[Transcriber's Notes:

Welcome to the schoolroom of 1900. The moral tone is plain. "She is kindto the old blind man. "

The exercises are still suitable, and perhaps more helpful than somecontemporary alternatives. Much is left to the teacher. Explanations givenin the text are enough to get started teaching a child to read and write. Counting in Roman numerals is included as a bonus in the form of lessonnumbers. 

The author, not listed in the text is William Holmes McGuffey. 

Don Kostuch]

ECLECTIC EDUCATIONAL SERIES. 

MCGUFFEY'SŽ

SECOND

ECLECTIC READER. 

REVISED EDITION. 

McGuffey Editions and Colophon are Trademarks of

JOHN WILEY & SONS, Inc.. New York - Chichester-Weinheim-Brisbane-Singapore-Toronto

Copyright, 1879, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. Copyright, 1896, by American Book CompanyCopyright, 1907 and 1920, by H. H. Vail. 

EP316

Preface

In this book, as well as in the others of the Revised Series, most of thefavorite drill selections, which constituted one of the leadingexcellences of MCGUFFEY'S READERS, have been retained. New selections havebeen inserted only when they seemed manifest improvements on thoseformerly used. 

The plan of this Reader is a continuation and extension of that pursued inthe First Reader. 

If the pupil is not familiar with the diacritical marks, he should becarefully drilled, as suggested on page 7, until the marked letterinstantly suggests the correct sound. He is then prepared to study hisreading lessons without any assistance from the teacher. 

All new words are given at the head of each lesson. When these aremastered, the main difficulties left for the pupil are those ofexpression. In the latter portion of the book the simplerderivatives, --such as are formed by adding one or twoletters, --possessives, plurals, verbal forms, etc. , --are omitted if theprimitive word has been given. In this way the pupil is gradually led tothe mastery of words as ordinarily printed. 

A few of the most usual abbreviations have been introduced, --such as Mr. , Mrs. , etc. These should be carefully explained, not only as to theirmeaning and use, but as to the reason for their use. 

Great care has been taken to have the illustrations worthy of thereputation MCGUFFEY'S READERS have attained, and some of the foremostdesigners of this country have contributed to the embellishment of thebook. 

Many of these pictures will serve admirably for lessons in language, inextension and explanation of the text. The imagination of the artist has, in some cases, filled in details not found in the text. 

The thanks of the publishers are due to very many experienced teachers, who have contributed their valuable suggestions. 

June, 1879. 

INTRODUCTORY MATTER. 

ARTICULATIONPUNCTUATION

SELECTIONS IN PROSE AND POETRY. 

Lessons. 1. Evening at Home2. Bubbles3. Willie's Letter (Script)4. The Little Star5. Two Dogs6. Afraid in the Dark7. Baby Bye8. Puss and her Kittens9. Kittie and Mousie10. At Work11. What a Bird Taught12. Susie Sunbeam13. If I were a Sun beam14. Henry, the Bootblack15. Don't Wake the Baby (Script)16. A Kind Brother17. My Good-far-nothing18. The Kingbird19. Evening Hymn20. The Quarrel21. The Bee22. The Song of the Bee23. The Torn Doll24. Sheep-shearing25. The Clouds26. Patty and the Squirrel27. The Sparrow28. Sam and Harry29. The Little Rill30. The Boat Upset31. Mary's Letter (Script)32. The Tiger33. The Fireside34. Birdie's Morning Song35. Willie and Bounce36. Willie and Bounce37. The Kitchen Clock38. The New Scales39. The Bear and the Children40. The Little Harebell (Script)41. The Fishhawk42. What the Leaf said43. The Wind and the Leaves44. Mamma's Present45. Mary's Story46. Ralph Wick47. Coasting down the Hill (Script)48. The Fox and the Ducks49. Pretty is that Pretty does50. The Story-teller51. The Story-teller52. The Owl53. The Owl54. Grandfather's Story55. God is Great and Good56. A Good Old Man57. The Greedy Girl68. A Place for Everything69. My Mother (Script)60. The Broken Window61. The Broken Window62. Frank and the Hourglass63. March64. Jenny's Call65. Poor Davy66. Alice's Supper67. A Snowstorm68. Bessie69. Bessie70. Cheerfulness (Script)71. Lullaby

ARTICULATION. 

SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS. -Thorough and frequent drills on the elementarysounds are useful in correcting vicious habits of pronunciation and instrengthening the vocal organs. 

As a rule, only one or two sounds should be employed at one lesson. Careshould be taken that the pupils observe and practice these soundscorrectly in their reading. 

TABLE OF VOCALS. 

Long Sounds

Sound as in Sound as ina ate e erra care i icea arm o odea last u usea all u burne eve oo fool

SHORT SOUNDS. 

Sound as in Sound as ina am o odde end u upi in oo look

DIPHTHONGS. 

Sound as in Sound as inoi oil ou outoy boy ow now

TABLE OF SUBVOCALS. 

Sound as in Sound as inb bib v valved did th thisg gig z zinj jug z azuren nine r rarem maim w weng hang y yetl lull

TABLE 0F ASPIRATES. 

Sound as in Sound as inf fifi t tath him sh shek kite ch chatp pipe th thicks same wh why

TABLE OF SUBSTITUTES. 

Sub for as in Sub for as ina o what y i mythe a there c k cane a feint c a citei e police ch sh chaisei e sir ch k chaoso u son g j gemo oo to n ng inko oo wolf s z aso a fork s sh sureo u work x gz exactu oo full gh f laughu oo rude ph f phloxy i fly qu k piquequ kw quit

PUNCTUATION. 

Punctuation Marks are used to make the sense more clear. 

A Period (. ) is used at the end of a sentence, and after anabbreviation; as, James was quite sick. Dr. Jones was called to see him. 

An Interrogation Mark (?) is used at the end of a question; as, Where is John going?

An Exclamation Mark (!) is used after words or sentences expressing somestrong feeling; as, Alas, my noble boy! that thou shouldst die!

The Comma (, ), Semicolon (;), and Colon (:) are used to separate the partsof a sentence. 

The Hyphen (-) is used to join the parts of a compound word; as, text-book: it is also used at the end of a line in print or script, when aword is divided; as in the word "sentence, " near the bottom of page 9. 

[Illustration: Bird perched on tree branch. ]

MCGUFFEY'SSECOND READER. 

LESSON I. 

news'paper cold or'der seem through

stock'ings chat sto'ry light Har'ry

branch'es kiss burns Mrs. E vents'

an oth'er Mr. Stool lamp mends

[Illustration: Family at evening; father reading newspaper, mother sewing, boy and girl reading. ]

EVENING AT HOME. 

1. It is winter. The cold wind whistles through the branches of the trees. 

2. Mr. Brown has done his day's work, and his children, Harry and Kate, have come home from school. They learned their lessons well to-day, andboth feel happy

3. Tea is over. Mrs. Brown has put the little sitting room in order. Thefire burns brightly. One lamp gives light enough for all. On the stool isa basket of fine apples. They seem to say, "Won't you have one?"

4. Harry and Kate read a story in a new book. The father reads hisnewspaper, and the mother mends Harry's stockings. 

5. By and by, they will tell one another what they have been readingabout, and will have a chat over the events of the day. 

6. Harry and Kate's bedtime will come first. I think I see them kiss theirdear father and mother a sweet good night. 

7. Do you not wish that every boy and girl could have a home like this?

LESSON II. 

beau'ti ful porch rain'bow burst

bub'bling same biggest sneeze col'ors

main soap wash red ma'ny (men'y)

[Illustration: Three children playing with bubbles and cat. ]

BUBBLES. 

1. The boys have come out on the porch to blow bubbles. The old cat isasleep on the mat by the door. 

2. "Ha! ha!" laughs Robert, as a bubble comes down softly on the old cat'sback, and does not burst. 

3. Willie tries to make his bubble do the same. This time it comes down onthe cat's face, and makes her sneeze. 

4. "She would rather wash her face without soap, " says Harry. "Now let ussee who can make the biggest bubble. "

5. "Mine is the biggest, " says Robert. "See how high it floats in the air!I can see--ah! it has burst. "

6. "I can see the house and the trees and the sky in mine, " says Willie;"and such beautiful colors. "

7. "How many, Willie?"

8. "Red, one; blue, two; there--they are all out. Let us try again. "

9. "I know how many colors there are, " says Harry. "Just as many as thereare in the rainbow. "

10. "Do you know how many that is?"

LESSON III. 

rub'ber gun par'lor street

num'ber ten o'clock' shoot

WILLIE'S LETTER. [Illustration: Script Exercise:

New York, Dec. 10, 1878. Dear Santa Claus:Papa is going to giveme a Christmas tree, and hesays that you will put nicethings on it if I ask you. I wouldlike a gun that will shoot, anda rubber ball that I can throwhard, and that will not breakMamma's windows or the bigglass in the parlor. Now, please don't forget to come. I live on Fourth St. , number ten. I will go to bed at eight o'clock, and shut my eyes tight. I will not look, indeed I won't. Your little boy, Willie. ]

LESSON IV. 

a bove' world dark oft

nev'er spark dew till

di'a mond twin'kle blaz'ing

The Little Star

1. Twinkle, twinkle, little star; How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky!

2. When the blazing sun is set, And the grass with dew is wet, Then you show your little light; Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. 

3. Then, if I wore in the dark, I would thank you for your spark. I could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. 

4. And when I am sound asleep, Oft you through my window peep; For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. 

LESSON V. 

be hind' to geth'er nob'le Scotch

Dodg'er min'utes crib wag'on

ter'ri er coun'try scold fel'low

shag'gy frisk'i ly fits cel'lar

guards New'found land yard har'ness

[Illustration: Two dogs, one large, the other a small puppy. ]

TWO DOGS. 

1. James White has two dogs. One is a Newfoundland dog, and the other is aScotch terrier. 

2. The Newfoundland is a large, noble fellow. He is black, with a whitespot, and with long, shaggy hair. His name is Sport. 

3. Sport is a good watchdog, and a kind playfellow. Every night he guardsthe house while James and his father are asleep. 

4. In the daytime, James often uses Sport for his horse. He has a littlewagon, and a set of small harness which just fits the dog. 

5. He hitches Sport to this wagon, and drives over the country. In thisway, he can go almost as fast as his father with the old family horse. 

6. The name of James's Scotch terrier is Dodger. He is called Dodgerbecause he jumps about so friskily. He is up on a chair, under the table, behind the door, down cellar, and out in the yard, --all in a minute. 

7. Dodger has very bright eyes, and he does many funny things. He likes toput his paws up on the crib, and watch the baby. 

8. The other day he took baby's red stocking, and had great fun with it;but he spoiled it in his play, and James had to scold him. 

9. Everyone likes to see James White with his two dogs. They always seemvery happy together. 

LESSON VI. 

bet ween' bu'reau (-ro) stairs nee'dle

a fraid' shad'ow held stir

AFRAID IN THE DARK. 

1. "Willie, will you run upstairs, and get my needle book from thebureau?"

2. But Willie did not stir. "Willie!" said mamma. She thought he had notheard. 

3. "I'm afraid, " said Willie. 

4. "Afraid of what?"

5. "It's dark up there. "

6. "What is the dark?" asked mamma. "See! It is nothing but a shadow. "And she held her hand between the lamp and the workbasket on the table. 

[Illustration: Mother, seated in rocking chair, kerosene lamp on table, boy standing, examining his shadow on the wall. ]

7. "Now it is dark in the basket; but as soon as I take my hand away, itis light. "

8. "Come and stand between the lamp and the wall, Willie. See! There isyour shadow on the wall. Can your shadow hurt you?"

9. "Oh no, mamma! I am sure it can not hurt me. "

10. "Well, the dark is only a big shadow over everything. "

11. "What makes the big shadow, mamma?"

12. "I will tell you all about that, Willie, when you are a little older. But now, I wish you would find me a brave boy who is not afraid ofshadows, to run upstairs and get my needlebook. "

13. "I am bravo, mamma. I will go. --Here it is. "

14. "Thank you, my brave little man. You see the dark didn't hurt you. "

SLATE WORK. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

Beautiful faces are they that wearThe light of a pleasant spirit there;Beautiful hands are they that doDeeds that are noble good and true;Beautiful feet are they that goSwiftly to lighten another's woe. ]

LESSON VII. 

spi'ders tick'ling stay neck nose se'cret crawls

legs beck ope goes toes speck choose

dot nod shoes spread be lieve' six

[Illustration: Mother and baby watching fly on the wall. ]

BABY BYE. 

1. Baby Bye, Here's a fly; We will watch him, you and I. How he crawls Up the walls, Yet he never falls! I believe with six such legs You and I could walk on eggs. There he goes On his toes, Tickling Baby's nose. 

2. Spots of red Dot his head; Rainbows on his back are spread; That small speck Is his neck; See him nod and beck! I can show you, if you choose, Where to look to find his shoes, Three small pairs, Made of hairs; These he always wears. 

3. Flies can see More than we; So how bright their eyes must be! Little fly, Ope your eye; Spiders are near by. For a secret I can tell, Spiders never use flies well; Then away, Do not stay. Little fly, good day. 

 24 ECLECTIC SERIES. 

LESSON VIII. 

serv'ant sud'den ly lon'ger re turned' lived tired

since five anx'ious trou'ble cer'tain nea'ly

doz'en sev'en at'tic strange great prop'er

coal seemed

[Illustration: Cat carrying kitten up stairs by the scruff of the neck. ]

PUSS AND HER KITTENS. 

1. Puss, with her three kittens, had lived in the coal cellar; but one dayshe thought she would carry them to the attic. 

2. The servant thought that was not the proper place for them; so shecarried them back to the cellar. 

3. Puss was certain that she wanted them in the attic; so she carried themthere again and again, five, six, seven, --yes, a dozen times; for eachtime the servant took them back to the cellar. 

4. Poor puss was nearly tired out, and could carry them no longer. 

5. Suddenly she went away. Where do you think she went?

6. She was gone a long time. When she returned, she had a strange cat withher that we had never seen before. 

7. She seemed to tell him all about her great trouble, and he listened toher story. 

8. Then the strange cat took the little kittens, one by one, and carriedthem to the attic. After this he went away, and we have never seen himsince. 

9. The servant then left the kittens in the attic, for she saw how anxiouspuss was to have them stay there. 

10. Was not the strange cat kind to puss? This lesson should teachchildren to be ever ready to help one another. 

LESSON IX. 

nine mous'ie fro frol'ic bit slipped

spied crow teeth pearl used

[Illustration: White cat sneaking up on a mouse. ]

KITTY AND MOUSIE. 

1. Once there was a little kitty, White as the snow; In a barn he used to frolic, Long time ago. 

2. In the barn a little mousie Ran to and fro; For she heard the little kitty, Long time ago. 

3. Two black eyes had little kitty, Black as a crow; And they spied the little mousie, Long time ago. 

4. Four soft paws had little kitty, Paws soft as snow; And they caught the little mousie, Long time ago. 

5. Nine pearl teeth had little kitty, All in a row; And they bit the little mousie, Long time ago. 

6. When the teeth bit little mousie, Mousie cried out "Oh!" But she slipped away from kitty, Long time ago. 

LESSON X. 

washed hours(ours) pre'cious game

harm a'ny (en'y) brushed end

AT WORK. 

1. A little play does not harm any one, but does much good. After play, weshould be glad to work. 

2. I knew a boy who liked a good game very much. He could run, swim, jump, and play ball; and was always merry when out of school. 

3. But he knew that time is not all for play; that our minutes, hours, anddays are very precious. 

4. At the end of his play, he would go home. After he had washed his faceand hands, and brushed his hair, he would help his mother, or read in hisbook, or write upon his slate. 

5. He used to say, "One thing at a time. " When he had done with work, hewould play; but he did not try to play and to work at the same time. 

LESSON XI. 

twit-twee bough (bow) twit-twit top'most lock

spray mate close'ly ros'y an'swer (an'ser)

[Illustration: Bird perched on tree branch. ]

WHAT A BIRD TAUGHT. 

1. Why do you come to my apple tree, Little bird so gray? Twit-twit, twit-twit, twit-twit-twee! That was all he would say. 

2. Why do you lock your rosy feet So closely round the spray? Twit-twit, twit-twit, twit-tweet! That was all he would say. 

3. Why on the topmost bough do you get, Little bird so gray? Twit-twit-twee! twit-twit-twit! That was all he would say. 

4. Where is your mate? come, answer me, Little bird so gray. Twit-twit-twit! twit-twit-twee! That was all he would say. Alice Cary. 

LESSON XII. 

bright'ness pleas'ant learned dress

play'mates un kind' rag'ged word

ques'tions smil'ing crowed child

Sun'beam cheered Sus'ie gave

glad'ness un less' name gate

SUSIE SUNBEAM. 

1. Susie Sunbeam was not her real name; that was Susan Brown. But everyone called her Susie Sunbeam, because she had such a sweet, smiling face, and always brought brightness with her when she came. 

[Illustration: Older girls playing with younger girl. Three childrenstanding in background. ]

2. Her grandfather first gave her this name, and it seemed to fit thelittle girl so nicely that soon it took the place of her own. 

3. Even when a baby, Susie laughed and crowed from morning till night. Noone ever heard her cry unless she was sick or hurt. 

4. When she had learned to walk, she loved to go about the house and getthings for her mother, and in this way save her as many steps as shecould. 

5. She would sit by her mother's side for an hour at a time, and ask herever so many questions, or she would take her new book and read. 

6. Susie was always pleasant in her play with other children. She neverused an unkind word, but tried to do whatever would please her playmatesbest. 

7. One day, a poor little girl with a very ragged dress was going by andSusie heard some children teasing her and making fun of her. 

8. She at once ran out to the gate, and asked the poor little girl to comein. "What are you crying for?" Susie asked. 

9. "Because they all laugh at me, " she said. 

10. Then Susie took the little girl into the house. She cheered her upwith kind words, and gave her a nice dress and a pair of shoes. 

11. This brought real joy and gladness to the poor child, and she, too, thought that Susie was rightly called Sunbeam. 

LESSON XIII. 

wood'lands di vine' raised un til' droop'ing blessed

whose seek up'ward hov'els in'ner steal

heav'en hearts lil'ies die roam'ing

IF I WERE A SUNBEAM. 

1. "If I were a sunbeam, I know what I'd do; I would seek white lilies, Roaming woodlands through. I would steal among them, Softest light I'd shed, Until every lily Raised its drooping head. 

2. "If I were a sunbeam, I know where I'd go; Into lowly hovels, Dark with want and woe: Till sad hearts looked upward, I would shine and shine; Then they'd think of heaven, Their sweet home and mine. "

3. Are you not a sunbeam, Child, whose life is glad With an inner brightness Sunshine never had? Oh, as God has blessed you, Scatter light divine! For there is no sunbeam But must die or shine. 

 SECOND READER. 35

LESSON XIV. 

sup port' a long' boots be long' dol'lar years

man'age taught cor'ner no'tice mon'ey black'ing

gen'tle men hon'est (on'est) quite buy earned

[Illustration: Boy offering to shine man's shoes. ]

HENRY, THE BOOTBLACK. 

1. Henry was a kind, good boy. His father was dead, and his mother wasvery poor. He had a little sister about two years old. 

2. He wanted to help his mother, for she could not always earn enough tobuy food for her little family. 

3. One day, a man gave him a dollar for finding a pocketbook which he hadlost. 

4. Henry might have kept all the money, for no one saw him when he foundit. But his mother had taught him to be honest, and never to keep what didnot belong, to him. 

5. With the dollar he bought a box, three brushes, and some blacking. Hethen went to the corner of the street, and said to every one whose bootsdid not look nice, "Black your boots, sir, please?"

6. He was so polite that gentlemen soon began to notice him, and to lethim black their boots. The first day he brought home fifty cents, which hegave to his mother to buy food with. 

7. When he gave her the money, she said, as she dropped a tear of joy, "You are a dear, good boy, Henry. I did not know how I could earn enoughto buy bread with, but now I think we can manage to get along quite well, "

8. Henry worked all the day, and went to school in the evening. He earnedalmost enough to support his mother and his little sister. 

LESSON XV. 

tread whis'per soft'ly talk cheer ful' care'ful

DON'T WAKE THE BABY. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

Baby sleeps, so we must treadSoftly round her little bed, And be careful that our toysDon not fall and make a noise. 

We must not talk, but whisper low, Mother wants to work, we know, That, when father comes to tea, All may neat and cheerful be. ]

LESSON XVI. 

full load heav'y mid'dle heav'i er

slip wrong han'dle broth'er de ceived'

[Illustration: Two boys carrying a basket on a pole between them. ]

A KIND BROTHER. 

1. A boy was once sent from home to take a basket of things to hisgrandmother. 

2. The basket was so full that it was very heavy. So his little brotherwent with him, to help carry the load. 

3. They put a pole under the handle of the basket, and each then took holdof an end of the pole. In this way they could carry the basket verynicely. 

4. Now the older boy thought, "My brother Tom does not know about thispole. 

5. "If I slip the basket near him, his side will be heavy, and mine light;but if the basket is in the middle of the pole, it will be as heavy for meas it is for him. 

6. "Tom does not know this as I do. But I will not do it. It would bewrong, and I will not do what is wrong. "

7. Then he slipped the basket quite near his own end of the pole. His loadwas now heavier than that of his little brother. 

8. Yet he was happy; for he felt that he had done right. Had he deceivedhis brother, he would not have felt at all happy. 

LESSON XVII. 

bus'y (biz'zy) mis'chief looked un'to glee

con triv'ing ring'lets nod'dle drew nun

press'ing fin'gers car'pet wise lips

em brace' pon'der lash'es climb true

MY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING. 

 1. "What are you good for, my brave little man?Answer that question for me, if you can, --You, with your fingers as white as a nun, --You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun. All the day long, with your busy contriving, Into all mischief and fun you are driving;See if your wise little noddle can tellWhat you are good for. Now ponder it well. "

 2. Over the carpet the dear little feetCame with a patter to climb on my seat;Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee, Under their lashes looked up unto me;Two little hands pressing soft on my face, Drew me down close in a loving embrace;Two rosy lips gave the answer so true, "Good to love you, mamma, good to love you. "

 Emily Huntington Miller. 

LESSON XVIII. 

ber'ries strikes rob'in ea'gle short king rid

foe dart fails sharp hawk worms ac'tive

[Illustration: Bird perched on branch. ]

THE KINGBIRD. 

1. The kingbird is not bigger than a robin. 

2. He eats flies, and worms, and bugs, and berries. 

3. He builds his nest in a tree, near some house. 

4. When there are young ones in the nest, he sits on the top of a treenear them. 

5. He watches to see that no bird comes to hurt them or their mother. 

6. If a hawk, a crow, or even an eagle comes near, he makes a dash at it. 

7. Though he is so small, he is brave, and he is also very active. 

8. He never fails to drive off other birds from his nest. 

9. He flies around and around the eagle, and suddenly strikes him with hissharp bill. 

10. He strikes at his eye, and then darts away before the eagle can catchhim. 

11. Or he strikes from behind, and is off again before the eagle can turnround. 

12. In a short time, the great eagle is tired of such hard blows, andflies away. He is very glad to get rid of his foe. 

13. Is not the little fellow a brave bird?

14. Because he can drive off all other birds, he is called the KINGBIRD. 

LESSON XIX. 

watch'ing gath'ers an'gels be gin'

dark'ness a cross' lone'ly beasts

[Illustration: Sunset;lake in foreground, town in background. ]

EVENING HYMN. 

1. Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky. 

2. Now the darkness gathers, Stars begin to peep; Birds, and beasts, and flowers Soon will be asleep. 

3. Through the lonely darkness, May the angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed. 

LESSON XX. 

di vid'ed quar'rel a gree' thus sey'tle

set'tling ker'nel e'qual apt parts

THE QUARREL. 

1. Under a great tree in the woods, two boys saw a fine, large nut, andboth ran to get it. 

2. James got to it first, and picked it up. 

3. "It is mine, " said John, "for I was the first to see it. "

4. "No, it is mine" said James, "for I was the first to pick it up. "

[Illustration: Three boys standing by a fence, one older than the others. ]

5. Thus, they at once began to quarrel about the nut. 

6. As they could not agree whose it should be, they called an older boy, and asked him. 

7. The older boy said, "I will settle this quarrel. "

8. He took the nut, and broke the shell. He then took out the kernel, anddivided the shell into two parts, as nearly equal as he could. 

9. "This half of the shell, " said he, "belongs to the boy who first sawthe nut. 

10. "And this half belongs to the boy who picked it up. 

11. "The kernel of the nut, I shall keep as my pay for settling thequarrel. 

12. "This is the way, " said he, laughing, "in which quarrels are very aptto end. "

LESSON XXI. 

crea'tures drones in'side hive i'dle

de fense' driv'en killed cells size

work'ers queen stings shape wax

THE BEE. 

1. Bees live in a house that is called a hive. They are of threekinds, --workers, drones, and queens. 

2. Only one queen can live in each hive. If she is lost or dead, the otherbees will stop their work. 

[Illustration: Three bee-hives; wooden boxes about two feet square and fourfeet high, with a sloped roof. ]

3. They are very wise and busy little creatures. They all join together tobuild cells of wax for their honey. 

4. Each bee takes its proper place, and does its own work. Some go out andgather honey from the flowers; others stay at home and work inside thehive. 

5. The cells which they build, are all of one shape and size, and no roomis left between them. 

6. The cells are not round, but have six sides. 7. Did you ever look intoa glass hive to see the bees while at work? It is pleasant to see how busythey always are. 

8. But the drones do not work. Before winter comes, all the drones aredriven from the hive or killed, that they may not eat the honey which theydid not gather. 

9. It is not quite safe for children to handle bees. They have sharpstings that they know well how to use in their defense. 

SLATE WORK. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour. And gather honey all the day From every opening flower!]

LESSON XXII. 

blos'soms drear'y wea'ry pinks smell'ing toil'ing

lev'ies buzz fra'grant this'tle weeds scent

treas'ure yel'low mead'ow tax sum'mer clo'ver

cloud'y dai'sy daf'fo dil lies columbine humming

[Illustration: Flowers]

THE SONG OF THE BEE. 

1. Buzz! buzz! buzz! This is the song of the bee. His legs are of yellow; A jolly, good fellow, And yet a great worker is he. 

2. In days that are sunny He's getting his honey; In days that are cloudy He's making his wax: On pinks and on lilies, And gay daffodillies, And columbine blossoms, He levies a tax!

3. Buzz! buzz! buzz! The sweet-smelling clover, He, humming, hangs over; The scent of the roses Makes fragrant his wings: He never gets lazy; From thistle and daisy, And weeds of the meadow, Some treasure he brings. 

4. Buzz! buzz! buzz! From morning's first light Till the coming of night, He's singing and toiling The summer day through. Oh! we may get weary, And think work is dreary; 'Tis harder by far To have nothing to do. Marian Douglas. 

LESSON XXIII. 

un hap'py prom'ised heed'less be came' grow'ing

care'less harsh'ly leav'ing eas'i ly ef fects'

an noy' ma'am blame worse torn

hard'ly nic'est spend hab'it e'vil

[Illustration: Mother and daughter sitting under a tree. ]

THE TORN DOLL. 

1. Mary Armstrong was a pretty little girl, but she was heedless aboutsome things. 

2. Her way of leaving her books and playthings just where she had usedthem last, gave her mother much trouble in picking them up and puttingthem in their proper places. 

3. She had often told Mary the evil effects of being so careless. Herbooks became spoiled, and her toys broken. 

4. But worse than this was the growing habit of carelessness, which wouldbe of great harm to her all her life. It would make her unhappy, and wouldannoy her friends. 

5. One day Mary and her mother went out into their pleasant yard, to spendan hour in the open air. Mrs. Armstrong took her work with her. 

6. Mary ran about and played with Dash, her pet dog, and was having ahappy time. 

7. But in a corner of the yard she found her nicest doll all torn andbroken, and its dress covered with mud. 

8. She knew, at once, that Dash had done this, and she scolded himharshly. 

9. Carrying the broken doll to her mamma. She showed it to her, and couldhardly keep from crying. 

10. Mrs. Armstrong asked Mary if she had not left the doll on the porchwhere Dash could easily get it; and Mary had to answer, "Yes, ma'am. "

11. "Then you must not blame the dog, Mary, for he does not know it iswrong for him to play with your doll. I hope this will be a lesson to youhereafter, to put your things away when you are through playing. "

12. "I will try, " said Mary. And her mother promised to mend the doll aswell as she could. 

LESSON XXIV. 

thor'ough ly month dried dyed cuts shear'er sheep

those spun dirt oth'er wise wov'en cloth wool rub

[Illustration: Two men shearing sheep. ]

SHEEP-SHEARING. 

1. Sheep are washed and sheared some time in the month of June. Thisshould be done quite early in the month, before the hot days begin. 

2. It is fine sport for those who look on, hut not much fun for the sheep. 

3. It is best for the sheep to have the wool taken off; otherwise theywould suffer in the summer time. 

4. When the time comes for washing the sheep, they are driven to a pond ora little river. 

5. Then they are thrown into the water, one at a time. The men who are inthe water catch them, and squeeze the wet wool with their hands to get thedirt all out of it. 

6. Then the wool is thoroughly dried, the sheep are taken to the shearer;and he cuts off the wool with a large pair of shears. 

7. It is then dyed, spun, and woven into cloth. 

8. In a short time, before the cold winter comes, new wool grows out onthe sheep. By the corning of spring there is so much, that it must be cutoff again. 

LESSON XXV. 

bear'ers earth warm sul'try wan'der

rays grain clouds o'er we're

THE CLOUDS

 1. "Clouds that wander through the sky, Sometimeslow and sometimes high;In the darkness of the night, In the sunshine warm and bright. Ah! I wonder much if youHave any useful work to do. "

 2. "Yes, we're busy night and day, As o'er the earth we take our way. We are bearers of the rainTo the grasses, and flowers, and grain;We guard you from the sun's bright rays, In the sultry summer days. "

LESSON XXVI. 

peo'ple for'est squir'rel cool near'est tame hol'low

snug shoul'der miles sticks gen'tly though Pat'ty

[Illustration: Girl sitting under tree, play with squirrel. ]

PATTY AND THE SQUIRREL. 

1. Little Patty lives in a log house near a great forest. She has nosisters, and her big brothers are away all day helping their father. 

2. But Patty is never lonely; for, though the nearest house is miles away, she has many little friends. Here are two of them that live in the woods. 

3. But how did Patty teach them to be so tame? Patty came to the woodsoften, and was always so quiet and gentle that the squirrels soon foundthey need not be afraid of her. 

4. She brought her bread and milk to eat under the trees, and was sure toleave crumbs for the squirrels. 

5. When they came near, she sat very still and watched them. So, little bylittle, she made them her friends, till, at last, they would sit on hershoulder, and eat from her hand. 

6. Squirrels build for themselves summer houses. Those are made of leaves, and sticks, and moss. They are nice and cool for summer, but would neverdo for the winter cold and snow. 

7. So these wise little people find a hollow in an old tree. They make itwarm and snug with soft moss and leaves; and here the squirrels live allthrough the long winter. 

LESSON XXVII. 

fright'ened int end' wheat Thom'as com plains' plums

choose shock'ing spar'row rip'est rob'bing

break'fast plen'ty share treat tales wait

[Illustration: Sparrow perched on snow-covered branch. ]

THE SPARROW. 

1. Glad to see you, little bird; 'Twas your little chirp I heard: What did you intend to say? "Give me something this cold day"?

2. That I will, and plenty, too; All the crumbs I saved for you. Don't be frightened--here's a treat: I will wait and see you eat. 

3. Shocking tales I hear of you; Chirp, and tell me, are they true? Robbing all the summer long; Don't you think it very wrong?

4. Thomas says you steal his wheat; John complains, his plums you eat-- Choose the ripest for your share, Never asking whose they are. 

5. But I will not try to know What you did so long ago: There's your breakfast, eat away; Come to see me every day. 

LESSON XXVIII. 

aft'er noon sup'per deep length car'riage threwhedge stood tru'ly road few sad

[Illustration: Woman and boy riding in carriage pulled by horse. Man in foreground holding gate open for carriage. ]

SAM AND HARRY. 

1. One fine summer afternoon, Sam was walking home from school. He wentalong slowly, reading a book. 

2. Sam had spent all his money for the book, but he was a happy boy. 

3. At length he came into the highroad, where there was a gate. A blindman stood, holding it open. 

4. The poor man said, "Please give me a few cents to buy some bread!" ButSam gave him nothing. 

5. What! did Sam give the poor blind man nothing? Yes; for, as I told you, he had spent all his money. 

6. So Sam walked on, very sad. Soon after, a fine carriage came up, and init were Harry and his mother. 

7. The blind man stood, and held out his hat. "Let us give the poor mansomething, " said Harry to his mother. 

8. His mother gave him some cents. Harry took them, but did not put theminto the man's hat. 

9. He threw them into the hedge as far as he could. The poor man could notfind them, for, you know, ho was blind. 

10. Sam had turned back to look at the fine carriage. He saw Harry throwthe cents into the hedge; so he came back at once, and looked for themoney until he found it all for the blind man. 

11. This took so long a time, that he almost lost his supper. 

12. Which of the boys do you think was truly kind to the poor man?

13. I know which he thanked most in his heart. 

LESSON XXIX. 

rip'pling fringe stray thou mill

vil'lage brink clear wild hill

course bathe tiny pool rill

THE LITTLE HILL. 

1. Run, run, thou tiny rill; Run, and turn the village mill; Run, and fill the deep, clear pool In the woodland's shade so cool, Where the sheep love best to stray In the sultry summer day; Where the wild birds bathe and drink, And the wild flowers fringe the brink. 

[Illustration: Mill, with mill pond in foreground. ]

2. Run, run, thou tiny rill, Round the rocks, and down the hill; Sing to every child like me; The birds will join you, full of glee: And we will listen to the song You sing, your rippling course along. 

LESSON XXX. 

has'tened pos'si ble bal'ance Ed'gar save

boat'man dan'ger quick'ly move trip

stretched sev'er al start'ed folks fell

THE BOAT UPSET. 

1. "Sit still, children. Do not move about in the boat, " said Mr. Rose tothe young folks he was taking for a trip on the water. 

2. The boat was a large one, and could not easily be upset. There were init Mr. And Mrs. Rose, the boatman, and several little boys and girls. 

3. "Keep still, please, young gentlemen, " said the boatman, when EdgarRose and Thomas Read began to move from one side to the other. 

4. They kept quiet for a short time only. Edgar soon wanted a stick whichThomas held in his hand. He lost his balance in trying to get the stick, and fell into the water. 

[Illustration: Overturned boat, people clinging to boat and debris. Another boat approaching. ]

5. Mr. And Mrs. Rose both started up, and stretched out their arms to savehim; but in so doing, they upset the boat. 

6. Every one fell into the water, and all were in the greatest danger ofbeing drowned. 

7. Another boat was near, with but one man in it. He hastened to them asquickly as possible, and saved them from drowning. 

8. Children should always be careful and quiet when they are in a boat onthe water, and should obey what older people tell them. 

LESSON XXXI. 

MARY'S LETTER. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

 Forest Hill, June 25, 1878My Dear Fanny: This morning whileout rowing, we all came nearbeing drowned. Brother Ed, intrying to take a stick from TomReed, tripped and fell out of theboat. Papa and Mamma caughtat him to save him, and beforewe knew it we were all in thewater. The boat upset and howwe were all saved I can hardlytell. A man in another boatwhich was near, picked us up. Had it not been for this, youwould to-day have no cousin. Mary Rose. 

]

LESSON XXXII. 

li'on bod'y stripes de light' Eng'lish

prey ti'ger col'lar ti'gress fright'ful

seize chain un like' swift'est an'i mals

roar gi'ant slight'est of'fi cers whisk'ers

[Illustration: Tigress carrying cub away from tent. Playing card scattered on ground. ]

THE TIGER. 

1. The tiger is a giant cat. His body is nearly covered with blackstripes. 

2. Unlike the lion, he runs so fast that the swiftest horse can notovertake him. He goes over the ground by making bounds or springs, oneafter another. 

3. By night, as well as by day, the tiger watches for his prey. With afrightful roar, he will seize a man, and carry him off. 

4. Have you ever thought what use whiskers are to cats? Lions have greatwhiskers, and so have tigers and all other animals of the cat kind. 

5. Whenever you find an animal with whiskers like the cat's, you may besure that animal steals softly among branches and thick bushes. 

6. By the slightest touch on the tiger's whiskers, he knows when there isanything in his road. 

7. A few years ago, some English officers went out to hunt. When cominghome from their day's sport, they found a little tiger kitten. 

8. They took it with them and tied it, with a collar and chain, to thepole of their tent. It played about, to the delight of all who saw it. 

9. One evening, just as it was growing dark, they heard a sound thatfrightened them greatly. It was the roar of a tiger. 

10. The kitten pulled at the chain, and tried to break away. With a sharpcry, it answered the voice outside. 

11. All at once, a large tigress bounded into the middle of the tent. Shecaught her kitten by the neck, and broke the chain which bound it. 

12. Then turning to the door of the tent, she dashed away as suddenly asshe had come. 

LESSON XXXIII. 

then u'su al cous'in fire'side sew'ing (so-)

Ka'tie bet'ter crac'kle knit'ting per haps'

Jane rea'son to-night' hap'pi er in struct'ive

THE FIRESIDE. 

1. One winter night, Mrs. Lord and her two little girls sat by a brightfire in their pleasant home. The girls were sewing, and their mother wasbusy at her knitting. 

[Illustration: Mother and two girls sewing under a lamp. ]

2. At last, Katie finished her work, and, looking up, said, "Mother, Ithink the fire is brighter than usual. How I love to hear it crackle!"

3. "And I was about to say, " cried Mary, "that this is a better light thanwe had last night. "

4. "My dears, " said their mother, "it must be that you feel happier thanusual to-night. Perhaps that is the reason why you think the fire better, and the light brighter. "

5. "But, mother, " said Mary, "I do not see why we are happier now than wewere then; for last night cousin Jane was here, and we played 'Puss in thecorner' and 'Blind man' until we all were tired. "

6. "I know! I know why!" said Katie. "It is because we have all been doingsomething useful to-night. We feel happy because we have been busy. "

7. "You are right, my dear, " said their mother. "I am glad you have bothlearned that there may be something more pleasant than play, and, at thesame time, more instructive. "

LESSON XXXIV. 

dew'drops hop'ping la'zi est bends sung

pa'tience in stead' dar'ling ought rest

slum'ber my self ' re ply' miss lose

BIRDIE'S MORNING SONG. 

1. Wake up, little darling, the birdies are out, And here you are still in your nest! The laziest birdie is hopping about; You ought to be up with the rest. Wake up, little darling, wake up!

[Illustration: Three birds perched in bush. ]

2. Oh, see what you miss when you slumber so long-- The dewdrops, the beautiful sky! I can not sing half what you lose in my song; And yet, not a word in reply. Wake up, little darling, wake up!

3. I've sung myself quite out of patience with you, While mother bends o'er your dear head; Now birdie has done all that birdie can do: Her kisses will wake you instead! Wake up, little darling, wake up! George Cooper. 

LESSON XXXV. 

sent store Bounce float'ing load cir'cle

rip'ples catch'ing cake blocks strolled how ev'er

WILLIE AND BOUNCE. 

1. Two fast friends were Willie Brown and his little dog Bounce. Williecould never think of taking a walk without Bounce. Cake and play wereequally shared between them. 

2. Willie taught his dog many cunning tricks, and often said that Bouncecould do almost anything in the world but talk. 

3. There came a time, however, when Bounce really told Willie's fathersomething, though he could not talk. Let me tell you how he did this. 

[Illustration: Boy and dog walking through forest. ]

4. It was on a bright summer afternoon. Willie had strolled with Bouncedown to the river, which was not more than two blocks from his father'sstore. 

5. Willie began to throw stones into the water, and to watch the ripplesas they made one circle after another. 

6. Bounce lay on the grass, watching the flies that buzzed around hisnose, and catching any that came too near. 

7. There were some logs floating in the river near the shore. Williejumped upon one of them, to see if he could throw a stone across theriver. 

8. He drew back, and sent the stone with all his might. Just as it lefthis hand, the log turned, and he fell into the water. 

9. He was very much frightened, for he did not know how to swim, and therewas no one to hear, though he called as loud as he could for help. 

LESSON XXXVI. 

yelp loud'ly against look'ing bark'ing

spring clothes o'pened dis'tress scratched

WILLIE AND BOUNCE. (CONCLUDED. )

1. Poor little Bounce gave a great yelp of distress. If he had been a bigwater dog, he could have jumped in and brought his master out. 

[Illustration: Boy in water clinging to log. Dog yelping. ]

2. He ran up and down the bank two or three times, barking, looking firstat Willie and then around. Then he started, as fast as he could run, upthe street to the store. 

3. When he got there the door was shut, but he scratched against it andbarked loudly, until some one came and opened it. 

4. He caught hold of Mr. Brown's clothes, then ran to the door, then backagain, catching at him, barking, and jumping. 

5. A friend who was in the store said to Mr. Brown, "Something must bewrong; I would put on my hat, and go with the dog. " Bounce, seeing Mr. Brown take his hat, started for the river. 

6. Then Mr. Brown thought of Willie. As he came to the river, he sawWillie's hat floating on the water, and his small arm thrown up. 

7. He sprang in and caught him just as he was going down for the lasttime, and quickly carried him to the bank. "Willie soon got over hisfright, and no one seemed to be more delighted than Bounce. 

[Illustration: Father carrying boy from water. ]

LESSON XXXVII. 

talk'a tive im prove' o bli'ging writ'ten tick-tock

clock truth'ful it self' kitch'en fear

reach'es most

[Illustration: Girl holding younger sister, both watching clock. ]

THE KITCHEN CLOCK. 

1. Listen to the kitchen clock! To itself it ever talks, From its place it never walks; "Tick-tock-tick-tock: " Tell me what it says. 

2. "I'm a very patient clock, Never moved by hope or fear, Though I've stood for many a year; Tick-tock-tick-tock: " That is what it says. 

3. "I'm a very truthful clock: People say about the place, Truth is written on my face; Tick-tock-tick-tock: " That is what it says. 

4. "I'm a most obliging clock; If you wish to hear me strike, You may do it when you like; Tick-tock-tick-tock: " That is what it says. 

5. "I'm a very friendly clock; For this truth to all I tell, Life is short, improve it well; Tick-tock-tick-tock: " That is what it says. 

6. What a talkative old clock! Let us see what it will do When the hour hand reaches two; "Ding-ding--tick-tock: " That is what it says. 

LESSON XXXVIII. 

Her'bert or'ange find post inch'es thread

beam thick pine next groove scales

hole peel gim'let rib'bon

[Illustration: Boy and girl near table holding balance scale. ]

THE NEW SCALES. 

I. "Herbert, will you please peel my orange?" said Lucy. Herbert wasreading his new book, but he put it down at once, and took the orange fromhis little sister. 

2. "Shall I make a pair of scales, Lucy, for you to use when you playstore?"

3. "Oh yes! but how can you do that'!"

4. "I'll show you. First, we must take the peel off in two little cups, one just as large as the other. While I do this, see if you can find metwo nice sticks about ten inches long. "

5. Lucy ran out to the woodhouse to find the sticks. --" Will these do?"

6. "No, they are too hard. Find some pine sticks if you can. "

7. "Here are some. "

8. "These will do nicely. Now I must make a scale beam and a post. Can youfind me a little block for a post, Lucy'!"

9. "Will a ribbon block do, Herbert?"

10. "Yes, if it is not too thick. "

11. "Here is one an inch thick. "

12. "That will be just right. Now get the little gimlet. "

[Footnote: gimlet: Hand tool with a spiraled shank, a screw tip, and across handle; used for boring holes. ]

13. Herbert worked away until he had made the beam and the post. Then hemade a hole in the middle of the block, and put the post in. Next, he putthe beam into a little groove at the top of the post, so that it wouldbalance nicely. 

14. "Now, Lucy, we must have a needle and some thread. We must put fourthreads to each cup; then we will tie the threads to the ends of the beam. 

15. "There, Lucy, what do you think of that?"

16. "Why, Herbert, that is just as nice as the real scales in father'sstore; and you may have all my orange for making them. "

[Illustration: Orange halves and other parts of the scale. ]

LESSON XXXIX. 

smelt hide crept laid floor inn bear fur

young'est danced joy'ful ly marched

sol'diers bad'ly run'ning eld'est

[Illustration: Three children and a bear; surprised woman in background. ]

THE BEAR AND THE CHILDREN. 

1. In the parlor of an inn in a small town, sat a man who had been goingabout with a bear. He was waiting for his supper, and the bear was tied upin the yard. 

2. Up in the attic, three little children were playing together. Theeldest might have been six years old; the youngest, not more than two. 

3. Stump! stump! stump! Some one was coming up the stairs. 

4. The door flew open suddenly, and there stood the great, shaggy bear. Hehad got tired of waiting, and had found his way to the stairs. 

5. The children were badly frightened. Each one crept into a corner, butthe bear found them all out, and smelt their clothes, but did not hurtthem. 

6. "This must be a great dog, " they said, and they began to pat him. 

7. Then the bear lay down on the floor, and the youngest boy climbed onhis back, hid his head in the shaggy fur, and played at "hide and seek. "

8. The eldest boy took his drum and began to strike it, when the bear roseon his hind legs and danced. At that the children gave a merry shout. 

9. The two younger boys took their wooden guns, and gave the bear one. Away they all marched around the room, keeping step. 

10. Now the frightened mother of the children came to the door. But theyoungest boy shouted, joyfully. "See, we are playing soldiers!"

11. Then the bear's master came running up, and took the bear away. 

LESSON XL. 

fair la'dy drear cling'ing hare'bell

fled ne'er de spair' nod'ding bloom'ing

[Footnote: harebell: Perennial with slender stems, dense clusters ofleaves, and bell-shaped blue or white flowers -- bluebell. ]

THE LITTLE HAREBELL. 

"Tell me, little harebell, Are you lonely here. Blooming in the shadow On this rock so drear?"

"Clinging to this bit of earth, As if in mid-air, With your sweet face turned to me, Looking strangely fair?"

"Lady" said the harebell, Nodding low its head, "Though this spot seem dreary, Thought the sunlight's fled. 

"Know that I'm not lonely That I ne'er despair. God is in the shadow God is everywhere. "

[Illustration: Flowers on hillside. ]

LESSON XLI. 

rough (ruf) of'ten (of'n) be neath' fierce'ly

sea'side twen'ty tim'id ly com pels'

rob'ber breast spots mode

os'prey hook'ed

[Illustration: Osprey catching fish. ]

THE FISHHAWK. 

1. The fishhawk, or osprey, is not so large as the eagle; but he has, likethe eagle, a hooked bill and sharp claws. 

2. His color is a dark brown, with black and white spots, and his lengthis from twenty to twenty-two inches. His breast is mostly white. His tailand wings are long. 

3. The fishhawk is often found sitting upon a tree over a pond, or lake, or river. He is also found by the seaside. 

4. He watches the fish as they swim in the water beneath him; then hedarts down suddenly and catches one of them. 

5. When he catches a fish in his sharp, rough claws, he carries it off toeat, and, as he flies away with it for his dinner, an eagle sometimesmeets him. 

6. The eagle flies at him fiercely with his sharp bill and claws, andcompels the hawk to drop the fish. 

7. Then the eagle catches the fish as it falls, before it reaches theground, and carries it off. 

8. The poor fish hawk, with a loud cry, timidly flies away. He must goagain to the water and catch another fish for his dinner. 

9. Thus you see, that the eagle is a robber. He robs fishhawks, whose onlymode of getting a living is by catching fish. 

LESSON XLII. 

leaf task twice sigh'ing hol'i days

gay twig meant stopped dif'fer ent

puff edge mat'ter au'tumn hun'dreds

lead grew rus'tled Oc to'ber trem'bling

[Illustration: Several large trees; fence in foreground. ]

WHAT THE LEAF SAID. 

1. Once or twice a little leaf was heard to cry and sigh, as leaves oftendo, when a gentle wind is blowing. And the twig said, "What is the matter, little leaf?"

2. "The wind, " said the leaf, "just told me that one day it would pull meoff, and throw me on the ground to die. "

3. The twig told it to the branch, and the branch told it to the tree. When the tree heard it, it rustled all over, and sent word back to thetrembling leaf. 

4. "Do not be afraid, " it said; "hold on tight, and you shall not go offtill you are ready. "

5. So the leaf stopped sighing, and went on singing and rustling. It grewall the summer long till October. And when the bright days of autumn came, the leaf saw all the leaves around growing very beautiful. 

6. Some were yellow, some were brown, and many were striped with differentcolors. Then the leaf asked the tree what this meant. 

7. The tree said, "All these leaves are getting ready to fly away, andthey have put on these colors because of their joy. "

8. Then the little leaf began to want to go, and grew very beautiful inthinking of it. When it was gay in colors, it saw that the branches of thetree had no bright colors on them. 

9. So the leaf said, "O branch! why are you lead- colored while we are allbeautiful and golden?"

10. "We must keep on our working clothes, " said the tree, "for our work isnot yet done; but your clothes are for holidays, because your task is nowover. "

11. Just then a little puff of wind came, and the leaf let go withoutthinking, and the wind took it up and turned it over and over. 

12. Then it fell gently down under the edge of the fence, among hundredsof leaves, and has never waked to tell us what it dreamed about. 

LESSON XLIII. 

gold lambs fond'ly crick'et whirl'ing

fields leaves flee'cy fare'well cov'er let

glade vale dream con tent' flut'ter ing

[Illustration: Large tree. ]

THE WIND AND THE LEAVES. 

 1. "Come, little leaves, " said the wind one day. "Come o'er the meadows with me, and play;Put on your dress of red and goldSummer is gone, and the days grow cold. "

 2. Soon as the leaves heard the wind's loud call, Down they came fluttering, one and all;Over the brown fields they danced and flew, Singing the soft little songs they knew. 

 3. "Cricket, good-by, we've been friends so long;Little brook, sing us your farewell song, --Say you are sorry to see us go;Ah! you will miss us, right well we know. 

 4. "Dear little lambs, in your fleecy fold, Mother will keep you from harm and cold;Fondly we've watched you in vale and glade;Say, will you dream of our loving shade?"

 5. Dancing and whirling, the little leaves went;Winter had called them, and they were content. Soon fast asleep in their earthy beds, The snow laid a coverlet over their heads. 

 George Cooper. 

LESSON XLIV. 

wore green joke Jessie pres'ents

jol'ly deal trim ex pect' leg'gings

MAMMA'S PRESENT. 

1. Jessie played a good joke on her mamma. This is the way she did it. 

2. Jessie had gone to the woods with Jamie and Joe to get green branchesto trim up the house for Christmas. She wore her little cap, her whitefurs, and her red leggings. 

[Illustration: Three girls carrying a small Christmas tree. ]

3. She was a merry little girl, indeed; but she felt sad this morningbecause her mother had said, "The children will all have Christmaspresents, but I don't expect any for myself. We are too poor this year. "

4. When Jessie told her brothers this, they all talked about it a greatdeal. "Such a good, kind mamma, and no Christmas present! It's too bad. "

5. "I don't like it, " said little Jessie, with a tear in her eye. 

6. "Oh, she has you, " said Joe. 

7. "But I am not something new, " said Jessie. 

8. "Well, you will be new, Jessie, " said Joe, "when you get back. She hasnot seen you for an hour. "

9. Jessie jumped and laughed. "Then put me in the basket, and carry me tomamma, and say, 'I am her Christmas present. ' "

10. So they set her in the basket, and put green branches all around her. It was a jolly ride. They set her down on the doorstep, and went in andsaid, "There's a Christmas present out there for you, mamma. "

11. Mamma went and looked, and there, in a basket of green branches, sather own little laughing girl. 

12. "Just the very thing I wanted most, " said mamma. 

13. "Then, dear mamma, " said Jessie, bounding out of her leafy nest, "Ishould think it would be Christmas for mammas all the time, for they seetheir little girls every day. "

LESSON XLV. 

pur'ple plumes pail hap'pened coat

shal'low wad'ed Charles nap yes'ter day

[Illustration: Two girls playing in water; two boats are beached on thesand behind them. ]

MARY'S STORY. 

1. Father, and Charles, and Lucy, and I went to the beach yesterday. Wetook our dinner, and stayed all day. 

2. Father and Charles went out a little way from the shore in a boat, andfished, while Lucy and I gathered sea mosses. 

3. We took off our shoes and stockings, and waded into the shallow water. We had a pail to put our seaweeds in. 

4. We found such beautiful ones. Some wore purple, some pink, and somebrown. When they were spread out in the water, the purple ones looked likeplumes, and the brown ones like little trees. 

5. Such a funny thing happened to Lucy. She slipped on a stone, and downshe went into the water. How we both laughed! But the wind and sun soondried Lucy's dress. 

6. Then father came and took us in the boat for a row. After that we had apicnic dinner in the woods. 

7. Then father spread his coat on the grass, and took a nap while wechildren played on the beach. 

LESSON XLVI. 

bid sore smile Ralph for get'

hay stem shone Wick scream

tore point pluck thorns snatched

[Illustration: Mother and boy walking in hay field. ]

RALPH WICK. 

1. Ralph Wick was seven years old. In most things he was a fine boy, buthe was too apt to cry. 

2. When he could not have what. He wanted, he would cry for it and say, "Iwill have it. "

3. If he was told that it would hurt him, and he could not have it, hewould begin to tease and cry. 

4. One day, he went with his mother into the fields. The sun shone. Thegrass was cut. The flowers were in bloom. 

5. Ralph thought he was, for once, a good boy. A smile was on his face. Hewished to do as he was told. 

6. He said, "Mother, I will be good now. I will do as you bid me. Pleaselet me toss this hay. "

7. "That I will, " said his mother. So they threw the hay, as Ralph wished, and he was very happy. 

8. "Now you must be tired, " said his mother. "Sit down here, and I willget a nice red rose for you. "

9. "I would like to have one, " said Ralph. So his mother brought the redrose to him. 

10. "Thank you, mother, " he said. "But you have a white one, also. Pleasegive me that. "

[Illustration: Mother and boy sitting in field. ]

11. "No, my dear, " said his mother. "See how many thorns it has on itsstem. You must not touch it. If you should try to pluck a rose like this, you would be sure to hurt your hand. "

12. When Ralph found that he could not have the white rose, he began toscream, and snatched it. But he was soon very sorry. The thorns tore hishand. It was so sore he could not use it for some time. 

13. Ralph did not soon forget this. When he wanted what he should nothave, his mother would point to his sore hand. He at last learned to do ashe was told. 

LESSON XLVII. 

slope voic'es rush'ing beam'ing track cheeks

flood'ing laugh'ter health a glow' coast'ing trudg'ing

frost'y Is'a bel pleas'ure land'scape

[Illustration: Several children sledding down snowy hill. ]

COASTING DOWN THE HILL. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

Frosty is the morning; But the sun is bright, Flooding all the landscape With its golden light. Hark the sounds of laughter And the voices shrill!See the happy children Coasting down the hill. 

There are Tom and Charley, And their sister Nell;There are John and Willie, Kate and Isabel, --Eyes with pleasure beaming, Cheeks with health aglow;Bless the merry children, Trudging through the snow!

Now I hear them shouting, "Ready! Clear the track!"Down the slope they're rushing, Now they're trotting back. 

Full of fun and frolic, Thus they come and go. Coating down the hillside, Trudging through the snow. 

]

LESSON XLVIII. 

heed sight sly'ly stream drift'ing

flock flight snaps hid'den cir'cling

THE FOX AND THE DUCKS. 

1. On a summer day, a man sitting on the bank of a river, in the shade ofsome bushes, watched a flock of ducks on the stream. 

2. Soon a branch with leaves came drifting among them, and they all tookwing. After circling in the air for a little time, they settled down againon their feeding ground. 

[Illustration: Fox watching ducks from a distance. ]

3. Soon another branch came drifting down among them, and again they tookflight from the river; but when they found the branch had drifted by anddone them no harm, they flew down to the water as before. 

4. After four or five branches had drifted by in this way, the ducks gavelittle heed to them. At length, they hardly tried to fly out of their way, even when the branches nearly touched them. 

5. The man who had been watching all this, now began to wonder who had setthese branches adrift. He looked up the stream, and spied a fox slylywatching the ducks. "What will he do next?" thought the man. 

6. When the fox saw that the ducks were no longer afraid of the branches, he took a much larger branch than any he had yet used, and stretchedhimself upon it so as to be almost hidden. Then he set it afloat as he hadthe others. 

7. Right among the flock drifted the sly old fox, and, making quick snapsto right and left, he seized two fine young ducks, and floated off withthem. 

8. The rest of the flock flew away in fright, and did not come back for along time. 

9. The fox must have had a fine dinner to pay him for his cunning, patientwork. 

LESSON XLIX. 

saint silk'en sim'ple pov'er ty plain sin'ner

spin'ner splen'dor worth stead'y mur'der plan'ning

sil'ver ten'der prov'erb re mem'ber

[Illustration: Spider spinning web. ]

PRETTY IS THAT PRETTY DOES. 

1. The spider wears a plain brown dress, And she is a steady spinner; To see her, quiet as a mouse, Going about her silver house, You would never, never, never guess The way she gets her dinner. 

2. She looks as if no thought of ill In all her life had stirred her; But while she moves with careful tread, And while she spins her silken thread, She is planning, planning, planning still The way to do some murder. 

3. My child, who reads this simple lay, With eyes down-dropt and tender, Remember the old proverb says That pretty is which pretty does, And that worth does not go nor stay For poverty nor splendor. 

4. 'Tis not the house, and not the dress, That makes the saint or sinner. To see the spider sit and spin, Shut with her walls of silver in, You would never, never, never guess The way she gets her dinner. Alice Cary. 

LESSON L. 

civil Pe'ter Tow'ser ap pear'

a lone' Pin'dar per'sons trav'el ers

[Illustration: Man telling story to several children. ]

THE STORY-TELLER

1. Peter Pindar was a great storyteller. One day, as he was going by theschool, the children gathered around him. 

2. They said, "Please tell us a story we have never heard. " Ned said, "'Tell us something about boys and dogs. "

3. "Well, " said Peter, "I love to please good children, and, as you allappear civil, I will tell you a new story; and it shall be about a boyand some dogs, as Ned asks. 

4. "But before we begin, let us sit down in a cool, shady place. And now, John, you must be as still as a little mouse. Mary, you must not letTowser bark or make a noise. 

5. "A long way from this place, there is a land where it is very cold, andmuch snow falls. 

6. "The hills are very high there, and traveler's are often lost amongthem. There are men there who keep large dogs. These are taught to huntfor people lost in the snow. 

7. "The dogs have so fine a scent, that they can find persons by thatalone. 

8. "Sometimes it is so dark, that they can not see anything. Those who arelost often lie hid in the snowdrifts. "

LESSON LI. 

lain weak stiff shrill rode bleak

[Illustration: Dog searching on snowy mountain-side for lost traveler. ]

THE STORY TELLER(CONCLUDED)

1. "One cold, bleak night, the snow fell fast, and the wind blew loud andshrill. It was quite dark. Not a star was to be seen in the sky. 

2. "These good men sent out a dog, to hunt for those who might want help. In an hour or two, the dog was heard coming back. 

3. "On looking out, they saw him with a boy on his back. The poor childwas stiff with cold. He could but just hold on to the dog's back. 

4. "He had lain for a long time in the snow, and was too weak to walk. 

5. "He felt something pull him by the coat, and heard the bark of a dog. He put out his hand, and felt the dog. The dog gave him another pull. 

6. "This gave the poor boy some hope, and he took hold of the dog. He drewhimself out of the snow, but ho could not stand or walk. 

7. "He got on the dog's back, and put his arms round the dog's neck, andheld on. He felt sure that the dog did not mean to do him any harm. 

8. "Thus he rode all the way to the good men's house. 

9. "They took care of him, till the snow was gone. Then they sent him tohis home. "

LESSON LII. 

oak dusk fight squeak ruf'fled

bag Fred whoo a wake' creep'ing

THE OWL. 

1. "Where did you get that owl, Harry?"

2. "Fred and I found him in the old, hollow oak. "

3. "How did you know he was there?"

4. "I'll tell you. Fred and I were playing 'hide and seek' round the oldbarn, one night just at dusk. 

5. "I was just creeping round the corner, when I heard a loud squeak, anda big bird flew up with something in his claws. 

6. "I called Fred, and we watched him as he flew to the woods. Fredthought the bird was an owl, and that he had a nest in the old oak. 

7. "The next day we went to look for him, and, sure enough, he was there. "

8. "But how did you catch him? I should think he could fight like a goodfellow with that sharp bill. "

9. "He can when he is wide awake; but owls can't see very well in thedaytime, and he was taking a nap. 

10. "He opened his great eyes, and ruffled up his feathers, and said, "Whoo! Whoo!' 'Never mind who, ' Fred said, and slipped him into a bag. "

LESSON LIII. 

while bones scarce'ly mous'er

mice rolled sur prised' swal'lows

wink'ing com'ic al duck'lings cap'ture

[Illustration: Boy catching owl in tree. ]

THE OWL. (CONCLUDED. )

1. "What are you going to do with him, Harry?"

2. "Let him go. He doesn't like this cage half so well as his old oaktree. A young owl can be tamed easily, but this one is too old to tame. "

3. "But won't he catch all your ducklings and little chickens?"

4. "No, not while there are any rats or mice around. Father says an owl isa good mouser, and can catch more mice than half a dozen cats. "

5. "I'm glad I had a look at him before you let him go. What soft feathershe has!"

6. "Yes, he can fly so softly that you can scarcely hear him, and for thisreason he can easily surprise and capture his prey. "

7. "How comical he looks, winking his big eyes slowly, and turning hishead from side to side!"

[Illustration: Two boys talking. ]

8. "Yes; he is watching your dog. Be still. Bounce!

9. "We have just found out a funny thing about his way of eating. Hebreaks the bones of a mouse, and then swallows it whole. After an hour ortwo, he throws up the bones and fur rolled up in a little ball. "

LESSON LIV. 

broad knee fig fresh city trout un der neath'

fought (fawt) sur prised' clap'ping gar'den

car'ry ing fight'ing

[Illustration: Old man with cane talking to young girl. ]

GRANDFATHER'S STORY. 

1. "Come and sit by my knee, Jane, and grandfather will tell you a strangestory. 

2. "One bright Summer day, I was in a garden in a city, with a friend. "Werested underneath a fig tree. The broad leaves were green and fresh. 

3. "We looked up at the ripe, purple figs. And what do you think came downthrough the branches of the fig tree over our heads?"

4. "Oh, a bird, grandfather, a bird!" said little Jane, clapping herhands. 

5. "No, not a bird. It was a fish; a trout, my little girl. "

6. "Not a fish, grandfather! A trout come through the branches of a treein the city'! I am sure you must be in fun. "

7. "No, Jane, I tell you the truth. My friend and I were very muchsurprised to see a fish falling from a fig tree. 

8. "But we ran from under the tree, and saw a fishhawk flying, and aneagle after him. 

9. "The hawk had caught the fish, and was carrying it home to his nest, when the eagle saw it and wanted it. 

10. "They fought for it. The fish was dropped, and they both lost it. Somuch for fighting!"

LESSON LV. 

flow wide steep lakes twin'kling

[Illustration: Lake in foreground; mountain in background. ]

GOD IS GREAT AND GOOD. 

1. I know God made the sun To fill the day with light; He made the twinkling stars To shine all through the night. 

2. He made the hills that rise So very high and steep; He made the lakes and seas, That are so broad and deep. 

3. He made the streams so wide, That flow through wood and vale; He made the rills so small, That leap down hill and dale. 

4. He made each bird that sings So sweetly all the day; He made each flower that springs So bright, so fresh, so gay. 

5. And He who made all these, He made both you and me; Oh, let us thank Him, then, For great and good is He. 

LESSON LVI. 

hoe grave knock ex cept'

droll hymn prayed cot'tage

[Illustration: Old man holding two little girls. ]

A GOOD OLD MAN. 

1. There once lived an old man in a snug, little cottage. It had tworooms and only two windows. A small garden lay just behind it. 

2. Old as the poor man was, he used to work in the fields. Often he wouldcome home very tired and weak, with his hoe or spade on his shoulder. 

3. And who do you think met him at the door! Mary and Jane, his two littlegrandchildren. 

4. They were too young to work, except to weed in the garden, or bringwater from the spring. 

5. In winter, as they were too poor to buy much wood or coal, they hadlittle fire; so they used to sit close together to keep warm. Mary wouldsit on one of the old man's knees, and Jane on the other. 

6. Sometimes their grandfather would tell them a droll story. Sometimes hewould teach them a hymn. 

7. He would often talk to them of their father, who had gone to sea, or oftheir good, kind mother, who was in her grave. Every night he prayed Godto bless them, and to bring back their father in safety. 

8. The old man grew weaker every year; but the little girls were glad towork for him, who had been so good to them. 

[Illustration: Girls and grandfather greeting father at door. ]

9. One cold, windy night, they heard a knock at the door. The little girlsran and opened it. Oh, joy to them! There stood their father. 

10. He had been at sea a long time. He had saved some money, and had nowcome home to stay. 

11. After this the old man did not have to work. His son worked for him, and his grandchildren took care of him. Many happy days they spenttogether. 

LESSON LVII. 

hoe grave knock ex cept'

droll hymn prayed cot'tage

THE GREEDY GIRL. 

1. Laura English is a greedy little girl. Indeed, she is quite a glutton. Do you know what a glutton is? A glutton is one who eats too much, becausethe food tastes well. 

2. Laura's mother is always willing she should have as much to eat as isgood for her; but sometimes, when her mother is not watching, she eats somuch that it makes her sick. 

3. I do not know why she is so silly. Her kitten never eats more than itneeds. It leaves the nice bones on the plate, and lies down to sleep whenit has eaten enough. 

4. The bee is wiser than Laura. It flies all day among the flowers togather honey, and might eat the whole time if it pleased. But it eats justenough, and carries all the rest to its hive. 

[Illustration: Heavy girl eating two apples. Plate on floor with foodscraps. Cat lying on footstool. ]

5. The squirrel eats a few nuts or acorns, and frisks about as gayly as ifhe had dined at the king's table. 

6. Did you ever see a squirrel with a nut in his paws? How bright andlively he looks as he eats it!

7. If he lived in a house made of acorns, he would never need a doctor. Hewould not eat an acorn too much. 

8. I do not love little girls who eat too much. Do you, my little readers?

9. I do not think they have such rosy cheeks, or such bright eyes, or suchsweet, happy tempers as those who eat less. 

LESSON LVIII. 

lend Sa'rah com'fort a shamed' your wil'ling

thim'ble else'where us'ing bor'row of fend'ed de pend'ed

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING. 

Mary. I wish you would lend me your thimble, Sarah. I can never find my own. 

Sarah. Why is it, Mary, you can never find it?

Mary. How can I tell? But if you will not lend me yours, I can borrow one elsewhere. 

Sarah. I am willing to lend mine to you, Mary. But I would very much like to know why you come to me to borrow so often. 

[Illustration: Two girls seated, talking. ]

Mary. Because you never lose any of your things, and always know where to find them. 

Sarah. And why do I always know where to find my things?

Mary. I do not know why, I am sure. If I did know, I might sometimes find my own. 

Sarah. I will tell you the secret. I have a place for everything, and I put everything in its place when I have done using it. 

Mary. O Sarah! who wants to run and put away a thing as soon as she has used it, as if her life depended upon it?

Sarah. Our life does not depend upon it, but our comfort does, surely. How much more time will it take to put a thing in its place, than to hunt for it or to borrow whenever you want to use it ?

Mary. Well, Sarah, I will never borrow of you again, you may depend upon it. 

Sarah. You are not offended with me, I hope. 

Mary. No, but I am ashamed. Before night, I will have a place for everything, and then I will keep everything in its place. You have taught me a lesson that I shall remember. 

LESSON LIX. 

con'stant lead'ing ear lull didst meek

hark thee none mild thine nurse

ease thy re joice' fret'ful

[Illustration: Mother rocking daughter. ]

MY MOTHER. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

Hark! My mother's voice I hear, Sweet that voice is to my ear;Ever soft, it seems to tell, Dearest child, I love thee well. 

Love me, mother? Yes, I knowNone can love so well as thou. Was it not upon thy breastI was taught to sleep and rest?

Didst thou not, in hours of pain, Lull this head to ease again?With the music of thy voice, Bid my little heart rejoice?

Ever gentle, meek and mild, Thou didst nurse thy fretful child. Teach these little feet the roadLeading on to heaven and God. 

What return then can I make?This fond heart, dear mother take;Thine its, in word and thought, Thine by constant kindness bought. ]

LESSON LX. 

skip'ping mean George gift en gaged' Mason El'let

THE BROKEN WINDOW. 

1. George Ellet had a bright silver dollar for a New-year gift. 

2. He thought of all the fine things he might buy with it. 

3. The ground was all covered with snow; but the sun shone out bright, andeverything looked beautiful. 

4. So George put on his hat, and ran into the street. As he went skippingalong, he met some boys throwing snowballs. George soon engaged in thesport. 

5. He sent a ball at James Mason, but it missed him, and broke a window onthe other side of the street. 

6. George feared some one would come out of the house and find him. So heran off as fast as he could. 

[Illustration: Boy throwing snowball through window. ]

7. As soon as he got round the next corner, George stopped, because he wasvery sorry for what he had done. 

8. He said to himself, "I have no right to spend my silver dollar, now. Iought to go back, and pay for the glass I broke with my snowball. "

9. He went up and down the street, and felt very sad. He wished very muchto buy something nice. He also wished to pay for the broken glass. 

10. At last he said, "It was wrong to break the window, though I did notmean to do it. I will go and pay for it, if it takes all my money, I willtry not to be sorry. I do not think the man will hurt me if I pay for themischief I have done. "

LESSON LXI. 

mer'chant hon'est ly rang mind

part'ner with out' rich bell

THE BROKEN WINDOW. (CONCLUDED. )

1. George started off, and felt much happier for having made up his mindto do what was right. 

2. He rang the doorbell. When the man came out, George said, "Sir, I threwa snowball through your window. But I did not intend to do it. I am verysorry, and wish to pay you. Here is the dollar my father gave me as a New-year gift. "

3. The gentleman took the dollar, and asked George if he had no moremoney. George said he had not. "Well, " said he, "this will do. "

[Illustration: George paying for broken window. ]

4. So, after asking George his name, and where he lived, he called him anhonest boy, and shut the door. 

5. George went home at dinner time, with a face as rosy, and eyes asbright, as if nothing had gone wrong. At dinner, Mr. Ellet asked him whathe had bought with his money. 

6. George very honestly told him all about the broken window, and said hefelt very well without any money to spend. 

7. When dinner was over, Mr. Ellet told George to go and look in his cap. He did so, and found two silver dollars there. 

8. The man, whose window had been broken, had been there, and told Mr. Ellet about it. He gave back George's dollar and another besides. 

9. A short time after this, the man came and told Mr. Ellet that he wanteda good boy to stay in his store. 

10. As soon as George left school, he went to live with this man, who wasa rich merchant. In a few years he became the merchant's partner. 

LESSON LXII. 

line fig'ure sec'ond grain verse per'fect ly

ad vice' im pa'tient stud'y bus'i ly fol'lowed un der stand'

[Illustration: Mother talking to small boy. Hour-glass and flowers ontable between them. ]

FRANK AND THE HOURGLASS. 

1. Frank was a very talkative little boy. He never saw a new thing withoutasking a great many questions about it. 

2. His mother was very patient and kind. When it was proper to answer hisquestions, she would do so. 

3. Sometimes she would say, "You are not old enough to understand that, myson. When you are ten years old, you may ask me about it, and I will tellyou. "

4. When his mother said this, he never teased any more. He knew she alwaysliked to answer him when he asked proper questions. 

5. The first time Frank saw an hourglass, he was very much amused; but hedid not know what it was. 

6. His mother said, "An hourglass is made in the shape of the figure 8. The sand is put in at one end, and runs through a small hole in themiddle. As much sand is put into the glass as will run through in anhour. "

7. Frank watched the little stream of sand. He was impatient, because itwould not run faster. "Let me shake it, mother, " said he; "it is lazy, andwill never get through. "

8. "Oh yes, it will, my son, " said his mother, "The sand moves by littleand little, but it moves all the time. 9. "When you look at the hands ofthe clock, you think they go very slowly, and so they do; but they neverstop. 

10, "While you are at play the sand is running, grain by grain, The handsof the clock are moving, second by second. 

11. "At night, the sand in the hourglass has run through twelve times. Thehour hand of the clock has moved all around its great face. 

12. "This because they keep work every minute. They do not stop to thinkhow much they have to do, and how long it will take them to do it. "

13. Now, Frank's mother wanted him to learn a little hymn; but he said"Mother, I can never learn it. "

14. His mother said, "Study all the time. Never stop to ask how long itwill take to learn it. You will be able to say it very soon. "

15. Frank followed his mother's advice. He studied line after line, verybusily; and in one hour and a half he knew the hymn perfectly. 

LESSON LXIII. 

sleet cheer'ly cru'el taps free

[Illustration: Road through forest. ]

MARCH. 

1. In the snowing and the blowing, In the cruel sleet, Little flowers begin their growing Far beneath our feet. 

2. Softly taps the Spring, and cheerly, -- "Darlings, are you here?" Till they answer, "We are nearly, Nearly ready, dear. "

3. "Where is Winter, with his snowing? Tell us, Spring, " they say. Then she answers, "He is going, Going on his way. 

4. "Poor old Winter does not love you; But his time is past; Soon my birds shall sing above you;-- Set you free at last. " Mary Mapes Dodge. 

LESSON LXIV. 

late straw Jen'ny snort'ed Tem'plar

aunt rogue re port' graz'ing di rect'ly

ditch act'ed ser'vice sup pose' ca ressed'

hired e rect' pricked mo'ment gro'cer ies

JENNY'S CALL. 

1. "It's of no use, Mrs. Templar; I have been trying the greater part ofan hour to catch that rogue of a horse. She won't be caught. "

[Illustration: Man and boy chasing horse. ]

2. Such was the report the hired man brought in to Mrs. Templar onepleasant May morning, when she had been planning a ride. 

3. "I suppose it can not be helped, but I wanted her very much, " she said, as she turned away. 

4. "What was it you wanted, mother?" asked Jenny Templar, a bright, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl of twelve, who had just come into the room. 

5. "Fanny, " said the mother. "It is such a beautiful morning, I meant todrive down to the village, get some groceries, then call for your AuntAnn, have a nice ride up the river road, and bring her home to dinner. 

6. "But father is away for all day, and the men have been trying nearly anhour to catch Fanny; one of the men says she can't be caught. "

7. "Maybe she can't by him, " said Jenny, with a merry laugh. "But, getready, mother; you shall go if you like. I'll catch Fanny, and harnessher, too. "

8. "Why, my child, they say she jumped the ditch three or four times, andacted like a wild creature. You'll only be late at school, and tireyourself for nothing. "

9. "It won't take me long, mother. Fanny will come to me, " said Jenny, cheerily. She put on her wide straw hat, and was off in a moment, down thehill, to the field where the horse was grazing. 

10. The moment Fanny heard the rustle of Jenny's dress, she pricked up herears, snorted, and, with head erect, seemed ready to bound away again. 

[Illustration: Girl leading horse. ]

11. "Fanny! O Fanny!" called Jenny, and the beautiful creature turned herhead. That gentle tone she well knew, and, glad to see her friend, shecarne directly to the fence, and rubbed her head on the girl's shoulder. As soon as the gate was opened, she followed Jenny to the barn. 

12. The men had treated her roughly, and she remembered it. But she knewand loved the voice that was always kind, and the hand that often fed andcaressed her. She gave love for love, and willing service for kindness. 

LESSON LXV. 

rung Da'vy vi'o let re cess' ar range'

ferns ma'ple dain'ty lin'gered pret'ti est

POOR DAVY. 

1. It was recess time at the village school. The bell had rung, and thechildren had run out into the bright sunshine, wild with laughter and fun. 

2. All but poor Davy. He came out last and very slowly, but he did notlaugh. He was in trouble, and the bright, golden sunlight did not make himglad. 

3. He walked across the yard, and sat down on a stone behind the oldmaple. A little bird on the highest branch sang just to make him laugh. 

4. But Davy did not notice it. He was thinking of the cruel words that hadbeen said about his ragged clothes. The tears stole out of his eyes, andran down his cheeks. 

[Illustration: Boy sitting alone under tree in schoolyard. Other childrenplaying in background. ]

5. Poor Davy had no father, and his mother had to work hard to keep him atschool. 

6. That night, he went home by the path that led across the fields andthrough the woods. He still felt sad. 

7. Davy did not wish to trouble his mother; so he lingered a while amongthe trees, and at last threw himself on the green moss under them. 

[Illustration: Woman talking to boy. ]

8. Just then his teacher came along. She saw who it was, and stopped, saying kindly, "What is the matter, Davy?"

9. He did not speak, but the tears began again to start. 

10. "Won't you tell me? Perhaps I can help you. "

11. Then he told her all his trouble. When he ended, she said, cheerily, "I have a plan, Davy, that I think will help you. "

12. "Oh, what is it?" he said, sitting up with a look of hope, while atear fell upon a blue violet. 

l3. "Well, how would you like to be a little flower merchant?"

14. "And earn money?" said Davy. "That would be jolly. But where shall Iget my flowers?"

15. "Right in these woods, and in the fields, " said his teacher. " Hereare lovely blue violets, down by the brook are white ones, and among therocks are ferns and mosses. Bring them all to my house, and I will helpyou arrange them. "

16. So, day after day, Davy hunted the woods for the prettiest flowers, and the most dainty ferns and mosses. After his teacher had helped toarrange them, he took them to the city that was near, and sold them. 

17. He soon earned money enough to buy new clothes. Now the sunshine andthe bird's songs make him glad. 

LESSON LXVI. 

deep flour dough mill'er wheth'er

cook a far' dust'y cra'dles grind'ing

glow doth val'ley reap'ers a-knead'ing

ALICE'S SUPPER. 1. Far down in the valley the wheat grows deep, And the reapers are making the cradles sweep;And this is the song that I hear them sing, While cheery and loud their voices ring:"'Tis the finest wheat that ever did grow!And it is for Alice's supper--ho! ho!"

 2. Far down by the river the old mill stands, And the miller is rubbing his dusty hands;And these are the words of the miller's lay, As he watches the millstones grinding away:"'Tis the finest flour that money can buy, And it is for Alice's supper--hi! hi!"

 3. Downstairs in the kitchen the fire doth glow, And cook is a-kneading the soft, white dough;And this is the song she is singing to-day, As merry and busy she's working away:"'Tis the finest dough, whether near or afar, And it is for Alice's supper--ha! ha!"

[Illustration: Mother serving supper to small girl seated at table. ]

 4. To the nursery now comes mother, at last, And what in her hand is she bringing so fast?'Tis a plateful of something, all yellow and white, And she sings as she comes, with her smile so bright:"'Tis the best bread and butter I ever did see, And it is for Alice's supper--he! he!"

LESSON LXVII. 

tall hung storm pick'et

firs north gowns spar'ked

roof flakes fair'ies cap'tains

A SNOWSTORM. 

1. Last night, the cold north wind blew great snow clouds over the sky. Not a star, not a bit of blue sky could be seen. 

2. Soon the tiny flakes floated softly down, like flocks of little whitebirds. Faster and faster they came, till they filled the air. They made nonoise, but they were busy all night long. 

3. They covered all the ground with a soft, white carpet. They hungbeautiful plumes on the tall, green firs. The little bushes, they put tosleep in warm nightgowns and caps. 

[Illustration: Snow covering house, shed, and road. Children playing. ]

4. They hid the paths so that the boys might have the fun of digging newones. They turned the old picket fence into a row of soldiers, and thegate posts into captains, with tall white hats on. 

5. The old corn basket that was left out by the barn, upside down, theymade into a cunning little snow house with a round roof. 

6. When the busy little flakes had done their work, the sun came up to seewhat they had been about. 

7. He must have been pleased with what he saw, for he smiled such abright, sweet smile, that the whole white world sparkled as if it weremade of little stars. 

8. Who would have thought that the black clouds could hide the littlefairies that made the earth so beautiful!

LESSON LXVIII. 

dug roots thump of fense'

toad spool heaped smoothed

forth a'pron clos'ets dan'de li ons

BESSIE. 

1. One day, Bessie thought how nice it would be to have a garden with onlywild flowers in it. So into the house she ran to find her Aunt Annie, andask her leave to go over on the shady hillside, across the brook, wherethe wild flowers grew thickest. 

[Illustration: Girl planting small garden. Toad sitting in garden. ]

2. " Yes, indeed, you may go, " said Aunt Annie; "but what will you put theroots and earth in while you are making the garden?"

3. "Oh, " said Bessie, "I can take my apron. "

4. Her aunt laughed, and said, "A basket will be better, I think. " So theylooked in the closets and the attic, everywhere; but some of the basketswere full, and some broken; not one could they find that would do. 

5. Then Aunt Annie turned out the spools and the bags from a nice largeworkbasket, and gave that to Bessie. "You may have this for your own, " shesaid, "to fill with earth, or flowers, or anything you like. "

6. "Oh I thank you, " said Bessie, and she danced away through the garden. She slipped through the gate, out into the field all starred withdandelions, down in the hollow by the brook, then up on the hillside outof sight among the shady trees. 

7. How she worked that afternoon! She heaped up the dark, rich earth, andsmoothed it over with her hands. Then she dug up violets, andspring-beauties, and other flowers, --running back and forth, singing allthe while. 

8. The squirrels peeped out of their holes at Bessie. The birds sang inthe branches overhead. Thump, came something all at once into the middleof the bed. Bessie jumped and upset the basket, and away it rolled downthe hill. 

9. How Bessie laughed when she saw a big, brown toad winking his brighteyes at her, as if he would say, "No offense, I hope. "

10. Just then Bessie heard a bell ringing loudly. She knew it was callingher home; but how could she leave her basket? She must look for thatfirst. 

11. "Waiting, waiting, waiting, " all at once sang a bird out of sightamong the branches; "waiting, Bessie. "

12. "Sure enough, " said Bessie; "perhaps I'm making dear mother or auntiewait; and they are so good to me. I'd better let the basket wait. Takecare of it, birdie; and don't jump on my flowers, Mr. Toad. "

LESSON LXIX. 

visit soaked o be'di ent ru'ined

[Illustration: Girl on couch looking out window. ]

BESSIE. (CONCLUDED. )

1. She was back at the house in a few minutes, calling, "Mother! mother!auntie! Who wants me?"

2. "I, dear, " said her mother. "I am going away for a long visit, and ifyou had not come at once, I could not have said good-by to my littlegirl. "

3. Then Bessie's mother kissed her, and told her to obey her kind auntwhile she was gone. 

4. The next morning, Bessie waked to find it raining hard. She went intoher aunt's room with a very sad face. "O auntie! this old rain!"

5, "This new, fresh, beautiful rain, Bessie! How it will make our flowersgrow, and what a good time we can have together in the house!"

6. "I know it, auntie; but you will think me so careless!"

7. "To let it rain?"

8. "No; don't laugh, Aunt Annie; to leave your nice basket out of doorsall night; and now it will be soaked and ruined in this--this--beautifulrain. " Bessie did not look as if the beautiful rain made her very happy. 

9. "You must be more careful, dear, another time, " said her aunt, gently. "But come, tell me all about it. "

10. So Bessie crept very close to her auntie's side, and told her of herhappy time the day before; of the squirrel, and the toad, and how thebasket rolled away down the hill; and then how the bell rang, and shecould not stop to find the basket. 

11. "And you did quite right, " said her aunt. "If you had stopped, yourmother must have waited a whole day, or else gone without seeing you. WhenI write, I will tell her how obedient you were, and that will please hermore than anything else I can say. "

LESSON LXX. 

sought sure'ly (shu) wel'come light'some

loft'y maid'en cher'ished in tro duce'

CHEERFULNESS. 

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

There is a little maiden-- Who is she? Do you know?Who always has a welcome, Wherever she may go. 

Her face is like the May time, Her voice is like the bird's;The sweetest of all music Is in her lightsome words. 

Each spot she makes the brighter, As if she were the sun;And she is sought and cherished And loved by everyone;

By old folks and by children, By loft and by low;Who is this little maiden? Does anybody know?

You surely must have met her. You certainly can guess;What! I must introduce her? Her name is Cheeerfulness. Marian Douglas]

LESSON LXXI. 

west'ern breathe dy'ing moon babe sails

LULLABY. 

1. Sweet and low, sweet and low, Wind of the western sea, Low, low, breathe and blow, Wind of the western sea! Over the rolling waters go, Come from the dying moon, and blow, Blow him again to me; While my little one, while my pretty one sleeps. 

2. Sleep and rest, sleep and rest, Father will come to thee soon; Rest, rest, on mother's breast, Father will come to thee soon; Father will come to his babe in the nest, Silver sails all out of the west, Under the silver moon; Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. 

Tennyson.