■*>'v- J \: '^^■ CIHM ( Microfiche Series (IMonograplis) \fi ' • .^■ f IGMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) ...^^•^i^- Canadian ln«ti|ut« for Historical IVIicroraproductlona / inatltut Canadian da microraproductlona historiquaa ..^. TMhmcal and BiWiofraphic NotM / Notw MchniqUts et biMiograptiiquM ' toriquM The tiwtitut*has^tt«mptMl to obtain the ba*t ericinal copy avaiia^la for filming. Faaturas of this eopy which may ba bibliographically Uniqua, which nun altar any of tha imagas in tiM raproductiofi, or which may significantly changa tlia usual mctltod of filming, ara chackad balow. r~~| Coloured covart/ I t/i Couvarturada coulaur Q Covers damaged/ Couvarture endommagia . □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurte et/oupelliculAe □ Cover title inifsing/ Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiquas en cottleur ♦ i . . □ Coloured ink (i.e. ot^ thpn Mue or Mack)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que i|ku* ou noire) □ Coloured pl#tes and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur D Bound with other material/ Relii avec d'autres documents □ Tifht binding mi^ cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serrte peut causer de I'ombre ou de la d,istorsion le long de la marge interieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que^certaines pages blanches ai^tfas lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque ce'la *tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas ktk filmies. D Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplimentaires: L'Institut a microf ilmi le meilleur exemplaira qu'il lui a «t* possible da se procurer. Las details de 9it exemplaire qui sont peut-itre Uniques du point de vim bibliographique„qui peuvent modifier une imaga reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger Une modification dans la mithode normale de fihnage soirt kidiquis ci^dessous. ■ .. , "'■/■/■ , -^ ' / j^ '. , □ Coloured pages/ / Pages da couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages andommagias ■ ' ■ ■ - . ' ' '■ □ Pages restored end/or lemmated/ Pegas restauries et/ou pellicultes QS« discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dicolortes. tadtet^ ou piquifs ■■■\ □ Pages detached/ Pages d«tech«es ^ 0Showrthrough^- Transpamice D Quality of print varies/ Quality inigala de I'impression Continuous pagination/ Pagination continue Includes index(es)/ Compfend un (des) index Title on header taken from:/ Le titre de I'en-tlte provient: □ Title jiage of issue/ Page de titre de la livraison D D Caption of issue/ Titre de depart de la livraison Masthead/ Generique (piriodiques) de la livraison M. „ /^, This item is filmed et the reduction ratio checked below/ . % . - -r -, - ■ - - ' --- •i '■ 10X 14X 18X 22% . 26X MX 7 \ a ■ ; 12X 16X 20X .^^■'" , 24X 28X 32X ~^J- /* ■.w' i t < ' TfM COPY fHmad h«r« has bMn- r«pro(duc«d thaiiks to tKo g«n«rosity of: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, R.W.B. Jaclcs^B ^Library L'oxemplafro film4 fut roproduit grico i i« ' ginArotit* do: Ontario Institute for- Studies in Education, R.W.B. Jaclcson Library Tho imago* appoaring'horo aro tho boat quality poaaibia conaidaring tho condition and ta^ibllity of tho.origlnal copy and in kaaping wMi tho fUming contract apacificationa. Original copioa in printod papor covora ara filmad beginning with tho front eovor and anding on tfio iMt paga with a printod or iHuatratad improa- aion, or tlM back covor wlion approprfato. All Pthor original copioa aro filmod bog^nniiig on tho fflrat pago whh a printad or illuatratod impraa- alon. and anding on tlio laat pago witH a printad or illiiiiritaq impraaaion. Tha laat racordod frama on oach microficha ahall contain tha symbol — «» (nManing "CON- TINUED"), or tho symbol ▼ (moaning "END"). wMehovar appliaa. Las imagM suivantas ont *tA #aproduitas avic la plus grand soin. cbmptajanu do la condition at da la nattatA da i'axOmpiairo film*, at on conformit4 avac laa conditions du cOntrat da nimaga. Laa Mamplairaa originaux dont la eouvorturo an papiar aat lmprlm4o sont filmte on commonc^nt por lo promior plat at an tarminant soit parla dami*ra pago qui comporto uno omprointo d'improaaion ou d'lHuatration, soit par la 'second plat, aalon lo caa. To.us los autras axam^plairos originaux aont filmia an common^ant par la pramiiro paga qui comporto uno omprointo dimprosaioh ou dlHuatratlon ot an tarminant par la darhiAra paga qui comporto uno tollo. omprointo. / Un doo aymboloa siiivants apparaitra sur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microficho. solon lo cos: la symbolo r-^ signifio "A SUIVRE". lo symbolo ▼ signifio "FIN", . plataa. qharta. atc„ may bo filmod at diffaront raduction ratkM. Thoaa too larga to bo •wt i roly included in ono itapoaura aro filmad beginning in tho upper left hand comer, loft to right and top to bottom, aa many framea aa required. The following diagrama IHuatrata tho method: ■4 ■f>. 1 2 Lea cartea. planchea, tableaux, ate. pouvent Atro fllmte A dee taux da riduction diff fronts. Lorsquo lo document est trop grand pour Atro roproduit en un soul clich*. il est f ilmi i partir da I'angle aupAriaur gauche, do gauche i droite. ot do hauten baa. en pronant la nombro d'imagea n^ceaaairo. Las diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthodo. 1 2 3 * 4 5 ^6 / MICIOOOPV IMWUmON TIST CHAtt (ANSI andl ISO TiST CHART, No. 2)' -•m-K^F^ss^ /APPLIED ilS/HGE Inc 1653 East Mom StrMt RochMtar. Mm Vbrii ;14609 USA (716) 482 - 03bo - Phoh* - (716) 288 - 5909 - Fox Sptcial Laittuiiiin Series. FIE ST B O OK/J ■ OF V ^^ Reading Lessons. With iLi.usx.iATioij.s from cTiacom . Par APR 11 1969 Authorized by the Minister of Kducation for use in the High and Public Schools of Ontario. THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, AND JAMSs CAMPBELL AND SON. r*--^ -IT!'^- > /- fc^ t f- Entered, according to Act of Parliament, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture, in the year of our Lord 1883, by Thomas Newon -and Sons, and James Campbell and Son. Toronto. '\ }^^i^.JtUMi&.^^ :£i?^iSi^ I /'•■ of ? / PREFACE. Thr Second Part of the rrimer opens witl. a little storv, told cluefl)- ni those short words whicli, from a study of the Fii-st Part, may now be supposed to have become, 'to the young reader, familiar sights and sounds. While thus gathering v.p the fruits of previous lessons, we introduce a few Mew words so as to prei)ate the ground for somewhat more difficult reading.' The sight-reading of single words and of disconnected phrases ought to be constantly practised : young children, witli a book open before them, will often recite accurately whole passages of which, in the printed pjige, they c;umot jdeiitifv a sin-lj word. • mH|''' ' ° Every one J.aa noticed the tend enc^ school' diildren io mad m a' dreary monotone. This may be in a measure due to the indolence of weary children, but it is largely due to the dull, uniyteresting matter usually presented in school-books to the eyes and the minds of pupils. Even in the most elementary of these Readei-s, the lessons will, it is believed, so enlist the ,U4terest and sympathy of the child as to i.romote the efforts of the Teacher, and thus secure from the very outset not only ac- curate but expressive reading. The beautiful and appropriate Ulustratfons which abound m this New Series, while giving additional interest to the Le=,sons, will furnish a most attractive framework for obiect- iiKstruction. . Toronto, June in, 188^, V J. "f -^ •*-*i^.-;«^ "lA,* yii ' FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. Part II. -♦♦- -^^ /^ THE STOEY OF THE BIEDS. CHAPTER I. — ^THE COMING OF . THE BIRDS. Spring has*come at last, and every- thing wakes from its long sleep. The white snow has lain long upon the ground ; but now the snow is all gone. Yet we liked the cold winter. The sun was so bright, and the skies were so blue, and s. **♦ t-^i^^ if^m^^ ./^ .v|!r-» s. ■>*♦ FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 5 we had so much fun. We used to slide down the hill, and ride on sleighs,- and build big snow-men. No more sleighs, or slides, or funny snow-men, till next winter ! But now we like the spring. The sun is bright, and it is warm too. The pink buds of the perch- tree open to the warm sun. The grass is green, the trees put forth their young leaves, and gay flowers are in bloom in the woods. ^. Those wise birds know that spring has come : there they sit on the branch of the peach-tree. Robin says to his mate, " My dear, we must got to Avork ; it is time to go and build our nest." -m "I'm very glad the spring is come, ' The sun shines out so briffht ; a The little birdjs upon the trees • Are singing for delight ; The young grass looks so fresh and green, The lambkins sport and play ;. And I can skip and run about As merrily as they" '^ 6 FIBST BOOK OP KBADliro X«SSOJVS THE STOitT OP THE BIBDS. CHAPTER II—THE BUILDING OF THE NEST. WeU, here are onr bird, again. The hen bird chose a mce green tree i» a quiet nook, where I • hoP^. bad. cruel boy.s, will not find her eggs See how those dear birds work ! They fly to and iro between oin: yard aad the tree. Ti/bring LZ and h,« of yam, which they weave into theTe^ almobt built. There are still a few twiss to lav and bend for the nest must be deep If ^oZ It the nest w^re.rtot strong and deep, and if the tall Set'so^t sur '^°'" ^"'^ ^^^"'-^- - - *^ lla- i^#.^ J^eaA^islife^S^ *^ V, ^ ^ ^' ^ ^^5. ft. Svf ^#11 Jf,|- T' ",•■>»'''' FIMST BOOK OF BEADING LES^OKS. 7 >■.■■■. A few days after thAest was built, Robin proudly flew away tow^ards the great lake, and left his poor mate alone at the nest. Robin perched on a tM'ig over the water, and gaily swung himself in the wind, singing to himself this merry song : — Kow it is time to play — I will not work to-day, But will sweet music make Over this deep blue lake. Out over the lake I swinff,. Away from forest safe I turn ; To the winds all care I fling. All fear of hawk I spurn. The sun is in the sky, The soft wind wanders free; No eagle can come liigh, No foe dare injure me ! Though falcon's cry were near, No falcon's cry I 'd fear ; Robin's stout heart ne'er quails, My strong beak never fails. Here a dark shade passed be- tween Robin and the sun ; a fierce falcon wheels in the air over Robin's head^ and is now going to swoop upon the poor bird. Robin screams, and flies with all his might to a wood that was near; and he just gets safely within a thick tree w^hen the great falcon goes crash agaiast the branches. As soon as Robin got his breath, he stole away home. ^'J^3,>'- -a^^^S.^ ^: W^iV-'-wii^S^^ y 8 4- i FIRST BOOK OP READING LESSONS. THE STOEY OF THE BIRDS. 7 . CHAPTER III.-_R0BIN'S RETUKN. ' ort ].! i *"^^,^? ^«* *o go far from home, or to leave the woods, l6st some fierce bird of prev should spy him. It wa. quite dark when Robin got ba^k to his home. He found his dear, kind mate on the nest. There were now two eggs n the' n^ imd <^ wind^iyfcold, but she kept the eggs warm. Robm wa^ sour in his talk and sere in his very tired. When his mate said, " Oh, where have vawn anV ^"^' ^^'" ' " ^^ J"«* ^^w a long yawn, and was soon fast asleep. ' l«fi^^1* ^^IJ^^ '""^ """^"^ ^*'"^' and it was very late when Ifebm woke. His long sleep had done him good. He felt that he had not been kind to his dear matie. He would now try to soothe her was cross. He told her of the fierce said, "Just so— what did I tell you? * soon as kind as ever. At first sh falcon. S But she w, i^*[»W,4^«^ ^ ' » j/ii- Lri^^^^^' V^IJ^" yr^ ^i ^a*^y^^^ FlBSTBOOK OF READING LESSONS. i^^^^^ ^ ^-. A VISITOR. Two more eggs were now in the nest, so there were four ^^ in all One day the eggs broke, and then there were four young birds.* One was weak, and soon died. Our Tom' saw tKe old birds come with food, so he got up on a ladder to find the nest. The nest- lings held out their mouths to Tom for food. But Tom was a wise boy. He -knew that the hen bird can best feed her young. He did not touch the nest. Print- Writing :— . ' ? Two more eggs were now in the . nest, so there were four in all. ■•-JLi. j£^. 10 FIRST BOOK OF RBADIN& LESSONs. 'i. ■^; THE STOEY OF THE BIEDS. CHAPTER IV.^-THE RAIN-STORM. * ^The youpg birds were soon taught how to fly ITiey would get »p on a twig, and then take a queer, funny kind of jump to the soft grass beneath. Then they would run away and play in the woods with «he other little birds until it was .time to go home, or until the old bird would ctiirp for them. n„. 1 X. X , , ^^^ ^^ a bold, wild bird. One day he took his sisters far away into the woods, and a ram-storm came on. i;hey were playing with other sma 1 birds. All the young birds Were in f great fright at the storm, and they ran under a thick tree JACK. the nght Jack dnps with the cold rain. He hopes the sun. will soon come out and dry his wet coat. He I ■ ■ wants to go homfe. ' iiid'^'^^-iit- O fi") tiBBMtf iiiin II x . --*"-f!t' ■■*"* FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 11 When the rain-storm was over, and the sun came out again, Jack and his sistets were left alone by the other young birds, who, without saying a word, ran off to their homes, which were near by. Jack's sisters sat down and began to cry. Jack got cross with his poor sisters, arid told them not to act like §;pese, but to come on fast. At last they all started off together. When the old birds s^w the storm come on, they called "Jack " as loudly as they could; but Jack wa.s far out of hearing. When the sun shone once more, the old birds set out together into the deep woods, and sought Everywhere. At last they heard Jack's loud voice far off, and they flew to the place. They found Jack and his sisters at the brink of a spring, taking a drink. The day wa« now warm. The old birds had come a long way, and they were faint with thirst ; so all the birds had a gpod drink at the nice cool spring in the wood. Then they all set out for home, which they reached before night. " ' \ ' fl ^ ' ^ yi"i^ 'i -*'ni ii r f^- *r ' i " *: -! r^jf^ ' X -'f h' '\ '■ '\ t~ ^' x^^ ! • , i" ' i ' r i 'f ' i^ ' i- , '\.^^'\ ,^ — 12 V FIRST BOOK OF RE:^J)ING LESSONS ■I '«N' THE STOET OP THE BIRDS. CHAPTER.V.— NIGHTS OF MOCRNINO. Some days after this, a blue jay that lived in a tall pme near by spies an owl flying overhead, and shrieks out at the top of his ? voice, •■ An owl t look out for the owl !» All at o&e the' birds, llrge a^d smalUush out mid give chase. Though an owl has \ t / great eyes, he is half blind in the day-time, and so he cannot see to strike the small birds that peck at that he_had jiist dug up for his dinner, ind he joins m he chase AU the bird., peck a^ the half-blind owl and the great bird fairly howls with pain. Jack jeers_at his cry, and strikes at the owl's bi«Sii-,.i Aaorfj- ^H. '4'> «•. # FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. TH^TORM. There has been a wild storm, and the good ship is a wreck. Do j'ou see how the men cling to the inast of the. ship ? The life-boat has been sent out «to save them, and some of them are in it. They try to reach the shore. Row, men ; row for your lives ! See ! the boat seems to sink in the waves ! Down, down it goes. Oh, the poor men ! But see ! there it is once more. It is on the top of a wave. Now it comes near the shore. Pull, men, pull ! Here it comes ! The boat is on the shore, and the men are safe ! The boat goes out once more to the wreck. And, at last all the poor men are saved. 18 FIRST BOOK OP REA Dim LESSONS. Kneel down men, and thank God, who ha« saved you in the storm. boat reach mast row pull safe ship shore sink storm waves wreck Waue. Ship. Boat Storm. Wreck. THE CETJST OF BEEAD. I must not throw upon the fl The crust I cafinot eat ; For many little hungry ones Would think it quite a treat M|^ parents labor very hard ll^'get me wholesome food ; Then I mtist never waste a bit ^ That would do others good. -»^- For wilful waste makes wofiil want, 'And I might live to say, " ^^>.^1^^ wish I had the bread Tha|Hlc(4iI threw away ! " ^ i lOlTG TlifE AGO. Once there was a little kitty Whiter than snow ; " In a bam she used to frolic, long time ago. \ iteirat-^BSHHIttiESt*^^!'^'-' ^i^^aii^^^'S^'-eBr" V-^V saved OF READING LESSONS^ is k m \ ^i# ,,<# In the barn a little mousie * Ran to and fro; For she heard the kitty coming, Long time ago. Two eyes had little kitty, Black as a ^loe ; ^And they spied the little mousie, Long time ago. . Four paws had little kitty, Paws soft as dough ; And they caught the little mousie, Long time ago. Nine teeth had little kitty. All in a row; And they bit the. little mousie, Long time ago. , When the teeth bit little mousie. Little mousie cried " Oh ! " But she got away from kitty. Long time ago. Susi/'s Six Birthdaf/H. hJLi.it' '- M^^^'^ ajsdsi^iiy^. \i^4-'/^ ^v's ''- (,,.,,,3, tiH '•-'' /''„// »■•■ •,. •'^ M\, / ..,1 ttP^ [ 1 '^i\ 20 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. '£m •'*■!> !ai%L THE UnxB HAT-BAKBIl. I art^liWle hay-maker. My name is Jane. I am busy raking hay. How hard I work ! Look at the large heapj have by my side. It is almost as to the hay-field, for he knows that I am fond of play- ing among the hay. The school is closed now, and we have hohday during the long, bright summ*; days «y face ! I shall soon look like a little gipsy r When I am tired, I shall go to the bottom of'^tho Held and sit down 'under a tree; and father will wirflT^t 1. l:'^ '^'^ ^~"« "''^ «^««t "ilk.' a«d g,e hay-maketB have gone to the next field ! Fjfsg^ ■■!' r. '^'11^ "^ FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS M") Some boys and girls,/- who live in towns, have never seen a hay-field, ^©o you know what hay is, and for what it is used? I will tell you. The grass in the fields is allowed I to grow^ very long. Then it is cut down and spread out on the ground. 21 The hot sun dries the grass ; then the hay-makers turn it over and over ; and wh(jn it is well dried, it ^s called hay. Hay is used as food for horses and ^ cows. It is useful in winter, wl^en there is not much grass in the fields for the cow^s ^nd the sheep to eat. Pronounce in Syllabiles :— lit^tle bus-y rak-ing farther playling hol-i-day dur-ing jum-mer bot^tom Ibig^gest * ai-lowed' hors-es use^ful win-ter / .- OXTT FOR A DRIVE. Mary and Alice are playing in the garden. They '^}0f ^^:fTf^i^^ .WT? ii^r 'f^s^^f T/ . ^^^ i?^( P9% ^^J t ^ '^^^^ fi^ ^^ ^^l'^ 3 !^ ^^^^ ?t^ 22 FIBST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. f >■ they look ! Mary says, "Let us play at going for a drive." They have puss and th||r two dolls with them. When they were nicely seated, and Mary was saying that she would drive, their little dog came running up to them. He began to bark as soon as he saw that they did not ask him to jump in. Do you see how puss looks at the dog? She is afraid of hiin, and seems to say, "Be off, sir; there is no room for you here." Spot— for that is the name of the dog— is not quite pleased. He says, "Bow ! wow ! wow ! " and he wants to get in too. Mary shakes her head and speaks to Spot. Would you like to hear what she is saying to him ? 4 " Now, Spot, don't bark ! it is not right ; For should our horses both take frighti Why, they would run away so fast You would be left behind at last. " We two, with babies nice and clean, -^ By babies our two dolls I mean, — And puss, you know, to make up five, Are going for a carriage drive. . " So, Spot, be good, and run away, And you shall ride some other day ; Then in our carriage we will find A place for you to sit behind. " Mamma is coming here, I see, — Look, Spot ! she nods her head to me : So now we'll end our drive to-day ; And, horses, you may go to play." <• 'aa£si3SjU^sajiiraTt" WN FIRST BOOK OF HEADING LESSONS. -Vv^^^^^ui 23 NTJBSEET EHTHES. '■ ■' I. . ■ There was a little man, , And he had a little gun, And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead ; He shot Johnny Fig Through the middle of his wig. And knocked it right off his head, head, head. II. One, two, buckle my shoe. Three, four, shut the door. Five, six, pick up sticks. Seven, eight, lay them straight. • Nine, ten, a good fat hen. III. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, I caught a hare alive. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, I let her go again. 24 FIRST BOOK OF READING lESSONS. THE LOST LAMB. "Ba! ba^! ba!" cried a little lamb that had strayed from its mother sheep, and did not know which way to go. "Ba! ba! ba!" was heard again; • and Bob and his two sisters ran out of the house . to see what was the matter. "Poor little thing!" said Bob, when he saw the lamb standing alone in the yard. " Have you no one to take care of you ? " "Ba! ba! ba!" was the lamb's reply; as if it I meant to say, " No, little boy ; I ha^e strayed so far away from my mother that T cannot find the way back by myself." £_ " ^^^® i<^ something to eat," said his sister Jane. I Then Bob oflfered a leaf to the lamb. But it would not have the leaf; it wanted some of its mother's — — nic e warm milk. ^ \ ■ 'C = t \.. .■„!>, \ •jn^^^r^' .f^ : FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 25 Jane took it in her arms and gently' carried it overH^^armer Smith. " We found this dear little lamb all^one^lshesaid^to the farmer ; " is it yours?" " Yes, it is my lamb," said the farmer ; " and you are a good girl for bringing it so carefully home." — " Dear, sweet lamb ! " said the little girl. " Do you love the lamb ? " asked the farmer.-— " Oh, yes," said Jane. " If it were mine I would feed it on new milk every day, and make it a nice bed to sleep on." " Take it, then, my good little girl," said the farmer. " I have a great many lambs in my flocks, and shall not miss this one." — " Oh, I am so glad ! " fell from her lips. She then ran home as fast as she could. Each day, when she came from school, the lamb went out to meet her. Iamb strayed sheep ht^tle uioth-er heard house tl ling sis-ters mat^ter yard meant leaf re-ply' my-self milk found sweet of-fered wanted sleep great flocks gen-tly farm-er im \ 1 l\l far way -. ■ ^ fs -: ane. mid '. i er's >-^^^^'#s ^ *■ « '-5;:P^' 3 -^ ! ■■ ■ ' ■ ■ • ,. ■ ' • . ' '.'""'" (*■ / * ■(. ;■>. 26 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS, \ r ^ UNDER THE SHEAVES. Before the house in which two sisters named Mary aitil Lucy lived, there was a field of wheat. The little girls had watched the farmer ploudiino- ' 1 y L^ ^ ^ the fielcl^ and then sowing them with seed. He was followed by a boy who carried a l^e rattle. With the lattle the boy made so much noise that the children asked their mother why he did sp. "To frighten the birds," she said. "If something- be not done, they will come and eat up all the seeds^^and the farmer will have no^'heat." When the field was green with the little pJants that pushed their heads up through the ear&, the boy gave up watching, Day/ by day the stalks grew taller ^nd taller. When the grain was quite ripe, the farmer sent his men to cut i t down. T hos e were happy days fo^ Mary a|d Lucy. Day after .-s- .»" j» FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 27 •J daiv they spent hours in the field. There they saw th^ reapers cutting down the long stalks of wheat, an(^ the men binding them up into bundles called sheaves. One day when thfty were in the fiield a ' shower of rain came on. The drops fell thick and fast. Mary and Lucy would have been very wet, had not the kind farmer shown them where to shelter under the s^ieaves of wheat. In the picture you may see the sisters watching the rain fall, and Lucy holding out her little hands to catch the drops. After a little the shower was (^er, and the two chil- dren went home. They had spent a happy day in ... the farmer's field. sis-ters car^ried some-thing biiul-iiig farmer rat^tle hap-py bundles plough-ing children reajj^rs sliel-ter fol-lowfed f fright^en cut^tipg pic-tiue ^sf^?fi- 28 w X wiiAlow FIBST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. \ THE RAIN-DROPS. Oh where do you come from, You little drops o£ rain; Fitter patter, pitter patter, Down the window pane? They won't let me walk, And they xyon't let nie play; And they won't let me go Out of doors at all to-day. They put away my play-things, Because I broke them all ; And then they locked up all my bricks. And took away my ball. Tell me, little rain-drops, Is that the way you play; Pitter patter, pitter patter, All the rainy day? Tliey say I'm very naughty, So I've nothing else to do But sit here at the window; •I should like to play with you. ' The little rain-drops cannot speak, But, " pitt«r patter pat," Means, ''We can play on this sjde; Why can't you play on tJifCf J^ caus e noth ^mir / play-things naugh-ty raindrops tA^iKldSt'vBwiiKj _. ^ji4ti ' -*» . ^ ». 'HSV^rfffi, ■ •?'■ I'tr^T BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 29 / THE PET GOAT. Ann had a pet goat. It had a long beard and long horns. Ann liked to feed the goat. " Kan, Kan," she would call ; and at once the goat would come to her. It would look up in her face, as if to thank hef for the good food she had brought to it. When Ann had no work to do in the house, she \yould go out and play with the goat. The goat liked to play with Ann. It would go to her when it would go to no one else. The goat knew who was kind to it. Keep this in mind, boys and girls. Be kind to your pets, and you will find -that they w i l l > soo n l e a rn to love you. — Lovd wins lov ^ Goat Beard. Horns. «i- - ' ^''6lt^f»i'*-,-^i C-t'-i.-'/" ■•- \-.W^ . ^ 30 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. ■ i I • ,i»' ■ k FKISK AND NED Ned lias been at play till he' is quite worn oi(t He sits down bn the step at the door, and soon goes to sleep. His dog Frisk conies and sits by' him The good dog is as brisk a^ a bee. Look at him as he sits there with his ears up. He seems to say, " 1 11 sit and keep watch while Ned sleeps. No one will dare to touch him as long as I am here.", Ned sleeps for half an hour; and when he wakes he rubs his eyes, and has a good laugh as he sees Frisk at his side. Now he goes into the house, and brings out a bit of bread for Frisk. Then, On his two hind leas Frisk sits up and begs, While Ned, on his knee, Counts one, two, three. FIRST Bi^OK OF READING "LESSONS. Then Frisk from his nose The bit of bread throws, — ' \ and ;^[ed has a laugh as up it goes. w bnad .brisk 31 tloor house play throws wakes watch Keep. Watch. Sleep. Knee. I WILL NOT HXTRT MY LITTLE DOG. ■* I will not hurt my little dog, But stroke and pat his head ; I like to see Jiim wag his tail, I like to see him fed. Poor little thing, how very good, " And very useful too; For don't you know that he will mind What he is bid to do? Then I will never hurt my dog, ^ Nor ever give him pain ; But treat him kindly every day, And he'll love me again. N-\ --oX^ sfwnfi 32 FIUST BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. iT^ WASHING DAY. . Two little girls, named Lucy and J^ne, lived in a cottage in the country. One day they were play- ing with their dolls. TJiey were busy talldnir about something, when one of them said, " Let us go and ask mother." Together they^ went' into the house, where their mother was sewing, and Lucy said, "Please, mother, may we have a washing day?"— "A washing day!" said their mother. " What do little girls want with a washing day ? " — "Oh, do please let us have one, for our dolls' clothes are so dirty," said Jane.—" Dirty ! are they? "said their mother. "Then you may wash them; but be careful to keep yourselves clean." In the kitchen they got a small tub, soinft w^ rm water, and a piece of soap. Then they w^ent out to the green behind the house and began to wash. i f FiRST BOOK OF READING LESIONS. 33 All the clothe3 were taken off both the dolls, and then put into the tub. Lucy washed them quite clean, and Jane hung them on ^ cord to dry. When the dolls were dressed again in their cleaii clothes, they looked like two little queens. clean clothesi green bus-y care-ful cotAtage lived piece please* queens soap some coun-try dirt^y lit^tle playiing sew'ing some-thing wariii wash wliere talk'injT wash-injr - your-selves' A ( i IQ'V,. r > rf FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. THE PET BIRD. Jane liad a bird that she kept in a cage. It was so tame that it would come to be fed from her hand. Now and then she would let it out ; and it would sit on the top of the cage or fly round the room. As she liked best to feed it, no one else fed the bird but her. One day her aunt sent her a box of new toys. She was so pleased with them, that she played all day with them. That day Jane did not feed her bird. Next day a friend calne to see Jane, and once jiiore the poor bird got no food. Jane and her friend played all day with the box of toys. On the third day Jane did not care so much for the toys, and she went once more, to play with her bird. She went up to the cage with some nice seeds to give to it. But the poor bird lay dead in the cage. It had died for want of food. Oh, what C a n ai n si a s> w T ai jfa to -r- ■ ft' ■^^1|*r■ r ,c FIJtST BOOK OF HEADING LESSONS. 35 pain it must have felt ! Boys and girls, keep this sad tale in your minds, and be kind to your pets. aunt bird cage d^ad died feed give new once pain tenie toys The pet B^Ird, THE BIRD IN THE WOODS. I would, not in a cage be shut, Though it of gold should be; I love best in the woods to sing, And fly from tree to tree. A WEEK AT THE FARM. Jane has been for a week at the farm whefe her aunt lives. Now she has come back ; and she has much to tell of what she saw. v Each day she went to see the maid milk ihe cows ; and the maid gave her a drink of the nice warm' ^ milk. She saw the ducks swim in the pond ; and she used to throw in bits'of bread to them! It was a fine sight for Jane, to see how fast they would swim to get the bread. Each day, too, Jane went with her aunt, and helped her to feed the> hens. The hens had no fear. They came close up to her, t and picked up the crumbs as fast as she let them — fall on the ground. — She went to the g r ass ^ park, j too, and there she ^w the sheep and the snow- :..-j^fet _ ii i_ 36 FIRBT BOOK OF READING LESSONS. white l^mbs as they played on the soft green grass. It was the first time Jane had been at the farm. Next time she goes, Tom and. Fred are to go with her. ». aunt bread crumbs ducks farm gniss maid milk_ next saw sight week At the farm. THE MOMENTS. Tlie moments fly,— a n^|ute'« gone; The minutes fly,— an hour is run; Tlie day is fled,— the niglit is horc 4* i Thus flies a week, — a month, — a year! FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. (? t'^fTs^p^^^ 37 # THE LAEE. Three boys, Dick, Sam, and Ned, went out to play in the fields, and fine fun they had. As they sat down to rest for a short time, they he'ard a lark' sing. " How well he sings ! " said Dick. — " Ho must be quite close to us, K think," said Sam. — " I should like to see him," said Ned. — " There he is, then," said Sam ; " so you can soon have your wish." — " Where ? " sai4 Dick ; and up he sprang, just in time to ^ee the lark as he rose once more high in thfe air. See, there he is, as he sings his sweet song to the boys. Just then Dick saw that Ned had a small stone in his hand. Dick thought that he meant to throw it at the poor lark. So he said, " Ned, do you mean to throw that stone at him ? " ■ — " Yes ; why not ? What harm would there be ? " said N e d ; " I want you to see how well I can aim." — " For shame, Ned!" said Dick. "Throw down the --^ •■ \- liis^fc,-.... mmiif^^SS 38 FIRST BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. - t^^W7^ '^'"^^ ^"" ^"^* *« ki" *h« poor bird that sings so sweet a song to us ? If you like I will soon show you that I can aim quite a^ well "r'^Tr ^f I " "^^ '"^^ *' -- ^^ ^- V 1 .1 ' r^^' ^^^^ ^"^ and Sam laugh; and Ned threw down the stone. cl9 Ike to hear the lark sing; how glad I am hat i-did not try to kill him." . . fields heard laugh mean meant quite should thought three Lark. Song. Boys. threw throw where y i> AXTTITMN. The autumn winds are sighing, Sighing in the trees; The ripened corn is waving, Waving in the breeze. Tiie harvest moon is shining, Shining in tlie night; Over hill and valley. In floods of silver light. ' Tlie swallows come together, Together from the eaves, Waiting for the falling, The falling of the leaves. They know the time is coming, The time when they must Bee Away to brighter s unshine. d^ . ■^^' ^^^ ^'^'^oss the sea. •'• * /:• ™ ^BJyp.f f- TILT - •: p-'T>;^-^ r-r'y-fg^ .-^ijj*-^-^. -r-^i- \ FIRST BOOK (fF READING LESSONS. , 39 XUBSEBT BHTMES. There was an old woioau Who lived iivra shoe ; She had so maiiy children, j^ She didn't loxow what to do : She gave them some broth Without any bread ; She whipped them all soundly, ^ And sent them to bed. . .Mi Once I saw a little bird come hop, hop, hop; , ^ So I cried, " Little, bird, will you stop, stop, stop?" And was going to the window to say, "How do you do]" But he shook his little tail, , ^ ,x?'T-5^sf«^r S-- jra.'^'j^ '•?i>?JS\^3i^|&«**i^>^*^ '. ^^'^ ■'^y^'^js^l?*® . 110 -F/iJSr BOOK OF READING LESSONS. A FLOWEB FOR HOTHEB. . Lily lived in the country. All around her father's cottage there were green fields and pretty lanes. Under the hedges a great many flowers grew in summer, and Lily was never so happy as when she was picking them. One fine bright morn- ing Lily's mother told her that, she might go into the fields and pull s6me flowersi. Putting on her bonnet to keep the hot sun from scorching her head and face, Lily gave her mother a kiss and . l3a(|e her " Good morning." Then she went to the cradle, where her baby brother was kicking up his hefels, and kissing him, told him to be a good boy for she would bring him a pretty flower. Trippinc^ lightly out of .the house, with a, basket on her arm'', she ran tip the lane sinretty flowers 1 " / li* it /i FIRST BOOK OF HEADING LESSONS. O I Through the gate she jwent into a; field, and began to pick the flowers, singin'^ jbo herself all the ,time. When she had filled .her basket, sh^j^at down under a tree to rest. On her way home,, she sa^' pne ; flower larger and prettier than any she had seen that day. " Qh, what a beauty!" she cried, as she sprang forward and carefully pulled it., il wdll take this to mother." And away she ran, holding it up, as you may see in the picture. Lily'af mother was very glad to receive the pretty flower. She kissed little Lily when she gave it to her. lived green fields lanea great bright might • bring through crifed sprang kissed coun-try a-round' cot-tage pret^ty hedges y flowers pick-ing bon-net scorch-ing era-die brother trip-ping but^ter-cups dais-ie» pret-ti-er beau-ty for^ward care-fiil-ly . re'-ceive 42 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. \-v SNOW. Winter has come. There are no flowers in the garden. The ground is covered with snow. The boys are busy making snow-balls to throw at one another. This is fine fun on a cold winter day. Look at the great big ball little Fred is rolling alongi When he began to make it, he had only a ball as big a« his h^nd. Now, it is so large that he can hardlj?! move it. SNOW SONG. / "See the snow falling slow ' On the trees and hedges low ; Fair and light, sparkling bright, Making all things white. " Come away ; who would stay In the hou Hft on such a day ? - Let us all run about _^ With a merry shout. FIRST BOOB. OF READING LESSONS. •43 " Let lis atlljl^eait and small, Helptojroll a famous ball ; Make it. go o'er the snow — And see how it will grow. " Only they whd won't play Tremble and look blue to-day ; Running so, among the snow, Puts us in a glow." ' '\,^ :<\^ s\ There are other lands of the Earth besides C^ada whete the ground is covered with snow for many months in the year. In such countries the people have to wrap themselves up in thick coats made of fur. There are some lands where no snow ever falls, and wihere it is summer all the year round. cotm-tries peo^ple them-selves' sum-m^r be-gan' hedg-es Can-a-da Wd^y spark-ling trem-ble a-long' mer-ry / rjiu-ning falli^ing fa-mous a-mong' v^ 7* -I <;t: ' t^'l V "1 44 Fir^ST BOOK OF BEADING LESSOITS. t^ ■ . ''■ WHAT THE BISING SUN SAYS. " Ge(; up, little boy. Get up at once, I say. How lAng do you mean to lie there ? I have been trying for a long time to look in at your bed-room window; but I could only peep in at the edge of the blind. I want to say, 'Good morning!' and to show you some of the pretty things you may see about you. At the bottom of the garden, i^ the bed of flowers, there are some nice buds, just opening. In the tree at the end of the house - there is a nest in which there are four pretty young birds. On . the grass under the trees in the park there are six. litt l e snow-white lamb s at play. — AH — were glad to see me when I bade them good morn- J"S» % il»ey could not do without m e. If I did o .■:'* «'5«W^P . ■''----■ ■ ■ ■ "■' . " ' '■ ' ;-■,■■"■■■ '■■■"■"■'-■■ . . ■ ■ . '...:. FIRST BOOK OF READING lessons: 45 . /■■ .■■-■■ . . ■ . ' not come, the buds would not open, and the little . ' ■ H^^^^^= birds and lambs would die of cold." . But the little boy did not move until the sun had '<•, found a hole in the blind, through which it sent its r :■- rays right down on his face. Then he sprang out i -■- ■ ■ of bed, rubbed his eyes, and dressed himself, thinking V he was very late. But it was still quite early. So ■ he ran out to look at the bright, warm sun, and to bid it good morning. .Xhen he looked into the nest and saw the little bird^ He looked into the park, f •( ■ ' too, where the lambs wei^e yet at play. But the flowei-s pleased him best of all, and he gathered a ^ pretty bunch to give to his mother. > • -^«-'" blind I'' edge once , . rubbed - 'v ' bunch found pleased sprang dressed gathered quite through. ( ' bed-room * " flow-ers raorn-ing think-iug say. bot'-tom him-self o-pen-ing . try^ing ■i been ear-ly ■ lit^tle pret^ty ' win^low ,.. -room ge of ■■!■■' "• s ' ' and Up, before the sun is risen ! •f may , - • Out, before the shadows fly, *n, in, And the morning twilightr trembles, •^ \ just ' Broken by the shafts of, day! ''31 [louse ' • . ■ 1 roung park Alt , ; As we ride, the summer sunrise •' \ Paints with red the eastern sky ; ' Dew, that bends the meadow gjcabiiesJ, y , j\.ii Like a rainbow melts aways; norn- - Doha Read GoonXLE: Verses fi'om Sky Farm. * ' • b ■* '' ''" ' [ did i ¥^,- ':■ ■' . ■ m * ■J 46 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. ■■:l r' "■ ■!' '■ GOOD-NIGHT. Little baby, lay your head On your pretty cradle-bed ; Shut your eyes, for no\ I asked your dollies, but they do not know any^«U||bout you ; only they know ' that they have noWBPio |iut them to bed, or to dress them in the ijiorning. I am tired of catching flies and playing with my tail," with no one to trot me on the knee and carry me on the shoulder, or to draw spools about for me to run after — no one to toss me up and shake me till my head is almost shaken from my shoulders. •► p Oh, dear, I do' wish you would come home. I sat under the table to-day while your papa and mamma were at dinner. They pretend that they are having a nice time all by themselves, with their clean table-cloth, and with nobody to make a noise and drop crumbs and spill water. They say they are going off* for a ride • because they are 90 happy ; but I knQ\tr they are going because everything is so still that they cannot^ bear to stay here longer ; and I am sure they will begin to cry if they do not find soniething to amuse them. So you had bfetter come back before we all get to crying. Susan in the kitchen, I think, is really glad you are gone, and she does not want you to hurry back ; — but / do. 52. mis^tress lonely . asked ^W^j. mN tliem-selves' dinger pre-tend' • qlean — mom-mg cloth no^bod-y noise crumbs v, ■» ■ FIRST BOOK OF'^ADING LESSENS. " * ' ■ • ■ * doWifis catch-ing an-y -thing . Car-ry shoul-der Vs^er be-cansp' hap^py ev^r-y-thing . shaken ta^bl^. pa^pa' a-njuse /kitchen r^l-ly hur^i'y 1 ' / '. MY PUSSY. ' "\ Ohl here is Miss Pussy; she's drinkin'^lier milk; Her coat is as soft and as glossy as silk. She sips' the milk up with her little lap-lap; Then, wiping her whiskers, lies down for a nap. My kitty is gentle, she loves me right well; How funny her play is I'm sure I can't telL ' Now under the. sofa, now under the table, . She runs and plays bo-peep %s v^ell as she's able. Oh, dearly J love her! You never did see "^ Two happier play-mates than kitty an ; ' Then a while he went away, ' J *^But came again lEinother dfiy. y^t ' ' This time a little mate h^ brought, . ' . / And to hei" his. song he tS-ught,-^- ^. , ^ '^ ' (^heep, cljeep, cJieep I Vt Now t^he two birds built .' nest; • > ,' And the pair sbemed doubly ' blest , , .. J A When some little birds had they, . . ' A^i^d the pretty, things qduld " say,— Gheep, oheep, cheep ! / 54 FIRS't BOOK OF READING LESSONS. THE TWO WHITE EABBITS. Little Henry one day got a present of two white rabbits. One was a big rabbit, and the other was ' a little one. They were put into a little house made of wood. Do you know what a rabbit-house is / called ? It is called a hutch. One day the door of ' the hutch had been left open, and the rabbits got out. They both ran about the garden, seeking for ( something to eat. A big basket filled with fine . fresh turnips and carrots stood a little way off. The . rabbits soon found their way to it, and began to eat off all the gre^n leaves. ■L^^ There they are in the picture ! Do you see them ? The big rabbit sits on his hind feet, and reaches to the top of the basket. ^^ See ! he has pulled a turnip down. It has fallen on the ground, and the little rabbit runs to it and PIRST BOOK OF jREADING LESSONS. 56 begins to eat too. It is a good thing. that the big * rabbit pulled this turnip do wnj for the. little one could not have readlied to the top of the basket. In thi» way the big one helped the little one. This is just what boys and girls should do at their meals. They should help the little.- on^s first. That is a good lesson to learn from Henry's white rabbits^ Is it not? * first found fresh green ^ kind house "^ hutch , leaves meals reached thing I whiter be-gan' car^rot^ fallen I. . garden helped lesion ' _ present pulled rab^bit reaches. * sbme-tlfng tur-nips ..lfi»jS^-s s' 56 FIBST BOOK OF HEADING LESSONS. THAT JAM DID IT. Fred is very sick to-ddy, and is resting his head on his hand at the table there. , I can tell you why this is. His mothfer left a pot of jam in his way la|b night ; and when she c^me to look, there was not much jam left. He was, of course, sick in the night, and this morning Ijis head aches very badly; Two of ills young friends have just called, to ask him to go for a walk. Of course he cannot go, but must sit at liome by the fire. . ■ ; ^ TH^ LITTLE B07S A CHAlfCE. we are!' don't leave us out, Just because we're litile'hoys ;-i . Though we're not so bold and stout, In the world we make a noisa . You're a year or two fhead, '^< But we step by step advannft All the world's before you spread- Give the little boys a chance !. FIRST BOOK OF READIl^Q LESSONS. 67 ■^e- .' ^ f THE THREE LITTLE KITTEHS. 1. Three little kittens lost their mittens, * And they began to cry : " ."Oh! mammy dear, < We 9adly fear . ^...:-,----.-^^^--.--^-^ ' ' Our mittetis ye have lost ! "— ■ "What! lost your mittens, You naughty k^tens % — Then you shall have no pie." ■','.,' '• • ^ . - ■ ■ ■ • 2. Tlie. three little kittens ba^I need of mittens; The wintcfiiow wjis nigh : \ \ " Oh ! mammy dear, ' Weifear, we fear, ' Our mittens we shall need." — / " Go, seek .y/)tir mittens, , ' ,. You silly kittens ;.. ' ,* There's tempest in the sky." "^ 3. The three little kittens, in seeking their mitten^ Upset the table high : *' Oh ! mammy dear, - . 7 V V We doubt and fear v • The house is tumbling down."— " You foolish kittens, * > " ; .' \ Go, find your mittens, \ And do not make things fly." 4. "Pie three little kittens they found their ^ittens ; ^ \And they began to cry : Oh !'mammy de a t, \ See here, see here, Our mittens we have found."- :Miii •mmmimmm'w'mf^'- 58 ^IRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. " What ! fpUnd your mittens, . * T < You little kittens ? — Then you shall have some pie." ^ ^ 5. The three little kittens put on their mittens, ; , And soon ate up the pie : • t «". : " Oh ! mammy dear^ ., . We gref^tly fear '. Our mittens we have soiled." — -♦' ■ "WTm ■ .1 mL,,, ~J.J Ti " What ! soiled your Inittens, ; You naughty kittens?" , Theii they began to sigh. 6. The three little kittens washed their mittens, And hung them up to dry : " Oh 1 mammy dear, Look here, look here, Our mittens we h^ve washed.' _j 3 *• FIBSt BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. "What! washed your mittens; * You darling kittens 1— ; But I smell a rat close by !" 7. The three little kittens put off their mittens, A hunting match to^try: _ _j_^ "Oh ! mammy dear,^^^-^^- 7 - ~^^^ His hole is here ; Our mittens do vm we fling;" — Both cat and kittens Flung down their mittens ; "When — whisk !— rthe rat ran by. 6d :>.■ A P^AfJT! PIT Ting BAUDS. Here are Willie and his dog Carlo. How happy they are ! They are running a race on the sands by the sea. » ' 60 FIBST BOQK OF BEADING LESSOiTS. Willie's home is in a large town far away from the sea. He seldom gets to the sea-side. When Willie is at home he goes to school; hut now it is holiday time, and his parents have brought him to breathe the fresh sea air, and to play on the sands. Boys and girls who have beeii to the sea-side know that the waters of the sea are never stilL They are always moving. Sometimes the waves roll up the shore a great distance, and cover all the sands. In the picture you may see h^ow the water comes creeping up the shore. Willie knows that when the sea covers the sands, they will have to run out of the way. One day the waves overtook them. Willie's boots and stockings were made very wet, and Carlo almost had t9 swim. Now they are having a race along the sands, close to the waves. Willie had been sitting upon a rock; but ^he, waters by-and-by reached his feet, fi,nd then he started off with Carlo. What fun they are havmg ! for sometimes one wave bigger than the rest comes dashing along, and covers them both with spray. Willie's flag is called the Uhion Jack. When he builds a house on the sand, he places this fla;" THE GLTTCKING HEN. "Mother," said a boy, "I heard tjie children at school to-dajr reading the verses about the Clucking Hen, What is a clucking hen ? " — "A hen is called a clucking hen while she sits on her eggs. The name is taken from the noise she then makes. 8% makes the same noise when she calls her chickens. I should like to hear the verses. Do you know them?" — "Yes, I know them by heart. I must tell you that an old rooster is the one to speak fir&t. " * Will you take a walk with me, .. "^i My little wife, to-day 1 / .' \ There is barley in the bfirley field, r And hay seed in the hayi^ «( Thank you/ said the clucking hen ; ' I have something «lse to do. I am busy sitting on my eggs ; ' I cannot walk with you. 62 k ■"V ' I^IBST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. "•Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck," Said the clucking hen ; . ' My little chicks will soon be hatched, I will think about it then.' — " *' The clucking henwsat in her nest, . She made it in theAay ; And warm and snug beneath her breast A dozen white eggs lay. " Crack, crack, went all. the eggs ; , . Out came the chickens small. * Cluck',' said the clucking hen, ' Now I have you all. * " ' Come along, my little chicks, I will take a walk with you.' * Hollo ! ' said the rooster proud— ' Cock-a-doodle-doo ! '" heard school V called .jnoth-er . chilidreii reud-ing while npise should know heart walk field thank .think cluck-ing rooster bar-ley some-thing sit^ting hatched breast crack proud cjiick^ns be-neath' doz^n 9^t^^ »*^VW'3r^r^*?'»^HW^K3WS^ri^ ^w ^'"^i?'*™^ FIBST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. d3 east ick oud ^ns ith' I THE SaUIEEEI. This pretty little animal is; a squirrel. The squirrel ha^ a soft coat of reddish-brown fur. Its *ears are long and pointed. Its eyes are very bright. Its teeth are sharp and strong ; and it has whis- kers like thereat. Its hind legs are much longer than its fore legs. It easily climbs up the stems of trees, and springs lightly from branch to branch. Its bashy tail is longer than its body, and it is often carried curled over the squirrel's back. Its claws are sharp and strong. They ar6 of great use in climbing trees. The squir- rel makes its nest of twigs and moss ^,nd leaves, high up among the branches of a tree. It eats nuts, berries; and acorns. It holds its food with its . fore paws while eating it. It lays up a store o|tf food for winter use. ^ ^S ^- [ '•^ 64 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. * • The day is past, the sun is sdt, And the bright stars are ip the sky ; Now the lon^gras^ith dew is wet, And in the darlrfte bats now fly. '' ' •■ The lambs have now lain down to sleep, The birds have long since found their nests, The air is still ; and dark and deep On the hill side the old wood rests. Yet of the dark I li^ve ho fear, But feel as safe as whfn 'tis light; For I know God is with me here, And he will keep me all the night. For he, who rules the stars and sea, . Who makes the grass and trees to grow, Will look on a young child like m«, "• When on my kneeS to him I go. •# f\ '\ •f -•rj^'.t'i ■^^^T--,*!^™-, '■■^'^'H^^'^'-''=-^;^'"^a'-""§'=^'^^^«^* ^ " Fins f BOOK OF READING LESSONS. "^^sH^ V. THE WATEB SONG. " Each flower holds up A dainty cup To. catch the rain and dew ; ' The drink of flowers, That comes in showers, yin just the drftk for you. " The sta.rs so bright That gem the night In the round heaven so blue, Fling down their beams Upon the streams Which flow with drink for you. ■ ' - ■ * " The nightingale Which charms the vale, From yonder fountain^flew ; The song-bird's drink Should be, I think, The drink for bia^s'like you." «^--' ■fm •• 65 ,4 I ^j '^ii 66 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 1 - WINTilll. Winter has come at last. /There are no flowers* now in the garden, and every leaf is gone from the trees. The snow lies thick upon the grourtd, and the merry little snow-birds fly. about seeking for food. M In winter we should think of the wants of the poor. Many a child has no fire to warm him, little food to eat, or clothing to shield him from the cold.- But God has given all these things to you. Thank him with all your heart, and try to help the poor. AH the little boys are glad to see the ground white. They bought sleighs more than a bonth ago, and they have been waiting so long for the snow to cortie. Well, here it is at last. The boys and girls will now have a merrv time. V < ., ^r- FJBST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 67 Though we do not now see le^-ves ».nd flow^ers, still the roots. of the plants are safely locked up beneath the snow. AgJe^in the voice of Spring will be heard. Again the flowers will burst into bloom, and the trees will put on their robe of green." They '•are not dead. They are only in their winter sleep. child crone shield ' ■ their dead fright be-neath' - cloth-ing Snow. gone leaf roots sleighs sn fel-low seek-ing garden waltzing Winter. Poor. thick voice win-do w win-ter r ■ eep. ¥. Little bird, little bird, where wilt thou go^ When all the fields are buried in snoW ? 13he ice will cover the'old oak tree ; Little bird, little bird, stay with me !-- " Nay, little idaiden, away I'll fly To greener fields and a warmer sky : When Spring comes back wjth cheerful rain My joyful song you will hear again." >. \^ iT '.r,t ir.i'i 68 f FIJiS!B, BOO^OF RSAD. i ih! ., , - , 3nd of bitds/ ;She ^ 4iw^ys kind ' f lltptKen^a:^ they seem to krio^ that she is their' ^ iV^'^^®"i ^^^^^^ !^"n weather she sefes them come •,' 1^1 -iit floc^ks ^o eat the ripe fruit which grows in hei- ' V "" MtheVs gaLrdQh:ii\itoit ^he never, ^drives W little friends away.^ She sajrs th^t they are God's birds, . ' &nd ought tfcefore to have some of the friiit whibh ,,. Qod causes t^row. ' ^ . ■ , * * • ,In yinter, w.hert the trees are bare, and the ^tbundNis cpvere^with snow, ^ birds are unable • to find much ; bu|t Edith does ^»rget her friends. She knows that some of t^nbirds have been . taught by God to fl^ away to warmer lands, where . there is plenty of fo(M to be found during the whole year. B(it she knows also that some of them'* remain to do the best they can through the long * r i5^ BOQK OF BEADING LESSONS. ' 69 ,^ . V (5^ wii)|^7^"<^ery njornkigPdierefore, she opens ^^ w aiicPthrOw^out a handful of crumbs ^ .'._.'f|i||^r' leathered friends, as you may see her jdoing '^'■''^'^^''jlll' Ipi (^picture. ' 'They 'are never afraid to come^ l&eipies they even hop into the room, 9,nd pick up any crumbs that are on the floor. Ed^lh loves one little bird more than she loves any of the others. It is a robin. She is saying " Good-morning " to it now, as it hops to the win- dow. The robin trusts Edith so much that it will peck at the window; for food, or hop on her shoulder, or pick the crumbs out of her hand. know friend 'flocks ^ garden there-fore win-ter fruit drives ought un-a-ble for-ge^t', plen-ty which groufid taught £::a dur'-ing re^ai#« morn-ing whole through 4 crumbs - feathered pic-ture a-fraid' shoulder floor al-ways weath^tr say-ing roViu Glad to s^ you. little Jjirdjfc., Twas younMmvittmm li^altl : KflK Wflj^t^id you intepl «^^^ — ^^ me soH|Bt^ing thi^ cold iky f '^ \ ^A f « lljl^riiat I will, and^plenty too ; ■ V All^these crumbs I saved for X^tt : i ^- * .' ^ . Don't be frightened — here's a tre^it; .^^^*^'.*' ' 1 will wait and see you eat. '^^ ■ •■ > , • 70 FIRST BOOK OF READING LESSONS. IITTIE DICK. who taps so at%e window pane ?^ Oh, it is pretty Dick ; " Do please to let me in," he says, " And give me crumbs to pick. " It is so very .cold out here, And such a deep, deep snow ; * I cannot find a single worm, x. And don't know where to go."— "ComeW, come in, then, pretty Dick, ^ An J warm your bright red breast ; I'll give you all my piece of cake, And make you a snug nest."— But now the sun once more does shine. And nielts the cold, cold snow, And Dick taps softly at the. pane, And says, « Oh, let me go. " I love the sun so very much, I love the sweet spring air : , Please let me fly out on the trees ; I'll sing to you up there."— " Yes, fly away, my pretty Dick, We want no captive here ; Go, sing your songs upon the tree. And come again next year." .\ » •Am" '■»■■ .9. y .\ » f p-W il^^J^" ^1 ^^, ,^-v, -,1-^ '^r^{*^'^^ y \ FIRST BOQIM)F READING LESSONS. ,s, »• 71 : 4 r CHBISTMAS CHEEE. Little Jack Homer sat in a corner Eating his Christmas pie; He put in his thumb, he pulled out a plum» And said, "What a good boy am I ! " "^T When good king Arthur ruled this land — He was a goodly king^- He bought three pecks of barley meaV To make a bag-pudding' ! ""^ A bag-pucyi|«bhe king did make, And stuHfERt \^ell with plums ; And in it put great lumps of fat. As big as my two thumbs ! The king tqP- queen did eat thereof, obMne ♦^ ;' And noblSinen beside ; . $i And what they could not eat that ni^| ' Tlie jqueen next jiiorning fried ! ,, #^' s 1; i -^_ 72 i- " FIRST BOOK OF ^MEADING LESSONS. . -^ ■ , •. ' . . " *■ . »^ '"' '■ Thfe night#lien I lie^own to sleep, ' ^ ' I give tlt^ffi^ my soul to keep • ;r If I slio#|:x9e before 1 wake, -^-— ^--- --- I pray t^Lord my soul to take. ^ In my httle bed Xlie; \ Heavenly. Father,%ear my cry : Lord, protect me through the night, ^^•iwg i^^fe to "lining light. r 1 ■it MORNDfO. #■» ^'. . \ •ji-' _/ 4 ^ i Now I wake and see th^^^ht"*! God has kept me throwgh the night ! Mike me^ood, O Lord, ^^^1 ; < Keep an#guard me througli? this .day .-, ^* 4,* '^^ Ip Lord,-any God, to thee Ijiray, "' When|romjay bed I r|se^ That^ I da aiid all I say B^pfeasing in thine eyes. •I. Var -- ^' BEFORE ^lEAT. ^^^^ V^ y l»and cometh ^\ every good ^ We thank thee for out- daily food : with it. Lord, thy blessing give ; And to thy glory may we live. Amea 7. ^■^ ■■■■■■■■^■■■■■■■l Hil- ^ ■■''/.< ; • • —)rJW,-^r ».-»',. ■■-F^^--'^i'^^^0^^-'^r^^^r'^^^^^?^^^^^S^ «!^^(SBJJSB!&*H8»- 1 ••V ( • . f <' ' . *. " • ,rA, "•z- .■' \ r ., r * # '-# ' , . ,^, ■ :W :.: ■'■"■* ' ■ % ■ ■ ^.. #■ .V 1 ' ■ '" ';■ - ■ ■ : • ■ . 1 V • • ; 1 V • ' '-. * ■ \-' '■■■■.. ■., ' ' ' \ . ' ^ ; « M « ■ ■•;'■■ ^ \\. V ^ ■ — 'a ^H « • . . % / ' * r ',"■ *. • •■ . , • ' ■ ■ "i .■ •* . ■ ■- '' ' •'?■ t* * ' - * ;■■■ .:;.. ; .,\f ■; n » , '■- ■ )--\' ■■' '■ . ■.•■■*"■.;■■ c,- ■■ . > ', t ■'¥- ■ .-^-iiV.'; ;- -V. ■ .•^•-' ;•- •.^-./-'^-: — — ' .* ' '^-:.;.. . 1 "m ■ 1 I |^l|[H 1 1 ■ *■ ' ■ ■ ^ 1 ■1 ^^^^^H ■i P^^^^^^^^^^l ■ 1 W • ' .V > ■ ^ 1 1 ^ 0, ,, ■"■■," ■■ \ ,- - " ^ ■ * ■ '\ ■-■"'.. \ . ■V - ■ ■r.f.' ^^^^^^1 1 f * ' " .J if .;* . 1. 'it.t 'h iMi. ^ P ^ ♦