Chapter 5

140 ECLECTIC SERIES. 6. So one and all hurried on. Even the little wave that wanted to play, pressed on, and thought that work might be fun after all. The timid ones did not like to be left behind, and they became earnest as they got nearer the sands. 7. After all, it was fun, pressing on one after another-- jumping, laughing, running on to the broad, shining sands. 8. First, they came in their course to a great sand castle. Splash, splash! they all

THIRD READER. 141 went over it, and down it came. "Oh, what fun!" they cried. 9. "Mother told me to bring these seaweeds; I will find a pretty place for them," said one--and she ran a long way over the sands, and left them among the pebbles. The pebbles cried, "We are glad you are come. We wanted washing." 10. "Mother sent these shells; I do n't know where to put them," said a little fretful wave. "Lay them one by one on the sand, and do not break them," said the eldest wave. 11. And the little one went about its work, and learned to be quiet and gentle, for fear of breaking the shells. 12. "Where is my work?" said a great, full-grown wave. "this is mere play. The little ones can do this and laugh over it. Mother said there was work for me." And he came down upon some large rocks. 13. Over the rocks and into a pool he went, and he heard the fishes say, "The sea is coming. Thank you, great sea; you always send a big wave when a storm is nigh. Thank you, kind wave; we are all ready for you now."

142 ECLECTIC SERIES. 14. Then the waves all went back over the wet sands, slowly and carelessly, for they were tired. 15. "All my shells are safe," said one. 16. And, "My seaweeds are left behind," said another. 17. "I washed all of the pebbles," said a third. 18. "And I--I only broke on a rock, and splashed into a pool," said the one that was so eager to work. "I have done no good, mother--no work at all" 19. "Hush!" said the sea. And they heard a child that was walking on the shore, say, "O mother, the sea has been here! Look, how nice and clean the sand is, and how clear the water is in that pool." 20. Then the sea, said, "Hark!" and far away they heard the deep moaning of the coming storm. 21. "Come, my darlings," said she; "you have done your work, now let the storm do its work."

THIRD READER. 143

LESSON LV.

DO N'T KILL THE BIRDS.

1. Do n't kill the birds! the little birds, That sing about your door Soon as the joyous Spring has come, And chilling storms are o'er.

2. The little birds! how sweet they sing! Oh, let them joyous live; And do not seek to take the life Which you can never give.

3. Do n't kill the birds! the pretty birds, That play among the trees;

144 ECLECTIC SERIES.

For earth would be a cheerless place, If it were not for these.

4. The little birds! how fond they play! Do not disturb their sport; But let them warble forth their songs, Till winter cuts them short.

5. Do n't kill the birds! the happy birds, That bless the field and grove; So innocent to look upon, They claim our warmest love.

6. The happy birds, the tuneful birds, How pleasant 't is to see! No spot can be a cheerless place Where'er their presence be.

LESSON LVI.

WHEN TO SAY NO.

1. Though "No" is a very little word, it is not always easy to say it; and the not doing so, often causes trouble.

THIRD READER. 145 2. When we are asked to stay away from school, and spend in idleness or mischief the time which ought to be spent in study, we should at once say "No." 3. When we are urged to loiter on our way to school, and thus be late, and interrupt our teacher and the school, we should say "No." When some schoolmate wishes us to whisper or play in the schoolroom, we should say "No." 4. When we are tempted to use angry or wicked words, we should remember that the eye of God is always upon us, and should say "No." 5. When we have done anything wrong, and are tempted to conceal it by falsehood, we should say "No, we can not tell a lie; it is wicked and cowardly." 6. If we are asked to do anything which we know to be wrong, we should not fear to say "No." 7. If we thus learn to say "No," we shall avoid much trouble, and be always safe.

3.10.

146 ECLECTIC SERIES. LESSON LVII. WHICH LOVED BEST?

"I love you, mother," said little John; Then, forgetting work, his cap went on, And he was off to the garden swing, Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

2. "I love you, mother," said rosy Nell; "I love you better than tongue can tell;"

THIRD READER. 147

Then she teased and pouted full half the day, Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.

3. "I love you, mother," said little Fan; "To-day I'll help you all I can; How glad I am that school does n't keep!" So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

4. Then, stepping softly, she took the broom, And swept the floor, and dusted the room; Busy and happy all day was she, Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

5. "I love you, mother," again they said-- Three little children going to bed; How do you think that mother guessed Which of them really loved her best? Joy Allison.

LESSON LVIII.

JOHN CARPENTER. 1. John Carpenter did not like to buy toys that somebody else had made. He liked the fun of making them himself. The thought that they were his own work delighted him. 2. Tom Austin, one of his playmates, thought a toy was worth nothing unless it cost a great deal of money. He never tried to make anything, but bought all his toys.

148 ECLECTIC SERIES. 3. "Come and look at my horse," said he, one day. "It cost a dollar, and it is such a beauty! Come and see it." 4. John was soon admiring his friend's

horse; and he was examining it carefully, to see how it was made. The same evening he began to make one for himself. 5. He went into the wood shed, and picked

THIRD READER. 149 out two pieces of wood--one for the head of his horse, the other for the body. It took him two or three days to shape them to his satisfaction. 6. His father gave him a bit of red leather for a bridle, and a few brass nails, and his mother found a bit of old fur with which he made a mane and tail for his horse. 7. But what about the wheels? This puzzled him. At last he thought he would go to a turner's shop, and see if he could not get some round pieces of wood which might suit his purpose. 8. He found a large number of such pieces among the shavings on the floor, and asked permission to take a few of them. The turner asked him what he wanted them for, and he told him about his horse. 9. "Oh," said the man, laughing, "if you wish it, I will make some wheels for your horse. But mind, when it is finished, you must let me see it." 10. John promised to do so, and he soon ran home with the wheels in his pocket. The next evening, he went to the turner's shop with his horse all complete, and was told that he was an ingenious little fellow

150 ECLECTIC SERIES. 11. Proud of this compliment, he ran to his friend Tom, crying, "Now then, Tom, here is my horse,--look!" 12. "Well, that is a funny horse," said Tom; "where did you buy it?" "I did n't buy it," replied John; I made it." 13. "You made it yourself! Oh, well, it's a good horse for you to make. But it is not so good as mine. Mine cost a dollar, and yours did n't cost anything." 14. "It was real fun to make it, though," said John, and away he ran with his horse rolling after him. 15. Do you want to know what became of John? Well, I will tell you. He studied hard in school, and was called the best scholar in his class. When he left school, he went to work in a machine shop. He is now a master workman, and will soon have a shop of his own.

THIRD READER. 151

LESSON LIX.

PERSEVERE.

1. The fisher who draws in his net too soon, Won't have any fish to sell; The child who shuts up his book too soon, Won't learn any lessons well.

2. If you would have your learning stay, Be patient,--do n't learn too fast: The man who travels a mile each day, May get round the world at last.

LESSON LX.

THE CONTENTED BOY. Mr. Lenox was one morning riding by himself. He got off from his horse to look at something on the roadside. The horse broke away from him, and ran off. Mr. Lenox ran after him, but soon found that he could not catch him. A little boy at work in a field near the road, heard the horse. As soon as he saw him running from his master, the boy ran

152 ECLECTIC SERIES.

very quickly to the middle of the road, and, catching the horse by thc bridle, stopped him till Mr. Lenox came up. Mr. Lenox. Thank you, my good boy, you have caught my horse very nicely. What shall I give you for your trouble? Boy. I want nothing, sir. Mr. L. You want nothing? So much the better for you. Few men can say as much. But what were you doing in the field? B. I was rooting up weeds, and tending the sheep that were feeding on turnips. Mr. L. Do you like to work? B. Yes, sir, very well, this fine weather. Mr. L. But would you not rather play? B. This is not hard work. It is almost as good as play. Mr. L. Who set you to work? B. My father, sir. Mr. L. What is your name? B. Peter Hurdle, sir. Mr. L. How old are you? B. Eight years old, next June. Mr. L. How long have you been here? B. Ever since six o'clock this morning. Mr. L. Are you not hungry? B. Yes, sir, but I shall go to dinner soon.

THIRD READER. 153

Mr. L. If you had a dime now, what would you do with it? B. I do n't know, sir. I never had so much. Mr. L. Have you no playthings?

154 ECLECTIC SERIES. B. Playthings? What are they? Mr. L. Such things as ninepins, marbles, tops, and wooden horses. B. No, sir. Tom and I play at football in winter, and I have a jumping rope. I had a hoop, but it is broken. Mr. L. Do you want nothing else? B. I have hardly time to play with what I have. I have to drive the cows, and to run on errands, and to ride the horses to the fields, and that is as good as play. Mr. L. You could get apples and cakes, if you had money, you know. B. I can have apples at home. As for cake, I do not want that. My mother makes me a pie now and then, which is as good. Mr. L. Would you not like a knife to cut sticks? B. I have one. Here it is. Brother Tom gave it to me. Mr. L. Your shoes are full of holes. Do n't you want a new pair? B. I have a better pair for Sundays. Mr. L. But these let in water. B. I do not mind that, sir. Mr. L. Your hat is all torn, too. B. I have a better one at home.

THIRD READER. 155 Mr. L. What do yon do when it rains? B. If it rains very hard when I am in the field, I get under a tree for shelter. Mr. L. What do you do, if you are hungry before it is time to go home? B. I sometimes eat a raw turnip. Mr. L. But if there is none? B. Then I do as well as I can without. I work on, and never think of it. Mr. L. Why, my little fellow, I am glad to see that you are so contented. Were you ever at school? B. No, sir. But father means to send me next winter. Mr. L. You will want books then. B. Yes, sir; each boy has a Spelling Book, a Reader, and a Testament. Mr. L. Then I will give them to you. Tell your father so, and that it is because you are an obliging, contented little boy. B. I will, sir. Thank you. Mr. L. Good by, Peter. B. Good morning, sir. Dr. John Aiken

156 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON LXI.

LITTLE GUSTAVA.

1. Little Gustava sits in the sun, Safe in the porch, and the little drops run From the icicles under the eaves so fast, For the bright spring sun shines warm at last, And glad is little Gustava.

2. She wears a quaint little scarlet cap, And a little green bowl she holds in her lap, Filled with bread and milk to the brim, And a wreath of marigolds round the rim: "Ha! ha!" laughs little Gustava.

3. Up comes her little gray, coaxing cat, With her little pink nose, and she mews, "What's that ?" Gustava feeds her,--she begs for more, And a little brown hen walks in at the door: "Good day!" cries little Gustava.

4. She scatters crumbs for the little brown hen, There comes a rush and a flutter, and then Down fly her little white doves so sweet, With their snowy wings and their crimson feet: "Welcome!" cries little Gustava.

5. So dainty and eager they pick up the crumbs. But who is this through the doorway comes?

THIRD READER. 157

Little Scotch terrier, little dog Rags, Looks in her face, and his funny tail wags: "Ha! ha!" laughs little Gustava.

6. "You want some breakfast, too?" and down She sets her bowl on the brick floor brown, And little dog Rags drinks up her milk, While she strokes his shaggy locks, like silk: "Dear Rags!" says little Gustava.

7. Waiting without stood sparrow and crow, Cooling their feet in the melting snow.

158 ECLECTIC SERIES.

"Won't you come in, good folk?" she cried, But they were too bashful, and staid outside, Though "Pray come in!" cried Gustava.

8. So the last she threw them, and knelt on the mat, With doves, and biddy, and dog, and cat. And her mother came to the open house door: "Dear little daughter, I bring you some more, My merry little Gustava."

9. Kitty and terrier, biddy and doves, All things harmless Gustava loves, The shy, kind creatures 't is joy to feed, And, oh! her breakfast is sweet indeed To happy little Gustava! Celia Thaxter.

LESSON LXII.

THE INSOLENT BOY.

1. James Selton was one of the most insolent boys in the village where he lived. He would rarely pass people in the street without being guilty of some sort of abuse.

THIRD READER. 159 2. If a person were well dressed he would cry out, "Dandy!" If a person's clothes were dirty or torn, he would throw stones at him, and annoy him in every way. 3. One afternoon, just as the school was dismissed, a stranger passed through the village. His dress was plain and somewhat old, but neat and clean. He carried a cane in his hand, on the end of which was a bundle, and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. 4. No sooner did James see the stranger, than he winked to his playmates, and said, "Now for some fun!" He then silently went toward the stranger from behind, and, knocking off his hat, ran away. 5. The man turned and saw him, but James was out of hearing before he could speak. The stranger put on his hat, and went on his way. Again did James approach; but this time, the man caught him by the arm, and held him fast. 6. However, he contented himself with looking James a moment in the face, and then pushed him from him. No sooner did the naughty boy find himself free again, than he began to pelt the stranger with dirt and stones.

160 ECLECTIC SERIES.

7. But he was much frightened when the "rowdy," as he foolishly called the man, was struck on the head by a brick, and badly hurt. All the boys now ran away, and James skulked across the fields to his home. 8. As he drew near the house, his sister Caroline came out to meet him, holding up

THIRD READER. 161 a beautiful gold chain and some new books for him to see. 9. She told James, as fast as she could talk, that their uncle, who had been away several years, had come home, and was now in the house; that he had brought beautiful presents for the whole family; that he had left his carriage at the tavern, a mile or two off, and walked on foot, so as to surprise his brother, their father. 10. She said, that while he was coming through the village, some wicked boys threw stones at him, and hit him just over the eye, and that mother had bound up the wound. "But what makes you look so pale?" asked Caroline, changing her tone. 11. The guilty boy told her that nothing was the matter with him; and running into the house, he went upstairs into his chamber. Soon after, he heard his father calling him to come down. Trembling from head to foot, he obeyed. When he reached the parlor door, he stood, fearing to enter. 12. His mother said, "James, why do you not come in? You are not usually so bashful. See this beautiful watch, which your uncle has brought for you." 3, 11.

162 ECLECTIC SERIES, 13. What a sense of shame did James now feel! Little Caroline seized his arm, and pulled him into the room. But he hung down his head, and covered his face with his hands. 14. His uncle went up to him, and kindly taking away his hands, said, "James, will you not bid me welcome?" But quickly starting back, he cried, "Brother, this is not your son. It is the boy who so shamefully insulted me in the street!" 15. With surprise and grief did the good father and mother learn this. His uncle was ready to forgive him, and forget the injury. But his father would never permit James to have the gold watch, nor the beautiful books, which his uncle had brought for him. 16. The rest of the children were loaded with presents. James was obliged to content himself with seeing them happy. He never forgot this lesson so long as he lived. It cured him entirely of his low and insolent manners.

THIRD READER. 163

LESSON LXIII.

WE ARE SEVEN.

1. I met a little cottage girl: She was eight years old, she said; Her hair was thick with many a curl, That clustered round her head.

2. She had a rustic, woodland air, And she was wildly clad: Her eyes were fair, and very fair;-- Her beauty made me glad.

3. "Sisters and brothers, little maid, How many may you be?" "How many? Seven in all," she said, And, wondering, looked at me.

4. "And where are they? I pray you tell." She answered, "Seven are we; And two of us at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea.

l64 ECLECTIC SERIES.

5. "Two of us in the churchyard lie, My sister and my brother; And, in the churchyard cottage, I Dwell near them with my mother,"

6. "You say that two at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea, Yet ye are seven! I pray you tell, Sweet maid, how this may be."

THIRD READER. 165

7. Then did the little maid reply, "Seven boys and girls are we; Two of us in the churchyard lie, Beneath the churchyard tree."

8. "You run about, my little maid, Your limbs, they are alive; If two are in the churchyard laid, Then ye are only five."

9. "Their graves are green, they may be seen," The little maid replied, "Twelve steps or more from mother's door, And they are side by side.

10. "My stockings there I often knit, My kerchief there I hem; And there upon the ground I sit, And sing a song to them.

11. "And often after sunset, sir, When it is light and fair, I take my little porringer, And eat my supper there.

12. "The first that died was sister Jane; In bed she moaning lay,

166 ECLECTIC SERIES.

Till God released her from her pain; And then she went away.

13. "So in the churchyard she was laid; And, when the grass was dry, Together round her grave we played, My brother John and I.

14. "And when the ground was white with snow, And I could run and slide, My brother John was forced to go, And he lies by her side."

15. "How many are you, then?" said I, "If they two are in heaven?" Quick was the little maid's reply, "O master! we are seven."

16. "But they are dead; those two are dead! Their spirits are in heaven!" 'T was throwing words away: for still The little maid would have her will, And said, "Nay, we are seven." William Wordsworth.

THIRD READER. 167

LESSON LXIV.

MARY'S DIME. 1. There! I have drawn the chairs into the right corners, and dusted the room nicely. How cold papa and mamma will be when they return from their long ride! It is not time to toast the bread yet, and I am tired of reading. 2. What shall I do? Somehow, I can't help thinking about the pale face of that little beggar girl all the time. I can see the glad light filling her eyes, just as plain as I did when I laid the dime in her little dirty hand. 3. How much I had thought of that dime, too! Grandpa gave it to me a whole month ago, and I had kept it ever since in my red box upstairs; but those sugar apples looked so beautiful, and were so cheap--only a dime apiece--that I made up my mind to have one. 4. I can see her--the beggar girl, I mean--as she stood there in front of the store, in her old hood and faded dress, looking at the candies laid all in a row. I wonder

168 ECLECTIC SERIES. what made me say, "Little girl, what do you want?" 5. How she stared at me, just as if nobody had spoken kindly to her before. I guess

she thought I was sorry for her, for she said, so earnestly and sorrowfully, "I was thinking how good one of those gingerbread rolls would taste. I have n't had anything to eat to-day."

THIRD READER. 169 6. Now, I thought to myself, "Mary Williams, you have had a good breakfast and a good dinner this day, and this poor girl has not had a mouthful. You can give her your dime; she needs it a great deal more than you do." 7. I could not resist that little girl's sorrowful, hungry look--so I dropped the dime right into her hand, and, without waiting for her to speak, walked straight away. I'm so glad I gave her the dime, if I did have to go without the apple lying there in the window, and looking just like a real one.

LESSON LXV. MARY DOW.

1. "Come in, little stranger," I said, As she tapped at my half open door; While the blanket, pinned over her head, Just reached to the basket she bore.

170 ECLECTIC SERIES.

2. A look full of innocence fell From her modest and pretty blue eye, As she said, "I have matches to sell, And hope you are willing to buy.

3. "A penny a bunch is the price, I think you'll not find it too much; They are tied up so even and nice, And ready to light with a touch."

4. I asked, "'What's your name, little girl?" "'Tis Mary," said she, "Mary Dow;"

THIRD READER. 171

And carelessly tossed off a curl, That played on her delicate brow.

5. "My father was lost on the deep; The ship never got to the shore; And mother is sad, and will weep, To hear the wind blow and sea roar.

6. "She sits there at home, without food, Beside our poor, sick Willy's bed; She paid all her money for wood, And so I sell matches for bread.

7. "I'd go to the yard and get chips, But then it would make me too sad To see the men building the ships, And think they had made one so bad.

8. "But God, I am sure, who can take Such fatherly care of a bird, Will never forget nor forsake The children who trust in his word.

9. "And now, if I only can sell The matches I brought out to-day, I think I shall do very well, And we shall rejoice at the pay."

172 ECLECTIC SERIES,

10. "Fly home, little bird," then I thought, "Fly home, full of joy, to your nest;" For I took all the matches she brought, And Mary may tell you the rest.

LESSON LXVI. THE LITTLE LOAF. 1. Once when there was a famine, a rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest children in the town, and said to them, "In this basket there is a loaf for each of you. Take it, and come back to me every day at this hour till God sends us better times." 2. The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket, and quarreled for the bread, because each wished to have the largest loaf. At last they went away without even thanking the good gentleman. 3. But Gretchen, a poorly-dressed little girl, did not quarrel or struggle with the rest,

THIRD READER. 173

but remained standing modestly in the distance. When the ill-behaved girls had left, she took the smallest loaf, which alone was left in the basket, kissed the gentleman's hand, and went home. 4. The next day the children were as ill behaved as before, and poor, timid Gretchen received a loaf scarcely half the size of the one she got the first day. When she came home, and her mother cut the loaf open, many new, shining pieces of silver fell out of it.

174 ECLECTIC SERIES. 5. Her mother was very much alarmed, and said, "Take the money back to the good gentleman at once, for it must have got into the dough by accident. Be quick, Gretchen! be quick!" 6. But when the little girl gave the rich man her mother's message, he said, "No, no, my child, it was no mistake. I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward you. Always be as contented, peaceable, and grateful as you now are. Go home now, and tell your mother that the money is your own."

LESSON LXVII.

SUSIE AND ROVER. 1. "Mamma," said Susie Dean, one summer's morning, "may I go to the woods, and pick berries?"