had been making preparations to advance against it, when suddenly he became ill.

"Who will lead the army and drive back the foe?" asked the queen.

All the courtiers were silent.

"I will," said the elephant.

And the astonished crowd cheered and shouted. Then they put on all his armor and bright trappings. At a signal from the tower, he marched forth at the head of the army. The enemy saw this beautiful white creature in battle array and were seized with fear. The elephant trumpeted loud and long, as he led the charge against their front ranks. The enemy thought some evil spirit was advancing against them. In terror they turned and fled.

Thus did Whitie disperse the enemy and save his country.

· Animal Folk Tales.

1. In what countries do elephants live? What are some elephants taught to do? Why was this elephant grateful?

2. What do you know about elephants? Where have you seen them? Can you tell any other story about an elephant?

3. Words to find and explain: clěv'er; loath; roy'al; lux'u-ry; for'eign; court'iers; dis-perse'.

4. Ask your teacher to show you how to find the meaning of words in a dictionary. An elementary dictionary is best for you to learn to use first. Try to find in the dictionary all the words in 3.

IC

15

ON THE FARM

All of us like the country. Most of us know something of the farm. Some of us live there; others of us have spent our vacations there; and all of us agree that it is a good place to know more about. For after all the Farm is only the Country in its working clothes.

FARMER JOHN

BY JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE

OME from his journey Farmer John

HOM

Arrived this morning safe and sound,
His black coat off and his old clothes on,
"Now, I'm myself," said Farmer John,

And he thinks, "I'll look around."
Up leaps the dog: "Get down, you pup!
Are you so glad you would eat me up?"
And the old cow lows at the gate to greet him,
The horses prick up their ears to meet him.
"Well, well, old Bay,

Ha, ha, old Gray,

Do you get good feed when I'm away?"

"You haven't a rib," says Farmer John,
"The cattle are looking round and sleek,
The colt is going to be a roan,

And a beauty, too, how he has grown!

We'll wean the calf in a week."
Says Farmer John, "When I've been off
To call you again about the trough,

And watch

you and pet you while you drink, Is a greater comfort than you can think," And he pats old Bay,

And he slaps old Gray,

"Ah, this is the comfort of going away."

"For, after all," says Farmer John,
"The best of a journey is getting home,
I've seen great sights but I would not give
This spot and the peaceful life I live

For all their Paris and Rome,

These hills for the city's stifled air
And big hotels all bustle and glare,

Land all houses, and roads all stones

That deafen your ears and batter your bones!

"There Money is king," says Farmer John,
"And Fashion is queen, and it's very queer

To see how sometimes when the man

Is raking and scraping all he can,

The wife spends, every year,