these pieces of gold? they shall be will show us the nest: you need not to Michael.'

yours if you say anything

'No, no,' said the boy, that would be dishonest, and that I will never be, whether Michael knows it or not. What would it matter to me if the whole world did not know it, if I myself and God above knew that I was dishonest ? '

'Perhaps you do not know how much the gold is worth, and how many things it will buy?' said the tutor.

"Yes I do,' answered the boy; and certainly my poor father would be very pleased if I took home so much money.' He thought a little while, then cried out hastily, 'No; go away from me! do not tempt me! I gave my hand to Michael not to betray the nest, and I will keep my word.' "That is enough,' said the tutor. You are a good, honest boy, and have kept your word well. Now go and ask your friend for permission, and then come and show us the nest. You can share

the reward with him.'

"That I will,' said the boy. This evening I will bring back the answer.'

The tutor then went back with the prince to the hunting-castle, where they had come to pass the spring.

"The honesty of the boy,' said the tutor on the way, 'is really wonderful. It is a precious jewel that can never be too highly prized. The boy has the foundation of a great character.'

The tutor made further inquiries about the

boy, and learned that he was the son of a poor rake-maker, an honest and good man, and was called George.

In the afternoon, when the prince's lessons were over, they went again to the wood. The little boy sprang joyfully to meet them. It is all right with Michael,' said he : 'I can now show you the nest if you will come with me.'

George ran forward to the wood, while the prince and his tutor followed. 'Do you see that little yellow bird who is singing upon the alder-tree? ' said he to the prince; he is the male bird, and belongs to the nest, so we must go gently.'

Then they came to a whitethorn covered with sweet-scented blossoms, and George pointed with his finger into the bush, and whispered, 'Look in there, prince—the mother-bird is sitting upon the eggs;' but as he spoke she flew away, and the prince was delighted with the sight of the beautiful nest and the pretty little eggs. The tutor then gave the boy the promised reward, which he shared with Michael, and carried, his own part home to his father.

THE BIRD'S NEST-(Continued).

The prince came every day to the wood to look at the bird's nest, and often met the shepherd-boy. The tutor was pleased to see that he always had his book with him, and read diligently.

'You use your time well, my boy,' said he. 'Where did you go to school? '

'Ah,' said George, 'I have never been to any

school. It is too far, and father could not spare me; but my friend Michael taught me my letters, and lent me this book: but it is now so dirty that it is quite difficult to read from it.'

The next time the prince met the shepherd-boy he showed him a new book. "I will lend this to you,' said he, ‘and as soon as you can read a page without any mistake I will give it you.'

The boy was delighted, and handled it with the tips of his fingers, as carefully as if it had been a spider's web. In a few days he came and said, ‘I can read any part you like in the first six pages.' The prince pointed to a place, which George read without stumbling, and to his great delight he received the book for his own.

One morning the king, the prince's father, came to the hunting-castle, attended by a single servant. He wished to see how the prince was, and what progress he was making in his studies. At dinner the prince told his father the story of the beautiful bird's nest and the honest shepherd-boy, to which the king listened with great interest; and after dinner he took the tutor aside, and talked with him some time alone. Then he ordered the shepherd-boy to be sent for. George came, and was very much surprised to see the noble-looking man, with a star on his breast. The tutor told the boy who the gentleman was, and George bowed almost to the ground.

'Come here, little boy,' said the king, kindly. 'I hear you are fond of reading. Would you like to study?'

'Indeed I should,' said George; but my father is too poor to spare me.'

'Now, listen,' said the king. 'I will try whether we cannot make a scholar of you. The prince's tutor has a friend, a clergyman, who takes industrious boys into his house to educate. I will recommend you to him, and undertake to pay all the expenses. How does this proposal please you?'

The king expected that the boy would accept this offer with the greatest delight. A look of joy came over his face, but this in a moment was changed to one of sadness, and he was silent.

'What is it?' said the king; 'you look more ready to cry than laugh: what is the matter?' "Ah!' said George, 'my father needs all that I can earn for him; he is so very poor.'

You are a good boy,' said the king, kindly; and whatever your father loses I will make up to him; will that satisfy you?'

The boy was almost beside himself with delight. He kissed the king's hand, and thanked him with tears of gratitude; then hastened away to tell the good news to his father. Soon the father and son came back, but could hardly find words to express their thanks for such great kindness.

George worked hard at his studies, and after some years the king took him into his service. By performing his duties faithfully and with God's blessing upon his industry, he prospered, and at length was enabled to buy the very estate upon which he had once been a poor shepherd boy.

One morning, after he had shown a bird's nest

to his two little boys, Adolphus and William, he seated himself with them under the oak where he had first seen the prince and told them his history. He ended with these words, 'Use the talents which God has given you, my dear boys. Learn diligently; be always honest and true; and above all, trust in God, and seek His help in all things. So will He direct your ways, and richly bless your industry and faithfulness.'

BIRDS' NESTS.

THE skylark's nest among the grass
And waving corn is found;

The robin's on a shady bank,

With oak leaves strewed around.

The wren builds in an ivied thorn,

Or old and ruined wall;

The mossy nest so covered in,

You scarce can see at all.

The martins build their nests of clay,
In rows beneath the eaves;
The silvery lichens, moss, and hair,
The chaffinch interweaves.

The cuckoo makes no nest at all,
But through the wood she strays,
Until she finds one snug and warm,
And there her egg she lays.

The sparrow has a nest of hay,
With feathers warmly lined;

The ring-dove's careless nest of sticks
On lofty trees we find.