Nobody seems to care for him except a tall, cross-looking Chinaman, that he calls his cousin.

4. This cousin comes to see him every Sunday, and little Tong always looks glad when he goes. I do not wonder, for he always says to Tommy's mother: "This boy no good, play, bleak (break) dishes, you

tell me; I whip him."

And then he

scowls until

poor little

Tong trem

bles in his

wooden

shoes.

5. But Tom

my's mother

always says, "Oh, no! he's

a very good boy;" and

she wonders how her own Tommy would get along washing dishes in some rich Chinaman's kitchen.

6. When his work is done, Tong loves to play

with Tommy; and a very pleasant playmate he makes, too.

7. He once made a wonderful kite for Tommy. It was the best kite in town, until it fell in love with the telegraph wire, and refused to come back to earth. Tong and Tommy were in despair.

8. Tong made a new one, in the form of a bird. It had gold eyes, and red, blue, and yellow feathers. It was done on Friday, and on Saturday morning the wind was just right. Tong wanted to go right out, for the wind might go down; but he had his dishes to wash, and it would take him an hour.

9. "Leave 'em on the table, Tongy; ma won't care!" said Tommy.

But Tong shook his head, and looked sad.

66 You go up stair; me do 'em welly (very) quick," " he said. And when Tommy had gone, he piled them up in the closet, on the floor, and covered them over with the big clothes-basket. Then he coiled his queue around his head, called Tommy, and off they skipped, holding the kite between them.

10. When Tommy's mother came down stairs to see about lunch, she saw the basket in that

unusual place. She was very much surprised to find the dirty dishes underneath.

Tong stayed out longer than he intended, and when he came in he was frightened to find the basket gone and the dishes washed.

11. His round face was very long, as he said to Tommy's mother, You tell my cousin ?"

66

"No," said his kind mistress, "but you must not do that again, Tong."

And Tong has never been naughty since.

LANGUAGE.

Make a story of your own out of this lesson, telling what Tong was like, and what he did.

1. There was once a king who had three brave and handsome sons. As they grew such fine, tall young men, he began to be afraid that they might want to rule his kingdom before he was dead. This troubled him much, for though he loved his sons, he loved his crown too.

2. At last he called the three sons, and said,

"My dear sons, I shall soon be getting too old to reign any longer; but you are all three so brave, and wise, and good, that I do not know which of you to choose to be king in my place.

3. "Now I know that when I am no longer king I shall feel rather lonely and dull, in my quiet country palace, and I think I should like

to have a nice, clever, pretty little dog to be a companion to me.

66

4. So I wish all three of you to go out into the wide world, and choose me the very best little dog you can find. You shall travel for a year and a day, and then bring home the best dog you have seen, and I think that the one of

you who shows most sense in his choice will be most fit to be a good and wise king. So I will give him my crown."

5. The three princes were well pleased with this plan. Their father gave them plenty of money, and before they started they held a great feast, at which they were very loving to each other, and promised that the one who was given the crown would never forget to be kind to his brothers.

6. Then they parted. All three met with many strange adventures; but I will only tell you about the youngest, as the most wonderful thing of all happened to him.

7. He was a very handsome young fellow, and so kind-hearted that every one who knew him loved him, and the people very much hoped that he would some day be their king.

8. Besides, Prince Beryl (that was the youngest prince's name) was very clever. He could sing, and play, and dance, and paint, better than any of the masters who had taught him. He had read all the books and all the newspapers in the world; but he was not at all vain, and he was always so cheerful that he was called the Merry Prince.