For if at midnight, still and dark,
  Strange steps he hears, with angry bark,
  He bids his master wake and see,
  If thieves or honest folks they be.

  At home, abroad, obedient still,
  His only guide his master’s will;
  Before his steps, or by his side,
  He runs or walks with joy and pride.

  He runs to fetch the stick or ball,
  Returns obedient to the call;
  Content and pleased if he but gains
  A single pat for all his pains.

  But whilst his merits thus we praise,
  Pleased with his character and ways,
  This let us learn, as well we may,
  To love our teachers and obey.

MORAL LESSON.[A]

[Footnote A:  The following tale, though not adapted for the younger children of an Infant School, and too long to be committed to memory by the elder ones, might be read to such by the master, and would serve as an admirable theme for conversation.  It is likewise well adapted as a tale for family circles.]

THE TWO HALVES.

  “What nice plum-cakes,” said JAMES to JOHN,
  “Our mother sends!  Is your’s all gone?”
  “It is,” JOHN answered; “is not thine?”
  “No, JOHN, I’ve saved one half of mine;

  “It was so large, as well as nice,
  I thought that it should serve for twice,
  Had I eat all to-day, to-morrow
  I might have mourn’d such haste in sorrow;
  So half my cake I wisely took,
  And, seated in my favourite nook,
  Enjoyed alone, the double pleasure,
  Of present and of future treasure.” 
  “I, too,” said JOHN, “made up my mind
  This morning, when our mother kind
  Sent down the cakes so nice and sweet,
  That I but half to-day would eat,
  And half I ate; the other half—­”
  JAMES stopp’d his brother with a laugh;
   “I know what you’re about to say,—­
    The other half you gave away. 
    Now, brother, pray explain to me,
    The charms which you in giving see. 
    Shew me how feasting foes or friends
    Can for your fasting make amends.” 
   “A poor old man,” said JOHN, “came by,
    Whose looks implored for charity. 
    His eyes, bedimm’d with starting tears,
    His body bowed by length of years,
    His feeble limbs, his hoary hairs,
    Were to my heart as silent prayers. 
    I saw, too, he was hungry, though
    His lips had not informed me so. 
    To this poor creature, JAMES, I gave
    The half which I had meant to save. 
    The lingering tears, with sudden start,
      Ran down the furrows of his cheek,
    I knew he thank’d me in his heart,
      Although he strove in vain to speak. 
    The joy that from such acts we gain
    I’ll try for your sake to explain. 
    First, God is pleased, who, as you know,
      Marks every action that we do;
    That God ‘from whom all blessings flow,’
      So many JAMES