Under the Lilacs

y above him, but a neat white ceiling, where several flies buzzed sociably together, while from without came, not the tramping of horses, the twitte

ound from chair to bed, and licked his master's face so energetically that the boy dived under the bedclothes to escape from the rough tongue. A rap on the floor from below made both jump up, and in ten minutes a

sked Mrs. Moss, noddin

and lately nothin' but sky for a cover and grass for my feather-bed," lau

y haven't got more flesh on them than yours have," answered Mrs

better for tight-ropes and tumblin'; likewise bareback ridi

were a young Hercules, ready to play ball with the stove if she gave him leave. Glad

your muscle by bringin

ith all he saw,-the small brown house with a pretty curl of smoke rising from its chimney, the little sisters sitting in the sunshine, green hills and newly-plant

s his eye came back to them after a long look, which

where to be complete," answered Ben, as the long well-sweep came up

let us pull a few hairs out of old Major's tail to make rings of,

uch fun to go jouncing down the lane and back. I do love horses!" cried Bab,

ing look as he went by, taking care to slop a little water on Mrs. Pu

es little was said, as mush and milk vanished in a way that would

d I'll make things tidy. Then we can all start off at once," said Mrs. Moss, as the last m

omewhat erratic way,-now frisking about Ben at the risk of getting his tail chopped off, then trotting away to poke his inquisitive nose into every closet and room whither he followed Mrs. Moss in her "flying round" evolutions; next dragging off the mat so Betty could brush the door-steps, or inspecting Bab's d

y like a well-behaved dog accustomed to go out walking with ladies. At the cross-roads they separated, th

job, just thank him for it, and do your best to be steady and industrious; then you'll get on, I haven't

going to have a tooth out, Ben meekly followed the good woman, who put

ew-comers with a pair of sharp eyes, saying in a testy tone, which would have rather d

the matter now? Young tramp

en's story, unconsciously making his wrongs and destitution so pathetic by her looks and tones, that

proving nod to Mrs. Moss as she finished, and such a keen glance from

ing, sir, to

you w

but I can

leave the pigweed, hey? C

ny thing but e

at part of the job. Can

o sparkle, for he dearly loved the noble ani

Squire's horse was a joke all over the town, being about twenty years old, and having a peculiar gait of his own, lifting his fore-feet very high, with a great show of speed, though never

't afraid of any thing on four legs. The King of Morocco used

e to drive cows to

es all to oncet. May be I could manage cows if I tried hard," answered Ben, endeavoring to be

d amusement betrayed by the fire in his eyes and the sly smile round his li

ty, but folks got tired of them. Mules are numerous, but we have the two

and somehow that jolly laugh seemed to settle matters than words. As they stopped, the S

give you some odd jobs through the day. I'll see what you are good for, and s

his work just as well as not. I can see to him then, and

t you are about, and have a good report to give when he comes for y

ck or lost," murmured Ben, inwardly thanking his stars that he had not done any t

door, and stood eying the boy with smal

and go for them. Give him any light jobs you ha

t; and, with a hasty good-by to Mrs. Moss, Ben followed his new leader, sorely te

ed, "A horse, a horse! my kingdom for a horse!" for the feeling was in his heart, and he ran up to the stately animal without a fear. Duke put back his ears and swished his tail as if disple

to the cattle as his honor told ye," commanded Pat, who made a great s

right off," said Ben, with an arm around Duke's neck, and his own cheek confidingly laid against the animal's; fo

indow, and suspecting from Pat's face

an. I'm going out directly, and he

roomy chaise stood at the door in a surprisingly short time, wit

of harnessing suited as well; but Ben got no praise, except a nod and

awaited their eager cropping. By the school they went, and the boy looked pityingly at the black, brown, and yellow heads bobbing past the win

vidently had fallen from some ill-used history, for the picture showed some queer ships at anchor, some oddly dressed men just landing, and a crowd of Indians dancing about on the shore.

tray leaves, he trudged on, enjoying the bobolink's song, the warm sunshine, and a comfortable sense