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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. f errata d to It le peluro, ;on A 13 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ) Canabian Series of §ltabin0 l^ooks. SECOND BOOK BEADING LESSONS By the (founcil of l^blic Institut^tUm TORONTO: JAMES OAMPBKLLAND SON, 1868. Sntered aeoording to Act qf i^ovincial LegiakUurtt in tKe Tear One Thauiand Bighi Hundred and Sixiy-tevenf by the Reverend Eoibton Rtbrson, LL.D., Chief Superintendeni of Education for OntariOf in the Office of th€ RegittrHt of the Province of Canada. TO THE TEACHER Thr Second Ecjidinpf Book is composed almost \»xcluHively of Nuinery Kliymes and Tales ard Vables of a kind likely to prove pleasing to th« mind of childhood. A principal cause of the very frequent want of proper modulation and apjiro- priate inflection of voice, on the part of pupils, in reading, is to be found in the fact that heretofore our reading books have largely consisted of selec- tions that were on subjects more or less above the easy comprehension of the pupil, or that were not written in a style sufficiently simple and agreeable. A child cannot read with expression that which lie does not readily understand, or does not readily engage his attention ; while, on the other hand — provided his eye is familiar with the word-signs — lie can scarcely fail to read naturally, and, conse- i|uently, with propriety, a rhyme or a story that enlists his sympathy and awakens his interest. A portion of the First Section of the Second 0ook is devoted to the completion of the scheme oi lessons on the letter-sounds, which was com- menced in Part I. and carried on through Part IL of the First Book — the attention being here chieflj iv PREFACE. directed to certain combinations of letters that occur in disByllables and elsewhere, and are cha- racterised by peculiar or irregular sounds. The words given at the head of each lesson aro those with wliich the pupil has not previously be- come acquainted in his Reading Book. They aro intended to be pronounced and explained by the teacher before the lesson is commenced — the pro- nunciation and meaning being carefully impressed upon the pupil, so that he may be already familiar with each word before he meets with it in the reading lesson. The ^'^acher is recommended to select materials for sr» • ing exercises from the portions of the book previou«='^> read, and to continue the plan, recom- mended for adclption in the First Book, of conduct- ing the recitation in spelling by giving each pupil a short phrase or sentence, so as to ensure the words being spelled in their proper connections. Education Office, Toronto, December 1869. CON T E N T ft. dpapa PART T. "fiilly and Nanny ; or. Tiie Two donU . Little Bo Peep A Ship a Sail in ff . Kitty and Mousie . Harry au«l Fanny's Gran Betty Priiujle Little Susan's Dream Pussy Cat Walter ahd his Dog Three Fables . My Little Doll Rose To Baby The Silly Larnb . Mr "jittle Cat and Doy "L. .clo Things . Rain-Drops . The Lamb, the Bee, and tht Fly The Dog and the Shadow /kittle Kit Good King Arthur LtttU Robin Redbrexut Story of Joseph The lamb's Lullaby, SuHt/'s Airs b\ ijb L v\ ivthda !i!< 5 6 7 8 12 V» 16 18 20 22 23 2-1 2ii 30 31 32 35 36 38 38 CampbtlVs Second Reader 30 Mar^' Lundio Duncan 4:i yi Alfred and hii Oanieii Jenny Wren . Tht Young Natlinya The Fox and the Ooat, The Hcnett Boy Two Unkind Ooata Two Kind Ooats . OONTINT» i» 60 62 64 64 55 PART II. Th4FoMryRino ....••.•. 87 The Boy and the Crow 69 My Utile Brother 64 The Blind Boy 65 The Grow and t'ue Pitoher 66 The Oat and the Oream- Jug 68 Dirty Tim 69 Sing a Song of Sixpence 70 Susy'i Little Servants 71 Things to be Kept in Mind 73 Little Bed Biding-Hood 47 The Bob o* Link and the Mower Fagottfor the Fireside 81 Xobin Redbreast and Jenny Wren 03 Su8y*B Dinner Party . . . Sutf^e Six Birthdays 84 The Story of the Three Bears 87 Who Stole the Bird's Nest f 94 The Children in the Wood 98 The ChiUTs First Grief . . . Mrs Hemftns . . 105 Love One Another 10() The Story of Moses 108 Brave Bobby LU The Sweet Story of Old .113 Never say Fail . . . • 114 Christmas Miss Wetherell . 115 LUtUbyLittU 118 ^hmiing Hymn . • • • • ^ • • . 19P ooximrm tU PART IIL Map Song • • • 12V IThe Lark and her Young Onot . . ^ . • . 123 rhe Hare and the Tortoise 125 lOood Night and Oood Morning . . • • • . 127 Who Taught Them f 129 The Boy and the Starling 130 WilUe and hU Pony 131 My Pony . 132 Mary and her Canary 134 MeddUiome Matty .... Mn Oilbert . . 136 ^he Bear and the Tomtit 139 My Mother 142 Btory of David 144 Autumn Mrs Hautrey . 148 Bertha and her DoUa 150 The Lost Doll 152 Jack's Dog Bandy . . 153 l.ittie Things 156 i.'resence of Mind 159 Ingenious Device Talei that are Tru$ 160 The Indian Woman and the Bear 162 Story of a Bear 164 The Young Mouse 166 The Boy Lost in the Bush 169 Old Motfivf Hubbard and her Dog . • • • • 17S PART IV. TH« Dog and tlie Boat . Ti-y Again " My Father *8 at the Hdm"* . Th^ Boy and his Dog . Th« Story of the Birth of our Saviour T^ Guardsman and his Horse ^ Wind in a Frolic ... Mrs Half o«r 176 179 180 181 183 187 189 via C0KT15NTH. fA«M The Old Man and hit Am 191 The Best Fun 19.') The Beggar-Man Aikin . 190 Try Again 199 Af^grp Words 201^ A Little Word 20? The Liar and the Truthful Boy 203 Dreda of Kindness • 211 llumility . .21/ The Bold Boy a!)«1 the Coward 2i:t liyandBy 214 The Fox and the Drake 21J» Whittiui;tuu aud his Cat 91' SECOND BOOK PART I. This little book has verses of good old English rhyme That in your father's father's time, rang out tneii- pleasant chime. This little book, dear children, has tales that were not new When your good and kind old grandmamma was such a child as you. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. Full many a child has prized them, now grown a stalwart man, And many more, whose lives were o*er before our lives began ; Then prize you them, dear children, tales told and ballads sung In times long past — the old, old days, when grand- mamma was young. NY ; OR, THE TWO Q( baf-fle an-kle ri-fle wrin-kle ruf-fle ma-ple ea-gle ap-ple gig-gle peo-ple bu-gle rip-pie wrig-gle lit-tle an-gle this-tle ti-Je tit-tie a-ble* stub-ble ta-ble tum-ble sta-ble trea-cle vab-ble un-cle fee-bie i-dle peb-ble bri-dle nib-ble rid-dle no-ble £»d-dle xk • le pud-die These two goats are named ** LJly" and " Nanny," iind they belong to Ned Baffle's uncle. Billy is a noble fellow, with long beot horns, all rough with wrinkles ; while Nanny is smaller, and has short straight horns. *" Observe that when the coasonant is doubled the preceding vowel is short. SS" These words, and all similarly placed in the book, are intended to be pronounced and explained by the pupils before commencing the lesson. They are not designed to constitute an exercise in spelling. — (See Preface.) SBOOND BOOK OF BEADINa LESSONS. Poor Nanny is lamr When she was a feeble Bttle kid, she and her mamma were lying one day under an apple-tree, in the stubble-field, behind Mr Baffle's barn. Nanny got up and ran through the stubble to the little stream at the end of the field. She loved to hear the water babble over the pebbles, and to watch it ripple in the sun. Then, too, she thought she would have a drink, and just nibble for a little while at the thistles which grew along its banks. As she stood by the water, looking at her image, and thinking what a pretty little goat she was, she beard a loud scream, and, turning round, she saw a great eagle swoop down at her from the top of a tall maple-tree. Nanny felt the sharp claws in her back, and cried with fright and pain, m» the cruel bird began to fly off with her. Just SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. then a man, who liad heard Nanny's cry, came up with a rifle and sliot at the eagle. He did notJuJl- it, bat U\{i hi>\\ went so close to it as to ruffle its feathers, and it was glad to get away safely, and let the poor kid drop to the ground. Little Nanny fell against the sharp angle of a stone, and thus she broke her leg a little way above the ankle. She was not able to walk for many weeks, and her leg was bound up in splints. While she was thus kept in the stable, she had ample time to think of how silly she had been to ramble away from her kind mamma. Billy is a great strong fellow, but he loves to be idle. Ned Baffle sometimes puts a bridle into Billy's mouth and a saddle on his back, and takes a ride en him. One day, he rode Billy to the store for a can of treacle. On their way home, a man began to play on a bugle close to them, and Billy, who did not like the noise, ran away. Little Ned did his best to hoW on, but Billy gave a great jump and made Ned tumble into a puddle of dirty water. Some idle boys who stood by began to giggle and to make fun of Ned, as he had upset the treacle all over his face riid head and neck. Poor Ned had to wriggle out of the mud, as best he could, and then run home. The rabble of idle bovs ran after hira, calling him Mud-and-treacle ir.d other names. In a short time it was Neds turn to laugh, for, hearing a great noise behind him, he turned and saw SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 5 <;hat Billy had got among the idle fellow.^, and was _|jayj»^-4rk€in back in their own coin — abuse. He threw one great fellow, with dirty hands nnd face, into a deep pit that had been dug for a cellar, and where there were many nettles ; he tore one boy*s ;oat with his horns, and he npset fourx)r five of them into the gutter. Billy gave them plenty of mud without treacle, and they were well pleased to get off and leave Ned alone. LITTLE BO-PEEP. LUt^.e B(1'PEKP has lost her sheep, And can't tell whore to find them ; f L 6 SECOND BOOK Of RBADTNO LE8SON8. Let them alone, and they '11 come liome, And bring their tails behind them tittle Bo-PEEP fell faat asleep, And «ireamt vshe heard them bleating; But whon she awoke, she found it a joke, For still they all were fleeting. Thou up she took her little crook, AM off she ran to find them ; 8l\o found them indeed, but it made her he^f bleed, For they d left their tails be^wd thom. A SHIP A SAILIN9 I saw a ship a-sailing, A-sailing on the sea ; And. oh ! it was all laden With pretty things for ma Tin re were comfits in the cabin. And apples in the hold ; The sails were made of silver, The masts were made of gold. The four-and-twenty sailors, That stood between the decks, Were four-and-twenty wliite mice, With chains about their necks. SECOND BOOR OF READING LK860NB« The captain wan a duck, With a packet on his back ; And when the ship be^an to move, The captain cried, " Quack, quack.** » KITTY AND MOUSIE. Once there was a little Kitty, Whiter than snow ; In the barn he used to frolio Long time ago. In the barn a little Mousie Ran to and fro ; For she heard the Kitty coming Long time ago. Two black eyes had little Kitty, Black as a sloe ; ' And they spied the little Mousie Long time ago. Four soft paws had little Kitty, Paws soft as dough, And they caught the little Mousie Long time ago. Nine pearl teeth had little Kitty. All in a row, And they bit the little Mousie Long time &go. SECOND BOOK OF BEADING 1.ESS0NS. When the teeth bit little Mousie, Mousie cried out, *' Oh ! " But she got away from Kitty Long time ago. — Little Susy's Six Birthdays, HARRY AND FANNYS GRANDPAPA. an-y Har-ry hur-ry cit-y man-y car-ry cur-ry pit-y pen-ny tar-ry wor-ry fif-ty fun-ny ber-ry bur-ly six-ty bun-ny cher-ry cur-ly plen-ty mon-ey mer-iy sur-ly twen-ty hap-py ver-y sure-ly pret-ty Harry and Fanny Black were always glad to go for a walk with their grandpapa. He was very kind and good to them, and they were very sorry when they had done anything to vex or worry him. Fanny was a dear little girl, five years old, with lips and cheeks as red as a ripe cherry ; while Hairy was a fine burly little fellow of eight, with merry laughing eyes and black curly hair. Last year, when the berries were ripe, their grandpapa took them some miles from the city. They rode a long way in the cars, and then they got out to walk to the woods. The children were in so great a hurry to get there, that they woaU SECOND BOOK OF KKADIN< LESSONS. 9 iH aot tarry for their grandpapa, who diJ not care to walk very fast, as he was fifty or sixty years old. It was a sad pity they did not wait for him — ^for they had plenty of time — but, as I said before, they were in a hurry to get to the woods to find berries, and they did not know what a fright they were yoing to get. . Just before they came to the woods, they sW a funuy little gray rabbit run under the fence into a field by the road-side. They did not think it could be any harm, so they got over the fenoe to have a peep at Mr Bunny. They ran about here and there through the field looking for bunny, but they could 10 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. tiot find him. They never thought how wrong it was of them to trample down the farmer's crop of wheat until, all at once, a surly man ran up and was about to beat tliein for walking over the wheat. He was very cross, and Fanny and Hany shed many, many tears before, to their great joy, they saw their kind grandpapa couie to save them. He gave the farmer some money to pay him for the damage the boy and girl had done to his crops, and then they all three went into the woods. The children could not help crying as they went along, and they told their grandpapa, at least twenty times, how truly sorry they were that they had been in such a hurry to leave him. He said it surely would have been better if they had not run off, but that it was of no use to cry, and that he was quite sure they would not do it again. Then he sat down by the root of a great tree, and made Fanny sit by him on a block which he had told Harry to carry there for her. So they sat down to rest for more than an hour, and their grandpapa told them many pretty stories and verses ; and among others, so as to make them laugh, he told them the story of . THE OLEVEB OLD MAN. There was an old man who lived in a wood^ As you may plainly see. SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LKi}60Nb. He said he could do as much work in a day, As his wife could do in threa With all my heart, the old woman said, If that you. will allow, To-morrow you'll stay at home in my str%l, And I go drive the plough. But you must milk the tidy cow. For fear that she go dry ; 4,nd you must feed the little pigs, That aire within the sty ; iLnd you must mind the speckled hen. For fear she lay astray ; And you must reel the spool of yarn. That I did spin to-day. The old woman took a staff in her hand, And went to drive the plough ; The old man took a pail in his hand. And went to milk the cow. But Tidy hinch'^ and Tidy flinch'd, And Tidy broke his nose ; And Tidy gave him such a blow. That the blood ran down his hosa M High! Tidy! ho! Tidy! highl Tidy ! do stand still ; If ever I milk you, Tidy, again^ Twill be sore agaiitlst my wiDl 12 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. He went to feed the little pigs, That were within the sty ; He hit his head against the beam, And he made the blood to fly. He went to mind the speckled hen For fear she 'd lay astray ; And he forgot the spool of yarn. His wife spun yesterday. So he vow'd by the sun, the moon, anch V^e stars, And the leaves on every limb, If his wife didn*' do a day's worrfin her lite, She should ne'er be ruled by him. I ! I BETTY PRINGLR Betty Pringle had a little pig. Not very little, and not very big ; When he was alive, he lived in clover, But now he 's dead, and that 's all over. So Billy Pringle he lay down and cried. And Betty Pringle she lay down and died ; So there was an end of one, two, and three, Billy Pringle he, Betty Pringle she, ▲nd the piggy-wiggea •BOOKD BOOK OF KKADINO LB880KS. IS LITTLB SUSAN'S DREAM. ftant jaunt daunt flaunt gaunt haunt taunt vaunt haunch launch brief chief grief field wield yield niece piece fierce pierce bright blight fight flight light night tight plight plough bough rough tough e-nough cough trough dough though al-though through hic-coush Little Susan Daunt had a long spelling lesson last week, with many hard words in it, so she went ipto the garden, and sat under the green boughs of a spruce-tree to learn it, while there was enough light for her to see to read. The day was very warm, and she had not been there long before she 14 SIOOHD BOOK OV BKAOINO LX88ON0. ii fell fast asleep, and dreamed that she was in a great forest, with green trees on all sides of her. She thought that she saw many red and white flags, which seemed to flaunt among the trees, while, on the ground, were all sorts of bright flowers — red ind white and yellow and blue. Far away through the woods she saw a field, in which were a man nnSONS. So he laid down his bread In a snug little place, And away Walter went For a race, race, race. But Flash had a plan, In his little roguish head. Of taking to himself Walter's br§ad, bread, bread. So he watched for a moment When Walter did not look; And his nice piece of bread, Slily took, took, took. When Waiter saw the rogue. He cried, " Oh I naughty Flash t And he show'd his little whip With a lash, lash. lash. ^ But Flash look'd so good-natured With his tail curl'd up behind, That his aunty said to Walter, ** Never mind, mind, mind. '' Flash is nothing but a puppy, So, Walter, do not worry, If he knew that he 'd done wrong, He 'd bo sorry, sorry, sorry. ** And don't \)e angry, Walter, That Flash has ha 'I a treat : 12 20 SECOND BOOK OP READING LI-:SS0N8. Here 's another piece of bre;id ' You may eat, eat, eat/' So Walter ate his bread, And then to Flash he cried, " Come, you saucy little dog, Let us ride^ ride, ride." THREE FABLES. fa-ble use-ful injure sto-ry mor-al nev-er What is a fable ? A fable is a story, which, though not true, is meant to teach some useful truth, or moral lesson. Do you ask how this can be ? Here are three fables, or stories, which are not true, and yet teach lessons which all boys and girls ought, to learn :— THE PEOGS. Two or three little boys stood one day at the side of a pond, in which there were some frogs. Now, though the poor frogs did them no harm, yet as soon as a frog put up its head, these bad boys would pelt at it with stones. " My dear boys," said one of the frogs, "you do not think, that though this may be sport to you, it is death to us.*' We should never hurt or hijure those who do 7iot hurt v^; nor should we laugh at what gives them vain. fifiCOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 2) THE TWO DOGS. Two dogs, Tray and Snap, went out to walk. 1 jiy was a good dog, and would not hurt the least thing in the world ; but Snap was cross, and would snarl and bite at all that came in his way. At length they came to a town. All the dogs came near them. Tray hurt none of them ; but Snap would grin at thiS; snarl at that, and bite a third, till at last they all fell on him/ and tore him limb from limb; and, as Tray was with him, he met with his death at the same time. \ We should not go vdih bad hoys or gvrls^ lest we share their fate. i 1 ti- THE BOY AND THE NUTa A boy once had a jar which was nearly full of nuts ; so he went and put in his hand to take some out. He took up as many nuts as his hand could hold ; but he could not pull them out, for the jar hud a small neck. " Let go half the nuts, my boy," ^aid a man who stood near, "and then try." The boy did so, and then found he could pull out his hand with ease. Do not grasp at too much^ or you may lose all. It S£COND BOOR OF READtNQ LES80NS. n I. MY LITTLE DOLL ROSE.— IL TO BABTf flax-en dol-ly dar-Iibg la-dy re-pose sup-po^ cun-ning cour-te-sy a-lon« I have a little doll, I take care of her clothes^ She has soft flaxen hair, And her name is Eose. She has pretty blue eyes, And a very small nose^ MBOOND BOOK OF READIKO LEBSOMS. 28 And a cuaning little mouth, And her name ia Bose, I have a little sofa, Where my dolly may repoMip Or sit up like a lady, And her name is Bose. * My doll can move her arm% And stand upon her toe%. Or make a pretty courtesjy, My darling little Bose, i How old is your dolly ? Very young, I suppose. For she cannot go alone, My pretty little Bose. TO BABY. Come here and sit upon my knee. And give rae kisses, one, two, three, And tell me, dear, if you love me. My Baby. Of this I 'm sure that I love you, And many, many things I do. And nurse and dress, a^d pet you too, • My Baby, M 8B00ND BOOK OF READING LRSSONS. J THE SILLY LAMB. moth-er o-pen los-ing a-gaiu out-side sil-ly a-mong with-out shep-herd a-loud fool-ish quick-ly oth-er siip-per bush-es A lamb, who lived in a fold with all the lambs and sheep on the farm, said to his mother, ** Mother, may I not go out of the fold into the wide field ? " *' No, my child," said the old sheep ; " there is a wolf out there, and he might see you. The field. SECOND BOOK OB* READING LESSONS. 86 you see, is large, and you might be lost there, and not find your way back." "I do not fear the wolf, and I know I should be able to find my way back," .sai«l the pert lamb ; *' I hate to be shut \it) in a fold all day and all night." *• Go, go," said his mother, •' play with the oth.r lambs, and frisk your long tail. It will be cut off 4)ne of titese days, and then you will have no tail to frisk ; then you will wish for it again." ** Shall 1 be wise like you when I lose my tail ? " gaid the lamb. ** Yes, you will," said the mother sheep ; ** lambs grow wise when that time comes. How can you play when you have no tail to play with ? " '* That is true/* said the lamb, and off be ran to play. But he did not play long, for he went to the I side of the fold to look through at the field, and he felt sad that he could not get out. At last, one [night he found the gate open, and when the sheep- ^iog was not near, he ran out and hid among the pushes. All the sheep and the lambs in the fold went to sleep, but the lamb in the field outside ran and jumped in the light of the moon. " Oh, this is nice ! " said the lamb ; " I am glad I ime out of the fold. My mother is not so wise as am, although she has not a tail. Ah ! ah ! an kid sheep is not so wise as a young lamb," 26 SECOND BOOK OF RiSADINO LESSONS. Then he jumped and ran till he was far away from the fold, and could not see it. But for a long time he could still hear the sheep-dog say '• Bo7/- wow." He was close by the fold to watch the sheep. He did not know that one lamb had run ofif, or he would have said " Bow-wow," and run to find him. At last the moon did not shine, and it grew very dark. The lamb said, " I will go to sleep ; " but he was cold, for the old sheep was not there to keep him warm, and he could not sleep. Then he got up and went on, but it was so dark that he did not see a bush full of sharp thorns. His wool caught in the thorns, and he could not get out. He began to cry aloud, and then the. wild wolf heard him. " Ah ! ih ! *' said he, " a stray lamb; that will be good for me;" and he gave such a loud howl that it made the lamb shake with fear« for he knew what it was. *' Oh, poor me !'' he said, " here is the wild wolf; I shall die, and it will be all my own fault, for I would not mind what my mother said. Oh, if I were only safe back in the fold, I would never leave it again." Soon the wolf came near ; his howl was loud, for it was close by ; but some one else heard the wolf howl as well as the silly lamb. It was the dog wno took care of the fold ; he gave a loud bark, and it brought the shepherd with his gun. He, too, hearJ SECOND BOOK OF kEADING LESSONS. 27 che lamb cry and the wolf howl, and he ran quickly into the wood. There he found the lamb stuck fast in the bush, and he pulled off the sharp thorns, and spoke kind words to 'him, and took him up in his arms, and bore him back to the fold. You may be sure he was glad to be safe again, and to lie down by the side of his mother. " How now," said the old sheep, '* where have you been, you silly young lamb 1 " ** I was so foolish as to go out into the fields,'' said the lamb, " and the wild wolf came up to eat me. **I said he would come/' said the old sheep, *' and you now see how foolish it was of yo^ . to go out at night." '* Yes," said the lamb, who still shook with fear, " I was foolish, but I shall be wise now, for I have had the half of my fleece torn off, and that must be the same as losing your tail." *' I don't know that," said the old sheep, and then they both went to sleep. But the lamb did not run out of the fold any more, and the wolf had to do without any supper that night, and did not like it *.t all !i Ik I 1 28 SGCOKD BOOK OF RCADINO i^BSSO^a MY LITTLE CAT AND DOQ. MY CAT. I like iittle Pussy, her coat is so warm, And if I don't hurt her, she '11 do me no harm ; So I '11 not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But Pussy and I very gently will play. She will sit by my side, and I '11 give her some food, And she'll love me because I 'm gentle and good SECOND BOOK OF REAOINO LESSONS. 29* ' I MY DOG. I will not hurt my little dog, But stroke and pat his head ; I like to see him 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 luind 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 'U love me again. 80 SICCOMD BOOK OF RBADIMO LESSOiia. LITTLE THINGS. ship-yard rot- tea eat-en hew-ing look-ed cap-tain worm-y num-ber till-ed in-crease dis-tant e-vil voy-age tim-bera af-ter Two men were at work one day in a ship-yard. They were hewing a piece of timber to put into a ship. It was a small piece, and not worth much. As they cut off the chips, they found a worm, a little worm, in the wood, about half an inch long. " This wood is wormy," said one ; ** shall we put it in?" " I don't know : yes, I think it may go in : it will never be seen, of course." " Yes ; but there may be other worms in it, and these may increase and injure the ship." ' No, I think n^t. To be sure the wood is not worth much ; but I do not wish to lose it. Come, never mind the worm, we have seen but one ; put it in." So the wormy piece of wood wa? put in. The ship was made, and she looked very noble in- deed. She went to sea, an(^ for a number of years did well. But it was found, on a distant voyage, that she grew weak and rotten. Her timbers were found to be much eaten by the worms. The cap* SECOND BOOR OF EEADINO LESSONS. 81 LO tain thought he would try to get her home ; but she sprang a leak. She filled with water, and soon after sank, with all the goods and most of the crew on board. You see that a fine ship and many lives may be lost by a little worm ! And how much evil may a man do, when he does a small wrong, as he did vi^ho put the wormy timber into the ship. » if lip-yard. ■ it into a ■ :h much. 9 worm, a I ich long. ■ ^e put it 1 1 win-dow I play-things RAIN-DROPS. lock-ed rain-drops naugh-ty noth-ing ;o in : it n it, and )d is not Come, me ; put 3 put in. oble in- of years voyage, rs were he cap* Oh where do you come from, . You little drops of rain ; ' Fitter patter, pitter patter, Down ihe window pane ? They won't let me walk, And they won't let me play ; And they won't let m'^ go Out of doors at aii to-day. They put away my playthings, Because I broke them all. And then they lock'd up all my brick% And took away my ball Il > 32 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. Tell me, little rain-drops, Is that the way you play. Fitter patter, pitter patter, All the rainy day ? They say I *ni 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, ** pitter patter pat," Means, " We can play on this side • Why can't you play on that ? " THE LAMB, THE BEE, AND THE FLY. do-ing but-ter-cup cup-board be-fore scam-per ex-cept mead-ows thirs-ty hun-ger dai-sy riv-er with-in cow-slip *win-ter eat-ing THE MERRY LAMR " Little lamb, come here and say. What you 're doing all the day ? '* flKCOND BOOK OF KEADINO LESSONB. 33 " Long enough before you wake, Breakfast I am glad to take, In the meadows eating up , Daisy, cowslip, buttercup. Then about the fields I play, Frisk and scamper all the day; When I 'm thirsty I can drink Water at the river's brink : When at night I go to sleep. By my mother 1 must keep : I am safe enough from cold At her side within the fold.'* ! 11 ! f ' \-. \ 34 SECOND BOOE: Ot beading LESSONa THE BUSY BEE. ** Little bee, come here and say, What you 're doing all the day 1 ** « *' Oh, every day, and all day long, Among the flowers you hear my song; I creep in,, every bud I see, And all the honey is for me ; I take it to the hive with care, And give it to my brothers there : That when the winter time comes on, And all the flowers are dead and gone^ And when the wind is cold and rough| The busy bees may have enough." THE LAZY FLT. *' Little fly, come here and say, What you 're doing all the day ?'* " Oh, I 'm a gay and merry fly, I never do anything, no, not I ; I go where I like, and I stay where I please, In the heat of the sun, or the shade of the trees; On the window pane, or on the cupboard shelf ; And I care for nothing except myself. I cannot tell, it is very true. When the winter comes, what - mean to do : And I very much fear when I 'm getting old, I shall starve with hunger, or die of cold." SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 85 fp THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. cross-ing ei-ther con-tent fan-cied be-yond shad-ow din-ner bot-tom snatch-ed get-ting greed-y sub-stance A dog, crossing a stream, with a piece of meat in his mouth, saw his own shadow in the water, which was so still and cjear that he fancied the shadow he saw to be another dog. " Aha 1 " said he, ** I am in luck this morning, I have my breakfast in my mouth, and now. 1 11 36 BBCOND BOOH OF iiSADI^Q LBSSONa secure my diinier tou. ' Witli that he snatched at the piece of meat which he saw in the shadow. But so far from getting the second piece, he diopt his own into the water, and was sadly put out to see that the other dog had dropt iils too. So he had to go home without liis breakfast or dinner either, for his own piece had at once sunk to the bottom, away beyond his reach. He who is (freedy, and grasps at too much, is very apt CO lose what he has. Be content with what you have^ emn if it be little, and never give up the sub- stance for the shadow. ^ 4MM UTTLE KIT. Pretty kit, little kit, Oh f you *re a lovely pet ! With your sleek coat, and your white throaii. And toes as black as jet. It 's true your eye is rather green, But then it is so bright That you could catch the naughty mouse That stole my c&ke last night. Ah kitty, sweet kitty, You *re the pet for me ! Come now, 1 11 rock you in my lap And nurse you on my kuea \ filEOOKD BOOK OF BfiADINQ LUBBONS. S7 PrcjUy kit, little kit, Annie's bird can sing, Ai thur'a dog can carry sticks, And Mary's parrot swing . But, though you do not carry sticks^ Or sing, or swing, you are, With your low purr and your soft fur, The dearest pet by far. Yen, kitty, sweet kitty, You *re the pet for me ! Come now, I '11 rock you in my lap And nurse you on my knee. Oh ! you kit, naughty kit, What is this I find ? Annie's little bird is gone, And Poll 's scratch'd nearly blind ; Carlo's coat is sadly torn : Oh dear, what shall I do ? You 've feathers hanging round your mouth : It's all been done by you I Fie, kitty ; fly, kitty I You 're no pet for me ; I'll neither rock you in my lap Nor nurse you on my knee. m M, i: "i^^t^ tf^ WttroNh nook ol"' nwAOlNii tiWrtmmw. i. (looDKtNU A«nnnt auntiW nnm llEDBUKABT. mK)\y iim»i AttTMttn. And stufl a it Wi^U with \)\\mf^ \ A\\\\ \\\ it imi nn^«> lttH\}i« i>f frtt, Aj* big ft» tuy twx) thtuubs. Th^ kiujt Ai\il \\M^m AU\ ettt ihereof» Attil noWotweu boside ; And wl\jit it\^y co\tld not, ©At thAt ttighti The queen next nvotning filed* LtitW Kobit\ UedbreABi 8At upon A tree ; ITp went Pussy cat, And down cAme he. WH'IINU ttOMR nr ni^.AIHMU LK-HHOWrt. 8» liowti cttine Puf<«jr oai, AtMl HWrtV MoMn mti I "tJtttoh tiM? if you Ottf/' Simp'tl iipm PL waH) t*ttrt«y cttfc Juint/d after hlrfi^ At\t\ ttlffidrif «ot- 11 fttlli tM^ IhMu ('hup (I nuti HAi% And wli»ii (1}<1 Pu«Hy say 1 i,i BTOllY OF cfOSBPM. conn4rjr cat-tie coHi-lng de-o«iv© IU»fi-Ja-min «uf-fer ©ld-<*ftt (Mil-ot'8 pHs-on Kgy|H Jf^rtl-oim fof-| ' i ■'i'Siil The pretty little lambs that lie And sleep upon the grass, Have none to sing them lullaby, But the night winds as they pass. While I, a happy little maid, Bid dear papa good-night, And in my crib so warm am laid, And tuck'd up snug and tight. •!■ ^^' ■A 'f ' ■■ "I I '' 44 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSON& .^■^ j»t> And then some pretty hymn Ann sings, Until to sleep I go ; But the young helpless lambs, poor things, Have none to lull them so. Haste, kind mamma, and call them here, Where they '11 be warm as I ; Vor in the chilly fields, I fear. Before the mom they '11 die. MOTHER. The lamb sleeps in the fields, 'tis trui, Without a lullaby ; And yet they are as warm as you, Beneath a summer sky SECOND BOOK OF READING LEBSONS. 45 They choose some dry and grassy spot, Beneath the shady trees ; To other songs they listen not Than the soothing evening breeze. And when the night is bitter cold, The shepherd comes with care, And leads them to his peaceful fold ; They 're safe and shelter'd there. Hi l\ How happy are the lambs, ray love, » How safe and calm they rest I But you a Shepherd have above, Of all kind shepherds best. (if His lambs He gathers in His arms, And in His bosom bears ; How blest, how safe from all alainis, Each child His love who shares I if i Oh, if you 11 be His gentle child, And listen to His voice. Be loving, dutiful, and mild, How will mamma rejoice ! — Mary Lundie Duncan. 40 SECOND BOOK Of RKADING LKSflONB. ALFRED AND HIS GARDEN. Al-fred An-nie gar-den fall-iug plant-ing put-ting flow-crs rc-plied watch-ed rath-er dan-cing doc-tor cro-cus yel-low drag-ging emp-ty wis-er sun-shine wher-ev-er win-ter sis-ter weath-er tu-lips blos-soms Last year, when the leaves were falling off the trees, Alfred and Annie went to see their aunt, who lives in an old farmhouse^ and who has a very large ^ROOND BOOK Of URAMNO I.KMONft. 47 t ■ ..^« ganlcn. They found her very busy planting roots in the garden, and putting tlieni in with nuu3h rare. " Why do you plant those old dead roots, aunt ? ** wild Alfred. "They are not dead, Alfred," his aunt rcplioil, "they will bear lino tiowors in the spring, it' the frost does not kill them. I will give you sontc for ytiur garden if you like." " Oh, thank you, aunt," said Alfred, for he loved new flowers for his garden ; and he watched his aunt that he might know how to plant them. " Would you like some, too, Annie ? *' asked the kind aunt. **No, thank you," said Annie, who was very young — too young to know that roots could eouie to flower8» " I would rather have a bunch of those pretty big flowers, and I will plant them when I get home." " They will die/' said Alfred, " for they have no roots." " I don't want roots," said Annie ; and so her aunt gave her the flowers. " Annie will be wiser next year, Alfred/' she said ; " ' live and learn/ you know." So Alfred and Annie went home, and were busy planting till bedtime : and when Annie called lier mother to look, tiiere was her garden full of gay flowers, but they had stalks and no roots ; Alfred's made no show, but the roots were lying under tho mould, and Alfred could wait. ** Come and look at my gar 1 en in sprini;, mother," he said. When the spring came, and the April winds bad dried up the wet soil, and May sunshine came oul ;i Nf 5 i8 SKOr^ND BOOK OF RBADINO LESSONS. by Hta and sUrts, Alfred went to neo if his rrints were showing signs of life. The bright green leaves were just eoniing out on the trees, the birds were busy with their ncsts» the wind was soft and sweet, and there was a smell of flowers in the ait. Alfred felt as if his heart were dancing with joy, (he spring made him so glad ; when he came to his little garden he found, whei^ever he had planted a root» a bright green bud was coming up, or else there wi\s a buncli of narrow green leaves, or a long tknver-bud, with a white nightcap on it. The first were tulips ; the long green leaves were snowdrops ; and the flower with a nightcap was a crocus. *' How gay my garden will be !** said Alfred ; " and there is Annie's without a flower.'* Now, Annie had been so ill in the winter, that she had grown quite pale and thin, and the doctor said she must not go out till May, for then the weathei* would be mild. When Alfred thought of his poor pale little sister, he was sorry her garden looked so empty, and he thought to himsolf, ' Suppose I weed it for her ;" so he pulled up the weeds and raked it over. Then he thought, " Suppose I put some of my roots in it;** so he dug up some roots with plenty of mould round them, and planted them in Annie's garden. And when he had dug up and planted the snowdrops, he thought he could spare the crocuses ; and when he had planted the crocuses, he said, '* 'Vhere is just room for the tulips.'' So Alfred's BKOONI) ROOK OF HUlADINO LIBSSONa 40 l^ardeii was sooti empty, uiid Atitiio'i^ whs ([uite full, but Alfred was not sorry ; he felt quite happy to think how pleased his little sister would be. It Nvas a bright May day when Annie came out, and Alfred drew her gently along the paths in a little fijarden-chair. He had never told what he had done to any one, but his mother had seen it, and she loved her boy for being so kind to his sister. ' Why, Alfred," said Annie, when they came to hil garden, " where are your roots that were to turn to flowers?" "Here they are, Annie," said Alfred, dragging her along to her own garden, "they have all run away from me, and are come to live with you 1 " Then Annie threw her arms about Alfred's neck md said, " Thank you, my dear, dear brother, you ire very kind. I never saw anything more lovely ^an your flowers." i I 111 I. JENNY WREN.-.-II. THE YOUNG NESTLINGS. nest-lings Jen-ny plain-ly down-y snug-ly gap-mg prop-er some-thing hop-ped reck-on know-ing dain-ty fold-ed re-turns search-ed JENNY WHEN. Jenny Wren fell sick Upon a merry time ; oatoh-ing fam-i-iy pleased some-bod-y sel-dom M) R^UN>N? A or lU'AtMNn i,r.PPON§i A!\J bn>ught her sops of wint^ Rrtt well of tho Bops, J^nny, Drink well of tho wine: Thank you, Uobin, kindly, You slmll bo mine. Jonny she got weh And stood upon ber fcet^ Ai\d told Uol)tn plainly, 8he loveii birn not a bit Robin, being angry, HoppM on a twig, Saying, Out upon you, Fye upon you, bold-faced jig i; THE YOUNQ NESTLIKOS, Did you ever see the nest Of a robin or a linnet, When the little downy birds Are lying sttugly in it, Gaping wide their j-ellow mouthi For something nice to eat ? Snail, or slug, or worm, or grub They reckon dainty meal. BfiCUND BOOR OF RRADINO LRBBONB. 51 When the mother-bird rettirni^ And finds them still and good^ Sho will give them, each by turns, A proper sharo of food, Sho has hoppM from spray to spray, And pccp'd with knowing eye Into all the folded leaves, Where worms and grubs do lie. She has scarch'd among the grass. And flown from tree to tree, Catching gnats and flies, to feed fler little family. 'i J 52 H^ SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. I have seen the robins chirp And shake their downy wings ; They are pleased to see her come, And pleased with what she brings. But I never saw them look In a hurry for their food ; Somebody, at dinner time, Is seldom quite so good. I. THE FOX AND THE GOAT.— II. THE HONEST BOY. parch-ed trem-bled want-ed Key-nard trust-ed hear-ing craft-y leav-ing an-swer cun-ning hob-ble pleas-ant trot-ted chil-dren rea-son THE FOX AND THE GOAT. One hot summer day, a fox parched with thivwt tried, in vain, to find some water. At last he came to a well, and in trying to get at the water tumbled into it. He had now more water than he wanted, although the water was not very deep ; and when he had drunk his fill, lie ca^t about to see how ho could ^BCONt) BO(>K OP READING LESSONS. m 1 1 i 'it; I ' get out again. But the sides of the well were so steep that he could not climb up. After he had thus been in the well for some time, a goat came to the brink wanting to get some water also. So he asked the fox if the water was good. " Good ! " said Eeynard, " ay, so good that I am afraid I have taken too much of it." The goat, upon hearing this, without more ado, leaped in ; and the crafty fox jumped on the poot goat's back, and so got out, leavin 1;: THE H0NB8T BOY. At one time lived a little boy With curly hair and pleasant eye, A boy who always told the truth, And never, never told a lie. And when he trotted off to school. The little children all would cry, " There goes the curly-headed boy, The boy that never tells a lie." And everybody loved him so, Because he always told the truths That every day, as he grew up, Twas said, *' There goes the honefit youth.' And when the people that stood near Would turn to ask the reason why, The answer would be always this, "Because he never tells a lie/* I. TWO UNKIND GOATS.— II. TWO KIND GOATS. will-ing mid-die drown-ed jour-ney TWO UNKIND GOATS. Two goats, who had long fed in the san!9 meadow, set out to take a journey across the nioun- mo-ment an-oth-er be-tween nei-ther sftfe-ly crouch-ed soft-ly un-kind .V- .V RECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 65 tains. One goat went one way, and the other went another way. After some time they met again, but a stream of water ran between them ; and over the stream was laid a plank of wood, so narrow that there was only just room for one goat to cross at a time. Now these goats were proud, and neither of them was willing to let the other cross first. " I have as good a right to the bridge as you have," said the one. "The bridge was as much made for me as for you," said the other. Thus they did nothing but dispute for some time, until at last one goat set his foot on the plank, and the other did the same. They looked very fierce at ((ach other, as much as to say, '* I will go on in spite of you." And so they did; but when they met in the middle, there was no room for them to pass ; sc they both slipt into the water and were drowned. 1 i .WO KIND. GOATS. Two kind goats always lived in peace, and tried ^0 help each other. One goat was ill, and the other brought him green herbs from a field far off; the sick goat ate the herbs and they cured him. The other goat had a pretty little kid, which she loved dearly. One day when the goat had gone out, a rude boy came to take the kid ; but the goat that h'^A been ill, and was cured b^^ the herbs, poked -. H m m 66 SECOND liiiOK uF UEAUING LESSONS. I ( M the boy with his horns until he ran away, and h( took good care of the kid till its mother came home Once when these two goats were out on a journey they met in the middle of a very narrow bridge, just as the two unkind goats did, but they did not push each other into the water. No ! Thej stood still a moment looking at each other ; then one of them crouched down on the bridge, and let the other walk over his back. . You may be sure that the goat who had to walk on the other, took care to step softly, and not to hurt so kind a friend. Thus they both got safely over the bridge ; and all who knew them loved the two kind ^oats. PART II. md h( home ourne} bridge, ey did Thej ; then md let ) walk not to and THE FAIRY RING. sport-ing sea-sons cir-cie au-tumn tress-es fast-er Let us laugh and let 'is sing, Dancing in a merry ring ; ':| ! • 58 r;! f 1,1 if: I III. SECOND BOOK OF READING LBSfei^NS, We '11 be fairies on the green, Sporting round the Fairy Qirjea Like the seasons of the y .ar, Round we circle in a sphere ; I '11 be summer, you '11 be spring Dancing in a fairy ring. Harry will be winter wild ; Little Charlie autumn mild ; Summer, autumn, winter, spiiii*r, Dancing in a fairy ring. Spring and summer glide away, Autumn comes with tresses gray ; Winter, hand in hand with spring Dancing in a fairy ring. Faster, faster, round we go, While our cheeks like roses glow, Free as birds upon the wing, Dancing in a fairy ring. II' -J flRCOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 59 n THE BOY AND THE CROW. " I will not ^0 to school," said little Tommy ; *' I will stay in the fields and play all day long." It was the first of May, and the sun was snining, and the air smelt sweetly as it does in spring ; so Tomn^y sat down on a soft bank under a tree, and threw his books to one side. "T will not go to schooV he .^ id again; "this n • . ; Id ■ n shm-mg sweet-ly bun-die , flap-ping loud-er of-ten mas-ter heav-y un-der -. Ii fel-low clev-er soft-er laugN-ing your-self twen-ty high-est turn-in look-ing :' ■ 11' iS mm BBCOND BOOK OF RKADTNO LKBBONa f ' I bank is softer than the form at 8chool» and T lik to see the lambs and flowers better thati books and slates.*' Just AS he said this» he looked up into a tree, an«i saw an old crow sitting there, and close by him a nest very much like a bundle of sticks. " Here *8 a pretty fellow," Raid the crow ; " he says he won*t go to school. Here *s a pretty dunce;' and all the crows began to say, "Caw ! caw I cawT as if they were laughing at Tommy. "What! you do not like work?'* said the cro\ again. "0 you idle boy; you are worse than i, bird. Do you think I am idle ? Look at my neU ; what do you think of it V ** I daresay it is a very nice one,** said Tommj* "but I should not like to live in it." **No, because you aix? only a boy, and not s l, ' C4 SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS, 'A till! I. MY LITTLE BROTHER.— II. THE BLIND BOY. smil-ing for-get-ting a-wake hon-ey bless-ings al-ways mead-ow won-drous de-stroy MY LITTLE BKOTHER. Little brother, darling boy, You are very dear to me ; I am happy, full of joy, When your smiling face I see. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 65 How I wish that you could speak, And could know the words I say i Pretty stories I would seek. To amuse you all the day. All about the honey-bees, Flying past us in the sun; Birds that sing among the treei^ Lambs that in the meadow miL I '11 be very kind to yon. Never strke or make you cry. As some naughty children do. Quite forgetting God is nigh. Shake your raUle — here it is— Listen to its merry noise ; And when you are tired of this, I ^ill bring you other toys. — J/ary Lundie Dunam \i\m ■!ii THE BLIND BOY. O say what is the thing call'i light. Which I must ne'er enjoy ? What are the blessings of the sight ! tell your poor blind boy. You talk of wondrous things you se^ You say the sun shines bright ; ^ I'll %^ 66 SKCONiJ HOOK OF IlKADINO LESSONS I feel him warm, but how can he Or make it day or night ? My day or night myself I make, Whene'er I sleep or play ; And could I al '3 ^eep awake. With me 'twei alw ^ys day. Then let not what I cannot have, My cli«or of mind destroy ; While thus I sinnr, I am a king, Although a poor blind boy. I. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER.- Jl. TUX^ CAT AND THE OREAM-JD/i, pitch-er wis-dom fin-lsh-ed ef-forts inclined con-tents re-sult junip-?d hearth-rug la-bor in -stead man -age THE CROW AND THE PITCHER. A crow, that was very Uiirsty,, tlew to a pitclier, hoping to find some water in it. Water there was, but so little of it that, with all her eiibrts, tlie poor crow could not so n\uch as wet the tip of her bill. SECOND BOOK OF BEAUINU LESSONS. 67 'r'iiii ^V mi ''Never mind," said the crow to herself, "wher» there's a will there's a way," A bright thought came into her little black head : she could not reach down to the water, but she might make the water rise up to her. The crow picked up a pebble, and dropt it into the pitcher; another, and then another. And as each one sank to the bottom, the water rose liigher Before the crow had dropt in ten pebbles, she b'=^2:an to see the results of her labor, and she soon 6n HI rONI) nOOK OF llFlAmNO liRHHONH. cirfink, At her easo, of tho water which, h'.il for hor wisdom, she would never have Ix^eti able to reaoh. THB OAT ANP THK CRKAM-JUG. One day, a ju>? of cream had been left on the t^hle, and puss, who had been lyin^ ''nu^ly on the licarth-rug, was h>ft in the room ah>ne. Now, puss was inclined tc seize any j^ood thinf( that she could lay her paws on, and although she had often been Wiado to suffer for it, yet she never seemed t(» mind. This was too good a chance to bo lost, so puss jumped up on the table ; but what was her distress when she found that the neck of the jug was so small that she could not manage to get her head into it ! •*Must I upset it?" said puss. "No, that will never do, for I have before now been made to suffer tor doing such things, and besides I should lose a good deal of that fine rich cream.'* At last a bright thought came into her head, and instead of tryino: to get her head in, she dipped her paw into the cream, and then licked it, until she had liiushed all the contents of the jug. So puss curled herself up on tho hearth-rug again as nicely a-s you please, and thought it was quite true that '* where there *s a will there 's a way," i. BKOONI) HOOK OF KKAIJ!N(I LKHHONS, I. DIHTY TIM. II. HINO A SON(J OP aiXl'ENUE. 09 ro-port-cd de-t nt Klad-ly «llM-«;niCO aol-doiii couiit-ing-liouttu NiX-|MMlCe u-peii-L'd par-lur black birda dain-ty hou-ey DIRTY TIM. Thoro was 0110 littlo Tim. 'Twas reported ol him, And 'twill be to his lasting disgrace^ That he nevei waa seen With Ins hands at all clean, Nor ever yet wash'd was his face. His friends were much hurt To see so much dirt, And ofton they made him quite cleai^i But all was in vain, He was dirty again, And never was lit to be scea When to wash he was sent^ Nevur gladly he went, With water he'd splash himself o*er; But he seldom was seen, To wash himself clean, And often l»)ok\l worse than before. n . SECOND BOOK OF READl^G LESSONa The idle and bad, Like this little lad, May be dirty and black, to be surt; But good boys are seen To be decent and clean, Although they are ever so poor. SING A SONG OF SIXPENCB. Sinp; a song of sixpence, A bag full of rye ; Four and twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie. When the pie was open'd, The birds began to sing ; Was not that a dainty dish ** To set before the king ? The king was in his counting-hous% Counting out his money ; The queen was in the parlor, Easing bread and honey ; The maid was in the garden, Hanging out the clotlies, Out came a little bird And snapt off her nose. SECOND BOOK OF BEADINO LESSOMa 71 per-haps rose-leaves use-less no-tice cous-ins rest-less as-cent use-ful-ly bo-soms cheer-ful-ly I BUSY'S LITTLE SERVANTS.— IL THINGS TO BE KEPT IN MIND. shov-el din-ner puz-zled em-ploy-ment scrip-ture busy's little servants. Little Susy had a kind mother to take care of her, so you will perhaps wonder why she had a great many servants of her own. I shall tell you of only a very few, and th^n you can ask your mother to talk to you about the others. For the little servants Susy had you have too. When first she was botn, she did not know what they were for. or where they were. They did not know either, and so they were useless. Two of them were black, and so much alike, that you could not tell the one from the other. Susy kept then almost always shut up, so that nobody could see them. When her aunts and cousins came to see Susy, they would say : " I should think she might let us see them!'* and would go away quite vexed. These black servants were bright little things, and they soon learned to amuse Susy a great deal. One of the first things they did for her was to let her see the fire, and that she thought very pretty. ■■!»■ , i \m hi til ?i FHlt 72 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. '-■ ■; I ■A. if 'in Susy had another pair of twins for her servanti who knew so little what they were for, that the> used to slap and scratch her face. Her mother said she should have to tie them up, if they did so. But though they did not know how to behave, they were very pretty, tiny things, like rose-leaves, or anything else soft and pink you can think of. Su3y had another pair of twins that she took no notice of for some months. They did not learn how to wait upon her so soon as some of the others did. They were restless little fat things, seldom still a moment, and almost all they knew was how to kick holes in her socks. Susy had still another pair of twing, that were very useful, for without them she would never have heard her mother sing, or her father whistle, or the shovel and tongs fall down* and make such an alarm- ing noise, nor the pussy-cat say "mew!'' nor the doggie say "bow-wow !'' She had one more little servant that she kept out of sight all the time. All it was good for at first was to help her to a good many breakfasts, and dinners, and suppers, every day. But it became good for a great deal more after a while. If I go on in this way, I'm afraid you will be much puzzled. So if you will guess the names of these servants of Susy's, I will give you three guesses, and if you do not guess right the third time, you will have to peep iL*io the glass, where SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 73 ranti they r said But ^ were 'thing ok DO n how rs did. still a kick 'j were r have or the larm- r the riUbe les of three third ^hepe you will see most of jour own that I have talked ^•bout THINGS TO BE KEPT IN MIND. little knees should lowly bend At the time of prayer ; Little thoughts to heaven ascend. To our Father there. Little hands should usefully In employment move ; Little feet should cheerfully Eun on works of love. Little tongues should speak the truth, As by Scripture taught ; Little lips should ne'er be loath To confess a fault. Little ears should listen to All the Bible says ; Little bosoms throb to do What the Lord will please Little infants dying go To the world above ; And our souls shall join theui too, If we Jesus love. II 74 SKCONT) BOOK OF KEADINO LKS80N8. sf- ■I LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD. vil-Lige wood-cut-ters pil-low graii(l-ma civ-il cur-tains vel-vet sniff-ed nice-ly child-like late-ly wo-maii but-ter night -cap has-ket night-gown lick-ing wait-ing pluck- ing po-sey kunts-nian mis-take snee„^-ed grand-child tap-ped nod-ded creas-es sip-ped Far away in the heart of the country, near a pretty village, there once lived a little girl. She was one of the sweetest and best children you eve* saw. Her mother loved her dearly, and her grand HEOOND BOOK OF RRADINn LKKSONS. »• )'i mother Wcas very fond of licr too. (irimdina Imd given her darling a little hood of red vclvrt, jind this became her so well, that every one wliu knew her always called her by the uanie of liittle l^- ( RidJTJg-Hood. Well, one day her mother baked a batch of cakes and she said to Red Riding-Hood :— *'I hear your poor grandma has not been well lately; so I want you to ^o, like a good elnld, tc see if she is any better. Take this cake and a i»ol of butter with you." Little Red Riding-Hood, who was a dear willing child, put the things into a basket with great care, and off she set. The house in which her grandma lived was on the other side of a thick wood. On ran little Red Riding-Hood ; but, just ns she came to the wood, what should she meet but a gifat ugly wolf. The wolf would have liked to have eaten her up then and there ; but you mnst know, there were some wood-cutters hanl by, and they would soon have killed him in turn. So the wolf trotted up to the little girl, and sai i as softly as he could, '* Good morning, Little ](ed Riding-Hood." " Good morning, Master Wolf," sa^d she. ** And where may you be going 8o early? " he asked. " Oh, I 'm going to grandma's." said Little Red Riding-Hood for she thought there was no bar no in being civi'! » m 7t) SECOND BOoft OF HEADING LESSONS. *' Indeed ! And what have you got in the bas- ket, my pretty maid ? " asked the wolf, as he sniffed and sniffed at the lid. " Oh," said she, "only a cake and a pot of butter, for my granny is ill, you kr.ow." " Dear me ! " cried the wolf, ' and where does she live, pray ? '* ** Down by the mill, through the wood," said she. ** Well, if that s the case," said the wolf, " I don't mind going and seeing her too. I shall go by the road, now, you take the path through the woo 1, and let us see who will be there first." Away went the wolf, and he made all haste, as you may guess. Sure enough he stood at granny's door in a very short time. Thump, thump went the wolf at the door, ** Who s tlere ? " cried out grandma, hoiu Tithin. Then the wolf said, in a» sinall, chikMike voice, "It's only Little Red Riding-Hood; and I've brought you a cake and a pot of butter from mother." So grandma, who was in ^ed, cried out, "Pull the string, my de*ir, and it will lift the latch." This the girut \\i\y wolf did, and in he went. As soon as he was in, lie fell on the poor old woman, and ate her up U' a trice. Next, he sliut the door, put on gran 'nVi^ nigJit-cap and night-gown, and got into the bed riion he drew the curtains quite close, and hirl his head on the pillov SECOND BOOK OF RKADINO LESSONS. 77 There the ugly wolf lay, how merry you can't rhiiik, licking his lips, and waiting for Little Ked Riding-Hood. All this while she toddled on through the wood, Ikcre plucking a wild flower, there picking sonio iifoo berries for her ;j:randina. Then down she siit i)n i\ mossy bank to sort her flowers, red, blue, and y^ellow. In a little while a wasp came up to her. He buzzttd about, and at last dropped on Red Riding- Hood' i posey of flowers. '' Si p away, my poor little wasp ; and take as much honey as you like," said Little Red Riding- Hood. The wasp hummed his thanks, as he flew from flower to flower ; and when he had sipped enough away he sped. Soon a little wren hopped up, and he bega» to peck with his wee bill at a berry. " Peck awa} my little wren, as much as you like, only leave enough for grandma an 1 me/' said Riding-Hood. " Tweet, tweet," said the wee wren, for *' Thank you." So he ate his filL and away he flew. Now Little Red Riding-Hood thought it was high time for her to get on her way, so she picked up her basket and set off". Soon she came to a brook, and there she saw an old woman, bent almost double. *' What are you looking for, Goody ? " said the little ffirl. .iv^ 78 SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. " For water-cresses, my pretty chick," said she ; *' and a poor trade it is, let me tell you/' Little Red Riding-Hood gave Goody a bit ol cake, saying, "Sit down, Goody, and eat. I will pick the water-cresses for you." So the old woman .;;ifc down and ate the cake, while Riding-Hood got a heap of cresses. " There 's a dear ! " said Goody. " Now, if you meet the Green Huntsman on your way, tell him there 's game in the wind/' That she would ; and away went Red Riding- Hood, but when she looked rouiid, the old wojnan was gone. Little Red Riding-IIood looked everywhere for the Green Huntsman, but she could not see him, until at last, just as she was passing a still pool, she met him. He was all green from top to toe, so that she could not mistake him. ** Good morning, Master Huntsman," said little Red J,iding-Hood. ''Tue old water-cress woman bade me tell you tha^^ there 's game in the wind." The Green Huntsirsan nodded, but said nothing. Fe bent his ear to the : ittind, strung his bow and fitted an arrow, while Little Red Riding-Hood toddled away, tr> jng to think what it could all mean. In a short ume she got to her grandma's house, and 3he tapped at the door. ** Who 's there ? '^ cried the wolf from within, in a queer, gruff sort of voice ^iln SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSOJNo. VS^ . 1^" ** Ifc 's only your grandchild, Red Ridin long arms you Ve got!" ** The better to hug you, my dear/' " But, grandma, what g? eat eyes you 've got ! " " The better to see yon, my child." " But, grandma, what big teeth you Ve got ! " *' The better to eat you up/' said the wolf, as he ^iot ready to make a spring on her. But, at that moment, the wasp, who had come into the house along with Riding-Hood, stung the wolf on the nose, so that he sneezed and sneezed agam. Then the little wre», who was sittincj on the window-sill, when he heard this, said, " Tweet, tweet ! " And the Green Huntsman, who was outside, 80 SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 3 J'! hearing the wren, let fly his arrow, and it struck the wolf through the heart, and killed him on the spot. Sweet Little Red Riding-Hood's mother Ties on I r scarlet hood. And sends her with gifts to her grandain, All through the lonely wood. The midsummer sun, through the green boughs. Sent gleams of dancing light, And the child ran hither and thither, Gathering the blossoms bright. A little wren follows her footsteps ; A wolf creeps sljly near ; But she hears the axe of the woodman, And greets him without fear. He wins her to tell him her errand ; Then slyly steals away ; When Red Riding-Hood lingers longer , With butterflies at play. •» To her grandmother's lowly dwelling The wolf is gone meanwhile ; And the lonely woman has perished, The victim of his guile. The fair child taps at her grandam's door Half wearied now with play ; SECOND BOOK OF RKADTNO LESSONS. 81 '■ Pull the string and tlie latc'ii will come up," She hears a gruff voice say. • She enters and lays aside her hooi ; And cries in wild surprise, *' grandam, what long sharp teeth you have ! And ah ! what fearful eyes ! '' The wolf would have kili'd her ; but shilily Her loud cry pierced the wood ; And the brave woodman came and slew hiui^ And saved Red Riding-Hood. iHi . THE BOB 0' LINK AND THE MOWER^ IT. ROBIN REDBREAST AND JENNY WREN, tin-kle mak-ing hov-er cur -rant Mis-ter clat-ter scent-ed gold-finch Nink-um both-er dain-ti-ly pea-cock Link-um clo-ver gal-lant ap-point prith-ee un-heed-ing re-quest-ing blush-od rnat-ter bloom-ing dear-est de-claretlj» Ij&SDVfni ^^ S I i::i Can't you let us honest folks Sing our songs and crack our jokes ? It is cruel, Mister Ninkum, Thus to bother Bob o' Linkum. I had thought the meadow mine. With its blossoms all so fine ; And I made my little nest Near the clover all so blest. But you come, naughty Ninkum ! All unheeding Bob o' Linkum ; And you swing your saucy blade, Where my little nest is made ; And you cut the blooming clover, Which did wrap mv voung ones over. SECOND BOOK OF BEADING hh^l N8. Get you gone, naughty NinKuin "j Leave the field to Bob o' Link urn j Let him on his light wing hover O'er the summer's sce»*ted clover: Let him sing his merry song, And he '11 thank you all day long. — Fagots for t^L Fireside. ROBIN REDBREAST .>ND JENNY WREN. *Twas once upon a time, When Jenny Wren was young, So daintily she danced, And so prettily she sung ; Robin Redbreast lost his heart, For he was a gallant bird ; He doff'd his hat to Jenny Wren, Requesting to be heard. dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine. Then you shall feed on cherry-pie. And drink new currant wine ; 1 '11 dress yon like a goldfinch. Or any peacock gay ; So, dearest Jen, if you '11 be mine. Let us appoint the day. Jenny blush'd behind her fan, And thus declared her mind : Since, dearest Bob. I love you welV I take your offer kind ; 83 :;t: =^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1^ '^^ 1.0 1.25 ut i&i a 2.2 Sf Itf 12.0 u 1.4 r Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WIKTIR.N.Y. M5I0 (7I6)»73-4S03 4^ %J-T^ -^T^^ '^ i 8EC0JSD BOOK OF READING LIlSSGNS. 111! Cherry-pie is very nice, And so is currant v/ine-, But I must wear my plain brown gown^ And never go too fine. Robin Redbreast rose betimes All at the break of day, And he flew to Jenny Wren's house^ And sung a merry lay. He sung of Robin Redbreast And little Jenny Wren ; And when he came unto the end^ He then began again. SUSY'S DINNER PARTY. won-der t)e-haved some-thing sau-cer greed-y qui-et-ly pud-ding comb-ed of-fer-ed wait-ing brush-ed ev-e-ry Susy thought sh» would give a dinner party among her friends. So, when they had come in from their walk, Susy said it was time for their party to begin. You will wonder who were to join the party, so I may as well t^ll you at ouce. No less than her little brother Robbie and all the Dolls — old and young. And a nice little party it was, I can tell yoa SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 85 [party ne in their |ty, so her and you. u Susy laid out her own table, and set a cup and saucer for each ; also a plate and spoon for each. Then she brought out of the cupboard such lots of nice things that mother had given her. First, there were cake and toast, and a nicely cut orange ; then, tliere were apple-pie and plum-pudding and some candies. Well, they were all waiting — little Robbie and the Dolls ; so Susy set to and made the '' milk-tea,'' as she called it. After that they all sat down together — Susy and the new wax doll at the head of tho table, and Robbie, with old Peggy without a nose and black Dinah at the foot. Oh, what a nice feast, and what % nice party to eat it all up. i: ■ ;t:. DV hk^joud book nr keadijnu LJSHWjrfa Bobbie behaved like a gentleman. He drank his tea and ate his cake and apple-pie without being greedy, and then he didn't pull or knock things about, you know. The Dollies, too, were very good. They did not fall over on their faces, as some ill-bred Dollies do ; nor slip from their chairs ; nor push each other. Well, just as they all begail^o enjoy themselves, who should pop in but Mushy ! Now Mushy was a shaggy little dog; and as he never combed or brushed himself, he was not told to come. But, as he thought something nice was going on, in he came by himself Susy, like a lady, gave him a seat at the table 'but he would not git quietly on his hind legs at all. Susy offered him a cup of tea, then a bit of cake, then some plum-pudding — but no f Mushy turned up his nose at everything. You never saw such an ill-behaved little dog. But after tea they had romps round the room ; and Mushy joined in the fun. He frisked about, and barked, and got under the chairs and on the table. He scared all the Dolls out of their wits ; but Susy and Robbie knew it was all fun, and so they played on till it was time to go to bed. — Susy's Six Birthdays. SECOND BOOK OF BEAD! NO LKIB0N8. 87 ii THE STORY OF THE THREE BEARS. Sil-ver-locks neck-lace par-lor sly-ly bold-ly chanced Bru-in shag.gy ismall-er fu-ry pierc-iiig brush-ing cool-ed steam-ing wood-en mis-chief swell-ing Christ-mas dream-ing med-dled cor-rect bro-ken pep-per some-times bum-ed break-ing hap-pen thun-der wil-ful grum-bled cush-ion hu-mor spoon-ful squeak-ed mad-cap sleep-y drop-ped star-tied se-vere nim-pled m yf]f h lil. i -J r.t, ; -i A very long time a£;o, there was a bold« rude MM 88 8BCX)ND BOOK OF BEADINO LESSONS. . : k little ^irl, who lived in a far off country, and i\st village people called l^jr Silverlocks, because her curly hair was so light and shiny. She was a sad romp, and so full of her pranks, tliat her parent? could never keep lier quiet at home. One day when siie had been told not to go out, she trotted off into a wood, to string necklaces of blossoms, to chiiae the bees, and to pull wild roses ; and* she ran about from place to place, until at last she came to a lonely spot, where she saw a pretty- looking small house. Finding the door a little wa) open, and the parlor window also, she peeped in, but could see no one ; and slyly she laughed to think what fine fun she would have before the good folks came back : so ^he made up her mind to go bold!} into the house and look about her. Now it chanced that a family of three bears wat living in this house ; the first was the great papa^ called Rough Bruin, from his thick shaggy coat ; the second was a smaller bear, called Mrs Bruin, and sdmetimiss Mammy Muff, from her soft fur ; the third was a little funny bl'own bear, their own dear pet, called Tiny. The house was empty when little Silverlocks found it out, because the bears had all gone out for a morning walk. Before going from home the great bear had told Mrs Bruin to rub down Tiny's face, and make him tidy, while he was busy in brushing his own hair, that all three might hav<^ a ^ leasant walk in the woods, while the rich rabbit- ShCOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 89 soup, which they were to have for dinner, cooled upon the table in the parlor : when they were all ready they went out for their walk, and they Mt both the door and the window a little open. In the Bears' house there were only a parloi and a bedroom, and when that saucy puss, Silver- locks, threw open the door and went in, she found there was a pleasant smell, as if something nice had just been cooked, and on looking in the par- lor, she saw three jars of steaming soup stand- ing on the table ; dinner having been got ready for the three bears by Mrs Bruin. There was a big black jar quite full of soup for Rough Bruin, a smaller white jar of soup for Mammy Muff, and a little blue jar for Tiny, and with every jar there was a deep wooden spoon. The little girl was now as hungry as she was full of mischief, and felt qni^j glad when she saw the soup-jars on the table. It did not take her long to make up her mind how to act — taste the nice-smelling soup she would, happer^ what might. It would, she thought, be such good fun ; she would then run home again, and have a fine tale to tell old Mike the groom, one that would make him laugh till Christmas; for that silly fellow, too, liked mischief, and taught Silver- lock all sorts of foolish tricks, and laughed at all her naughty ways, which was surely not the best plan to correct her faults, and make a good child of her. After looking outside to see that, no one was i ■i • h 'A .' ■!■' % If '■■II ■If 90 SECOND BOijK of KIOAOlNG LKHSONH coming, she began first to tasto the soup in^ Hough Bruin's great jar, but it was so very hot with pepper that it burned her mouth and throat; then she tried Mammy Muff's jar, but thr^ soup was too salt — there was no bread in it either, and she did not like it at all ; then she tried Tiry's soup, and she found it was just to her taste, and had nice bits of white bread in it, so that she would have it and run all risks. Now, before the little wilful child sat down to eat Master Tiny's soup, as she was tired she looked for a seat, and she saw there were throe chairs in the room ; one, a very large oak chair, was the gr^^at bear's seat; another of a smaller size, with .. jlvet cushion, was Mrs Bruin's chair ; and a lit«>le chair with a rush bottom belonged to the little bew' Tiny. These chairs Silverlocks tried all in turn. She could not sit in the very large chair, it was so hard ; she did not like the smaller chair, it was too soft ; but the little chair with the rush bottom, she found to be very nice, indeed, it was just the thing ; and so she sat down in it with the jar upon her knees, and began to enjoy herself. She dipped and dipped again, eating away till she had eaten up all the soup in the little blue jar ; not leaving one bit or drop of either bread, meat, or soup for the poor little bear, who at that very minute was begging the old folks to go home to their dinner — for mdeed all three were hungry enough after their walk. flKCONT) n«OK OF llKADINO LKflBONR. 01 all Just as Bilverlocks had taken the last spoonful of soup and had got up on the chair, to put back the jar upon the table, the bottom of the chair fell out, nnd she tumbled on the floor ; but she was not hurt, and the little mad-cap jumped uy RKCOND BOOK OF itEADINO LF880N8. 2^3 JP?" , \)U\ rtipt} asked indcr» AND er cf and sure stairs bad ;En Tiny next mounted a stool, and jumped on to the root of his own small bed. In a momeni he squeaked out : " Sofne one has been to my bed — and here eke ie ; oh, here ehe is." And he opened his mouth, and looked as fierce and as wicked as could be at Sil- verlocks. The little girl had not been roused from her sleep by the loud voices of Mr and Mrs Bruin, but the shrill piercing tones of Tiiiy's voice waked her right up, and she was startled enough, to find her- «(e]f nose to nose with the angry little bear ; and she tvas still more afraid, when she also saw two great ttears in the room. Now the great bear had, very \^ell for her, opened the window. So she quickly slid off the bed, and flew across the room, cook one jump at the open sash, and dropped upon the turf below ; she rolled over and over on coming to the ground, but up again she soon got, for, on looking at the open window, she s"w the three bears staring wildly at her, and making r. great noise. When the little busy-body safely reached home, she got a severe scolding for her pains. She never forgot the fright which the sight of the three bears had given her, and so she took good caw. ever after, to keep away from places where she had no right to go, and also to avoid meddling with tlungs tlct did not belong to her* "ill 4 m ( i-f ■4 'Hi ■1 1 1, !« il.h w. P4 ll1lfli>NI) MOOR or HisAIHNO l.ir.niinffM. WHO STOt.K THK lUHlVS NK8T! lis-ton foath-or woii-dor A-gain ftu-y-tliing be-hind Tn-whitl ttMvhlt! to-whcel Will you list on to mo? Who stolo fo\ir c»jf^8 I hud. And tho nice nest I nuu^e 7 Not I, said tho cow, nioo-ool Such a thinj» I 'd never do ; HIM mmh noMji or iii^AhiNii mquhomn. Milt iMiln'l (tikt* y»»iM iii«»f nwny, Not I, piald ihfi rniVi iihmi oul rnwIiK t In wlill.) to hIii'«i| V V(Mt l|Mti«h (n MM< y And (li(t iiloo iiiiii;; I mmlnf MiilMillnkl hnlio link I Now wliiit. (In ynii tliiiikf Wli'i Ntnl(« ft im*n|. iiwiiy h'olii tliM pliini lni< fn-ilny? Not 1 mM tliM f1o|(, Jmiw-wowI I wniiMirt hv MM tiinan, I vow; I ^iivn iiaii'M till* nuMt til tniiko, hill tlio \whl I (lid not tiiko. Nnt I, Ndid tlid do^, l>Mvv wow I I wouldn't \w wo nn^an. J vow. lift m: Tn-wldt I to-wldtl to-w)il« thit \\\%iky nost Fn)n\ Httl^ Uol)in tteilbhmuM Not t, wild ihe pIpc^p ; oh» no I 1 N^>uUlii\; tit^t « |mor h[\\\ m \ t 4iiv« the wiu>l thii tmnt to litti^ l^ut the tt^t wuR none of tnine» l\*tA. 1>AA, iMiid the »hei»|> ; oh, iio I 1 \\\)uUln*t li^At A poor bird ia To-^whltt lo-whiti tt>»wheel Will yow liston to met VV ho »tole four «ggii I kidi A)>'i the nice nest 1 utade t Boh<>-link! Rob-o-Unk 1 Nnv, what do you think f Who stole a \\(^t away i^N^n the ]dum»tree to-day f (h\\ (^w> ! eoo, coo I wo, cool Let me 8|>eak a word too. Who st^le that pretty neat Fw>m little Robin Redbrcafil C5awl caw! cried the crow I should Uke to know What thief took away ^ iMni's nest to-dav^^ iiOOltD finOiC nf UMAIMNO t.Mf4H()Nf9. w Ohuok, ohtink t Aflid ib« hen t)oti*t M»k ini^ nitftitt } Why, I linyefrt a oliiok Would do nmh a iriok We ail gAve Iter a feAtti«ir, And she wove ilictti iogeih«r I M soont in Itifi'iide * On her and \w\ brood. Ohuck^ chuck ! mU\ the hen^ T)on*i Aflk toil A|{Aiti. (Jhur-A-whiiT 1 chut' A-whirrI We will ttiAke A gt eai Hir 1 L(^t m fltid out/ liif< 'lAuiei And all cry, for shAiue I •• I would not rob a bird/' ^Ald liUlo Mary Oreeti ; "I thliik I never heard Of anything mi mean/' *• Til very orucjl, too/* Said little Alice Nea) ; **I wonder if he knew Uow sad the bird would feelt' A little boy bung down \\\» head, And went and hid behifid the bed; For he stole that pretty n* st From little Robin Redbrea«t; And he felt no full of shame He did not like to tell bis name. ijt« i » t ' J 4' 'I I.t ^ -, THE OHILPRRN IN THE WOOD. t oun-ty rc-ceive prat-tlo cow-ard Xor-folk iir-glect nhat-ted to-geth-er Kng-land or-phans re-pent sen-tenced de-sire pros-per Wal-ter pris-on lagging fipoecli-es gai-ly aw-ful grieved re-iiidins gau-dy light-ning diead-ful know-ing pain-ful bar-ren lielp-l«isa in-side Eo-land val-ue A lonjr time fM?o, th^re lived in *he coun^ of Nor- folk in Enoland, two little children, whose names were Willie and Jane. Their parents were very %> BKOOND BOOK OF RKADTNO LKSH0N8. 99 ng lor- lues ery f(ood and kind to thorn, and loved tlinm dearly. They lived In a flno house, had plenty of srrvants to wait on them, and, in fact, had everything they could desire to make them happy. When they were l)oih cpiito youn^, Willie being only «ix and Jane four yours old, tlnir mamma was taken ill, and two days after their papa fell ill also. They had caught a dreadful fever which was rag- ing at that time, and the doctors Hai. seated, full of painful thoughts, when Roland, the other bad man, came up, and bade him take the girl while he took the boy. But Walter said, ** Let us rather think what we are about to do, and do not let us be so wicked^ but let us take the poor little ones home to some oi our friends." At this Roland got into a dreadful rage, and said that he would .have his share of the money if Wal- ter would not, and called him a coward to be afraid of a child. With that he tried to seize Willie, but Walter drew his sword and stood before the chile, ^ and the two men began to fight, while the twf timid children clung to each other, not knowinjf what it meant. At last Roland was killed, and as he fell dead Walter turned to the children, and told them how that wicked man wanted to kill them. At this they cried, but Walter told them not to fear now, and he led them away further into the wood. The poor things began tcr^ feel very hungry and tired, but Walter had nothing to give them, and was much puzzled to know what to do with them. So they walked on and on till they saw a church-spire and heard the bells, al- though they were still far away from them. Then Walter told the children to rest while he went to get them some food, and he went off to the town^ but never came back to the little darlings. They played about, and watched the fishes in the brooJr • SECOND BOOK OF READING LESBONS. 103 le A aid aid but lilci twf and they picked the pretty flowers, and ate the berries ; but although they looked and looked, yet no Walter could be seen. Their clothes were torn by the thorns, and their faces were smeared with crying and with the berries, and surely no such lonely, sad little things were ever seen. They held fast to each 1)tlier, for it began to grow dark and cold. They had no house to go to now, no nice warm bed. to creep into, and no supper to eat, and they were so cold and tired and hungry. Tliey heard the bells Hnging far away, and as they used to do at home, fhey knelt down on the grass, and put their tiny I lands together to pray to God ; and God heard them too, for He soon took them away from all wicked men, and brought them to their own de.'^.r mamma and papa again.. " Let us lie down under this bush," said little Jane, ** for I am .»o tired." " I am very tired, too," said poor Willie, ** and so cold. We will lie down close together until W^alter comes with the food." So they lay down under the bush, and Jane put her arms round Willie, and the little orphans cried themselves to sleep. The night was cold, and the wind was bleak, and their blood was so chilled with hunger that the little darlings died, and God took them as little angels up to heaven, away frotn all wicked things. To show how God made these wicked men suffer 1 :«! i ' t 1 1 i !'i- '!. ■M - Ill '%% 104 fiEGOND BOOK OF READING LESSONa for their crimes, nothing ever went well Wth their uncle after this. The thought of his crimes took such a hold on his mind, that he could not rest in his bed. His bams were set on fire by lightning ; his corn and all his goods were burnt ; his lands be- came barren ; his cattle died ; and having sent his two sons abroad in a ship laden with goods of value, their ship went down, and they, with all their goods, were lost. When his wife heard this, she fell down dead at the awful news; and the uncle was soon after thrown into prison for some other wicked thing he had done. About tbis time Walter was tried for a theft, and was sentenced to be hanged for it. Before his death, « he told all about the wicked uncle and the poor little babes, and when the wicked uncle heard of it, he died in the prison raving mad. From what the robber had said, thosQ who had known the children went in crowds to search the woods, but could not find the little ones for a long time, for the robin redbreasts, out of pity, had covered them over with the dead leaves. When they did find them, the sweet babes were locked in each oth^r's arms, just as they had laid themselves down to sleep. /P^^ SKOOND BOOK Oh i^iuAOlNQ LESSONS. 1»5 r. THE CHILD'S FIRST GRIEF.— XL LOVE ONE ANOTHER but-ter-fly glan-cing sun-beams droop-ing spring-time heav-en beau-ti-ful wan-der-ings Ho-ly pon-der-oug pray-er vel-vet sur-prise pon-der dove-like THE child's first GRIEF. " Oh ! call my brother back to me, I cannot play alone ; The summer comes with flower an Where is my brother gone ? ' The butterfly is glancing bright Across the sunbeam's track ; I care not now to chase its flight- Oh ! call my brother back. " The flowers run wild — the flowers we sow'd Around our garden tree ; Our vine is drooping with its load — Oh 1 call him back to me." " He would not hear my voice, fair child ' He may not come to thee ; The face that once, like spring-time, smiled. On earth no more*4}hou 'It see 1 \i i •hi i ! J i m 106 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONb. V ''S- A rose's brief, bright life of joy, Such unto him was givftn ; Go — thou must play alone, my boy— Thy brother is in heaven ! " *' And has he left the buds and flowers, And must I call in vain ; And through the long, long summer's houu. Will he not come again ? ** And by the brook, and in the glade, Ave all our wanderings o'er ? Oh ! while my brother with me play'd Would I had loved him more ! " — Mrs Hemanf LOVE ONE ANOTHER. A little girl, with a happy look, Sat slowly reading a ponderous book — All bound with velvet, and edged with gold, And its weight was more than the child could hold*^ Yet dearly she loved to ponder it o'er, And every day she prized it more ; For it said — and she look'd at her smiling mother- It said, " Little children, love one another." She thought it was beautiful in the book, And the lesson home to her heart she took ; She walk'd on her way with a trusting grace. And a dove-like look in her meek.yoiing face, 8BC0ND BOOK OF READING LE880N& 107 311^ W^ If i !S I hoi* itaier— fThich said, just as plain as words could say, The Holy Bible I must obey ; So, mamma, I '11 be kind to my darling brother. For "Little children must love each other." r 'm sorry he 's naughty, and will not play But 1 11 love him still, for I think the way To make him gentle and kind to me, Will be better shown if I let him see I strive to do what I think is right ; And thus, when we kneel in prayer to-night^ I will clasp my arms about my brother, And say, '' Little children, love one another." 108 8SC0ND BOOK OF REAbitfO LESSONS. The little girl did as her Bible taught, And pleasant indeed was the change it wrought ; For the boy look'd up in glad surprise, To meet the light of her loving eyes : His heart was full — he could not speak, But he press'd a kiss on his sister's cheek, And God look'd down on the happy mother, Whose '* Little children loved one another," sor-row dis-tress might-y man-aged con-ceive prin-cess Mo-ses bul-rush-es treat-ed cov-er-ed Is-ra-el daugh-ter lead-er THE STORY OF MOSES. He-brew Aa-ron moun- tains pow-er di-vide griev ous writ-ten, al-low-ed com-mand-ments gath-er-ed des-ert arm-y fruit-ful fol-low-ed pro-mised Many years after Joseph and his brethren were dead, their children's children still lived in the land which the king of Egypt had given them. But there arose a king who did not know Joseph, and this king was a bad man. Seeing that the people were so many, he was afraid that they would rise, and take away his goods and his kingdom from him. On this account he made a wicked law, that all the little children who were boys should be killed, so that after a while there should only be womei/ and old men, who would not be able to fight him. tIKCOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 109 'n ii j I . I , . . I V Ml bi I' if I You may be sure this caused great sorrow and distress among all these poor people, but the king was mighty, and they could not help themselves. One poor mother managed to hide her little son for three months, but at last, when she could do it no longer, she laid him in a small basket made of bul- rushes covered with pitch, and put it among the rushes by the river side, trusting in God to take care of her little child. Soon after this, the daughter of the king came down to the river to bathe, and seeing the basket, 8he caused it to be brought to her. As she openeu it, the babe began to cry, and she took pity on it, saying, " This is one of the Hebrew children/' So ^he called for a nursQ, and the mother of the little *■' 'Mn.d Is' I tto SKOOND BOOK or ttEADiNO LEBflONfl. . I.. II)'. 1 -S}i m boy was brought to her, Although she did not know It was his mother. You may conceive the poor mother's joy when the princess told her that she would adopt the little one as her own, and that, in the meantime, she would give him to her to nurse. Ah! she was indeed glad that the life of her dear little one was spared, aud she blessed the kind princess in her heart for being so good. The little boy was called Moses. He grew up to be a fine young man, and was in every way treated as if he were the son of the king's daughter. But God had need of him for His own work, and when the time was come when He wanted the " children of Israol," as they were called, to leave the land of Eoiypt, He chose Moses as their leader. But the king did not want to let them go, for he had made them slaves, so " Uod gave Moses and his brother Aaron the power to do many wonders, and to smite the land and people of Egypt with many grievous plagues," so that at last the people were allowed to go. As soon as they had gone, the king gathered togetlier a great army, and followed them to de- stroy tlieni. The people were in great trouble, for they had the sea in front of them, the king and his army behind them, and great mountains on either side. But God caused the waters of the sea to divide, and they were all able to cross it on dry land ; but when the people of Egypt tried to do the same they were all drowned* I! BBCOND nOOK OT READINCI LESSONS. Ill Moses was the leader of the children of Israel in all their wanderings through the desert to the pro- mised land ; atid at last he died just before they reached the rich and fruitful country which had been promised to them by God. It was Moses who received from God the two tables of stone, on which were written the ten commandments, which I trust you all know well. BRAVE BOBBY. Bob-by . strug-gling wag.glng fa-vor-ite no-bly num-ber run-ning howl-ing an-y-thing dan-ger flan-nels con-stant 6cream-ed ap-plied pre-serv-er plimg*ed ar-rived an-i-mals A little girl, named Lucy, the daughter of a rich gentleman, was playing one day by the edge of a pond near her father's house. Bobby, a favorite dug, was playing about with her too. Sunning too near the edge of the pond she fell in, and was in great danger of being drowned, for it was quite deep. Her mother, who was at the window and saw her fall, screamed out to the servants, and all rushed down to the pond. Brave Bobby, as soon as he saw hxkcy fall, plunged into the water« and, when the servants ipi. U2 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONm p-v . i' ; iMxknrMrz came down, he wns struggling nobly to hold her up and to keep her iicad above water, howling all the time for help. Lit*:le Lucy was isoon seized and carried into the house, where she was put to bed, and warm flannels applied to her body. When the doctor arrived, he felt her pulse, and said she would soon be well. Tears of joy were in every one's eyes when they heard this, tor Lucy was a favorite with old and young. 'vVhen her parents came down stairs, who should be *here but Bobby, wagging his tail and looking up, as much as to say, " How is my little qhftr^e ? " He got pats and^^ kind woipd^ witboiit. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 113 Qumber, and what he liked as much as anything, a much better supper than usual. Bobby was now the constant friend of Lucy, and she called him her preserver. One day as Lucy was sitting in the garden with Bobby by her side, her mother came up and said, '* What makes you love Bobby so much, my dear ? '* •'0 mother, because he saved me from death." *' Right, my child. I wish you to love him, and to be good and kind to all dumb animals." L THE SWEET STORY OF OLD.— * IL NEVER SAY FAIL. Sav-iour king-dom man- hood ear-nest-Iy bat-tie foot-steps pre-pare pre-vail as-sail for-giv-en on-ward con-quer THE SWEET STORY OF OLD. I think when I read the sweet story of old. How, when Jesus was here among men, - He caird little children as lambs to His fold, I should like to have been with Him then. I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, That His arms had been laid around me ; And that I might have seen His kind look when He said, ** Let the little ones come unto Me." 4 i n ^ M:i n H\ 'J 3f ' r ■ i'l < it: I III 114 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. Yet sMU to my Saviour in prayer I may go» And ask for a share in His love ; I know if I earnestly seek Him below^ I shall see Him and hear Him above, — III that beautiful place He is gone to prepare. For all those who are wash'd and forgiven ; A nd many dear children are gathering there. ** For of such is the kingdom of heaven.'' NEVER SAT FAIL. Keep pushing — 'tis wiser Than sitting aside, And dreaming and sighingi And waiting the tide. In life's earnest battle. They only prevail Who daily march onward, And never say fail. In life's rosy morning. In manhood's firm pride. Let this be your motto Your footsteps to guide ; In storm and in sunshine, Whatever assail, We '11 onward and conquer. And never say fail. <( fiKCOm) book: of R£ADtNO LESSONS. 116 CHRISTMAS, fm-por-tant al-monds stock-ings neigh-bor ^ar-a-sol chess-men car-ra-way won-der-ed wrig-gle ex-pres-sive non-sense hnd-dling mnif-ler i-vo-ry pret-ti-ly quan-ti-ty mu-sic non-sense glo-ri-ous Two little girls had just gone to bed on that very important night. Christmas Eve. TLsy had been busy making presents for all their fdends, but what had pleased them most of all, was that they had helped to knit some stockings for some poor neigh- bor's children. So as they tried to go to sleep they chatted away. " What would you like to find in your stocking to-moi row," said Mary, *' if you could choose ? " " Oh, I don*t know," said Edith. " I think my stocking would be rather funny if I had to fill it. Let me see — first I should put in a pretty white kitty." " No, you wouldn't," said Mary. "Yes, I should. A cat, and a bunch of flowers, and a book — ^no, two books or three — and a new parasol, because mine has not been vei*y good since it was run over." " Well, I think you would have a queer stocking !" said Mary. ^* It wouldn't he half so good as mine. I should put in books too — a great many ; but then 116 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. :•& 4'- they should be large, splendid books, with fine pictures, full of them, and very beautiful, and bound in all sorts of different ways. And then, let me think — I might, if there was any room after I had books enough — yes, I would put in a box of chess- men, and some new music, and a watch.*' '* Then, you wouldn't have any sugar-plums ? " said Edith. "Yes; I would shake tnem down among the other things — burnt almonds and carraway comfits and rose-drops. , And so they both fell asleep and dreamt of this very grand stocking. Christmas morning is always very late in coming, and this one was no exception to the rule. Thou- sands of young people thought the sun never would rise, and wondered if ever it would be light again. *' Merry Christmas, Mary ! " came out of the dark* ness on one side of the bed. And *' Merry Christmas, Edith ! " from the dark- ness on the other. " Is it almost time to get up ? " said Edith. " Why, no ; you can't see your hand yet." "It looks quite light out of the window," said Edith. *' I think it looks quite dark," said Mary. '* I can see the stars. Now, Edith, I '11 tell you what we will do. You know the stockings are on the bed- posts just here by our heads." SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. 117 Edith gave a little wriggle under the blankets expressive of her belief in the fact. " Well," said Mary, "I '11 stretch out my hand and feel my stocking, and you stretch out your hand and feel yours; and then we'll try and guess what we have touched. Now, Edith, you must just take one feel." " Take care^ or you will fall out of bed — I have felt mine ! " ** So h&.ve I \ ** said Edith, huddling down out of the cold air. " I felt the cat ! " " Nonsense !" said Mary. "How long do you think a cat would remain still in your stocking and never mew nor move ? It could not be a cat, but it might Ire something else. I felt something sharp in my stocking." " What did it feel like ? '' said Edith. "I don't know/' said Mary; "that's the very vhing. It was periiaps a book, or a box, or some- thing of the kind." Then they both jumped up, and going softly on tiptoe into their aunt's room, Edith laid a pin- cushion on the table, and set the little basket of sugar- plums close by; and Mary placed there a guard-chain ehe had made for her uncle, and a pretty silk bag for her aunt, and then they ran back again. It would be too much to describe all that the stockings held ; Edith's cat turned out to be a pretty little fur muffler, and Mary had one like it. The box was the very box of chessmen which Mary i \W M' r- \, M m 118 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. said she would put in her stocking ; and the men themselves were prettily carved oi;t of red ivory and white. It would take too long to tell of all that happy Christmas-day, and how pleased the little girls were at giving away their Christmas boxes to the poor people. Their aunt had procured a quantity of warm clothes besides the stockings, and every one was made as happy as they ought to be on that glorious day when Jesus Christ was bom into the world. — Miss WetherelL I. LITTLE BY LITTLK- -IL EVENING HYMK arcorn cease-less-ly spend-ing im-proy-ing build-ing trea-sured hid-den rear-ing • per-haps down-ward balm-y cer-tain thread-like verd-ure judg-ment ap-pear cor-al glo-ri-ous slen-der thought-fu) eye-lids for-ests em-ploy vig-or-ous in-sect learn-ing dis-turb sup-ply mo-lest dark-ness LITTLE BY LITTLE. " Little by little/' an acorn said, As it slowly sank in its mossy bed, men ivory happy 9 were e poor tity of ry one ^n that ito the ereU. LNG ed )S lent >U3 SlflCOKD BOOK OF RBADIKG LfiSSONa 119 vl am improving every day, Hidden deep in the earth away." Little by little each day it grew ; Little by little it sipp'd the dew ; Downward it sent out a thread-like root ; Up in the air sprang a tiny shoot. Day after day, and year after year, Little by little the leaves appear ; And the slender branches spread far and wide, Till the mighty oak is the forest's pride. Far down in the depths of the dark blue sea An insect train work ceaselessly ; Grain by grain they are building well, Each one alone in its little cell ; Moment by moment, and day by day. Never stopping to rest or to play. Bocks upon rocks they are rearing high, Till the top looks out on the sunny sky ; The gentle wind and the balmy air, Little by little, bring verdure there ; Till the summer sunt>eams gaily smile On the buds and flowers of the coral isle. " Little by little," said a thoughtful boy, ** Moment by moment I '11 well employ. Learning a little every day, And not spending all my time in play ; And still this rule in my mind shall dwell, • Whatever I do, I will do it \7cll.' m / t !'.i I2iy flECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONft. Little by little 1 11 learn to know The treasured wisdom of long ago \ And one of these days perhaps we'll see, That the world will be the better for me." And certain it is that this simple plan, Made him a wise and a useful man. EVENING HYMN. Glory to Thee, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light, Keep me, oh keep me. King of kings. Beneath Thine own almighty wings. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, The ill that I this day have done ; That with the world, myself, and Thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.. Teach me to live, that I may dread Ti:e grave as little as my bed ; Teach me to die, that so I may Rise glorious at the judgment day. Oh may my soul on Thee repose, And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close ; Sleep that may me more vigorous make To serve my God when I awake. If in the night i sleepless lie, My soul with heavenly thoughts supply ; Let no ill dreams disturD my rest Nor powers of darkness me molests :i PART III. ^ MAT SONG. A merry little maiden, In the merry month of May, Came tripping o'er the meadouf, As she sang this merry lay ; 1'^ 122 AKCOND BOOK OF READING LESSONa *' I 'm a merry little maiden, My heart is light and gay, And I love the sunny weather In the merry month of May. *• I love the pretty lambkins, That so gaily sport and play, And make such frolic gambols In the merry month of May. •* I love the little birdies, That sit upon the spray, And sing me such a blithe song In the merry month of May. *' I lore my little sisters, And my brothers every day, But I seem to love them better In the merry moath of May. ' SECOND BOOK OF READING LE'SONS. 123 I. THE LAEK AND HER YOUNO ONES — 11. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. 5a-si-ly to-mor-row cau-tion fledged trem-ble ex-pect-ing no-tice chirp-ing cous-ins talk-ed hap-pen-ed scarce-ly ab»sence re-move anx-ious suc-ceed per-se-vere se-ri-ous tor-toise to-geth-er stead-i-ly la-zi-ness dif-fi-cult re-quire THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONEa A lark^ who had young ones in a field of coib 224 SKCOND BOOK OF READING LESB0N8. i which was almost ripo, vva.s very much afraid lesl; the reapcis should come to cut it before her young ones were fledge J and able to fly away from the place. So wluMKVcr .she left them to go in search of food, she charged thetn to take notice of what they heard (alke I of in her absence, and to tell her of it when s^ie came back. Well, one day when she had gone, they heard the farmer call to his son, '* John, I think this corn is ripe enough ; you had better go early to-morrow and desire our friends and neighbors to come and help us to reap it/' When the old lark o&me home, ^f) young ones were all in a tremble, and chirping round about her, told her what had happened, and begged her to remove them as fast as she could. " Never heed, my little pets/* said the mother, ** make youi minds easy, for if the farmer depends on his friends and neighbors, I am pretty sure the corn will not be reaped to-morrow." Next) day, off she went again, still giving her little ones the same caution. By and by the far mer came, and waited a while, expecting those he li»d sent for ; but the sun grew hot, and nothing was done, for no one came at all. " John," said he to his son, *' I i>erceive that these friends of ours are not to be depended upon, so you must go to four uncles and cousins, and ask theoi to come early Vo- morrow to help us to reap.'' BECOND BOOK OP RKAhlNO LR8B0N8. 126 With this the young ones were in a great fright again, and when their mother came liome, they vould scarcely tell her what had happened for trembling* •' Oh, it that be all," said she, " do not ularm yourselves, my clears, for uncks and cons- \ns are much the same as friends iiiid neighbors, ind are not often very anxious to help one another ; but," she added, '* be very careful to note what you hear the next time." The next day came, and off she went as uiual ; for even little birds, small as they are, cannot do without food. The farmer came too, and still find- ing no one ready to help him, said to his son, " John, we must even depend upon ourselves ; so \xvt a couple of good sickles ready for the morning, and we two will reap the corn." When the young ones told this to their mother, nhe became quite serious as she said, " Well, my pets, we must now leave our snug home, for wiien a man says he will do a thing himself, it is not likely that he will fail in it." So she removed her young ones at once, and none too soon, for the next d;iy the farmer and his son reaped the corn. When you want anything done do it yourself, «ind never depend on others, }f, .HI THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. A harp, and a tortoi-^ie once set out together for a Pne spring a few miles off. The hare frisked in I.I 11 'S'l in 126 61BC0ND rOOK OP RKADtNO LKSHONa and out of the road, sometimes running aoroBS a 6eld and back apjain. The tortoise, however, moved slowly but steadily along the road. Presently the hare got tired of waiting for his slow friend the tortoise, so he said, " Good-bye, my friend, I really cannot manage to go at so slow a pace as you do. I will run on before, and will wait for you at the spring ; " and away tripped the hare. But after a little time he came to a nice shady place, so he thought he would lie down and have a •hort nap. "I can easily run in a few minutos ^i BKCOND BOOK OF READING LBBB0N8. 127 thft distance the tortoise will require hours to crawl over ; so I shall have plenty of time for a snooze, and yet be there first/* When he uwoke^ he looked about to see if the tortoise were coming. But, alas for laziness I the tortoise had passed him long ago, and had already reached the spring. " Slow and sure " will often * win the day against speed and laziness, und no otte ought to be afraid of any difficult task ; for if he steadily perseveres, he will be sure to succeed. m I aCTOBS % ', moved for his -bye, my slow a rill wait ^ped the ice shady have a minuU's I. GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING.- II. WHO TAUGHT THEM. cur-i-oUi. vi-o-let pro-vid-ing fox-glove soft-est heav-en-ly cour-te-sy-ed sweet-est gath-er nar-row seem-ing ris-ing GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING. A fair little girl sat under a tree. Sewing as long as her eyes could see ; Then smooth'd her work, and folded it right, And said, ** Dear work, good night I good ni^ht !*' Such a number of crows came over her head, Crying '* Caw I caw 1" on their way to bed p 128 SECOND BOOK OF KEADING LESSONS. 9he said, as she watch'd their curious flight, " Little black things, good night ! good night !'* The horses neigh'd, and the oxen low*d ; The sheep's " Bleat ! bleat !" came over the r jad ; All seeming to say, with a quiet delight, " Good little girl, good night ( good night !" She did not say to the sun, " Good night ! " Though she saw him there, like a ball of M'^jht; For she knew he had God's time to keep All over the world, and never could sleep The tall pink fox-glove bow'd his head ^ The violets courtesy'd and went to bed ; And good little Lucy tied up her hair, And said, on her knees, her evening prayer. 8BC0ND BOOK OF i;EAL>lNG LBtiHONS. VZ\) And while on her pillow she softly lay, She knew nothing more till again it was day ; And all things said to the bright rising sun, ** Good morning! good morning 1 our work is begua WHO TAUGHT THEM ? Who taught the bird to build hei nest Of softest wool, ana hay, and moss ? Who taught her how to weave it best, And lay the tiny twigs across? Who taught the busy bee to fly Among the sweetest herbs and flowers, And lay her store of honey by, Providing food for winter hours ? Who taught the little ant the way Her narrow cell so well to bore, And through the pleasant summer day To gather up her winter store ? *Twas God who taught them all the way. And gave the little creatures skill ; AikI teaches children, when they pray, To know and do His heavenly will. — Jane Taylor ii ;;!| i : Il 4, Ml 130 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONa T. THE BOY AND THE STARLING.— II. WILLIE AND HIS PONY.— III. MY PON^ gaine-kpep-er neigh-bor sharp-ly star-ling us-u-al luck-y in-stance pock-et hal-ter an-swer a-sham-ed emp-ty pleas-ure whith-er cheat-ing fre-quent-ly qui-et-ly re-plied be-lieve can-ter-ing stum-ble com-mon ston-y gmm-ble THE BOY AND THE STARLING. An old gamekeeper had a starling in bis ro^m, that could utter a few sentences. For instance^ when his master said, *' Starling, where are you?" the bird never failed to answer, " Here I am." Little Charles, the son of one of his neighbors^ always took great pleasure in seeing and hearing the bird, and came frequently to pay it a visit. One day he came in while the gamekeeper was absent. Charles quickly seized the bird, not think, ingof the wrong he was doing ; put it in his pocket, and was going off with it. But tbrt very moment the gamekeeper came back. Finding Charles in the room, and wishing to amuse his little neighbor, he called to the bird as ^^isual, " Starling, where are you ? " SECOND BOOK OF READING LK8S0N8. 131 '■>;«■ "Here I am," sung out the bird, with all 1*5 niight^ from the little thief s pocket. Charlie was very much ashamed, and well be might be. Those who do wrong are always sure to be found out WILLIE AND HIS PONY. hi Willie went one day to see a friend, and tied his pony to a tree, while he went into the house. When he came out again, he found that Coco had got loose, and had gone prancing away he knew not whither. After hunting about for some time, he saw him at a distance, quietly feeding on the grass. He ran up to him, but just as he put out his hand to catch hold of the bridle. Coco, who wished to enjoy his freedom a little longer, turned sharply round, kicked up his hind legs, and galloped away. Willie thought himself lucky not to have been within reach of his heels when he kicked up ; how- ever, he was quite at a loss what to do. At last, he calhd to mind how the groom caught the pony when he was out at grass in the meadow ; and that he put a little corn into a sieve, and held it out to the pony till he could put a halter over his neck. Now, it is true that Willie had neither sieve, ^»orn, nor halter. " But then," he said, " the pony will eat grass as well as corn ; my hat will serve for a fdeve ; and as for a halter I shall not want cne ,i ■■!! .; m ,1, ,..,, u I ' 132 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. for the pony has his bridle on, and I can catch hoU of that." So he picked a few handfuls of grass, and put them into his hat. A man, who was digging in the common asked him what he was going to do with the grass. Wil- lie told him, it was to catch the pony. " Oh, then," cried the man, "you need not take so much trouble; if you hold out your hat empty, it will do juvSt as v^ell, for the pony cannot see that the hat is empty till he comes close up to it ; and then you may catch hold of the bridle while he is looking into the liat." " But that would be cheating him," cried Willie; " and I will not cheat anybody, no, not even a beast." *' Well said, my good boy," replied the man. *' Besides," added Willie, " if I cheated him onc^, he would not believe me another time." He then went up to his pony, and held out his hat ; the pony came quietly up to him, and Willie seized hold of his bridle, and was so(m cantering home on his back. — Mrs Marcet, fit ! I ! MY PONY. Hop, hop, hop ! Go and never stop, Where 'tis smooth and where 'tis stouyj Tiadge along, my little pony. Go and never stop. Hop, hop, hop, liop, hop \ fi£COND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 133 >i i,. I it! t it. Hey, hey, hey ! Go along, I say ; Don't you kick and don't you stumble, Don't you tire and don't you grumble ; Go along, I say ; Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey 1 Jump, jump, jump ! , Don't you hit that stump ! For I will not cease to ride you Till I further yet have tried you ; Don't you hit that stump, Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump I Tramp, tramp, tramp ! Make your feet now stamp, t mi HKCOND BOOK OF KMADINO LKHHONtt. Oil tho hlghwiiy no om» fiistor ; Hut Uko iMnrts I (lonH> throw your nuiMt^^r. Make your foot now NUtnp ! TrAinp^ trump, traiup, tramp, trauipl I. MARY AND HKR OANAllY.— II. MEDDLE80MK MATTY. long-od wist-ful fofttl\-ers touch-ing inod-dlo-souio fu-turu rc-inoin-bor •Ma-til-da pO8-8e8H-0d kot-tlti pn>s-ont'ly qual-Utiofii Hpoc-ta-rU** fotth-with MiufT-hox Mtub-born pro-HO!it-cd tiU'gUng MAKY AND »KK OANAKY. Mary saw a Uuio canary which sang finely, pud she h)ngcd to have one like it " I will givo you one sonio day," said her motiier, "if you ai*e a good chihl, antl do as you arc told." One day, when Mary c^uno homo from school, she found her mother had gone out for a walk. Mary lookoil into her room, and on tho table she spied a box she had never seen before. She had been often told by her mother never to toucli anything that did not belong to her, but Mary had a bad habit of touchiitg all that she saw ; and bad habiti are not easily broken. Mary had ffiveu way t^ it m HKHONt) linoR nr KKADINO MCHHONH. i:i5 ther, 8ho 80 often thttt lior mother would 8ay, *' Mary, Mary, shall I tiovcr bu ablo to truHt you ? " Now you will hoo how Mary was punished for not doing as hor mother told her. 8ho know the box on the table was not hei box, and that she had no right to touch it ; but she stood by the table looking at it with wistful eyes. " I wonder what is in it I " she said to herself, and then she began to finger it, and at length took it up in her hand. " It is very prntty ; I think it must be empty though, it is so light. Why, here are little holes in the lid, but they are so small, I cannot see into the inside. If I were just to open it, I could do no harm." U\i HH'ON»\ IU>OH or UKAIMNll MWHllNW. An Mlohin m\ M \m ^t^Aoh TIumo Ii wat. looklntf nu |»irliN with iu «t\f» ywlh^Nv iViiUhvm. rtuil «lt»«l»»M: «o»wmMly hrti NUry wnuliMl it M^lly for hor o>vn. "AliT pn^iM>i hitthU'Hivl tho lililo MihI, mul III* llw Mvrtltfl^t \>ut \>f tl\o wit\ Mury run ovyiutf to Iw tuo(htM\ li> toll lti>r how nitttghiy hIm» »^ I bou«h^. ^\\^ MtNl for )^>u, Miuy,*' mU\ Itor to^Mbor, MnU you h^vo l»mt it by yo\ir own fiuilt.. 1 AU\ M>«ry tor you, but I hopo thin >vill tiuu^li my littb^ jiivl A lossou, i\ot to l>o HO uuuUll««iUui) in fututx\*' *' I shaU novor t'or^jot my littlo biinl/' nui i Maiy. *M\ovo\\ 1 au\ \\uiio sum** Atul »ho novor diti ; but whon j^ho tVlt a wish to moiUilo with anything that di*i not hoU>ng to hor, vsho alwjv)'j< «aiil to hprH«ll„ '^ M;ny, Mary, i\>u\oml)cr your canary." M!t^>tn-KSOMK MATTY. Oh, how one ugly trick ha.s spoird The swei^t^^st atul the best, ! Matiliia. though a ploas.vut child, One uglj trick possess^d^ HHniNh MniiK nir lild/^IMNU IJONMONM 11)7 ^\\V »Uo of ly tan iy nhn fault. A\ iny Mary, |1 ; but kjr that Hill all \\v\' lipllnr (|uallll(*N. MMnM«MiiinN nIio M lift I.Ih< (mi |miI M, Tn )MM'|t al wlial wan In l(') (h' UK* Mm kcM.li*. if ynii (llil Mill. (Mill yMiir Imii'|( a inliMiti*. Ill vain you lold liitr not. (m (oik^H, ll(w/* Rrtid the bear, " let us ^i» rtml «<>(»." " No/' .srtiil the wolf, "we must wait till the old binls Itave gone away aoain." 80 they notteed the plneo, and walkod away. They did not stay Inno, for the luar wuh In a hurry to see the nest. They returned, find the \m\v seranibled up the tree, expeeling to amuse hiniseU' linely by frightening the tonitilM. " Take eare/' said the wolf ; " you had better bo careful The tomtits aixj little ; but little enemies are sometimes very tiH)ublesome.'* " Who is afraid of a tomtit ?'* said the bear. S(» saying, he poked his great blaek nose into the nest. " Who is here V* mid he ; '* what are you ?'* The ptK)r bii^ls scn^anied out with terror. " Oo away ! go away I " said they. "What do you mean by making such a noise, and tAlking so to ino ? I will teach you better/' said he. 80 he put his great paw on the nest, and pn^ssed it down until the poor little birds were almost stitial. Presently he left tliem and went away. » The young tomtits were terribly frightened, and ^ome of them wei*e hurt^ As soon as the bear was gone, their fright gave way to anger ; and soon after the old birds came home, and were very angry toa They used to see the bear sometimes prowlin;0i 08OOMD fiOOR OF tllSADINO LRBBONB. ill ftboufc dhe woodw, but) did not) know wimfc i\wy oonid do to biin^ bim to puniMbinrnt. Now, tbi're wftfi a famous ^len, RUirouiuled by id^h rocks, wbere tbe bnar tised to go and sleep, bocatise It WHS a wild, lonrly plnoa The tomtits nftrn saw liim tlinre. One day the bear was [irowling around, and he saw, at a ^jrreat distance, two huntsmen with guns, condng towards the wood. He fled to his glen in dismay, though he thought) he shoulil be f^afe there. The tomtits were flying about there, and pres- ently they mw the liuntsmen. "Now," said on© of them to tlie other, *' is the time to get rirl of the tyrant. You go and see if lie is in hi« glen, and then oomo back to where you see mo singing." So he flew about from tree to tree, keepinj/ in sight of the huntsmen, and ringing all the tinn; ; widle the other went and foutid tiiat the benr was ill his glen, crouched down in terror behind ii rock. The tomtits then began to flutter around the hunts- men, and fly u little way towards the glen, and then back again. This attracted the notice of the men, and they followed them to see wliat could be the matU r. By and by the bear saw ilie terrible huntsmen comhig» led on by his little enemies, the tomtits. lie sprang forward, and ran from one aide of tiie glen to the other ; but he could not escape. 'Hiey shot him with two bullets through his head. 142 SECOND BOOK OF UKADINO LK880NB. I : The wolf liappciicd to bo near by, at that timc^ upon the rocks tluit were aroutid the glen ; ani hearing all this noise, he came and peeped over. As soon as he saw how the case 8too, and said, " Who is this man that he should defv the armies of the liv- iug God ?'* So he went to the king and asked him to allow him to go ami fight tlie giant. The king at first refused, as David >vas but a mere lad ; but at lenjyth he agreed, and gave David a complete suit of armor. But David put ofi" the armor, and took his stafif ir his hand, and a few smooth stones in n tl iECOKD BOOK OF RRAhlNCi f-TlRRnN'* 147 . 11 hli .nepherd'fl bajr, and hiw sling in the otlipr liaiul. In tills way he advanced to meet OoHath. When the giant naw him, he laughed at him, and Raid, "Am t a dog, that thoucomepit to me with staves?'* And he cursed Davlti. But David said, '* Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and wHli a shield ; hut I c f>me to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the (ilod of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." And David put a stone in his sHtig, and smote the f/iatit on the forehead and killed him. Then, as he haci no sword, he leapt upon the huge carcsss of the giant, and drew his sword out of the sheath and cut of! his head. At this the men of Israel took henrt, and the wicked men were afraid and fled ; but the men of Israel pursued them, and killed a great number of them. And all the people were glad, ana sang songs tn honor of David ; but he knew who it was had p:iven him strengtb, and he praised God for it. After some time, David became the king of Israel, an!f frews bend down with plum and pear, do.sy apples scent the air, Nuts are ripening everywhere. « Through the lanes where " bird- weed " weavt.' Graceful wreaths of chistcring leaves, Hence the reapers bear the sheaves. Singing loud their harvest song. In their hearty, rustic tongue — Singing gaily, old and young ; Singing loud beside the wain, With its load ot bursting graiii^ Dropping all along the lane. Mice and ant and squirrel fill Now their garners at their will, Only drones need hunger still. v Though the summer flowers are deadl Still the poppy rears its head, Flaunting gaily all in red. 4 Still the foxglove's crimson bell. And the fern-leaves in the dell, Autumn's parting b^uty telL Purple sunsets, crimson leaves, Fruit and flowers and golden she<&yet. Autumn gives us ere she leaves. — Mr/i B'jLulrey, » pl^Hr w li \ I 150 SECOND BOOK OF READING LE880N& I. BERTHA AND HER DOLLS.— II. THE pret-ti-er Ber-tha 3cis-sors LOST DOLL. ob-serve charm-ing-ly sew-ing-room trod-den mer-ri-ly en-gaged BERTHA A^D HER DOLLS. Bertha was a dear little girl, with brown eyes, curly hair, and merry ways ; but she was very thoughtless, and this often brought her into trouble, and grieved, her kind mother very much. Like all little girls, she was fond of dolls, and she had a number of them. She also thought the name of Lucy prettier than any other name, and gave it to her whole family of dolls. There was Mamma Lucy, which was the largest of them all ; Baby Lucy, not bigger than your 1 ttle finger; Mary Lucy, named in honor of Bertha's mother ; Lucy Bell, Black-eyed Lucy, and Pet Lucy. Bertha was just le9,rning to sew ; for her mother thought all children should learn to be useful, and the little girl talked a great deal about the nice frocks, and hats, a^d aprons she would soon make for her dolls. One day, when Bertha was alone in the parlor, playing with Tiny, her kitten, a new bonnet for her mother was sent home, and placed on the table. The 8KC0ND aOOK OP RKADINO LESSONS. 151 jgest your tha's Pet )ther and nice take ^rlor, her The /over of the box was not on very tightly ; so the little girl got up on a chair and peeped in. Oh, what a lovely ribbon ! — pink, nnd just the color for her Black-eyed Lucy ! She must make her an apron of it. 80 she ran up to the sewing- room for her mother's scissors, and then snipped oti ribbon enough to make Miss Lucy an apron. She did not know very much about sewing, so she just ran a thread through the top, and tied it round her dolly's waist, and thought she had never seen her look so pretty before. While she was thus engaged, the kitten began to play with the bonnet ; but Bertha was so intent on making the apron for her doll, that she did not observe it. She was just holding up the doll to see once more how the apron looked, when she heard her mother call her. Bertha did not think she had done any- thing wrong, so she ran to her mother with the doll in her arms. "See, mamma!" she cried, ** doesn't Lucy look pretty? I cut off just a little bit of your ribbon ta make this apron 1 Is it not nice to have dolly's apron and your bonnet just alike?" And she laughed merrily. But when Bertha saw how grave her mother looked, and that she held in her hand the bonnet \vhich Tiny, the kitten, had been playing with, aK bm and crushed, the dimples and the smile died m m It • i ii *l' 1 I 152 SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. out from her face, and her brown eyes grew very large at first, then the long lashes closed over them^ and she bur.«t into tears. *' I have been very naughty, mother, have I not ?'^ she sobbed. Then her mother took Bertha into her lap and talked to her a long time ; and Bertha said she would never touch anything again without asking her dear mother, who was so good and kind to h 5r, and who loved her so dearly, and whom she love ^ so very dearly too. THE LOST DOLL. I once had a sweet little doll, The prettiest doll in the world ; Her cheeks were so red and so white, And her hair was so charmingly cui I'd But I lost my poor little doll, As I play'd on the heath one day ; And I cried for her more than a week. But I never could find where she lay. I found my poor little doll, As I play'd on the heath one day ; Folks say she is terribly changed, For her paint is all wash'd away ; And her arm trodden off by the cows. And her hair not the least bit curl'd : Yet for old sake's sake she is still The prettiest doll In the world. N *1. SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. 153 JACK'S DOG BANDY. fag-ots tow-ards up-lift-ed Jean-nette mean-time faith-ful Ban-dy or-der-ed bu-ried e-ven-ing al-read-y school-mas-ti r out-side for-got-ten fol-low-ing hus-band an-swer-ed e-pi-taph In a large forest in France there lived a pooc woodman, whose name was Jack. He made little money by the sale of his fagots, but enough to support himself, his wife Jenny, and their two chii- im SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. dren. The oldest child was a boy, with dark hair, seven years old, called Jean, and the second was a fair-haired girl, called Jeannette. They had also a curly dog, with a white nose, the best dog in all the countrjr, because he loved his master so much, and this dog was called Bandy. When the snow lies deep in the forest, the wolves that live in its depths grow very hungry and fierce, and come out to look for food. The poor people also suffer much in the time of deep snow, for they cannot get work. Jack did not fear the wolves when he had his . good axe in hand, and went every day to his work. In the morning he said to Jenny : ** Wife, pray do not let Jean and Jeanette run out to play until the wolves have been hunted. It would not be safe. '"Keep Bandy in too." Every morning Jack said the same thing to Jenny, and all went well till one evening he did not come home at the usual time. Jenny went to the door, looked out, came in, then went back, and looked out again. " How very late he is ! " she said to' herself. Then she went outside, and called her husband — " Jack, Jack ! " — no answer. Bandy leaped on her, as if to say : " Shall I go and look for him ? " " Down, good dog," said Jenny : " here, my little Jeannette, run to the gate, and see if your father is coming. You, Jean, go along the road to the 8SC01ND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 155 'ifi end of ^he garden-paling, and cry aloud, * Father, father ! " The children went as their mother told them, but eould not see their father. " I will go and find him,*' said little Jean ; " even if the wolves should eat me." •' So will I," said his little sister, and off they *s3t towards the forest. In the meantime their father had come home by another road, leaving a bundle of fagots with a neighbor who had ordered them. " Did you meet the children ? " said Jenny, as he came in. "The children!'* said Jack; "no, indeed; are they out ? " ** I sent them to the end of the paling, but you have come by another road." Jack did not put down his axe, but he ran as fast as he could to the spot. " Take Bandy with you," cried Jenny ; but Bandy was off already, and gone so far before, that his master could not see him. In vain the poor father called ''Jean, Jeanette : " no one answered, and his tears began to fall, for he feared his children were lost. After running on a long, long way, he thought he heard Bandy bark. He went straight into the wood towards the sound, his axe uplifted in his hand. Bandy had come up to the two children just as a large wolf was going to seize them. He sprang at the wolf, barking loudly, to call his master. 1 56 8K00ND BOOK OF RRADIKQ LBi^lBOMS. H w Jack, with one blow of his good r.xe, killed the great fierce beast ; but it was too !ate to nave poor Bandy — he was dead al.*eady, the wolf had killed hitn. The father and two children went back to Jenny, full of joy that they were all safe, and yev they could not help crying, they were so sor^ that good faithful Bandy was dead. Tliey buried him at tlia bottom of the garden, and put a large stone ovei him, on which the schoolmaster wrote the following epitaph : " Beneath this stone there lies at rest Bandy — of all good dogs the best." Bandy is not forgotten in that part of the coun- try, for when any one is very tme, and brave, and faithful, the people always say of liini :— lie is at Urave and faithful as Jack's dog Bandy, Ed-win build-ing op-po-site work-men mor-tar there-fore LITTLE THINGS. bcau-te-ous o-cean hum-ble at-tempt prop-er e-ter-ni-ty brick-lay-ers er-rors no-tion count-less put-ting de-spise greatest di-vii!-ed yon-der vir^tue kind-nesB mouii*taiii BRICK UPON BRICK. Edwir was one day looking at a laMf building R1800ND BOOK OF RKADINO LBBB0N8. 167 tesB MlBJ^ which was being put up just opposite his father's howsG. He watched the workmen from day to day, aa they carried up the bricks nnd mortar, and then placed them in their proper order. His father said to him, — " Edwin, you seem to be very much taken up with the bricklayers ; pray, what may you be thinking about? Have you any notion of learning the trade ?" "No,** said Edwin, smiling; **bufc I was just thinking what a little thing a brick is, and yet that this great house is built by laying one brick upon another." " Very true, my boy ; never forget It. Just so is it with all great works. All your learning is only one little lesson added to another. If a rfjan could walk round the world, it would just be by putting one foot before the other many times. Your whole life will be made up of one little moment after another. The ocean itself is made up of countless little drops of water." Learn f»*om this not to despise little things- Learn, also, not to be afraid of great labor. The greatest labor becomes easy it divided into parts. You cannot jump over a mountain ; but step by «tep will take you to the other side. Do not fear, therefore, to attempt great things. Always remem- ber that the whole of yonder building is only one brick upon another. 108 ii . t SBCOND BOOK OF KEADIKG LESSONS. LITTLE DROPS OF WATBBu^ Little drops of water, Little grains of sand Make the mighty ocean. And the beauteous lanu. Thus the little minutes, Humble though they be. Make the mighty ages Of eternity. Thus our little errors Lead the soul away, From the path of virtue^ Oft in sin to stray, • Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make on earth an Eden, Like the heaven above r r SECOND BOOK QJf BEADING LESSONS. 159 L PRESENCE OF MIND.— 11. INGENIOUS DEVICE. ceil-ing hand-i-work per-ceiv-ed ut-ter-ly spoil-iug un-a-bb pas-sion chim-ney fac-to-ry de-scend-ing scaf-fold stock-ing keep-sake dead-ly in-ge-ni-ous ■:, «| PEESENCE OP MIND. Two men were engaged in painting the ceiling of a grand church. A platform of wood was slung up for them to stand on, at a great height from the floor below. One of them had just finished a portion of his tvork, and his miud was so bent on it, that 160 BEOOKD BOOK OF READlKQ LESS0K8. f «i forgetting where he was, he began to move away from the picture to see his handiwork in the best light. Step by step, he walked slowly backwards, until his foot rested almost on the edge of the platform. His friend, at that instant, perceived the danger; but how could he prevent it ? To Focak was in vain, and not to s^eak seemed oni t nake death more sure ; for one more step would i:^tid the man dash- ing on a stone floor beneath. Quick as thought, the friend snatched up a paint- brush, and daubed it over the fine picture, utterly spoiling it. With an angry speech, the painter made a rush forward to check his friend, and to ward off the cruel stroke ; but he met a face that was deadly pale. In his turn he paused and stood looking at his friend, who, unable to speak, pointed out the reason of his strange action. The storm of passion was over at once, and the painter wept, while he blessed the hand that had robbed him for a time of fame, pride, and joy^ but had saved his Ufa INGENIOUS DEYIOB. After hard toil for many weeks, the tall chimney of a new factory was built up. The men put the last stroke to their work, and came down as quickly as they could. In his haste the last but one drew the rope out of the pulley. This want of care turned their joy to fear. There stood one man at the top with no means 6EC0ND BOOK 0^ rvflADlNQ tE880N8. 161 of descending. What could be done? There was no ocafibld; and no ladder would reach half the. height. The men had come down by the pulley ; and there it was still, fixed and firm, at the top of the chimney.; but the rope lay in a coil on the ground. They all stood in silence, looking up at their lonely friend on the top, while he saw no way oi help from their hands below. Jui^ then his wife came up, and with quick thought and good sense she was able to save her husband. "John," she called out ; but what did she say ? What did ? ;t bid him do ? Those who cannot find out must be tola With all her strength she shouted: "John, \^o your stocking ; begin at the toe." He knew at once what she meant, and drawing off his stocking, — no doubt knit by his wife, — cut off the end, and soon set free the thread. He rove a long piece, and to this he tied a little piece of brick^ and gently let it down for eager hands to reach. Meantime his wife had managed to get a ball of thin twine, and it was soon made f f '.t to the v/orsted. With a shout, they told John to pull up again. He did so, and they soon heard the words, " I have it." The pulley-rope was then made fast to the twine. With a glad heart John drew it up, and pu* ^ over the pulley. Then snatching up the rest of the stocking, which was to him a keepsake for life, he let himself down as the other men had done, till he reached the ground insafeif*- T^aZe^ t^nk^ urir hrvs. m ■■t 162 8K DND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. (i I. THE INDIAN WOMAN AND THE BEAR.- II. STORY OF A BEAR. Ind-ian qual-i-ties a-wa-ken-ed ap-proach-ing fort-u-nate en-e-my gen-er-al-ly pow-er-ful at-tenrpt-ed com-mit-ted ex-cit-ing pup-pies heav-i-er dread-ful-ly pos-si-ble sat-is-fied ac-count-ed quar-ters THE INDIAN WOMAN AND THE BEAK, Courage and presence of mijid are qualitfes that erery one ought to try -and possess. An Indian woman was once returning home ii tl SECOND BOOK OP fiTEADfN'Ol.'ESaONS. 163 through the woods. She w^'s all alone, and was anxious to get home before it grew dark, for there were wolves and bears in the woods ; and, as it was spring-time, when the bears had awakened from their long winter sieep, she knew that they were very fierce. But soon a rustling in the leaves and % crashing of branches told her that some animal was approaching. She drew out a long knife, which she was fortu- nate enough to have with her, and watched for the expected enemy. He soon appeared, in the shape of a huge black bear, and, seeing the woman, came forward to seize her. She, with great presence of taind, put her back against a tree, so that the bear could not easily hug her and squeeze her to death, as bears generally do, and, holding her knife in front of her, waited Bruin s approach. The bear came slowly on, and when he got near the woman, raised himself on his hind legs to seize her in his powerful fore-paws. The brave woman never lost her presence of mind, even when she saw the glaring eyes of the bear before her face, and felt his hot breath, but calmly stood, and watching her chance, she plunged the knife right into his heart and killed him at once. If she had attempted to run away, the bear would soon have caught her, and had she not behaved as bravely as she did, there is little doubt but that she would have lost her life. Ill I 164 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. STORY OF A BEAR. In one of the new settlements in the back country some hunters went out in chase of some bears that had committed great havoc among their fields. After an exciting chase, they killed two bears. With one of tJhese bears were two young cubs. They were quite small, just like fat young puppies, with black hair and thick, clumsy-looking paws. The hunters caught the little cubs when their mother was shot, and brought them home. One of these cubs was a very playful little fel- low, and was called Jack by the son of one of the hunters. He soon became quite tame, and fcdlowed his master about. He was very fond of sugar and fruit, and got into many a scrape trying to get them when he ought not to have done so, just as some naughty boys do. Jack followed his master to school, and used to play about in the woods till school was over, and then he was always sure of a good supply of apples, and cakes, and maple sugar. Some of the chil- dren were afraid of Jack at first, but as he was a playful fellow, never hurting any of them, they soon began to like him, and he became a general favorite. He knew as well as any of them where the good things were, and if he was not helped, he sometimes helped himself He enjoyed a gambol and frolic BECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 165 iiimea frolic with the dogs too, but as he was heavier than they were, though not so active, they liked to keep away from too close quarters with Jack. Oa« day poor Jack was missed, and great was the sorrow of the whole school. Search was made for tiim c-'ery where, but without success, and it was supposed that he had met some of his friends in the woods, and had gone away with them. Well, by and by the boys avd girls grew up to be men and women, and the old schoolmaster died, and poor Jack was quite forgotten, until one day, when a new set of children and a new master were in the same school-house, in walked a great black bear. Such a scrambling was never seen. Every one tried to run away, out of the windows, out of the .doors, under the desks; and all were dreadfully frightened. But the bear marched coolly in and seated himself before the fire, looking round as ()leased as possible. Seeing the bags and baskets hanging on the pegs, fae started up, raised himself on his hind-legs, and helped himself to all that was good in them, apples and maple sugar, but did not attempt to harm any person. Having satisfied himself, he walked out again quite leisurely. By this time a general alarm had been raised, and all the young men started in pur- suit. As the bear did not attempt to run, he was • m InPlI R' i\\ 166 SECOND BOOK OP KEADING LESSONS. !* m soon come up with and shot. But what was the sorrow and surprise when it was found that the bear was no other than their old friend Jack, who had come back to pay them a visit. They knew it was Jack by some marks on his skin, and that accounted for his being so quiet. He also had known the old school-house again, but the poor fellow did not know that his old playmates were gone. THE YOUNG MOUSE. dain-ties pro-vid-ed se-cure-ly en-vied ex-cur-sion re-turn-ed se-date ex-press-ed con-vinced con-struct dwell-ing en-ter-ed ex-act-ly re-quires kit-tens cran-nies ex-qui-site be-lieve In a crack near the cupboard, with dainties pro- vided, A certain young mouse with her mother resided ; So securely they lived in that snug quiet spot, Any mouse in the land might have envied their lot. But, one day, the young mouse, who was given to roam, Having made an excursion some way from her t^- bo'pe, - ' SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 167 On a sudden return'd, with such joy in her eyes. That her gray, sedate parent expressed some sur- prise. " mother," said she, " the good folks of this house, I 'm convinced, have not any ill will to a mouse ; And those tales can't be true you always are telling, For they Ve been at such pains to construct us a dwelling. " The floor is of w^ood, and the walls are of wires. Exactly the size that one's comfort requires ; And I 'm sure that we there should have nothing to fear, If ten cats, with their kittens, at once should appear. 168 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. " And then they have made such n>«'U) i in time come to some clearing. But the woo 1 wa? dense, the fallen trees numerous, and the brushwood so thick that he had hard work to make any progress. Little by little the berries SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 171 went, and still the brave little fellow plodded on, until the second night came on. Weary and foot- sore he again lay down to rest, and again cried him- self to sleep, after praying to God to help him and bring him to his parents once more. Next morning he was very hungry. No berries were to be found, but his brave spirit kept him up, and still he pushed on down the bank of the stream. At last, when almost worn out, his clothes all torn and himself cut and bruised, he spied a little clear- ing. Gathering all his energies together he managed to reach it, and soon came to a small log-shanty, where he was taken care of. Upon inquiring, it was found that he was now twenty miles from his home, but the kind people, who had taken him in, managed to send word to his distracted father, who joyfully came and took him home. His mother, when she saw him, wept with joy again, after having wept and mourned for her poor lost boy, whom le never expected to see again. Nor, indeed, would Willie have ever reached home, if he had not been brave and determined in spite of all obstacles. — Campbeirs Second Bead^. m '?ii 17:2 SECOND BOOK OF RKADI^G T KK I OLD MOTHER HUBBVED AND HEK DOG, If cup-board laugh-ing cob-bler 9r ba-ker smok-:ng read-ing ■HVi^ join-er hat-ter ho-sier iEIin cof-fin tail-or dain-tiea Old mother E^bba,}'! Went to th' copboarc, To get her poo? Aog a bone But when she can i ther little Darwin. One day they watched the dog when he came back, and saw him take his young master's top, and run off with it towards the grave-yard. On following the dog they found, in a hole whicltt he had scraped in the grave, a cap, a pair of shoes, and several toy& SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 183 They took poor Argus away, and shut him up at home ; but he refused to eat, and moaned so dole- fully that they let him go. As soon as he was free, he again ran off to the grave, and there the kind little animal remained till he died, mourning for bis lost master. THE STORY OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR. east-ern re-mot-est won-der-ful pro-phets Beth-le-hem cx-pect-ed pro-phe-cy sub-jec-tion im-a-gine la-ment-ing joy-ful-ly friend-ship reign-ing Gal-i-lee gov-ern-ed di-rec-tion Naz-a-reth hence-forth Many of the Eastern nations, and among others the Jews, had been taught from the remotest ages to expect the birth of a great and wonderful King, who should reign over all the people of the earth. One of the prophets of Israel had spoken of Eim as a Star rising out of Jacob ; and, owing to this, the appearance of a bright star had been looked for to show the time of His birth. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men, living in a distant country of the East, saw a beautiful star in the heavens, which seemed to 184 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. point out the way to the chief city of the Jews. So they came there and asked wliere He was who was born King of the Jews, for they had seen His Btar in the East, ami were come to worship Him. The people of the city, together with Herod their king, were greatly troubled when they heard these words. So Herod called together the chief priests, and the most learned men in the city, ana asked them where it was that the Christ was expected to be born. They told him in Bethlehem of Judea ; for there was an old prophecy that out of that city should come one who was to rule over Israel. Then Herod sent for the wise men, and after he had asked them about the star, which they had seen, he bade them go to Bethlehem, find out the young child, and bring him word that he might go and worship Him. So they went to Bethlehem, which was only a few miles off. And as they went, the star, which they had seen in their own far-off country in the East, moved on before them till it stood over where the young child was. And when they came to Him, they kneeled down before Him, and gave Him rich gifts of gold and silver, and other precious things, in token of their duty and subjection to Him. Now, when Herod had desired the wise men to bring him word where the young child was, that he might go and worship Him, he had deceived them. He did not want to worship Him, but to kill Him ; for as Jesus was called Kin^ of the Jews, Kero(? 1» ' SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LKSRONS. 185 ii A«red that He might some day take his kingdom from him. God, who knows everything, even the very thoughts that men imagine they are hiding in their hearts, Knew how wickedly Herod was in- tending to act. So, in a dream, God told the wise men not to return to him, and they therefore went back again to their own country by another way. Herod waited anxiously for the return of the wise men. But when he found they had gone home Again without coming to him as he had told them, he was in a furious rage ; and, in order to make sure that the child Jesus should not escape him, he sent out his soldiers to kill all the young children under two years old, not only in Bethlehem itself, but in all the country round about it. Oh, what weeping and lamenting were there, when the cruel king killed all their little children ! But God had provided for the safety of Him who was indeed the Son of God, though He was thowght to be the son of Joseph, Mary's husband. After the wise men had left Bethlehem, God sent an igel to Joseph, to bid him take the young child and his mother, and escape with them into the land of Egypt, because Herod sought Jesus on purpose to kill Him. The angel told him this in a dream. But Joseph know that God had sent him ; so they at once fled fc-r their lives into Egypt. Nor did they return to their own country till the angel, as he WL said he would, again came to Joseph in a dreanb :|. M m 'Vi ] 86 8I0OND BOOK OF^ RBADINQ LESSONS. and told him that as tho wickod king was dead, khey miglit now go back to their own home. Then thoy joyfully set out on their journey to the land of Israel. But when they got there and found thai Olio of Herod's sons, who was as wicked and cruel as his father, reigned over Judea in his place, Joseph was afraid of going thither. God, however, directed him, in a dream, to go to another part of the country of the Jews, called Galilee, which was many miles from the chief city where the king that Joseph feared was reigning. Galilee also was governed by a milder ruler than Judea w;is. His name was Antipas ; and though these two kings were brothers, there was no friendship between them. So there was everything to make it safe for the holy family to go and live there. When Joseph and Mary, with their child, whom they named Jesus, came by God's direction into Galilee, they took up their abode in a city called Nazareth, which was henceforth tho» home of our blessed Lord. And the child Jesus grew up in health and strength, with wisdom far above that of a common child. And God, His Father, blessed Him, so that He grew in favor with both God and man. SECOND BOOK 6f nEADIKO LK880N8. 187 THE GUARDSMAN AND HIS HORSE. guards-man be-lonin the am luul tuoniitetl hlin«elf. " Do 5M>u nee/' RAy« a thihl, " how the lar^y old kimve rldcl aloti^ uvmn hlM heiint, while hin poor little hoy in rtlmo«t erippleil with wAlkio^?'* The old nmti tn» nooner heard thin, than he took tip hin non behltwl hitn. " IVfty, honent friend/* nayn n ftJtirth, " in that rtna yxmr own f ** '* Yen/* nayn the imam. " Otie woidd i\ot have ♦ho\ia:ht no/' wplien the other, " by yimv loftdinj^ hiiu An yois do without meroy. You and >i>nr non are better able to carry the |)oor beast thatt he in to carry you/* "Anvthiua:to ploane/* nays the owner; and dln- wonntinjr with his son, they tied the lep;» rf the anw together, a!\d by the help of a pole tried to carry hint lipon their shoulders over the bridge that led to tite town» This was so aninstn^ a sip;!it, that the people oatne in crowds to lai^li at it ; lUl the ass, not liking the loo great complaisance of his n»aster, burst asunder the conls which tied him» slipped from the pole, and tutnlued into the river. The poor old man made the best of his way homo, anhamed and voxid, that, by trying to please everybody, ho had plcaaed r.o- body, and lost his ass into the bargain. II M iJfiOOMl) tKMltt nV nNADtNO LtCHAOMS. 199 THK imiHT PUN. cotn-pmi-lcirm Ad-Hntii-tilml «p|rttr-tt-ted llii-pA-tieiib «ttt-lH-fiu'-ilon (mr-pon k»r« weftr-i'*«oftie pru-po-ittl AMer-wards In-vo-oii-tlon de-llb-er-ttte e-veii-liig un-fih-RGt'V-ed A-l)Un-(lAtlt re-sl-detioo do-tiHir-tod ina-Jor-i-ty •' Ntiw. boys, I *ll tell you How we oAfi Imve mnim fun/' MAid Freddie to hk eotttpAiilotm, wlio IjAd an- netublod ou a beAUtiful moonlight evenings fur Alid- lng» Niiow-bAllln^, And fun tn ^enerAl. "How?" "Wlieinr' "WliAt h iiV* Mkod several (m^or voIoom all At onoe. •* 1 lieanl Widow M'KAy toll A man a little while Ago/* replied Freddie, " tlmt »ho would go over and Hit up with A siok child to*night. Hhe Maid she would b'j over about eight o'clock. Now, as «oon AS she in gone, let us go Aud make a big snow man on her du()r-Hte[), mo that when she oomos back in the morning, ohe catniot get into her house without first knocking it out of the way." " Capital;' •• First-rate/' "Hurrali/' shouted iomo of the boys. " See here/' said Charlie, " I '11 tell you the best fun/' " What is it?" again inquired several voices at once. ''Wait a while/' said Charlie. "Who has a wood saw?" I ' 194 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSQNB. ^' I have," " So have I," " And I," answered three of the boys. " But what in the world do you want A wood saw for ? " '* You shall see," replied Charlie. " It is almost eight o'clock now, so go and get your saws. You, Freddie and Nathan, get each an axe, and I will get a shovel. Let us all be back here in fifteen minutes, and then I ^11 show you the fun." The boys separated to go on their several errands, each wondering what the fun would be, and what possible use could be made of wood saws and axes in their play. But Charlie was not only a great favorite with them all, but also a leader, and they fully believed in him and in his promise. They all ran quickly, and they were soon again assembled. " Now," said Charlie, *' Mrs M*Kay is gone, for I met her when I was coming back, so let us be off at once." "But what are you going to do?* inquired several impatient members of the party. **You shall see directly," replied the leader, asl they approached the humble residence of Mi* M'Kay. "Now, boys," said Charlie, "you see that pile o^ wood ; a man hauled it here this afternoon, and 1 heard Mrs M'Kay tell him that unless she got some one to saw it to-night, she would have hardly anything \o make a fire of in the morning. Now we can saw and split that pile of wood just about as easy as we T 'i ' I SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 195 «ou!d build a great snow-man, and when Mrs M'Kay comes hom|B from her watching, she will be fully as much surprised to find her wood sawed, as she would to find a snow man on her door step, and a great deal more pleasantly surprised too. What say you i Will you do it ? " One or two of the boys rather demurred at first. They didn't like to saw wood, they said. But the majority were in favor of Charlie's project, so they finally joined in and went to work with a will. " I *11 go round to the back of the shed," isaid Charlie, '* and crawl through the window and un- fasten the door. Then we will take turns in sawing, splitting, and carrying in the wood ; and I Want to pile it up nicely, and to shovel all the snow away from the door ; and a good wide path, too, from the door to the street — won't it be fun, when she comes home and sees it ? " The boys began to etjoy the fun, for they felt that they were doing a good deed, and each one felt that pleasure and joy which always result from well-doing. It was not a long or wearisome job for seven robust and healthy boys, to saw, split, and pile up the poor widow's half-cord of wood, and to shovel a good path. And when it was done, so great was their pleasure and satisfaction, that one of the boys who objected to the work at first, proposed that they should go to a neighboring carpenter's shop, (where 196 SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. plenty of shavings could be had for the carrying away,) and each bring an armful of kindling wood. The proposal was readily acceded to, and this done, they repaired to their several homes, all of them more than satisfied with the ** fun " of the evening. And next morning, when the weary widow returned from watching by the sick-bed, and saw what was done, she was pleasantly surprised ; and afterwards, when a neighbor (who had, unobserved, witnessed the labors of the boys) told how it was done, her fervent invocation, " God bless the boys," was of it- self, if they could but have heard it, an abundant reward for their labors. Ah ! boys and girls ! the best fun is always found in doing something that is kind and useful. This is the deliberate opinion of a gray-headed old man ; but if you doubt it in the least, just try it for your' selves, and you will be convinced. THE BEGGAE-MAN. in-clem-ent tot-ter-ing toil-some com-fort-a-ble beg-gar-man wrin-kled • stiflP-en-ing . hos-pit-a-ble droop-ing Around the fire, one wintry night, The farmer's rosy children sat ; T 8KC0ND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. i\), The fagot lent its blazing light, And jokes went round and careless chat. When, hark ! a gentle hand they hear Low tapping at the bolted door ; And thus, to gain their willing ear, A feeble voice was heard t' implore :— " Cold blows the blast across the moor ; The sleet drives hissing in the wind ; The toilsome mountain lies before ; A drearv treeless w^at^ behind. 198 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONa "My ejfi^ are weak and dim with age; No road, no path, can I descry ; And these poor rags ill stand the rage Of such a keen inclement sky. ** So faint I am — these tottering feet No more my feeble frame can bear. My sinking heart forgets to beat. And drifting snows my tomb prepare. *VOpen your hospitable door, And shield me from the biting blast; Cold, cold it blows across the moor, The weary moor that I have pass'd 1 " With hasty steps the farmer ran. And close beside the fire they place The poor half-frozen beggar-man, With shaking limbs and pallid face The little children flocking came And warm'd his stiffening hands in the And busily the good old dame A comfortable mess prepares. Their kindness cheer'd his drooping soul ; And slowly down his wrinkled cheek The big round tear was seen to roll. And to^^ the thanks he could not speak. 11 6] lo "Wi nephen it fly b; Lucj the air the sam "Ah, fellow. ItT! Try ftiore to great a h it out of " Welj "Tiy They « <€ SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. 199 The children, too, began to sigh, And all their merry chat was o*er, 'And yet they felt, they knew not why, More glad than they had been before. » — Aikin, ne-glect-ing en-tan-gled as-sist-ance loos-en-ed TRY AGAIN. dig-ni-ty dis-cour-age per-se-ver-ance pro-ceed-ed fa-vor-a-ble ob-jec-tion fail-ures pro-per-ly "Will you give my kite a lift?'* said my little nephew to his sister, after trying in vain tp make It fly by dragging it along the ground. Lucy very kindly took it up, and threw it into the air ; but her brother neglecting to run off at the same moment, the kite fell down again, " Ah, now, how awkward you are ! " said the little fellow. " It was your fault entirely," answered his sister "Try again, children," said I; and Lucy once more took up the kite ; but now John was in too great a hurry, he ran off so suddenly that he twitched it out of her hand; and the kite fell flat as before. Well, who is to blame now V* asked Lucy. Try again," said L They did, and with more care; but a side-wind t( n i ''tii. m '^V' 200 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LE8S0N8. I coming suddenly, as Lucy let go the kite, it blown among some shrubs, and the tail goTen-' tangled in a moment, leaving the poor kite hanging with its head downwards. " There, there," exclaimed John ; "" that comes of your throwing it all to one side." " As if I could make the wind blow straight I^' said Lucy. In the meantime I went to the kite's assistance, and having loosened the long tail, I rolled it up, say-r ing, " Come, children, there are too many trees here ; let us find a more open space, and then try again." We presently found a nice grass-plot, at one sid6 of which I took my stand; and all things being prepared, I tossed the kite up, just as little John ran off. It rose with all the dignity of a balloon, and promised a lofty flight ; but John, delighted to find it pulling so hard at the string, stopped short to look upwards and admire. — The string slackened, and the wind not being very favorable, down came the kite to the grass. " O John, you should not have stopped," said I. *' However, try again." '* I won't try any more," replied he, rather sul* lenly. " It is of no use, vou see. The kite won't fly^ and I don't want to be plagued with it any longer." " Oh fie, my little man ! would you give up the sport after all the pains we have taken both to make and to fly the kite ! A few failures ought not ot." So Robert was whipped till he cried so loud with pain that the whole neighborhood could h^d^ him. "There** said his father, when he had done, * now go without supper. You are to have no milk tK)-night, and you have been whipped. See how liars are served!" Then turning to Frank: ** Come here and shake hands with me, Fraak. Ton 210 SECOND teol: of beadIno lessons. will have no milk for supper, but that does not si^ i^ify > you have told the truth, and have not been whipped, and everybody is pleased with you. And now I will tell you what I will do for you. I will give you the little dog Trusty, to be your own dog. You shall feed him, and take care of him, and he shall be your dog. You have saved him from a beating, and I will answer for it you will be a good master to him. Trusty, Trusty, come here.** Trusty came. Then Frank's father took ofi Trusty's collar. " To-morrow J. will go to the brazier's," 9,dded he, " and get a new collar made for your dog. From this day forward he shall al- ways be called after you, Frank ! And, wife, when- ever any of the neighbors' children ask why the dog Trusty is to be called Prank, tell them thl» story of our two boys: let them know the differ- ence between a liar and a boy of truth.'' I. A MOBAL. I- The finest cloth that men can sell Wears out when years are past ; The pitcher oft goes to the well. But it is broke at last ; And both alike this moral tell^ Virtm alone ^ndafast SBOOKD BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. 211 I. DEEDS OF KINDNESS.— 11. HUMILITY. trav-el-ler fra-grant dew-drop moist-en night-in-gale hu-mil-i-ty DEEDS OF KINDNESS. a-dor-a-tion oot-stool near-est Suppose the little cowslip Should hang its golden cup, And say, " I 'm such a tiny flower, I 'd better not grow up ; " How many a weary traveller Would miss its fragrant smell. How many a little child would grieve To lose it from the delL Suppose the glistening dew-^drop Upon the grass should say, ** What can a little dew-drop do ? I *d better roll away ;" The blade on which it rested. Before the day was done, Without a drop to moisten it, Would Wither in the sun. Suppose the little breezes, Upon a summer's day, Should think themselves too small to coo The traveller on his way ; 2] 2 SUCONli BOOK OF UEADINO LESSONa Who would not miss the smallest And softest ones that blow, And think they made a great mistake If they were talking so. How many deeds of kindness A little child may do, Although it has so little strength, And little wisdom too. It wants a loving spirit, Much more than strength, to prove How many things a child may do For others by his love. HUMIUIY. The bird that soars on highest wing, Builds on the ground her lowly nest ; •And she that doth most sweetly sing, Sings in the shade when all things rest v In lark and nightingale we see Wh^t honor hath humility. The saint that wears heaven's brightest crnwn In deepest adoration bends ; The weight of glory bows him down Then most, when most his soul ascends ; Nearest the throne itself must be The footstool of humility. nOOND BOOK OF BBADINO LESSOlffi. 21 S I. TKE BOLD BOY AND THE COWARD. —II. BY-AND-BY.— III. THE FOX AND THE DRAKE. quar-rel guid-ance pis-tol mis-chief moonlight en-deav- ir de-served tliwart-ing un-der-tak-ing THE BOLD BOT AND THB COWABD. Two boys were one day going home from school, when, on turning the corner of a street, the bigger of the two called out, *' A fight I a fight 1 let us go and see." " No/' said the other, ** let us go home ; we have nothing to do with the quarrel, and may get into mischief." ** You are a coward, and afraid to go" sali the other, and off he ran. 214 SIOOND BOOK OF READIKO LESSONS. The younger went straight home, and next da^ as he was going to school some of the other boys met him, and laughed at him a great deal for not going to the fight. But he did not mind them much, as he had no reason to be ashamed of what he had done, and he knew that truf* courage was shown most in bearing blame when it is not deserved. A few days after, these boys were all bathing, when one of them got into deep water, and began to drown. The boys were all afraid to go near him, and got out of the water as fast as they co' Jd. The lad would very soon have been lost, had no'/ the boy who would not go to the fight, and who had been k'^.ghed at by them as a coward, just then come up. He at once threw off his clothes, and jumping into the water, just reached the boy in time, and by great f ffort brought him to sWe. The other boys were now all much ashamed, and confessed he had more courage than any of them. BT-AND-BY. There 's a little mischief-making Elfin, who is ever nigh, Thwarting every undertaking, And his name is By-and-By. I.: •* What we ought to do this minute. Will be better done," he '11 cry. nOOKD BOOK OF READING LBSSONS. * 216 ** If to-morrow we begin it- Put it off," says By-and-By. Those who heed his treacherous wooing Will his faithless guidance rue — What we always put off doing, Clearly we shall never do. We shall reach what we endeavor If on " Now " we more rely ; But unto the reahns of " Never," Leads the pilot '* By-and-By." THB FOX AND THB DRAKR. The fox jump'd up on a moonlight nigBt, < The stars were shining, and all things bright ; ho I said the fox, it 's a very fine night For me to go through the town, e-oh i The fox, when he .came to yonder stile, He lifted his ears, and he listened a while ; ho ? said the fox, it 's but a short mile From this unto yonder town, e-oh ! The fox, when be came to the farmei^s gate. Whom should he see but the farmer's dral^e) 1 love you so well for your master's sake, And long to be picking your bones^ e-ol^ 216 * ftlCOND BOOK or RBADINO LK880NR. III I! The gray goose she ran round the hay-stack : ho I said the fox, you are very fat ; You '11 do very well to ride on my back From this unto yonder town, e-oh 1 The farmer's wife, she jump'd out of bed, And out of the window she popp'd her head : Oh, husband ! oh, husband ! the geese are all dead, For the fox has been through the town, e-oh ! The farmer he loaded his pistol with lead, And shot the old rogue of a fox through the head : Ah, ah ! said the farmer, I think you 're quite dead. And no more you '11 trouble the town, e-oh I ii i 8KC0ND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 217 WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT. Whit-ting-ton four-teen kiiow-ledge ig-n)-rance vex-a-tioQ wag'On-er ad-dress-ed un-icorn in-tro-duce en-coun-ter-ed mo^es-ty knight-ed loy-al-ly w-al-i-ty ex-haust-ed fa-tigue Fitz-warren dis-turb-ed o-ver-heard tor-ment-or May-or dis-con-tent-ed yal-u-able be-fall-en lib-er-al sus-pect-ed ful-fill-ing bor-row-ed in-fect-ed cap-it-al di-vert-ing bar-bar-ous am-i-able com-pan-ion spe-ci-al re-solv-ed dis-tinct-ly at-tach-ment grat-i-tude com-pa-ny cit-i-zen par-li-a-ment Jki the reign of King Edward the Third, there ii\rt>d in a small country village a poor couple, named Whittington, who had a son called Dick. His pMrents dying when he was very young, he could scarcely remember them at all ; and as he was not old enough to work, he was for a long time badly off, until a kind but poor old woman took (Hijr on him, and made her little cottage his homCL Sh« dimys gave him good advice ; and as he was hard*workiiig and well-behaved, he became quite 9 jra^orite in the village. When he was fourteeii 218 l9IC02n> BOOK OF BEADING LEBSOnS. jea^B old, and had grown up to be a stout, good^ looking lad, the good old woman died, and he had| to look out how to earn his living by his own efforts. Now Dick was a boy of quick parts, and fond of gaining knowledge by asking questions of everybody who could tell him something useful In this way he had heard much about the wonder-r ful city of London ; more, indeed, than was true, for ihe country-folks were fond of talking of it as a place where the streets were paved with gold. This* arose from their ignorance, for very few indeed amongst them had ever seen it. Although Dick WM not such a ninny as to believe this nonsense^ SECOND BOOK OP READING LESSONS. 219 uL se. fet he felt very curious to go to London and see it with his own eyes, hoping in so great and wealthy % place he should get on better than he could in a poor country village. One fine summer morning, therefore, he boldly started on his journey, with but a trifle of money in his pocket, yet full of good spirits and hope. When he had walked on for some hours, he felt very tired, and was rather alarmed at the thought of how he was to get over the ground. While he was thinking about this, he heard the wheels of a heavy wagon on its way to London, slowly coming along the road behind him. This rough sound was like music to his ears, weary as he then was. As soon a? the wagoner came up, Dick without much ado told him his plan, and begged that he might have a lift until his legs were rested enough to let him walk again. This the man agreed to, and so, partly by riding, and partly by walking side by side with the wag- oner, Dick managed to reach the great city he was 80 anxious to behold. Though Dick's heart be?t with joy on finding himself really in I ondon, he was not quite pleased with the look of the streets and houses. He had fancied to himself a grander and richer sort of place than the city seemed to him at first sight to be. But this is a very common kind of mistake — indeed, we all of us make it sometimes ; in our fancy, every- thing: we have vet to see appears only on its bri|j;ht 2M BfiCOND BOOK OF BEADINO LESSONS. sUje, but in reality everything has its dark side as well. Dick soon found out this truth for himself, as we shall see presently. After Dick had parted with the friendly wagoner, he had only a groat left out of his little store of money ; a night's lodging, and a scanty meal or two soon exhausted this, and after wandering about for a whole day, he felt so weary and faint from fatigue and hunger, that he threw himself down on the steps of a doorway, and resting his head on this hard pillow, slept soundly until morning. Not knowing what to do, he walked on further, and looking about him, his eye fell on a strange-look^ ing knocker on the door of a large house, just like th^ face of a black monkey grinning. He could not help grinning too, and then he began to think there could be no great harm if he lifted the knockei and waited to see who should appear. Now, the house stood in a busy part of London, and belonged to a worthy merchant of the name of Fitzwarren, who had a daughter called Alice, of about the same nge as Dick. It was the cook, a sour-looking, ilU tampered woman, who opened the door. When she saw it was a poor, ill-dressed, country lad who had ilisturbed her at breakfast, she began to abuse him roughly and to order him away. Luckily for Dick, Mr Fitzwarren, who was a kind, polite gentleman, came up to the door at this moment, and listened carefully to the poor lad*s story ; and so much struck S£GOND BOOK OF BEADING LUSSONS. 221 was he with his truthful aspect and simple languao^e that he kindly ordered Dick to be taken into the house and cared for, until he should be able to get his living in some decent way. Alice, the merchant's daughter, who had over- heard all this, and well knowing tlie unfeeling nature of the cook, did all she could to save Dick from the cook's ill will and harsh treatment. Her own kind- ness of heart made her feel for the distress of tlie ipoor orphan boy, and she tried her best to make her parents take some interest in his welfare. She suc- ceeded so far, that they agreed Dick should remain in the house if he could make himself useful by assisting the cook, and in other ways. This, how- evei was not a very easy matter, for the cook never liked the boy from the first, and did all she could to spite him. Amongst her other acts of cruelty, she itrade him sleep on a wretched hard bed placed in an old loft, sadly infested with rats and mice. Dick dared not to complain ; and besides, he did not 1 ke to make mischief ; so he bore with his trouble as long as he could, and resolved at length, whei' he should have money enough, to buy himself a cat. Now, it happened that, within a very few days from this, a poor woman, passing by the door while he was cleaning it, offered to sell him a cat, and when she heard his story, let him have it for a penny. .Dick took his prize up to his loft, and there kept II 222 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. pussy in an old wicker basket, with a cover to it« t% be out of the cook's sight, as he feared she would do the cat a mischief if she found her straying about. Now and then he would take pucsy with him when he went out or errands, so that they soon became great friends. Not only was pussy a capital mouser, and very soon got rid of his nightly visitors, the rats and mice, but she was very clevex* and quick in learning many diverting tricks that her master tried to make her perform. One day when Dick was amusing himself with her antics, he was sur- prised by his young mistress, Alice, who became afterwards almost as fond of the cat as Dick was himself. This young lady always remained the poor lad's friend, and this cheered him up under the barbarous usage he received from the cook, who sometimes beat him severely. Alice was not beautiful in per- son, but what was of greater real value to her, she was truly amiable in temper, and had the most pleasing manners. It was no wonder, then, that Whittington, smarting under the ill treatment of the coarse cookmaid, should regard his kind young mistress as nothing less than an angel; whilst the modesty of the youth, his correct conduct, his re- spectful bearing, and his love of truth interested Alice so much in his behalf, that she persuaded her father to let one of the young meii teach him to write, for he could already read very well ; and tfa« 81C0ND BOOK Olf RBADIKQ LESSONS. 223 progress he made in this, and in acquiring further faiowledge, was a matter of surprise to all. Mr Eitzwarren, as we have said^ was a merchant ; And it was his custom, whenever one of his ships went out, to call his family and servants around him, and ask them all in turn to make a little venture, according to their wishes or power, under the special charge of the captain. Poor Whittington was the only one absent when this next happened ; he, poor fellow, felt ashamed that he possessed nothing of value to send as his venture. But he was called for, and told that he must produce some- thing — ^no matter what — to try his luck. The poor }routh then burst into tears, from very vexation and shame, when his kind friend Alice whispered in his tar, " Send your cat, Dick ; " and forthwith he was iiKrdered to take Pussy, his faithful friend and com- panion, on board, and place her in the hands of the captain. His young mistress, however, took good eare to make the mouser's good qualities known to the captain, so that he might make the most of her for Dick's benefit. After the loss of his cat Dick felt rather sorrow^ bal, and this was not made less bv the taunts and jeers of his old enemy, the cook, who used to tease bim constantly about his '' fine venture,'' and the great fortune he was to make by it. Poor fellow I she led him a wretched life; and as bis young mistress, besides,^ was soon after absent from home 224 BBOOND BOOK OF RBADINO LBSdONS. on a visit, he lost heart entirely, and could no longei he&T to li?e in the same house with his tormentor. In this gloomy state of mind, he resolved to quit Mr Fitswarren's house, and he started off one morn- ing very early, unnoticed by any one, and wandered some distance out of town. Tired and wretched, he flung himself upon a large stone by the roadside, which, from his having rested himself upon it, is called Whittington*s Stone to this day. He presently sank into a sort of doce, from which he was roused by the sound of Bow Bells, that began to ring a peal, as it was All-so\ils* day. As he listened to them, he fancied he could make out the following words, addressed to himself, and the more he listened, the plainer the bells seemed to chant them to his ear : " Turn again, Whittington, Lord Mayor of London." A new spirit of hope was awakened within him, as he kept repeating these words after the bells, for they inspired him with great thoughts. So dis* tinctly did they appear to be addressed to him, that he was resolved to bear any hardships rather than cheek his way to fortune by idle repining. So he made the best of his way home again, and, late in the morning as it was, he luckily got into the house without his absence having been noticed. Like a brave-hearted boy, he exerted himself now more than ever to make himself useful above all to his 8K00ND BOOK OF READIKO L£8SOK8. 226 irorihy master and his kind young mistress, and he mcceeded beyond his hopes ; almost everybody saw tfiat he was desirous to do his duty, and to excel in Ul he tried to do. Alice was more and n^ore satis- fied with his conduct, and heard with pleasure of the great progress he was making in his studies. But the cook continued as surly as ever, although ihe must have seen he no longer minded her ill- temper as he used to do. While matters were thus going on tit home, Mr Fitzwarren's ship, the Unicorn, was slowly pursu- ing her voyage to a distant part of Africa. In those days the art of sailing was but little known, aid much greater dangers were incurr through igno* ranee in steering vessels than ^g now the case. The Unicorn was unlucky enough to meet with much foul weather, and waa go tossed about that she lost ber latitude; but what was worse, owing to her being so lonq; away from any port, her provisions were nearly all gone, and every one on board began to despair of their eve? returning to England. It was wonderful that, all through this dreadful period of suffering, Whittington's cat should have been kept alive and we)i; but so it was, and this no doubt was owiiiig to the great care taken of her by the captain himself, who had not forgotten the interest Alic() had expressed to him about the cat. Not only waa pussy by this means kept alive, but ^e contrived to bring up a little family of kittens 226 SECOND BOOK Oif READING LESSONS. th^ she had during the voyage ; their fumy tricka greatly diverted the sailors, and helped to keep them in good humor when they began to feel dis« contented. At length, when the last biscuit had been eaten^ and nothing but death seemed to be in store for the poor sailors, they were rejoiced to find that their prayers to Heaven for aid had been heard : for when day broke, land was seen. This proved to be a kingdom on the African coast, abounding with wealth. The people who lived there were black, but they were kind, and much pleased to be visited by the ships of white men, for the cruel slave-trade had not then been heard of among them. The king, as soon as he was told of the arrival of the Unicorn, sent some of his great men to invite the captain and a few of his companions to visit his • court, and to have the honor of dining with him and his queen. A grand dinner, in the fashion of the country^ was provided for the occasion ; and great good humor prevailed until the dishes were placed on the table, when the white visitors were astonished at the appearance of rats anct mice in vast numbers, which came from their hiding-places, and devoured nearly all the viands in a very short time. The king and queen seemed to regard this as no tmcom-r mon event, X although they felt a9ham6d it should oocur on this occasion. 8BC0ND BOOK OF READING LESSONfl. 227 When the captain found, on making inquiry, that there was no such animal as a cat known in the country, he all at once thought of asking leave to introduce Whittington's cat at court, feeling con* vinced that pussy would soon get rid of the abom- i))able rats and mice that infested it. The royal pair and the whole court listened to the captain's account of the cat's good qualities as a mouser with wonder and delight, and were^eager to see her talents put to ^.he proof. Puss was taken ashore in her wicker basket, and a fresh repast having been prepared, which, on being served up, was about to be attacked in a similar way to the previous one, when she sprung in a moment among the crowd of rats and mice, killing several, and putting the rest to flight in less than the space of a minute. Nothing could exceed the joy caused by this event. The king and queen and all their people knew not how to make enough of pussy, and they became more and more fond of her when they found how gentle and playful she could be with them, although so fierce in battling with rats and mice. As might be expected, the captain was much pressed to leave this valuable cat with his black friends, and he, thinking that they would no doubt make a right royal return for so precious a gift, readily acceded to the request. The queen's attachment to puss seemed to know no bounds, and she felt great alarm lest any accident should befall her, fearing that, in 228 SECOND s. that case, the odious rats and mice would retan more savage than ever. The captain comforted her greatly, however, by telling her that pussy had a young family of kittens on board, which should also be duly presented at court. Now the queen had a tender heart, and when sh( liad heard from the captain all the particulars ol Whittington's story, and of the poor lad's great regret at parting with his cat, she felt quite loath to deprive him of his favorite ; the more so that pussy's kittens were found to be quite able to frighten away the rats and mice. So the cat was replaced in 'her wicker basket and taken on boara again. The gratitude of the king and queen for the SHOOKD BOOK OF READING LESSOKS. 229 mportant services rendered by pussy and her family WAS showp ' / the rich treasures they sent to Whit- tington, as the owner of the wonderful cat. The captain, having at last completed his business, and got ready his ship as well as he could, took leave of his African friends, and set sail for England ; and after a very long absence, during which Mr Fitzwarren had given up the ship for lost, she safely arrived in the port of London. When the captain called upon the merchant, the latter was iuuch affected at again seeing so valued a friend restored to him, whom he regarded as lost The ladies also, who were present, wept for joy, and were very curious to hear of the perils encountered and the strange sights witnessed by the captain. Alice, in particular, wanted to know without delay what had befallen Dick's cat, and what was the success of his venture. When the captain had explained all that bad happened, he addf^d that Whittington ought to be told of the result of his venture very carefully, otherwise his good luck might make him lose his wits. But Mr Fitzwarren would hear of no delay, and had him sent for at once. Poor Dick at that moment had just been basted by the cook with a ladle of dripping, and was^ quite ashamed to appear in such a plight before company. But all his woes were soon forgotten when the worthy merchant told him of his good fortune, and »'lded that it was a just reward granted by Heaven tiO ^COND BOOR OF BEADING LESSONa for his patience under hard trials, and for his good conduot and industry. When the boxes and bales oontaining the treasures given by the African king and queen to the owner of the cat, and marked out- side with a large W, were displayed before the aston- ished youth, he burst into tears, and implored his master to take all, if he would but continue to be his friend. But the merchant would touch none of it, declaring it to belong to Whittington, and to him alone. Before the captain took his leave, he said to Dick playfully. "I have another present for you from the African queen," and calling to a sailor \te-> lowj ordered him to bring up the wicker-basket out of which leaped Mrs Puss, to the great joy of her former master ; and right happy was she to see him again, purring round him, and rubbing her head against his face when he took her up in his arms. For the rest of her days she continued to live with her grateful master. Dick made a liberal and proper use of his wealth, rewarding all who had been in any way kind to him ; nor did he even omit his old enemy, the cook, when bestowing his bounty, although she could never after look at him full in the face, from a sense of shame. Mr Fitzwarren constantly refused Whit- tington's earnest wishes that he would accept at least some of his great wealthy but he agreed to become his guardian and the manager of his property until he should be of age. . Under his prudent SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 281 •ounsel, Whittington grew up to be a thiiving mtr- chant, and a wise and good citizen. With all his success, he never lost his old modesty of bearing, and deeply as he lored Alice, he for a long time delayed to make his secret known to her father, lest he should be thought ungratful; but the kind merchant ha