bait, and, putting the pole again in my hands, told me to try my luck once
more.

8. "But remember, boy," he said, with his shrewd smile, "never brag of
catching a fish until he is on dry ground. I've seen older folks doing
that in more ways than one, and so making fools of themselves. It's no use
to boast of anything until it's done, nor then, either, for it speaks for
itself."

9. How often since I have been reminded of the fish that I did not catch.
When I hear people boasting of a work as yet undone, and trying to
anticipate the credit which belongs only to actual achievement, I call to
mind that scene by the brookside, and the wise caution of my uncle in that
particular instance takes the form of a proverb of universal application:
"NEVER BRAG OF YOUR FISH BEFORE YOU CATCH HIM."


DEFINITIONS.--1. Gen'ial, cheerful. 3. Haunts, places frequently visited.
Con-sid'er-ate-ly, with due regard to others, kindly thoughtful. 4.
Ap-peal'ing-ly, as though asking for aid. 6. Mod'i-fied, qualified,
lessened. Pro-pri'e-ties, fixed customs or rules of conduct. Ab-sorb'ing,
engaging the attention entirely. 7, Has'sock, a raised mound of turf. 9.
An-tic'i-pate, to take before the proper time. A-chieve'ment, performance,
deed.



XII. IT SNOWS.

Sarah Josepha Hale (b. 1788?, d.1879) was born in Newport, N.H. Her maiden