7. Now the boys and girls who read this lesson may write some things which they can do. Be very careful to spell the words correctly when you write.

LESSON VII.

Fi' do Ġeôrge bā ́bieş round pret'ty woods low'er ought

(prit'ty)

1. This is our dog Fido. He is a fine, large dog, and has a pretty collar around his neck.

He has strong, sharp teeth, but he never bites us.

2. When we first owned Fido he was very small and we fed him milk. He learned to take the milk from a bottle, as some babies do.

3. It was very funny to see him hold the bottle in his paws. After a short time he

began to drink from a dish, and to eat bits. of bread and meat.

4. He grew quite fast, and was very fat and round. His legs were so short that, when he tried to run, he often fell down and rolled over and over.

5. My brother George made a nice bed for Fido in a box, which we always kept in a warm place. He slept in this bed until he grew to be a large dog.

6. George was Fido's master and taught him a great many tricks. He used to hide things and make Fido find them.

When Fido found any thing he wagged his tail, and we patted his head and praised him.

7. He soon learned to sit up on the floor, or in a chair, and beg. Sometimes we put pieces of bread on his nose, and he would toss them up and catch them in his mouth.

8. We taught him to jump over a stick when we held it before him, and to "shake hands" with his fore-paws. He learned to stand up on his hind-legs and ring the doorbell when he wished to come into the house.

9. Fido often ran about with George in the woods and among the bushes on the farm.

He was a good watch-dog, but we did not have to fasten him with a chain to keep him from biting people.

We were never afraid as long as Fido lived.

"I love you, mother," said little John.

Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,

And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

2.

"I love you, mother," said rosy Nell,
"I love you better than tongue can tell."
Then she teased and pouted half the day,
Till all rejoiced when she went to play.

3.

"I love you, mother," said little Fan; "To-day I will help you all I can;

How glad I am that school does not keep!" She rocked the babe till it fell asleep.

4.

Then, stepping softly, she brought the broom, And swept the floor, and tidied the room; Busy and happy all day was she,

Helpful and happy as child could be.

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5.

"I love you, mother," again they said,-
Three little children all going to bed.
How do you suppose that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?