LESSON XXIX.
1. Poor, old donkey! In some countries he is made to do all kinds of hard and dirty work, and he is driven about with many blows and kicks.
2. The rag-man, in the city, picks up a load for him out of the gutters; and the tinker, whogoes about mending old pans and kettles, loads him down with heavy tools.
3. There are people that have no homes, but rove about and drive donkeys in queer little carts, and camp by the way-side, and sleep out-of-doors.
4. For them a donkey is better than a horse, for he can live upon coarse food. He eats thistles and weeds that a horse will not touch; and he will pick up enough to eat where a horse would starve.
5. In places by the sea-side, or among the mountains, where people go to stay in hot weather, donkeys are kept for ladies and children to ride.
6. In the morning, long rows of them will stand waiting for ladies to come and hire them. They are so kind and steady, that there is no danger to the little children who ride them.
7. The donkey is very sure-footed, and will carry his rider safely over steep and stony places where a horse can not go. Poor, old donkey! He looks stupid, and he is slow. But, when treated kindly, he is a very willing and faithful servant.