years had not broken the strong
will or dulled the sharp wit.
His efforts to secure for the Americans the aid of France can never be
forgotten by the American people. Burgoyne's surrender made the French
believe that the patriots' cause was worthy of assistance, but it is
quite certain that the eloquence of Dr. Franklin, as the French people
called the Great American, had opened the way for all that followed.
Whatever favor he met with in society, whatever honor he received,
whatever fame he acquired at home or abroad, he turned all to account
for the good of his country.
SELECTION XXII
GIVE ME THE PEOPLE
Some love the glow of outward show,
The shine of wealth, and try to win it:
The house to me may lowly be,
If I but like the people in it.
What's all the gold that glitters cold,
When linked to hard and haughty feeling?
Whate'er we're told, the noblest gold
Is truth of heart and honest dealing.
A humble roof may give us proof
That simple flowers are often fairest;
And trees whose bark is hard and dark
May yield us fruit, and bloom the rarest.
There's worth as sure among the poor
As e'er adorned the highest station;
And minds as just as theirs, we trust,
Whose claim is but of rank's creation.
Then let them seek, whose minds are weak,
Mere fashion's smile, and try to win it:
The house to me may lowly be,
If I but like the people in it.
_Charles Swain_.
LESSON LXVII
NOBILITY REWARDED
A rich man, feeling himself growing old, called his three sons around
him and said: "I am resolved to divide my goods equally among you. You
shall each have your full share, but there is one thing which I have
not included in the share of any one of you. It is this costly diamond
which you see in my hand. I will give it to that one of you who shall
earn it by the noblest deed. Go, therefore, and travel for three
months; at the end of that time we will meet here again, and you shall
tell me what you have done."
The sons departed accordingly, and traveled three months, each in a
different direction. At the end of that time they returned; and all
came together to their father to give an account of their journey.
The eldest son spoke first. He said: "On my journey a stranger
entrusted to me a great number of valuable jewels, without taking any
account of them. Indeed, I was w
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