Bruno sits waiting for orders.
He would stand or sit silently by, looking on and watching whatwas going forward with great interest, ready to act the moment that he was called upon, as you see in the opposite engraving. They are driving some sheep to pasture very early in the morning. It was dark when they first came out with the flock, and so they brought a lantern; but the sun has risen now, and it is light. Although it was very early when the men set out with the flock, Bruno was eager to come with them. He has helped to drive the sheep all the way. They have reached the pasture at last, and there is now nothing more for him to do. So he is sitting down to rest, and contemplating with great satisfaction, while he rests, the accomplishment of the work which was to be done, and ready to do any thing more that may be required without a moment’s delay.
In the distance, in the engraving, a river is seen, meandering through a rich and beautiful country, with the beams of the morning sun reflected from the surface of the water.
A good conscience.
The satisfaction which results from the faithful performance of duty is a very solid and substantial pleasure. It endures long, and has no alloy. There is something manly and noble in the very nature of it, and he who makes it the end and aim of all his efforts in his search for happiness is sure of a rich reward.
They who are not faithful in duty can never be happy.
Learn from the example of Bruno, then, to find your happiness in the diligent and faithful performance of duty. “Duty first, and pleasure afterward,” is the true rule for all. They who seek pleasure first, or, rather, who look for their happiness in personal and selfish gratifications, lead a very low and groveling life, and never exemplify the true nobleness and dignity to which the humansoul should aspire. Nor do they ever attain to any real or permanent happiness. They experience a continual feeling of self-reproach and self-condemnation which mars all their enjoyments, and adds a fresh ingredient of bitterness to all their sorrows. In a word, they are always dissatisfied with themselves, and he who is dissatisfied with himself can never be happy.
THE END.
Image of the back coverHARPER’SSTORY BOOKSBYJACOB ABBOTT.TERMS.Each Number ofHarper’s Story Bookswill contain 160 pages, in small quarto form, very beautifully illustrated, and printed on superfine calendered paper.The Series may be obtained of Booksellers, Periodical Agents, and Postmasters, or from the Publishers, atThree Dollarsa year, orTwenty-five Cents a Number.The two Periodicals,Harper’s New Monthly MagazineandHarper’s Story Books, will be supplied atFive Dollarsa year, and will be published on the first day of each Month.The Postage uponHarper’s Story Books, which must be paid quarterly in advance, isTwo Cents.EACH NUMBER COMPLETE IN ITSELF.PRICE 25 CtsHARPER & BROTHERSFRANKLIN SQUARE, N. Y.
HARPER’SSTORY BOOKS
BYJACOB ABBOTT.
TERMS.
Each Number ofHarper’s Story Bookswill contain 160 pages, in small quarto form, very beautifully illustrated, and printed on superfine calendered paper.
The Series may be obtained of Booksellers, Periodical Agents, and Postmasters, or from the Publishers, atThree Dollarsa year, orTwenty-five Cents a Number.
The two Periodicals,Harper’s New Monthly MagazineandHarper’s Story Books, will be supplied atFive Dollarsa year, and will be published on the first day of each Month.
The Postage uponHarper’s Story Books, which must be paid quarterly in advance, isTwo Cents.
EACH NUMBER COMPLETE IN ITSELF.
PRICE 25 Cts
HARPER & BROTHERSFRANKLIN SQUARE, N. Y.