The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-30
DUNCAN M'HARDYs LESSON.
Our Young Folks Magazine.I

'nbbit. She buried her little face in tn,
WOOL, while the rabbit buried its face
bright eyes and all, in her sunny cnrls.
HDid she bring me onef' inquired Duncan
boxing at the rabbit, only half pleased.
s'N-o-o," eaid May, while cloud pass
Ia over her face. "But you know it's my
!" she added, coaxingly.
s'Let's see it," said Duncan, taking the
Abbit roughly by the ears.
"Oh, you'll hurt it, Duncan !" cried May,
eady to cry.
But she dared not refuse to let him take
for he was her tyrant-three years older
.3an May, q strong, big boy of his age
ehiIe che was very tiny. Then he liked to
|4mineer. and little May was so gentle and
bmissive, that he ruled and governed her
- all occasions.
s'I never got rabbit as birthday gift ~
cried, almost angriiy, throwing the
eature upon the grass, after having looked
it discontentedly.
May took up her treasure, only too thank
hl to have it safely in her arms again.
"Will you make house for me to keep
IN, Duncan 7" she inquired presently.
ssYes, if you put it away somewhere just
.1w, and come and help me-"
Nay gladly went, ard, putting her rBb=
&into basket, came back to her brother.
Wow I'm ready, Duncan dear!"
SBring me spade" he ordered.
Nay ran and brought spade.
The cottage which was the children g
|bfne was in wood on the banks of the
Ter. The boy was dark and sau-burnt,
th shaggy red hair, very unlike his
9icate- looking sister.
.Duncan's daily duty was, before and
Ter school hours, to take people across
b river in a boat by means of long pole,
e river not being deep enough to allow
ID use of oars.
I'm -, E,,f
tree, and, with May in attendance, he
|poped out a large hole.
FNow, May, bring stones and bricks" he
Ia, while he threw himself down to rest
q whistle, like the idle fellow he was.
Little May found the bricks very heavy !;
be, as it was for her pretty white pet, she
bOriously came and went until she had
|ought enough.
|Ehen Duncan built it all round, making
q top first OF branches, then of turf, leav
|B neat doorway in front for the occu.
ut. Then they put in the pretty rabbit.
] q gave it clover and cabbage leaves; and
y went into the cottage the happiest of
he maids.
Duncan seated himself on the edge of the
nk, allowing his legs to dangle down into
10 river, and, lying back, began to crack
~ eat handful of nuts which he had
ZEN from his pocket and laid by his side.
thoughts were upon the white rabbit
envied May her birthday gift. Pres
Fly stealtby little fgnre approached, 80
FLY that he did not hear, and May
.eked up the nuts one by one; still he did
hear her. Her eyes sparkled with mis-
lef. She was discovered by her laugh,
B she laughed quiet little laugh when
saw him cropping for the missing fruit
an instant he was on his feet. She knew
lat to expect, for, with a bound, che was
beyond his reach, and he giving chase.
fough the woods, and through the woods
~ ran, z'g-z gag, zig gag, round this tree
that, till the feathery birches seemed
.fustle as if with smile at the childrenL'
Srt.
|pancan was much the stronger of the
p; and little May, after running herself
lte out of breath, sank on the turf at tAe
OF tree, and Duncan was upon her.
p threw the nuts to some distance, and
leaving her, scrambled after them.
Pin she tried to run, but she was too
p, and he caught her easily. He threw
down roughly, and sst upon her bare
to prevent her escaping. May scream
Wlth pain. He was go rough
You hurt me, Duncan! OH"
1'll learn yon to play tricks on mel"
see Duncan spoke bad GRAMMAR
he quietly continued to crack and eat
Auts.
LET me up! Oh!-I'il tell mother !"
May began to cry.
Tell will ye, tell tale 7" and he sat
pier than before, while the poor child
&hed in pain.
III never do it again! Oh, Duncan,
Be- -.
kal let you go if you'll give me your
"a white rabbit"
oh, it was auntie's present. 1 can't!"
bits z"
Oh, no, no, no.. Anything else but
e sat heavier. May here gave a louder
am than before; which attracted a
ntryman who was passing on the road
. by.
Hey what are you about7 Let the
ie alone"
e let May rise. But Duncan wac an OBJ
ate boy, and he had set his mind on
ing the new white rabbit. So he held
by the hair till the stranger passed on
now he dragged her down to the river.
running, they bad come some distance,
were now opposite the ford, which is a
Ader and shallower part of the river,
re it can be crossed either on horseback
Dy wading, which many of the country
pie do.
The rabbit :" said Duncan, threaten
y.
No." said May; "I can't!"
/ |rN ~.~s- l.