Chapter 2

12. He crept forward very cautiously, and was about to fire on the little creatures; but their amusing tricks reminded him so much of some little children he knew at home, that he thought it would be inhuman to kill them. So he left them without even disturbing their play.

3,3

34 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON X.

THE YOUNG TEACHER.

1. Charles Rose lived in the country with his father, who taught him to read and to write. 2. Mr. Rose told his son that, when his morning lessons were over, he might amuse himself for one hour as he pleased. 3. There was a river near by. On its bank stood the hut of a poor fisherman, who lived by selling fish. 4. His careful wife kept her wheel going early and late. They both worked very hard to keep themselves above want. 5. But they were greatly troubled lest their only son should never learn to read and to write. They could not teach him themselves, and they were too poor to send him to school. 6. Charles called at the hut of this fisherman one day, to inquire about his dog, which was missing.

THIRD READER. 35 7. He found the little boy, whose name was Joe, sitting by the table, on which he was making marks with a piece of chalk. Charles asked him whether he was drawing pictures.

8. "No, I am trying to write," said little Joe, "but I know only two words. Those I saw upon a sign, and I am trying to write them." 9. "If I could only learn to read and write," said he, "I should be the happiest boy in the world."

36 ECLECTIC SERIES. 10. "Then I will make you happy," said Charles. "I am only a little boy, but I can teach you that. 11. "My father gives me an hour every day for myself. Now, if you will try to learn, you shall soon know how to read and to write." 12. Both Joe and his mother were ready to fall on their knees to thank Charles. They told him it was what they wished above all things. 13. So, on the next day when the hour came, Charles put his book in his pocket, and went to teach Joe. Joe learned very fast, and Charles soon began to teach him how to write. 14. Some time after, a gentleman called on Mr. Rose, and asked him if he knew where Charles was. Mr. Rose said that he was taking a walk, he supposed. 15. "I am afraid," said the gentleman, "that he does not always amuse himself thus. I often see him go to the house of the fisherman. I fear he goes out in their boat." 16. Mr. Rose was much troubled. He had told Charles that he must never venture on the river, and he thought he could trust him.

THIRD READER. 37 17. The moment the gentleman left, Mr. Rose went in search of his son. He went to the river, and walked up and down, in hope of seeing the boat. 18. Not seeing it, he grew uneasy. He thought Charles must have gone a long way off. Unwilling to leave without learning something of him, he went to the hut. 19. He put his head in at the window, which was open. There a pleasant sight met his eyes. 20. Charles was at the table, ruling a copybook Joe was reading to him, while his mother was spinning in the corner. 21. Charles was a little confused. He feared his father might not be pleased; but he had no need to be uneasy, for his father was delighted. 22. The next day, his father took him to town, and gave him books for himself and Joe, with writing paper, pens, and ink. 23. Charles was the happiest boy in the world when he came home. He ran to Joe, his hands filled with parcels, and his heart beating with joy.

38 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON XI.

THE BLACKSMITH.

1. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink! We begin to hammer at morning's blink, And hammer away Till the busy day, Like us, aweary, to rest shall sink.

2. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink! From labor and care we never will shrink; But our fires we'll blow Till our forges glow With light intense, while our eyelids wink.

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3. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink; The chain we'll forge with many a link. We'll work each form While the iron is warm, With strokes as fast as we can think.

4. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink! Our faces may be as black as ink, But our hearts are true As man ever knew, And kindly of all we shall ever think.

LESSON XII.

A WALK IN THE GARDEN.

1. Frank was one day walking with his mother, when they came to a pretty garden. Frank looked in, and saw that it had clean gravel walks, and beds of beautiful flowers all in bloom. 2. He called to his mother, and said, "Mother, come and look at this pretty garden. I wish I might open the gate, and walk in."

40 ECLECTIC SERIES. 3. The gardener, being near, heard what Frank said, and kindly invited him and his mother to come into the garden. 4. Frank's mother thanked the man. Turning to her son, she said, "Frank, if I take you to walk in this garden, you must take care not to meddle with anything in it."

5. Frank walked along the neat gravel paths, and looked at everything, but touched nothing that he saw. 6. He did not tread on any of the borders, and was careful that his clothes should not brush the tops of the flowers, lest he might break them.

THIRD READER. 41 7. The gardener was much pleased with Frank, because he was so careful not to do mischief. He showed him the seeds, and told him the name of many of the flowers and plants. 8. While Frank was admiring the beauty of a flower, a boy came to the gate, and finding it locked, he shook it hard. But it would not open. Then he said, "Let me in; let me in; will you not let me in this garden?" 9. "No, indeed," said the gardener, "I will not let you in, I assure you; for when I let you in yesterday, you meddled with my flowers, and pulled some of my rare fruit. I do not choose to let a boy into my garden who meddles with the plants." 10. The boy looked ashamed, and when he found that the gardener would not let him in, he went slowly away. 11. Frank saw and felt how much happier a boy may be by not meddling with what does not belong to him. 12. He and his mother then continued their walk in the garden, and enjoyed the day very much. Before they left, the gardener gave each of them some pretty flowers.

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LESSON XIII.

THE WOLF. 1. A boy was once taking care of some sheep, not far from a forest. Near by was a village, and he was told to call for help if there was any danger. 2. One day, in order to have some fun, he cried out, with all his might, "The wolf is coming! the wolf is coming!" 3. The men came running with clubs and axes to destroy the wolf. As they saw nothing they went home again, and left John laughing in his sleeve. 4. As he had had so much fun this time, John cried out again, the next day, "The wolf! the wolf!" 5. The men came again, but not so many as the first time. Again they saw no trace of the wolf; so they shook their heads, and went back. 6. On the third day, the wolf came in earnest. John cried in dismay, "Help! help!

THIRD READER. 43 the wolf! the wolf!" But not a single man came to help him. 7. The wolf broke into the flock, and killed

a great many sheep. Among them was a beautiful lamb, which belonged to John. 8. Then he felt very sorry that he had deceived his friends and neighbors, and grieved over the loss of his pet lamb.

The truth itself is not believed, From one who often has deceived.

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LESSON XIV.

THE LITTLE BIRD'S SONG.

1. A little bird, with feathers brown, Sat singing on a tree; The song was very soft and low, But sweet as it could be.

2. The people who were passing by, Looked up to see the bird

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That made the sweetest melody That ever they had heard. 3. But all the bright eyes looked in vain; Birdie was very small, And with his modest, dark-brown coat, He made no show at all. 4. "Why, father," little Gracie said "Where can the birdie be? If I could sing a song like that, I'd sit where folks could see." 5. "I hope my little girl will learn A lesson from the bird, And try to do what good she can, Not to be seen or heard. 6. "This birdie is content to sit Unnoticed on the way, And sweetly sing his Maker's praise From dawn to close of day. 7. "So live, my child, all through your life, That, be it short or long, Though others may forget your looks, They'll not forget your song."

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LESSON XV.

HARRY AND ANNIE. 1. Harry and Annie lived a mile from town, but they went there to school every day. It was a pleasant walk down the lane, and through the meadow by the pond. 2. I hardly know whether they liked it better in summer or in winter. They used to pretend that they were travelers exploring a new country, and would scatter leaves on

THIRD READER. 47 the road that they might find their way back again. 3. When the ice was thick and firm, they went across the pond. But their mother did not like to have them do this unless some one was with them. 4. "Do n't go across the pond to-day, children," she said, as she kissed them and bade them good-by one morning; "it is beginning to thaw." 5. "All right, mother," said Harry, not very good- naturedly, for he was very fond of running and sliding on the ice. When they came to the pond, the ice looked hard and safe. 6. "There," said he to his sister, "I knew it had n't thawed any. Mother is always afraid we shall be drowned. Come along, we will have a good time sliding. The school bell will not ring for an hour at least." 7. "But you promised mother," said Annie. 8. "No, I did n't. I only said 'All right,' and it is all right." 9. "I did n't say anything; so I can do as I like," said Annie. 10. So they stepped on the ice, and started to go across the pond. They had not gone

48 ECLECTIC SERIES. far before the ice gave way, and they fell into the water. 11. A man who was at work near the shore, heard the screams of the children, and plunged into the water to save them. Harry managed to get to the shore without any help, but poor Annie was nearly drowned before the man could reach her. 12. Harry went home almost frozen, and told his mother how disobedient he had been. He remembered the lesson learned that day as long as he lived.

LESSON XVI.

BIRD FRIENDS. 1. I once knew a man who was rich in his love for birds, and in their love for him. He lived in the midst of a grove full of all kinds of trees. He had no wife or children in his home. 2. He was an old man with gray beard, blue and kind eyes, and a voice that the

THIRD READER. 49 birds loved; and this was the way he made them his friends. 3. While he was at work with a rake on his nice walks in the grove, the birds came

close to him to pick up the worms in the fresh earth he dug up. At first, they kept a rod or two from him, but they soon found he was a kind man, and would not hurt them, but liked to have them near him. 3. 4.

50 ECLECTIC SERIES. 4. They knew this by his kind eyes and voice, which tell what is in the heart. So, day by day their faith in his love grew in them. 5. They came close to the rake. They would hop on top of it to be first at the worm. They would turn up their eyes into his when he spoke to them, as if they said, "He is a kind man; he loves us; we need not fear him." 6. All the birds of the grove were soon his fast friends. They were on the watch for him, and would fly down from the green tree tops to greet him with their chirp. 7. When he had no work on the walks to do with his rake or his hoe, he took crusts of bread with him, and dropped the crumbs on the ground. Down they would dart on his head and feet to catch them as they fell from his hand. 8 He showed me how they loved him. He put a crust of bread in his mouth, with one end of it out of his lips. Down they came like bees at a flower, and flew off with it crumb by crumb. 9. When they thought he slept too long in the morning, they would fly in and sit

THIRD READER. 51 on the bedpost, and call him up with their chirp. 10. They went with him to church, and while he said his prayers and sang his hymns in it, they sat in the trees, and sang their praises to the same good God who cares for them as he does for us. 11. Thus the love and trust of birds were a joy to him all his life long; and such love and trust no boy or girl can fail to win with the same kind heart, voice, and eye that he had.

Adapted from Elihu Burritt.

LESSON XVII.

WHAT THE MINUTES SAY.

1. We are but minutes--little things! Each one furnished with sixty wings, With which we fly on our unseen track, And not a minute ever comes back.

2. We are but minutes; use us well, For how we are used we must one day tell. Who uses minutes, has hours to use; Who loses minutes, whole years must lose.

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LESSON XVIII.

THE WIDOW AND THE MERCHANT. 1. A merchant, who was very fond of music, was asked by a poor widow to give her some assistance. Her husband, who was a musician, had died, and left her very poor indeed. 2. The merchant saw that the widow and her daughter, who was with her, were in great

THIRD READER. 53 distress. He looked with pity into their pale faces, and was convinced by their conduct that their sad story was true. 3. "How much do you want, my good woman?" said the merchant. 4. "Five dollars will save us," said the poor widow, with some hesitation. 5. The merchant sat down at his desk, took a piece of paper, wrote a few lines on it, and gave it to the widow with the words, "Take it to the bank you see on the other side of the street." 6. The grateful widow and her daughter, without stopping to read the note, hastened to the bank. The banker at once counted out fifty dollars instead of five, and passed them to the widow. 7. She was amazed when she saw so much money. "Sir, there is a mistake here," she said. "You have given me fifty dollars, and I asked for only five." 8. The banker looked at the note once more, and said, "The check calls for fifty dollars." 9. "It is a mistake--indeed it is," said the widow. 10. The banker then asked her to wait

54 ECLECTIC SERIES. a few minutes, while he went to see the merchant who gave her the note. 11. "Yes." said the merchant, when he had heard the banker's story, "I did make a mistake. I wrote fifty instead of five hundred. Give the poor widow five hundred dollars, for such honesty is poorly rewarded with even that sum." LESSON XIX.

THE BIRDS SET FREE. 1. A man was walking one day through a large city. On a street corner he saw a boy with a number of small birds for sale, in a cage. 2. He looked with sadness upon the little prisoners flying about the cage, peeping through the wires, beating them with their wings, and trying to get out. 3. He stood for some time looking at the birds. At last he said to the boy, "How much do you ask for your birds?"

THIRD READER. 55 4. "Fifty cents apiece, sir," said the boy. "I do not mean how much apiece," said the man, "but how much for all of them? I want to buy them all." 5. The boy began to count, and found they came to five dollars. "There is your money,"

said the man. The boy took it, well pleased with his morning's trade. 6. No sooner was the bargain settled than the man opened the cage door, and let all the birds fly away. 7. The boy, in great surprise, cried, "What did you do that for, sir? You have lost all your birds."

56 ECLECTIC SERIES. 8. "I will tell you why I did it," said the man. "I was shut up three years in a French prison, as a prisoner of war, and I am resolved never to see anything in prison which I can make free." LESSON XX.

A MOMENT TOO LATE.

1. A moment too late, my beautiful bird, A moment too late are you now; The wind has your soft, downy nest disturbed-- The nest that you hung on the bough.

2. A moment too late; that string in your bill, Would have fastened it firmly and strong; But see, there it goes, rolling over the hill! Oh, you staid a moment too long.

3. A moment, one moment too late, busy bee; The honey has dropped from the flower: No use to creep under the petals and see; It stood ready to drop for an hour.

4. A moment too late; had you sped on your wing, The honey would not have been gone;

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Now you see what a very, a very sad thing 'T is to stay a moment too long.

5. Little girl, never be a moment too late, It will soon end in trouble or crime; Better be an hour early, and stand and wait, Than a moment behind the time.

6. If the bird and the bee, little boy, were too late, Remember, as you play along On your way to school, with pencil and slate, Never stay a moment too long.

LESSON XXI.

HUMMING BIRDS. 1. The most beautiful humming birds are found in the West Indies and South America. The crest of the tiny head of one of these shines like a sparkling crown of colored light. 2. The shades of color that adorn its breast, are equally brilliant. As the bird

58 ECLECTIC SERIES. flits from one object to another, it looks more like a bright flash of sunlight than it does like a living being. 3. But, you ask, why are they called humming birds? It is because they make a soft, humming noise by the rapid motion of their wings--a motion so rapid, that as they fly you can only see that they have wings. 4. One day when walking in the woods, I found the nest of one of the smallest humming birds. It was about half the size of a very small hen's egg, and

THIRD READER. 59 was attached to a twig no thicker than a steel knitting needle. 5. It seemed to have been made of cotton fibers, and was covered with the softest bits of leaf and bark. It had two eggs in it, quite white, and each about as large as a small sugarplum. 6. When you approach the spot where one of these birds has built its nest, it is necessary to be careful. The mother bird will dart at you and try to peck your eyes. Its sharp beak may hurt your eyes most severely, and even destroy the sight. 7. The poor little thing knows no other way of defending its young, and instinct teaches it that you might carry off its nest if you could find it.

LESSON XXII.

THE WIND AND THE SUN. A FABLE. 1. A dispute once arose between the Wind and the Sun, as to which was the stronger.

60 ECLECTIC SERIES. 2. To decide the matter, they agreed to try their power on a traveler. That party which should first strip him of his cloak, was to win the day. 3. The Wind began. He blew a cutting blast, which tore up the mountain oaks by their roots, and made the whole forest look like a wreck. 4. But the traveler, though at first he could scarcely keep his cloak on his back, ran under a hill for shelter, and buckled his mantle about him more closely. 5. The Wind having thus tried his utmost power in vain, the Sun began. 6. Bursting through a thick cloud, he darted his sultry beams so forcibly upon the traveler's head, that the poor fellow was almost melted. 7. "This," said he, "is past all bearing. It is so hot, that one might as well be in an oven." 8. So he quickly threw off his cloak, and went into the shade of a tree to cool himself. 9. This fable teaches us, that gentle means will often succeed where forcible ones will fail.

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LESSON XXIII.

SUNSET.

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LESSON XXIV.

BEAUTIFUL HANDS. 1. "O Miss Roberts! what coarse-looking hands Mary Jessup has!" said Daisy Marvin, as she walked home from school with her teacher.

THIRD READER. 63 2. "In my opinion, Daisy, Mary's hands are the prettiest in he class." 3. "Why, Miss Roberts, they are as red and hard as they can be. How they would look if she were to try to play on a piano!" exclaimed Daisy. 4. Miss Roberts took Daisy's hands in hers, and said, "Your hands are very soft and white, Daisy--just the hands to look beautiful on a piano; yet they lack one beauty that Mary's hands have. Shall I tell you what the difference is?" 5. "Yes, please, Miss Roberts." 6. "Well, Daisy, Mary's hands are always busy. They wash dishes; they make fires; they hang out clothes, and help to wash them, too; they sweep, and dust, and sew; they are always trying to help her poor, hard-working mother. 7. "Besides, they wash and dress the children; they mend their toys and dress their dolls; yet, they find time to bathe the head of the little girl who is so sick in the next house to theirs. 8. "They are full of good deeds to every living thing. I have seen them patting the tired horse and the lame dog in the street.

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They are always ready to help those who need help." 9. "I shall never think Mary's hands are ugly any more, Miss Roberts." 10. "I am glad to hear you say that, Daisy; and I must tell you that they are beautiful because they do their work gladly and cheerfully." 11. "O Miss Roberts! I feel so ashamed of myself, and so sorry," said Daisy, looking into her teacher's face with tearful eyes.

THIRD READER. 65 12. "Then, my dear, show your sorrow by deeds of kindness. The good alone are really beautiful."

LESSON XXV.

THINGS TO REMEMBER. 1. When you rise in the morning, remember who kept you from danger during the night. Remember who watched over you while you slept, and whose sun shines around you, and gives you the sweet light of day. 2. Let God have the thanks of your heart, for his kindness and his care; and pray for his protection during the wakeful hours of day. 3. Remember that God made all creatures to be happy, and will do nothing that may prevent their being so, without good reason for it. 4. When you are at the table, do not eat in a greedy manner, like a pig. Eat quietly, 3,5

66 ECLECTIC SERIES. and do not reach forth your hand for the food, but ask some one to help you. 5. Do not become peevish and pout, because you do not get a part of everything. Be satisfied with what is given you. 6. Avoid a pouting face, angry looks, and angry words. Do not slam the doors. Go quietly up and down stairs; and never make a loud noise about the house. 7. Be kind and gentle in your manners; not like the howling winter storm, but like the bright summer morning. 8. Do always as your parents bid you. Obey them with a ready mind, and with a pleasant face. 9. Never do anything that you would be afraid or ashamed that your parents should know. Remember, if no one else sees you, God does, from whom you can not hide even your most secret thought. 10. At night, before you go to sleep, think whether you have done anything that was wrong during the day, and pray to God to forgive you. If anyone has done you wrong, forgive him in your heart. 11. If you have not learned something useful, or been in some way useful, during

THIRD READER. 67 the past day, think that it is a day lost, and be very sorry for it. 12. Trust in the Lord, and He will guide you in the way of good men. The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 13. We must do all the good we can to all men, for this is well pleasing in the sight of God. He delights to see his children walk in love, and do good one to another.

LESSON XXVI.

THREE LITTLE MICE. 1. I will tell you the story of three little mice, If you will keep still and listen to me, Who live in a cage that is cozy and nice, And are just as cunning as cunning can be. They look very wise, with their pretty red eyes, That seem just exactly like little round beads; They are white as the snow, and stand up in a row Whenever we do not attend to their needs;--

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2. Stand up in a row in a comical way,-- Now folding their forepaws as if saying, "please;" Now rattling the lattice, as much as to say, "We shall not stay here without more bread and cheese," They are not at all shy, as you'll find, if you try To make them run up in their chamber to bed; If they do n't want to go, why, they won't go--ah! no, Though you tap with your finger each queer little head. 3. One day as I stood by the side of the cage, Through the bars there protruded a funny, round tail;

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Just for mischief I caught it, and soon; in a rage, Its owner set up a most pitiful wail. He looked in dismay,--there was something to pay,-- But what was the matter he could not make out; What was holding him so, when he wanted to go To see what his brothers upstairs were about?