Select one of the above topics on which to speak to the class. Find out all you can about your topic by talking to farmers and by reading. Speak clearly and distinctly. Look at the class while you speak. Dictation

How many sen

Study the following paragraph. tences are there? Why are the commas necessary in the first sentence?

In summer the horses, cows, and sheep find their food in the pasture. In winter the farmer must feed his animals. He must give them fresh water to drink and clean straw for their beds. There is much work in caring for stock in winter.

A Story about a Horse

Read the following story to see what happened to the man who was unkind to his horse:

THE BELL OF ATRI

King John of Sicily wished his people to be welltreated and happy. To make sure that every one, even the weakest and poorest, should have justice, King John placed in the market place of the town of Atri a large bell, to which a long rope was attached.

"If any one is treated unfairly," said the king, "he may ring this bell, and his case will be tried at once."

Many people rang the bell in the market place. They called it the "Bell of Justice," for any one who rang the bell knew that he would receive justice. After many

years of use, the rope was worn so that a small person or a little child could not reach it.

A STORY ABOUT A HORSE

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"This will never do," said a kind man, passing that way one day. He looked about for something to tie to the rope to make it longer, but he could find nothing but a vine on which the green leaves were growing.

"This will do," the man said, "at least until we can get something better"; and he fastened the vine to the rope, so that its end was low enough for the smallest child to reach.

In the village of Atri there lived an old knight who in his youth had been very fond of hunting. He had kept many horses and dogs, but as he grew older he sold them all except one old horse. This horse had served the knight faithfully while he was strong and young; but now the poor beast was well up in years, and he was no longer able to work. The knight was a harsh man, who loved money more than anything else.

"Why should I keep this old beast," he said to himself, now that he is too old and feeble to work? I will turn him out to die." With that he opened the gate, and drove the poor old horse out into the sun-baked road.

The feeble old steed wandered slowly under the blazing sun until he came to the market place. He was very hungry, and wished for some tender green grass; but he saw nothing except dry, hot stones. Ah! there was something green! The old horse spied the green leaves of the vine tied to the bell rope. He eagerly bit them, and as he did so, the bell began to ring.

From all sides people ran into the market place to see who was ringing the "Bell of Justice," but they saw no one but the old horse.

How is this?" cried the judge, who had been awakened from his afternoon nap. Has some one been playing a trick on me?'

Just then he noticed the old horse, eating the last leaf from the vine.

“Oh, it is you, old fellow, is it? Why do you want justice?

Then those who knew how badly the old knight had treated his horse told the judge all about it. As the judge listened to the tale of cruelty and selfishness he looked pityingly at the poor horse. Then he said:

"Poor beast, you have called for justice and you shall have it. Bring the old knight to me."

When the knight appeared, the judge said to him: When this horse was young and strong, he served you well. Now that he is no longer able to serve you, it is your turn to serve him. It is no more than just that you should provide for him comfortably in his See to it that he does not have to ask again

old age.
for justice."

All the people clapped their hands at these wise words. The old knight flushed with shame, and turning away from the crowd, led his horse back to his stable, where he kept him in comfort for the rest of his life.

Telling the Story

You can tell the story more easily if you divide it into parts.

1. The Bell of Justice" was set up in the market place.

2. The rope was worn out and replaced by a green vine.

MAKING A PLAY

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3. An old knight had turned his horse out to die. 4. The horse saw the green vine on the bell rope and pulled it.

5. The judge came to see who had rung the "Bell of Justice."

6. The old knight was ordered to feed the horse.

One pupil may tell the first part, another the second part, and so on, until the whole story is told.

Something to Remember

He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.
He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

Making a Play

The Bell of Atri is a good story to play. What characters must you have in the play? Where will the scene of the play be? You will probably have four scenes. In the first scene the king sets up the bell and tells the people when it is to be rung. In the second, the bell rope is mended. In the third, the old knight turns out his horse. In the fourth, the judge and the people find the poor horse, and the judge orders the knight to care for him.

Plan what each character is to do and to say. Assign the characters to different pupils.