Den. His economy is evidently nothing but stinginess; and as to charity, he seems to be the last man one could expect to do an act of that kind. Why, only last week, a poor man whose house and barn had been burned, and who had lost all he possessed, called on him with a subscription paper, in which were the names of most of the gentlemen in the neighborhood, and the only answer he gave was, he would consider it.

Rad. Do you know whether he did consider it or not?

Den. I do not. I suppose it was only an excuse to get rid of doing anything for the poor man. As for myself, I have reason to think he bears no good-will toward me.

Rad. Then he is greatly in the wrong; for I presume you entertain no ill-will toward him. But in what way does he show ill feeling toward you?

Den. In various ways. He had a valuable cow which he wished to sell. I took a liking to her, and offered him more than she was worth; but as soon as he found I wanted her, he sent her away, and sold her to the butcher. My wife, you know, is very fond of cultivating flowers, and, seeing a beautiful plant growing in Mr. Goodman's garden, she requested the gardener to ask his employer to sell her a small root or cutting of it; but, instead of obliging her, he charged the gardener not to meddle with the plant on any account.

Rad. That was very strange conduct, indeed; but perhaps he had some good reason for refusing to comply with these requests. Have you any other complaints to make against him?

Den. Yes. About three weeks ago, I discharged my coachman for being careless and impudent; but, as he had lived with me many years, and had been generally a very trusty and useful servant, I meant to take him back again, upon his submission, which I was sure would soon happen. Instead of that he offers himself to my obliging neighbor,

who, without deigning to apply to me for a statement of his character, engages him forthwith. Evidently he has not the least quality of a gentleman; and glad indeed should I be, if he would quit the neighborhood forever.

Rad. It must surely be a very great misfortune to have so disagreeable a neighbor, especially in the country. But who is that man coming up the lane?

Den. Ah! he is the poor fellow who was burned out last week. (Enter NATHAN.) Well, Nathan, how do you succeed with your subscription?

Nathan. Admirably! thanks to Providence and my kind friends, my losses are nearly all made up.

Den. I am very glad to hear that. When I saw you last, you had not obtained one half the amount.

Nathan. True; but you remember asking me what Mr. Goodman had subscribed, and I told you he wished to consider the subject. Well, the next day I learned he had made very particular inquiries among my neighbors, about me and my losses; and when I called on him, a few days after, he told me he was very glad to find that I bore so good a character, and that the neighbors had so kindly and generously come to my relief. He then subscribed three hundred dollars, and gave me a check on the bank for that amount.

Den. Three hundred dollars! You astonish me! A noble gift indeed! I never could have thought it. I rejoice at your good fortune. I am sure you are greatly obliged to Mr. Goodman.

Nathan. Indeed I am, sir, and to all my good friends who have so generously contributed to my necessity. [Exit. Rad. Well, Mr. Denver, that does not look much like the act of a penurious or niggardly man. obliged to entertain a more favorable

man.

I think you will be opinion of Mr. Good

Den. Indeed, I do already! I find I was mistaken in that

respect at least, and I am willing to confess that my suspicion was unjust. But what a pity it is that men of such noble generosity should not be amiable in their manners, and as ready to oblige in trifles as in matters of greater importance ! Rad. Yes; it is a pity, when that is really the case.

Den. It certainly would not have required a very great sacrifice to have shown a little civility about a flower-root! Rad. No, indeed; but is not that your gardener coming down the road, with a large flower in his hands?

Enter GARDENER.

Den. Why, Richard, where did you get that beautiful flower?

Gardener. It came from Mr. Goodman's garden. He has sent it as a present to Mrs. Denver.

Den. Sent it? I hope you did not go and ask for the flower?

Gard. His gardener, sir, sent me word to come for it; and Mr. Goodman said he would have sent it before, but he thought it could not be safely removed.

Den. I hope he did not rob himself by sending it.

Gard. He had only a small plant left, sir; but, hearing that madam took a fancy to it, he was resolved to send it to her, and a choice plant it is!

Den. Well, take it home, and set it in a good place.

[Exit GARDENER. Rad. This certainly shows that Mr. Goodman is not lacking in civility.

Den. It really does. It shows that he is thoughtful and polite in small matters, and I am obliged to him for the favor. Perhaps he wishes to make amends for past incivility. But here comes his hired man. (Enter THOMAS.) Well, Thomas, how much more did you get for Mr. Goodman's cow than I offered him?

Thomas. Ah! Mr. Denver, you would never have been pleased with that animal, she was so unruly and vicious; and She was a fine creature to look So he sold her to the butcher for

Mr. Goodman well knew it. at, but too unsafe to keep. less than you offered him.

Den. And was that the reason why Mr. Goodman refused to sell the cow to me?

Thomas. It was, indeed, sir.

Den. Then I am greatly obliged to him. That was really a neighborly act!

[Exit THOMAS. Rad. Yes; I think his conduct shows something more than politeness; it displays real goodness of heart.

Den. It does indeed. I find I must change my opinion of him, and I do it with pleasure. But, after all, his conduct respecting my hired man is somewhat unaccountable.

Rad. His conduct in relation to other matters has been so noble, that I am inclined to think he will show himself equally honorable in that also.

Den. Why, here comes Andrew now. I wonder what apology he has to make for his conduct.

ANDREW approaches, taking off his hat.

Andrew. Sir, I wish to say to your honor that— Den. What have you to say to me now, Andrew? Andrew. I came to ask pardon for my misconduct, and beg that you will take me into your employment again.

Den. Why have you so soon parted with your new master? Andrew. Mr. Goodman never was my master, sir. He only kept me till you could be reconciled to take me into your service again; for, he said, he was sure you were too honorable to turn off an old servant without good reason, and he hoped you would accept my excuses, and receive me again. Den. Did Mr. Goodman say all that?

Andrew. He did, sir; and he advised me not to delay any longer asking your forgiveness.

Den. Well, you may go to my house, and I will talk with you on the subject when I return.

Rad. Now, friend Denver, what do you think of your new neighbor, after all this?

Den. I think more than I can well express. It will be a lesson to me never again to make such hasty judgment. I acknowledge my error. But it is the misfortune of these reserved characters, that they are so long in making themselves known; but when they are known they are often the most sincere and valuable of friends.

Adapted.

LESSON LXXVI.

THE NATURAL BRIDGE.

1. The Falls of Niagara and the Natural Bridge are justly esteemed the most remarkable curiosities in North America. So exceptional is the beauty, as well as sublimity, of these famous scenes, that thoughtless persons have characterized them as "freaks of Nature." But in Nature there are no freaks. She shows her power in the grand cataract, spanned with its rainbow, and in the dizzy arch of the Natural Bridge, just as, in the daisy and the violet, she shows her grace and beauty.

2. The Natural Bridge has been, from about the middle of the eighteenth century, an object of curiosity and admiration; and travelers who visited America to compare its natural grandeur with the splendid objects of art and architecture to be seen in the Old World, always went first, in the North, to the Falls of Niagara, and in the South to the world-renowned Natural Bridge.

3. The most striking view of the Natural Bridge is that