GIFT OF 
 Dr. Horace Ivie 
 
 1 
 
 EDUCATION DEPT 
 
 
NOETHEND'S 
 
 SEBIESL 
 

 THE 
 
 OK 
 
 PRIMARY SCHOOL 
 
 SPEAKER. 
 
 BY CHARLES NORTHEND, A.M. 
 
 AUTHOR OF "TEACHER AND PARENT," "TEACHER'S ASSISTANT," F.TC. 
 
 NEW YOKE: 
 PUBLISHED BY A. S. BARNES & BURR, 
 
 51 & 53 JOHN-STREET. 
 1865. 
 
GFFTOP 
 
 Wf(lin^t<> Act of Congress, in the year 1859, 
 BY A. 8. BARNES & BURK, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, 
 for the Southern District of New York. 
 
 EDUCATION DEFT 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 WITHIN the last few years, increased atten- 
 tion has been given to the "speaking of 
 pieces," in our public schools. The practice 
 is a very important one; and, if rightly 
 attended to, will produce very satisfactory 
 results. 
 
 The recitation of pieces, or declamations, 
 should receive attention at an early period. 
 Pupils in our primary and intermediate 
 schools may engage in such exercises with 
 profit and pleasure. 
 
 In the preparation of this little book, it 
 has been the compiler's aim to select such 
 pieces as shall be adapted to the capacities of 
 children under twelve years of age, and at 
 
 9^4215 
 
VI * INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the same time to have the matter such as will 
 make proper moral impressions. 
 
 It is commended to the kind attention 
 of the teachers of our primary and inter- 
 mediate schools, with the earnest hope that 
 it may tend to increase the happiness and 
 usefulness of the little folks, for whose use 
 it has been prepared. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 PART I 
 
 PAC 
 
 .-POETRY. 
 
 E. PAC 
 
 5 THE MOUNTAIN AWD THU SQUIRREL, 
 
 X. 
 
 43 
 44 
 45 
 48 
 47 
 48 
 49 
 51 
 
 53 
 
 54 
 55 
 56 
 57 
 58 
 59 
 60 
 61 
 62 
 63 
 64 
 65 
 66 
 67 
 68 
 71 
 71 
 74 
 75 
 78 
 77 
 78 
 78 
 79 
 81 
 8Q 
 83 
 
 
 
 10 LI LEH SANDMAN 
 
 
 
 
 
 THK TRAP AND MOUSE, .... 
 
 
 
 THE BOY WHO TOLD A UK, . . 
 THE BOY WHO NEVER TOLD A LIB, 
 GBNERAL WASHINGTON, 
 
 15 WHY YIELD TO GRIEF, 
 
 16 A THOUGHTLESS MAW, 
 16 WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BK, . . 
 
 TEMPERANCE SONG, 
 
 18 RULES OF SCHOOL, 
 
 
 20 KEEP TO THE RIGHT, 
 
 THE HAPPY SCHOOL-BOY, . . 
 THE WARNING BELL, 
 THE BLUE-BIRD AND LITTLE BOY, 
 OUR NATIVE LAND, 
 
 22 A LESSON OF LOVE, 
 
 24 LINES FOR AN EXHIBITION, . . . 
 
 J ' 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 THE MINUTES, 
 
 32 A LAY FROM MY POULTRY YARD, . 
 33 BE FIRM, 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 LITTLE WILLIE AND THJB APPLE, . 
 
 36 THE GIANT 
 
 
 
 LITTLE BT LITTLE, 
 
 40 THE ROOK AND THK LARK, ... 
 
 TltE YOUNG ORATOR, . ... 
 
 42 VACATION, 
 
viii CONTENTS. 
 
 PART 
 
 PJ 
 OUR PARENTS, 
 
 II.-PROSE 
 
 IGE. 
 
 85 THE BAD SCHOLAR, . . . 
 86 THE GOOD SCHOLAR,. . . . 
 87 THE DISOBEDIENT KITTEN, . . 
 
 PAGB. 
 
 . 101 
 . . 102 
 . 103 
 
 LITTLE BY LITTLE, ....... 
 
 
 90 LESSONS TAUGHT BY A SHELL, 
 
 . 105 
 . . 107 
 
 
 
 93 SPRING ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TRY, 
 
 
 
 PART III 
 
 PA 
 
 -DIALOGUES. 
 
 GE. 
 113 DON'T BE QUARRELSOME, . . 
 114 O.V DECEPTION, 
 
 PAGE. 
 . 141 
 . . 143 
 . 144 
 
 THE CHILD AND THE RILL., . . . 
 
 
 118 ON SCHOOI, 
 
 . . 146 
 
 . H8 
 
 
 
 . . 149 
 
 T ' 
 
 
 . . 153 
 
 HE RAGGED GIRL S .U. DAY, . . 
 
 1 DC KD TION, . 
 
 
 
 
 SCHOOL DIALOGUE} 
 
 1'26 THE LITTLE PHILOSOPHER, . . 
 
 . 158 
 . . 162 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 QUESTIONS ANSWERED, .... 
 
 
 . . 165 
 
 
 . 167 
 . . 170 
 . 172 
 
 THE GOLDEN RULE, . . . 
 
 134 WHICH DID THE BEST, . . . 
 
 
 
 
 A NEW TIPPET'S WORTH, .... 
 
 140 CLOSE OF SCHOOL, .... 
 
 . 176 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR, 
 
 PAET I. POETRY. 
 MAKE YOUR MARK. 
 
 IN the quarries should you toil, 
 
 Make your mark; 
 Do you delve upon the soil ? 
 
 Make your mark; 
 In whatever path you go, 
 
 In whatever place you stand, 
 Moving swift or moving slow, 
 With" a firm and honest hand, 
 Make your mark. 
 
 Life is fleeting as a shade ; 
 
 Make your mark; 
 Marks cf some kind must be made, 
 
 Make your mark; 
 Make it while your heart is strong, 
 
 In the golden hours of youth ; 
 Never, never make it wrong ; 
 Make it with the stamp of truth 
 Make your mark. 
 
10 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 , TOO LATE. 
 
 Too late to rise, too late for school, 
 Too late to keep by each good rule, 
 The sluggard soon becomes a fool : 
 Oh ! never be " too late. 11 
 
 Oh ! use the precious hours to-day, 
 To gather knowledge while you may, 
 For quickly hasteth Time away : 
 Then never be " too late." 
 
 And, grateful to your parents be, 
 For tenderly they've cared for thee ; 
 And soon on earth you may them see, 
 No more and mourn " too late." 
 
 And, to thy suffering brother-man 
 Give aid and comfort, while you can, 
 Aye, like the good Samaritan, 
 Ere yet it be "too late." 
 
 To all Death hasteth on apace, 
 Then seek thy heavenly Father's face, 
 Through life to guide thee by His grace- 
 Ere yet it be u too late." 
 

 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 11 
 
 A CHILD MAY BE USEFUL. 
 
 I MAY, if I have but a mind, 
 
 Do good in many ways. 
 Plenty to do the young may find, 
 
 In these our busy days. 
 Sad would it be, though young and small, 
 If I were of no use at all. 
 
 One gentle word, that I may speak, 
 
 Or one kind, loving deed, 
 May, though a trifle poor and weak, 
 
 Prove like a tiny seed ; 
 And who can tell what good may spring 
 From such a very little thing? 
 
 Then let me try, each day and hour, 
 
 To act upon this little plan, 
 What little good is in my power, 
 
 To do it while I can. 
 If to be useful thus I try, 
 I may do better by and by. 
 
 DOING RIGHT. 
 
 0, THAT it were my chief delight 
 To do the things I ought; 
 
 Then let me try, with all my might, 
 To mind what I am taught. 
 
12 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Wherever I am bid to go, 
 
 I'll cheerfully obey, 
 Nor will I mind it much, although 
 
 I leave some pretty play. 
 
 When I am bid, I'll freely bring 
 
 Whatever I have got, 
 And never touch a pretty thing, 
 
 If mother tells me not. 
 
 When she permits me, I may tell 
 
 About my little toys ; 
 But if she's busy, or unwell, 
 
 I must not make a noise. 
 
 And, when I learn my hymns to say, 
 And work, and read, and spell, 
 
 I will not think about my play, 
 But try to do it well. 
 
 For God looks down from heaven on high, 
 
 Our actions to behold, 
 And he is pleased when children try 
 
 To do as they are told. 
 
 THE TRAP AND THE YOUNG MOUSE. 
 
 IN a crack, near the cupboard, with dainties provided, 
 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 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 13 
 
 But one day the young mouse, who was given to roam, 
 Having made an excursion some way from her home, 
 On a sudden return'd with such joy in her eyes 
 That her grave, sedate parent expressed some surprise. 
 
 "Oh, 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 wood, 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. 
 
 " And then they have made such nice holes in the wall, 
 One could slip in and out with no trouble at all ; 
 But forcing one through such rough crannies as these 
 Always gives one's perceptions a terrible squeeze. 
 
 " But the best of all is, they've provided us well 
 With a large piece of cheese of most exquisite smell ; 
 'T\vas so nice I had put in my head to go through, 
 When I thought it my duty to come and get you." 
 
 "Ah, child," said the mother ," believe, I entreat, 
 Both the cage and the cheese are a terrible cheat : 
 Do not think all that trouble they take for our good : 
 They woull catch us, and kill us all there, if they could, 
 
14 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 u As they've caught and kill'd scores; and I never 
 
 could learn 
 
 That a mouse who once enter'd did ever return !" 
 Let the young people mind what the old people say, 
 And when danger is near them keep out of the way. 
 
 WHAT I LIVE FOR. 
 
 FM not made for idle play, 
 Like the butterfly, all day ; 
 Shameful would it be to grow 
 Like a dunce, and nothing know : 
 I must learn to read, and look 
 Often in God's holy book. 
 
 Busy I must be, and do 
 "What is right and useful too ; 
 What my parents, fond and kind, 
 Bid me, I will gladly mind ; 
 Never cause them grief and pain, 
 Nor will I disobey again. 
 
 But to God I still will pray, 
 " Take my wicked heart away ; w 
 He from sin can make me free, 
 For the Saviour died for me. 
 0, how happy, life-to spend, 
 With the Saviour for my friend. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 15 
 
 THE BOY WHO TCLD A HE. 
 
 THE mother looked pale, and her face was sad, 
 She seemed to have nothing to make her glad ; 
 She silently sat, with the tears in her eye, 
 For her dear little boy had told a lie. 
 
 He was a gentle, affectionate child, 
 His ways were winning, his temper was mild j 
 There was love and joy in his soft blue eye, 
 But the dear little boy had told a lie. 
 
 He stood alone by the window within, 
 For he felt that his soul was stained with sin ; 
 And his mother could hear him sob and cry,. 
 Because he had told her that wicked lie. 
 
 Then he came and stood by his mother's side, 
 And asked for a kiss, which she denied ; 
 While he promised, with many a penitent sigh, 
 That he never would tell another lie. 
 
 So she bade him before her kneel gently down, 
 And took his soft hands within her own ; 
 And she kissed his cheek, as he looked on high 
 And prayed to be pardoned for telling that lie. 
 
1C) THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 THE BOY WHO NEVER TOLD A LIE. 
 
 ONCE there was 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 children all about would cry, 
 
 " There goes the curly-headed, boy 
 The boy that never tells a lie." 
 
 And every body loved him so, 
 Because he always told the truth, 
 
 That every day, as he grew up, 
 
 'Twas said, " There goes the honest youth." 
 
 And when the people that stood near 
 Would turn to ask the reason why, 
 
 The answer would be always this: 
 u Because he never tells a lie." 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 WHEN General Washington was young, 
 
 About as big as T, 
 He never would permit his tongue 
 
 To tell a willful lie.' 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 1*7 
 
 Once, when he cut his father's tree, 
 
 He owned it to his face ; 
 And then his father ardently 
 
 Clasped him in his embrace. 
 
 He told his son it pleased him more 
 To find him own the truth, 
 
 Than if his tree were bending o'er 
 With rich and golden fruit. 
 
 Then, like this good and noble youth, 
 Whose virtues ever shone, 
 
 Fll seek the paths of love and truth, 
 And all my faults will own. 
 
 I'LL NEVER USE TOBACCO. 
 
 " I'LL never use tobacco, no, 
 
 It is a filthy weed ; 
 I'll never put it in my mouth," 
 Said little Robert Reid. 
 
 " Why, there was idle Jerry Jones, 
 
 As dirty as a pig, 
 
 Who smoked when only ten years old, 
 And thought it made him big. 
 
 " He'd puff along the open street, 
 
 As if he had no shame ; 
 He'd sit beside the tavern -door, 
 And there he'd do the same. 
 
18 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 " He spent his time, and money too, 
 
 And made his mother sad ; 
 She feared a worthless man would come 
 From such a worthless lad. 
 
 Oh, no, I'll never smoke or chew, 
 
 'Tis very wrong indeed ; 
 It hurts the health, it makes bad breath," 
 
 Said little Robert Reid. 
 
 TEMPERANCE SONG. 
 
 I ASKED a sweet robin, one morning in May, 
 Who sung in the apple-tree over the way, 
 What 'twas she was singing so sweetly about, 
 For I'd tried a long time, but could not find out : 
 "Why, I'm sure," she replied, "you can not guess 
 
 wrong ; 
 Don't you know I am singing a temperance song ? 
 
 " Teetotal 0, that's the first word of my lay ; 
 And then don't you see how I twitter away ? 
 Tis because I've just dipped my beak in the spring, 
 And brushed the fair face of the lake with my wing. 
 Cold water ! cold water ! yes, that is my song ; 
 And I love to keep singing it all the day long. 
 
 " And now, my sweet mi?, won't you give me a crumb ; 
 For the dear little nestlings are waiting at home ? 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 19 
 
 And one thing besides ; since my story youVe heard, 
 I hope you 1 !! remember the lay of the bird ; 
 And never forget, while you list to my song, 
 All the birds to the cold-water army belong. 
 
 WHAT I HATE. 
 
 I HATE to see a little girl 
 That does not love to rise, 
 
 And have the water, fresh and sweet> 
 Cover her face and eyes. 
 
 I hate to see her pretty dress 
 So careless, look and tossed, 
 
 Her toys all scattered here and there, 
 Her thread and needle lost 
 
 I hate to see her, at her play 
 When little girls have met 
 
 To frolic, laugh, and run about 
 Grow peevish, cry, and fret 
 
 I hate to hear her tell a lie 
 What's not her own to take ; 
 
 Mamma's commands to disobey 
 And father's rules to break. 
 
 And now I've told you what I hate, 
 
 Til only stop to say, 
 Perhaps Til tell you what I love, 
 
 Upon some other day. 
 
20 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Y-'HAT I LOVK 
 
 I LOVE to see a little girl 
 
 Rise with the lark so bright ; 
 Bathe, comb, and dress with cheerful face, 
 
 Then thank the God of light. 
 
 And, when she comes to meet mamma, 
 
 So fresh, and neat, and clean, 
 And asks a kiss from dear papa, 
 
 With such a modest mien, 
 
 That all who see her gentle look, 
 
 And pretty actions too, 
 "Will feel that she's a darling child 
 
 Kind, honest, loving, true. 
 
 These are the things I so much like ; 
 
 And now, who'll try to be 
 The meek and modest little girl 
 
 Which you before you see ? 
 
 THE HAPPY SCHOOL-BOY. 
 
 I AM a happy school-boy, for daily I am blest ; 
 I like to go to school, my boys, and try to do my best ; 
 It is a pleasing task for mo, to learn to read and spell ; 
 A world of pleasure it affords, to say my lessons well. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 21 
 
 How smiling then my teacher looks, to hear me thus 
 
 recite, 
 He fondly takes me by the hand, and says, " My boy, 
 
 that's right:" 
 My heart it swells with conscious pride, that I hare 
 
 done so well ; 
 "Who would not be a school-boy, and labor to excel ? 
 
 How pleasantly my school-days pass, while thus I am 
 employed ; 
 
 My useful spirits buoyed with hope my heart is over- 
 joyed ; 
 
 But well I know these pleasant hours with me will soon 
 be passed, 
 
 For riper years, with worldly cares, are hastening on 
 quite fast. 
 
 My labor now is not in vain, for often I am told, 
 That education is, by far, more valuable than gold : 
 Then I'll improve these precious hours, and give the 
 
 strictest heed, 
 That, when I'm grown to be a man, I'll be a man indeed. 
 
 So I'm resolved to be a man I will not be a fool ; 
 Then on with caps and mittens, boys, and haste away 
 
 to school ; 
 To school ! to school ! be lively boys, we have no time 
 
 to lose ; 
 And every day we'll wiser grow what better can we 
 
 choose ? 
 
22 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 'THE WARNING BELL." 
 
 IN every youthful breast doth dwell 
 
 A little tingling, jingling bell, 
 
 Which rings if we do ill or well ; 
 
 And when we put bad thoughts to flight, 
 
 And choose to do the good and right, 
 
 It sings a paean of delight 
 
 But, if we choose to do the wrong, 
 
 And 'gainst the weak strive with the strorg, 
 
 It tolls a solemn, saddened song. 
 
 And should we, on some darksome day, 
 
 When hope lights not the cheerless way, 
 
 Far from the path of duty stray, 
 
 'Twill, with its tones serene and clear, 
 
 Of warning in the spirit's ear, 
 
 Our slow returning foo-tsteps cheer; 
 
 And always in the worldly mart, 
 
 With its sweet song it cheers each heart, 
 
 To do with energy their part. 
 
 Then let us strive, with main and might, 
 
 To shun the wrong and do the right, 
 
 And the bell's warning song ne'er slight 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 23 
 
 THE BLUE-BIRD AND KTTLE BOY. 
 
 WHAT do you say to God, little bird, 
 When you sing your evening hymn, 
 
 When you see the red sun sink in the west, 
 And my little eyes grow dim ? 
 
 I thank Him for all my fine, fat worms, 
 
 For my beetles, large and rare, 
 And I pray that He may never cease 
 
 To make little birds his care. 
 
 What do you say to God, little bird, 
 When the April showers come down, 
 
 When the south wind moans among the trees, 
 And the stormy heavens frown ? 
 
 I thank him for drink, and for feathers warm, 
 
 And I smooth my ruffled coat, 
 And I'm glad I've wings to cut the air, 
 
 When the earth is all afloat. 
 
 But what do you say all this time, little bird ? 
 
 For your voice is never still ; 
 And in forest and meadow I never miss 
 
 The sound of your happy trill. 
 
 I can never sing enough, little boy, 
 When my little ones break their shell, 
 
 And my tired mate chirps with joy to see 
 Her nurslings all hearty and well. 
 
24 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 I can never sing enough, little boy, 
 
 I was only made to sing ; 
 As I can not work, I'll make the aisles 
 
 Of the grand old forest ring. 
 
 But better far is the music of deeds, 
 Thinks the Father that dwelleth above ; 
 
 And, while he provides for your hourly needs, 
 Go, labor and win his dear love. 
 
 Every heart that you lighten shall be, little boy, 
 Far gladder than my morning song, 
 
 All the lips that you tune to a moment's content, 
 In the choirs of angels belong. 
 
 OUR NATIVE LAND. 
 
 WE come, a youthful, happy band, 
 
 Rejoicing in our native land; 
 
 A rich inheritance we claim, 
 
 Our fathers' deeds, our fathers' fame. 
 
 In other lands, we read in story, 
 Are kings, and thrones ; but 'tis our glory 
 That we are free no tyrant's frown 
 We fear no man who wears a crown ! 
 
 In freedom's cause we'll bravely dare 
 To climb the steeps of fame, and share 
 A nation's love a priceless gem 
 Who wins it wants no diadem ! 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 25 
 
 ALWAYS LEARNING. 
 
 WASTE not your precious hours in play, 
 Nought can recall life's morning : 
 Good seed now sown will cheer your way ; 
 The wise are always learning ! 
 
 Nor think, when all school-days are o'er, 
 You've bid adieu to " learning ; " 
 Life's deepest lessons are in store, 
 The meek are always learning. 
 
 When, strong in hope, you first launch forth, 
 
 A name intent on earning, 
 
 Scorn not the voice of age or worth, 
 
 The great are always learning. 
 
 right and wrong within you strive, 
 And passions fierce contending, 
 Oh, then you'll know how, while they live, 
 The good are always learning. 
 
 DON'T KILL THE BIRDS. 
 
 DON'T kill the birds the little birds 
 That sing about your door, 
 Soon as the joyous Spring has come, 
 And chilling storms are o'er. 
 _ 
 
26 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 The little birds how sweet they sing, 
 Oh, let them joyous live, 
 And do not seek to take their life, 
 Which you can never give. 
 
 Don't kill the birds the pretty birds 
 That play among the trees ; 
 'Twould make the earth a cheerless place, 
 To see no more of these. 
 
 The little birds how fond they play ; 
 Do not disturb their sport, 
 But let them warble forth their songs, 
 Till winter cuts them short. 
 
 MUTUAL ASSISTANCE. 
 
 A MAN very lame 
 
 Was a little to blame 
 
 To stray for from his humble abode ; 
 
 Hot, thirsty, bemircd, 
 
 And heartily tired, 
 
 He laid himself down in the road. 
 
 While thus he reclined, 
 
 A man who was blind 
 
 Came by, and entreated his aid ; 
 
 " Deprived of my sight, 
 
 Unassisted to night, 
 
 I shall not reach home, I'm afraid." 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 27 
 
 a Intelligence give 
 
 Of the place where you live," 
 
 Said the cripple, "perhaps I may know it; 
 
 In my road it may be, 
 
 And if you'll carry me, 
 
 It will give me much pleasure to show it, 
 
 " Great strength you have got, 
 
 Which, alas ! I have not, 
 
 In my legs so fatigued every nerve is ; 
 
 For the use of your back, 
 
 For the eyes which you lack, 
 
 My pair shall be at your service.*' 
 
 Said the other poor man : 
 
 " What an excellent plan ! 
 
 Pray get on my shoulders, good brother ; 
 
 I see all mankind, 
 
 If they are but inclined, 
 
 May constantly help one another." 
 
 THE BLIND- BOY. 
 
 JUST at an aged birch tree's foot, 
 A little boy and girl reclined ; 
 His hand in hers he kindly put 
 And thon I saw the boy was blind. 
 
28 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 u Dear Mary," said the poor blind boy, 
 "That little bird sings very 1 mg ; 
 Say, do you see him in his joy, . 
 And is lie pretty as his song ? " 
 
 " Yes, Edward, yes," replied the maid, 
 " I see the bird on yonder tree ; " 
 The poor boy sighed, and gently said, 
 " Sister, I wish that I could see." 
 
 "The flowers you say are very fair, 
 And bright green leaves are on the trees, 
 And pretty birds are singing there 
 How beautiful for one who sees ! 
 
 " Yet I the fragrant flower can smell, 
 And I can feel the green leaf's shade, 
 And I can hear the notes that swell 
 From those dear birds that God has made. 
 
 " So, sister, God to me is kind, 
 Though sight, alas ! He has not given ; 
 ; But tell me, are there any Hind, 
 Among the children up in heaven ? " 
 
 "No, dearest Edward ; there all see; 
 But wherefore ask a thing so odd V 7> 
 u 0, Mary, He's so good to me, 
 I thought I'd like to look at God." 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 29 
 
 WHO STOLE THE BIRD'S 1 JEST? 
 
 To whit! to whit! to wheel 
 Will you listen to me ? 
 Who stole four eggs I laid, 
 And the nice nest I made ? 
 
 Bob-a-link ! Bob-a-link ! 
 Now what do you think ? 
 Who stole a nest away 
 From the plum-tree to-day ? 
 
 Not T, said the cow, moo-oo ! 
 
 Such a thing I'd never do ; 
 
 I gave you a whisp of hay, 
 
 And did not take your nest away ; 
 
 Not I, said the cow,, moo-oo ! 
 
 Such a thing I'd never do. 
 
 Not I, said the dog, bow-wow ! 
 I wouldn't be so mean, I trow ; 
 I gave the hairs the nest to make, 
 But the nest I didn't take. 
 
 Not I, said the sheep ; 0, no, 
 I wouldn't treat a bird so ; 
 I gave the wool the nest to line, 
 But the nest was none of mine. 
 Baa, baa! said the sheep ; 0, no, 
 I wouldn't treat a poor bird so. 
 
 3* 
 
30 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Cluck, cluck, said the hen, 
 Don't ask me again. 
 Why, I havn't a chick 
 Would do such a trick. 
 We all gave her a feather, 
 And she wove them together : 
 I'd scorn to intrude 
 On her and her brood. 
 
 Chirr-a- whirr ! Chirr-a- whirr ; 
 We'll make a great stir ! 
 Let us find out his name, 
 And all cry for shame. 
 
 I would not rob a bird, 
 Said little Mary Green; 
 I think I never heard 
 Of any thing so mean. 
 
 J Tis very cruel, too, 
 
 Said little Alice Neal ; 
 
 I wonder if he knew 
 
 How bad the bird would feel ? 
 
 A little boy hung down his head, 
 And went and hid behind the bed ; 
 For he stole that pretty nest 
 From poor little yellow-breast ; 
 And he felt so full of shame, 
 He didn't like to tell his name. 
 
THE LITTLE CRATOR. 31 
 
 A TIM FOB ALL THINGS. 
 
 THERE is a time to eat and drink, 
 
 As every body knows ; 
 A time to talk, a time to think, 
 
 To labor, and repose. 
 
 There is a time to laugh and play, 
 Our work and studies done ; 
 
 A time to put our books away, 
 And join in sport and fun. 
 
 The time for these full well we know 
 
 And seldom then forget ; 
 But we have other things to do, 
 
 Of more importance yet. 
 
 For there's a time to think on God, 
 
 And holiness, and sin ; 
 A time to seek the heavenly road, 
 
 And search our hearts within. 
 
 There is a time to seek the Lord, 
 And serve him while we're young ; 
 
 A time to read his holy Word, 
 And praise him with a song. 
 
32 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 There is a time to watch, and pray, 
 And lift our souls to God ; 
 
 A time to wash our sins away ; 
 In Christ's atoning blood. 
 
 Then let us use each hour below, 
 While yet we have the power, 
 
 That we may be prepared to go, 
 Where time shall be no more. 
 
 THE ITCUTES. 
 
 WE are but minutes little things ! 
 Each one furnished with sixty wings, 
 With which we fly on our unseen track, 
 And not a minute ever comes back. 
 
 We are but minutes yet each one bears 
 A little burden of joys or cares. 
 Take patiently the minutes of pain 
 The worst of minutes can not remain. 
 
 We are but minutes when we bring 
 A few of the drops from pleasure's spring, 
 Taste their sweetness while yet we stray- 
 It takes but a minute to fly away. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 33 
 
 We are but minutes use us well 
 For how we are used we must some day tell ; 
 Who uses minutes, has hours to use 
 Who loses minutes, whole years must lose. 
 
 L 
 
 BROTHERLY LOVE 
 
 THE God of heaven is pleased to see 
 That little children all agree ; 
 And will not slight the praise they bring, 
 When loving children join to sing. 
 
 For love and kindness please him more, 
 Than if we gave him all our store ; 
 And children here, who dwell in love, 
 Are like his happy ones above. 
 
 The gentle child, who tries to please, 
 Dislikes to quarrel, fret, and tease ; 
 Who would not say an angry word 
 That child is pleasing to the Lord. 
 
 0, God ! forgive, whenever we 
 Forget thy will, and disagree ; 
 And grant that each of us may find 
 The sweet delight of being kind. 
 
34 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 "GIVE IE THREE GRAINS OF CORN, MOTHER." 1 
 
 GIVE me three grains of cc rn, mother, 
 
 Only three grains of corn ; 
 It will keep the little life I have 
 
 Till the coming of the morn. 
 I am dying of hunger and cold, mother, 
 
 Dying of hunger and cold, 
 And half the agony of such a death 
 
 My lips have never told. 
 
 It has gnawed like a wolf at my heart, mother, 
 
 A wolf that is fierce for blood, 
 All the livelong day, and the night besides, 
 
 Gnawing for lack of food. 
 I dreamed of bread in my sleep, mother, 
 
 And the sight was heaven to see ; 
 I woke with an eager, famishing lip, 
 
 But you had no bread for me. 
 
 How could I look to you, mother, 
 
 How could I look to you, 
 For bread to give to your starving boy, 
 
 When you were starving too? 
 For I read the famine in your cheek, 
 
 And in your eyes so wild ; 
 And I felt it in your bony hand, 
 
 As you laid it on your child. 
 
 * The words of a starving Irish lad to his motfier. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR, 35 
 
 Come nearer to my side, mother, 
 
 Come nearer to my side, 
 And hold me fondly, as you held 
 
 My father, when he died. 
 Quick, for I can not see you, mother ; 
 
 My breath is almost gone. 
 Mother, dear mother, ere I die, 
 
 Give me three grains of corn. 
 
 I LOVE THE BIRDS. 
 
 I LOVE to see the little birds, 
 
 When in the fields I rove; 
 And hear them sing their merry songs, 
 
 When sitting in the grove. 
 
 The little birds are very good ; 
 
 As kind as they can be ; 
 They often come, when I am sad, 
 
 And sweetly sing to me. 
 
 And, when I hear their happy songs, 
 
 My sorrow flies away ; 
 I wish I had a little bird, 
 
 To sing for me all day. 
 
 Though I am but a little child, 
 Quite young, and very small, 
 
 I love the happy, merry birds 
 0, yes, I love them all ! 
 
36 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 IP EYER I SEE. 
 
 IP ever I see, 
 
 On bush or tree, 
 Young birds in their pretty nests; 
 
 I must not, in play, 
 
 Steal the birds away, 
 To grieve their mother's breasi 
 
 My mother, I know, 
 
 "Would sorrow so, 
 Should I be stolen away ; 
 
 So I'll speak to the birds, 
 
 In my softest words, 
 Nor hurt them in my play. 
 
 LITTLE WILLIE AND THE APPLE. 
 
 LITTLE Willie stood under an apple-tree old, 
 The fruit was all shining with crimson and gold, 
 Hanging temptingly low how he longed for a bite, 
 Though he knew if he took one it wouldn't be right 
 
 Said he : "I don't see why my father should say 
 
 * Don't touch the old apple-tree, Willie, to-day ; 7 
 
 I shouldn't have thought now they're hanging so 
 
 low 
 When I asked for just one he should answer me 'No.' 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 3*7 
 
 " He would never find out if I took but just one, 
 And they do look so good, shining out in the sun ; 
 There are hundreds and hundreds, and he wouldn't 
 
 miss 
 So paltry a little red apple as this." 
 
 He stretched forth his hand, but a low, mournful strain 
 
 Came wandering dreamily over his brain ; 
 
 In his bosom a beautiful harp had long laid, 
 
 That the angel of conscience quite frequently played ; 
 
 And he sung : " Little Willie, beware, Oh, beware, 
 Your father has gone, but your Maker is there ; 
 How sad you would feel, if you heard the Lord say : 
 4 This dear little boy stole an apple to-day.' " 
 
 Then Willie turned round, and as still as a mouse 
 Crept slowly and carefully into the house ; 
 In his own little chamber he knelt down to pray 
 That the Lord would forgive him, and please not to say : 
 " Little Willie almost stole an apple to-day." 
 
 "WHAT HAVE I?" 
 
 I HAVE these eyes, these beaming eyes, 
 Which by my God are given, 
 
 To read his message from the skies, 
 And see his face in heaven. 
 
38 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 I have a voice, a pleasant voice, 
 Which by my God is given, 
 
 To praise him here, and to rejoice 
 For evermore in heaven. 
 
 I have these hands, these busy hands, 
 Which by my God are given, 
 
 To do whatever he commands, 
 And strike my harp in heaven. 
 
 I have these feet, these nimble feet, 
 Which by my God are given, 
 
 To tread his paths with footstep fleet, 
 And pace the courts of heaven. ' 
 
 I have a soul, a precious soul, 
 Which by my God is given, 
 
 To know in part, but not in whole, 
 Until it gets to heaven. 
 
 If soul and body thus fulfill 
 
 The ends for which they're given, 
 
 Death parts them here, but soon they will 
 Forever meet in heaven. 
 
 INFLUENCE. 
 
 DROP follows drop, and swells 
 With rain the sweeping river 
 
 Word follows word, and tells 
 A truth that lives forever. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 39 
 
 Flake follows flake, like spirits, 
 Whose wings the winds dissever; 
 
 Thought follows thought, and lights 
 The realm of mind forever. 
 
 Beam follows beam, to cheer 
 
 The cloud the bolt would shiver; 
 
 Throb follows throb, and fear 
 Gives place to joy forever. 
 
 The drop, the flake, the beam, 
 
 Teach us a lesson ever ; 
 The word, the thought, the dream, 
 
 Impress the soul forever. 
 
 WISHES. 
 
 0, THAT mine eye might closed be 
 
 To what becomes me not to see ; 
 
 That deafness might possess mine ear 
 
 To what concerns me not to hear ; 
 
 That truth my tongue might always tie 
 
 From ever speaking foolishly ; 
 
 That no vain thought might ever rest, 
 
 Or be conceived within my breast ; 
 
 That by each word, each deed, each thought, 
 
 Glory may to my God be brought. 
 
 But what are wishes ? Lord, mine eye 
 
 On thee is fixed ; to thee I cry ; 
 
40 THE LITTLE 'ORATOR. 
 
 0, purge out all my dross, my sin, 
 Make me more white than snow within : 
 Wash, Lord, and purify my heart, 
 And make it clean in every part ; 
 And, when 'tis clean, Lord, keep it so 
 For that is more than I can do. 
 
 LITTLE BY LITTLE. 
 
 " LITTLE by little," an acorn said, 
 
 As it slowly sunk in its mossy bed. 
 
 "I am improving every day, 
 
 Hidden deep in the earth away." 
 
 Little by little, each day it grew ; 
 
 Little by little, it sipped the dew ; 
 
 Downward it sent out a thread-like root ; 
 
 Up in the air sprung 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. 
 Rocks upon rocks they are rearing high, 
 Till the top looks out on the sunny sky ; 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 41 
 
 The gentle wind and the balmy air, 
 Little by little, bring verdure there ; 
 Till the summer sunbeams gaily smile 
 On the buds and flowers of the coral isle. 
 
 " Little by little," said a thoughtful boy, 
 41 Moment by moment, I'll 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 well. 7 
 Little by little, I'll 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 do not you think that this simple plan 
 Made him a wise and a useful man ? 
 
 NEATNESS. 
 
 How neatly all the seeds are laid 
 
 Within the ripening pod ! 
 How carefully the cells are made ! 
 This is the work of God. 
 
 The lining is not harsh, nor rough, 
 But soft, or polish'd well ; 
 
 Each little seed has room enough 
 Within its tiny cell 
 
 
42 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 How carefully the sides are closed 
 Against the winds and rain ! 
 
 For, if he left the seeds exposed, 
 They would not grow again. 
 
 There's no disorder any where 
 
 In what my Father does ; 
 He condescends to make with care 
 
 The smallest flower that grows. 
 
 Let children, who would learn, from Him 
 
 Neat habits seek to gain, 
 Or they will waste much precious time, 
 
 And do their work in vain. 
 
 'THE YOUNG ORATOR. 
 
 YOU'D scarce expect one of my age 
 
 To speak in public, on the stage ; 
 
 And, if I chance to fall below 
 
 Demosthenes or Cicero, 
 
 Don't view me with a critic's eye, 
 
 But pass my imperfections by. 
 
 Large streams from little fountains flow ; 
 
 Tall oaks from little acorns grow ; 
 
 And, though I now am small and young, 
 
 Of judgment weak, and feeble tongue, 
 
 Yet all great, learned men, like me, 
 
 Once learned to read their A, B, 0. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 43 
 
 But why may not Columbia's soil 
 
 Rear men as great as Britain's isle 
 
 Exceed what Greece and Rome have done, 
 
 Or any land beneath the sun? 
 
 Mayn't Massachusetts boast as great 
 
 As any other sister state ? 
 
 Or, where's the town, go far and near, 
 
 That does not find a rival here ? 
 
 Or, where's the boy, but three feet high, 
 
 Who's made improvement more than I? 
 
 These thoughts inspire my youthful mind 
 
 To be the greatest of mankind ; 
 
 Great, not like Caesar, stained with blood ; 
 
 But, like Washington, great in good. 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL. 
 
 THE Mountain and the Squirrel 
 
 Had a quarrel, 
 And the former call'd the latter "Little Prig." 
 
 Bun replied 
 
 " You are doubtless very big ; 
 But all sorts of things and weather 
 Must be taken in together, 
 To make up^ a year 
 And a sphere. 
 And I think it no disgrace 
 To occupy my place. 
 If I'm not so huge as you, 
 
44 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 You are not so small as I, 
 And not half so spry. 
 I'll not deny you make 
 A very pretty squirrel- track. 
 Talents differ : all is well and wisely put : 
 If I can not carry forests on my back, 
 Neither can you crack a nut." 
 
 THE CHILD'S PLEA. 
 
 DEAR father, " drink no more," I pray, 
 
 It makes you look so sad ; 
 Come home, and " drink no more," I say, 
 
 'Twill make dear mother glad. 
 
 Dear father, think how sick youVe been, 
 What aches and pains you've had! 
 
 Oh, " drink no more," unless you mean 
 To drive dear mother mad. 
 
 Dear father, think me not unkind, 
 
 When I entreat you so ; 
 Oh, " drink no more," and then you'll find 
 
 A home where'er you go. 
 
 
 Dear father, think of mother's tears, 
 
 How oft and sad they flow ! 
 Oh, " drink no more," then will her fears 
 No longer rack her so. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 45 
 
 Dear father, think what would become 
 
 Of me, were you to die ; 
 Without a father, or a home, 
 
 Or friend, beneath the sky I 
 
 Dear father, do not turn away, 
 
 Nor from me think to roam ; 
 Oh, " drink no more," by night or day : 
 
 Now come, let us go home. 
 
 Dear father, " drink no more," I pray, 
 
 It makes you look so sad ; 
 Come home, and " drink no more," I say, 
 
 'Twill make that home so glad. 
 
 Thus spake in tenderness the child ; 
 
 The drunkard's heart was moved ; 
 He signed the pledge, he wept, he smiled, 
 
 And kissed the boy he loved. 
 
 BUSY LITTLE HUSBANDMAN. 
 
 FM a little husbandman, 
 Work and labor hard I can ; 
 I'm as happy all the day 
 At my work as if 'twere play : 
 Though I've nothing fine to wear 
 Yet for that I do not care. 
 
46 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 When to work I go along, 
 Singing loud my morning song, 
 With my wallet on my back, 
 And my wagon- whip to crack, 
 Oh, I'm thrice as happy, then, 
 As the idle gentleman. 
 
 IVe a hearty appetite, 
 And I soundly sleep at night ; 
 Down I lie content, and say 
 I've been useful all the day : 
 I'd rather be a ploughboy, than 
 A useless little gentleman. 
 
 THE EXCELLENT MAN. 
 
 THEY gave me advice and counsel in store ; 
 Praised me, and honored me, more and more J 
 Said that I only should "wait awhile" 
 Offered their patronage, too, with a smile. 
 
 But, with all their honor and approbation, 
 I should, long ago, have died of starvation, 
 Had there not come an excellent man, 
 Who bravely to help me along began. 
 
 Good fellow ! he got me the food I ate ; 
 His kindness and care I shall never forget ; 
 Yet I can not embrace him, though other folks can, 
 For I myself am that excellent man. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 47 
 
 LITTLE RAIN-DROPS. 
 
 <( 0, WHERE do you come from, 
 
 You little drops of rain, 
 Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, 
 
 Down the window-pane." 
 
 "They won't let me walk, 
 And they won't let me play, 
 
 And they won't let me go 
 Out of doors at all to-day." 
 
 "They put away my playthings 
 
 Because I broke them all, 
 And then they locked up all my tops 
 
 And took away my ball." 
 
 u Tell me, little rain-drops, 
 Is that the way you play ? 
 
 Pitter-p att e r , pi tt or- p atter, 
 All the rainy day ? " 
 
 " They say I'm very naughty, 
 But I've notlrng else to do 
 
 But sit here at the window ; 
 I should like to play with you." 
 
48 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 "The little rain-drops can not speak; 
 
 But * pitter-patter pat ' 
 Means, ' we can play on this side ; 
 
 Why can't you play on that f ' " 
 
 CLEON AND I. 
 
 CLEON hath a million acres, 
 
 Ne'er a one have I ; 
 Cleon dwelleth in a palace, 
 
 In a cottage, I ; 
 Cleon hath a dozen fortunes, 
 
 Not a penny, I ; 
 But the poorer of the twain is 
 
 Cleon, and not I. 
 
 Cleon, true, possesseth acres, 
 
 But the landscape I ; 
 Half the charms to me it yieldeth, 
 
 Money can not buy; 
 Cleon harbors sloth and dullness, 
 
 Freshening vigor, I ; 
 He in velvet, I in fustian, 
 
 Richer man am I. 
 
 Cleon is a slave to grandeur, 
 
 Free as thought am I ; 
 Cleon fees a score of doctors, 
 
 Need of none have I ; 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 49 
 
 Wealth-surrounded, care-environed, 
 
 Cleon fears to die; 
 Death may come, he'll find me ready 
 
 Happier man am I. 
 
 Cleon sees no charms in Nature, 
 
 In a daisy, I ; 
 Cleon hears no anthem ringing 
 
 In the sea and sky ; 
 Nature sings to me forever, 
 
 Earnest listener, I ; 
 State for state, with all attendants, 
 
 Who would change ? Not I. 
 
 LITTLE WILLIE. 
 
 POOR little Willie, 
 
 With his many pretty wiles ; 
 Worlds of wisdom in his looks, 
 
 And quaint, quiet smiles ; 
 Hair of amber, touched with 
 
 Gold of heaven so brave ; 
 All lying darkly hid 
 
 In a work-house grave. 
 
 You remember little Willie ; 
 
 Fair and funny fellow ! he 
 Sprang like a lily 
 
 From the dirt of poverty 
 
50 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Poor little Willie ! 
 
 Not a friend was nigh, 
 When, from the cold world, 
 
 He crouched down to die. 
 
 In the day we wandered foodless, 
 
 Little Willie cried for bread ; 
 In the night we wandered homeless, 
 
 Little Willie cried for bed. 
 Parted at the work-house door, 
 
 Not a word we said : 
 Ah, so tired was poor Willie, 
 
 And so sweetly sleep the dead. 
 
 'Twas in the dead of Winter 
 
 We laid him in the earth ; 
 The world brought in the New Year, 
 
 On a tide of mirth. 
 But, for lost little Willie, 
 
 Not a tear we crave ; 
 Cold and hunger can not wake him, 
 
 In his work-house grave. 
 
 We thought him beautiful, 
 
 Felt it hard to part ; 
 We loved him dutiful ; 
 
 Down, down, poor heart ! 
 The storms they may beat ; 
 
 The Winter winds may rave ; 
 Little Willie feels not, 
 
 In his work-house grave. 
 
THE LITTLK ORATOR. 51 
 
 No room for little Willie ; 
 
 In the world he had no part ; 
 On him stared the Gorgon eyes, 
 
 Thro' which looks no heart. 
 Come to me, said Heaven ; 
 
 And, if Heaven will save, 
 Little matters though the door 
 
 Be a work-house grave. 
 
 WHY YIELD TO GRIEF. 
 
 TWAS when the seas, with hideous roar, 
 
 A little bark assailed, 
 And potent fear, with awful power, 
 
 O^er each on board prevailed 
 
 Save one the captain's darling child 
 "Who fearless view'd the storm, 
 
 And playful, with composure smiled 
 At danger's threatening form 
 
 "Why sporting thus?" a seaman cried, 
 " When sorrows overwhelm ? " 
 
 "Why yield to grief," the boy replied 
 " My father's at the helm ? " 
 
52 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 A THOUGHTLESS IAN. 
 
 THERE came to my window, 
 
 One morning in spring, 
 A sweet little robin ; 
 
 She came there to sing; 
 And the tune that she sung 
 
 Was prettier far 
 Than ever I heard 
 
 On the flute or guitar. 
 
 She raised her light wings 
 
 To soar far away, 
 Then resting a moment, 
 
 Seemed sweetly to say, 
 u 0, happy, how happy 
 
 This world seems to be ; 
 Awake, little girl, 
 
 And be -happy with me." 
 
 But, just as she finished 
 
 Her beautiful song, 
 A thoughtless young man 
 
 With a gun came along. 
 He killed and he carried 
 
 My sweet bird away, 
 And she no more will sing 
 
 At the dawn of the day. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 53 
 
 WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE? 
 
 THEY are sowing their seed in the daylight fair, 
 They are sowing their seed in the noonday's glare, 
 They are sowing their seed in the soft twilight, 
 They are sowing their seed in the solemn night ; 
 What shall their harvest be ? 
 
 They are sowing their seed of pleasant thought, 
 In the spring's green light they have blithely wrought ; 
 They have brought their fancies from wood and dell, 
 Where the mosses creep and the flower -buds swell ; 
 Rare shall the harvest be. 
 
 They are sowing the seed of word and deed, 
 Which the cold know not, nor the careless heed, 
 Of the gentle word and the kindest deed, 
 That have blest the heart in its sorest need ; 
 Sweet shall the harvest be. 
 
 And some are sowing the seeds of pain, 
 Of late remorse and a maddened brain, 
 And the stars shall fall*, and the sun shall wane, 
 Ere they root the weeds from the soil again ; 
 Dark will the harvest be. 
 
 And some are standing with idle hand, 
 Yet they scatter seed on their native land ; 
 And some are sowing the seeds of care, 
 Which their soil hath borne and still must bear ; 
 Sad will the harvest be. 
 
54 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 They are sowing the seed of noble deed, 
 With a sleepless watch and an earnest heed ; 
 With a ceaseless hand o'er the earth they sow, 
 And the fields are whitening where'er they go ; 
 Kich will the harvest be. 
 
 Sown in darkness, or sown in light, 
 Sown in weakness, or sown in might, 
 Sown in meekness, or sown in wrath, 
 In the broad work-field, or the shadowy path 
 Sure will the harvest be. 
 
 THE LITTLE ORATOR.* 
 
 PRAY, how shall I, a little lad, 
 
 In speaking make a figure ? 
 You're only joking, I'm afraid, 
 
 Do wait till I am bigger. 
 
 "But, since you wish to hear my part, 
 
 And urge me to begin it, 
 I'll strive for praise, with all my heart, 
 
 Though small the hope to win it 
 
 I'll tell a tale, how farmer John 
 
 A little roan colt bred, sir, 
 And every night and every morn, 
 
 He watered and he fed, sir. 
 
 * First spoken by Edwnrd Everett, when a lad, for whom they were 
 written, by his minister, Rev. T. M. Harris. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 55 
 
 Said neighbor Joe to farmer John, 
 
 " Arn't you a silly dolt, sir, 
 To spend such time and care upon 
 
 A little, useless colt, sir?" 
 
 Said farmer John to neighbor Joe, 
 
 " I bring my little roan up, 
 Not for the good he now can do, 
 
 But will do, when he's grown up." 
 
 The moral you can well espy, 
 
 To keep the tale from spoiling, 
 The little colt, you think, is I 
 
 I know it by your smiling. 
 
 And now, my friends, please to excuse 
 
 My lisping and my stammers ; 
 I, for this once, have done my best, 
 
 And so I'll make my manners. 
 
 RULES OF SCHOOL. 
 
 I SHOULD come early every day, 
 And all my teacher's rules obey : 
 Be here before the school begins, 
 And silent when the signal rings. 
 
 My clothes and person should be neat ; 
 I should not mar my desk nor seat ; 
 My books I should not soil nor tear 
 Nor aught about the room impair. 
 
56 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 I should not whisper, talk, nor play, 
 Nor idly while my time away ; 
 But learn my lessons, well and fast, 
 For soon my school-days will be past 
 
 I should not quarrel, swear, nor lie, 
 Tell tales, deceive, nor angry be ; 
 Nor do to others, things that I 
 Should hate to have them do to me. 
 
 AMBITION, FALSE AND TRUE. 
 
 I WOULD not wear the warrior's wreath ; 
 
 I w r ould not court his crown ; 
 For love and virtue sink beneath 
 
 His dark and vengeful frown. 
 
 I would not seek my fame to build 
 
 On glory's dizzy hight; 
 Her temple is with orphan's filled ; 
 
 Blood soils her scepter bright. 
 
 I would not wear the diadem, 
 
 By folly prized so dear ; 
 For want and woe have bought each gem, 
 
 And every pearl's a tear. 
 
 I would not heap the golden chest, 
 
 That sordid spirits crave ; 
 For every gain by penury cursed 
 
 Is gathered from the grave. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 57 
 
 No ; let my wreath unsullied be ; 
 
 My fame be virtuous youth ; 
 My wealth be kindness, chanty; 
 
 My diadem, be truth. 
 
 KEEP TO THE EIGHT. 
 
 % 
 
 " KEEP to the right," as the law directs, 
 For such is the law of the road ; 
 
 Keep to the right, whoever expects 
 Securely to carry Life's load. 
 
 Keep to the right with God and the world, 
 Nor wander, though folly allures ; 
 
 Keep to the right, nor ever be hurled 
 From what by the statute is yours. 
 
 Keep to the right, within and without 
 With stranger, and kindred, and friend ; 
 
 Keep to the right, nor harbor a doubt 
 That all will be well in the end. 
 
 Keep to the right, whatever you do, 
 Nor claim but your own on the way ; 
 
 Keep to the right, and stick to the true, 
 From morn till the close of the day. 
 
58 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 THE SQUIRREL 
 
 THE squirrel hastens to and fro, 
 
 With acorn, nut, and corn, 
 His cell to fill ; he's much to do, 
 
 For winter's coming on. 
 
 He does not stop for friends or foes, 
 
 Until his work is done ; 
 He needs no telling, well he knows 
 
 Cold winter's coming on. 
 
 His store-house, filled with all that's good, 
 
 His eye looks proudly on ; 
 Then chatters forth, throughout the wood 
 
 "Now let cold winter come." 
 
 Come, schoolmates, like the squirrel try, 
 
 In life's bright, sunny morn, 
 To seek a good, a rich supply, 
 
 Before old age comes on. 
 
 Lay up a store of luxuries rare, 
 
 To feast the mind upon ; 
 Undaunted, then, you'll have no fear, 
 
 When wintry age comes on. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 59 
 
 A LESSON OF LOYE. 
 
 " LITTLE children, love each other ; 
 
 Kind, and good, and gentle be : 
 Brother should be kind to brother, 
 
 Sisters should in love agree. 
 Love your playmates, try to please them ; 
 
 Let no thing be said or done, 
 Which would hurt, or vex, or tease them, 
 
 Or would injure any one. 
 
 " Quarrel not, but love each other, 
 
 And be ready to forgive ; 
 Let each sister and each brother 
 
 Seek in love and peace to live. 
 Not, in word or tongue love merely, 
 
 But in deed, with heart and mind ; 
 Show you love them truly, dearly ; 
 
 Both in word and act be kind. 
 
 " Little children ! love each other ; 
 
 Show true love to great and small ; 
 Love your father and your mother, 
 
 And love God the most of all. 
 God is love ; and He has told you, 
 
 If you try to live in love, 
 Then will He with love behold you, 
 
 And will bless you from above." 
 
60 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 THE TEMPEST. 
 
 WE were crowded in the cabin, 
 Not a soul would dare to sleep ; 
 It was midnight on the waters, 
 And a storm was on the deep. 
 
 *Tis a fearful thing in winter 
 To be shattered in the blast, 
 And to hear the rattling trumpet 
 Thunder, "Cut away the mast!" 
 
 So we shuddered there in silence 
 For the stoutest held his breath, 
 While the hungry sea was roaring, 
 And the breakers talked with Death. 
 
 And thus we sat in darkness, 
 Each one busy in his prayers ; 
 " We are lost ! " the captain shouted, 
 As he staggered down the stairs. 
 
 But his little daughter whispered, 
 As she took his icy hand, 
 " Isn't God upon the ocean, 
 Just the same as on the land! " 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 61 
 
 Then we kissed the little maiden, 
 And we spoke in better cheer, 
 And we anchored safe in harbor, 
 When the morn was shining clear. 
 
 LINES FOR AN EXHIBITION. 
 
 KIND friends, and dear parents, we welcome you here, 
 To our nice pleasant school-room, and teachers so dear ; 
 We wish but to show you how much we have learned, 
 And how to our lessons our hearts have been turned. 
 
 But we hope you'll remember we all are quite young, 
 And, when we have spoken, recited, and sung, 
 You will pardon our blunders, which, as all are aware, 
 May even extend to the President's chair. 
 
 We seek your approval with hearty good will, 
 And hope the good lessons our teachers instill 
 May make us submissive, and gentle, and kind, 
 As well as enlighten and strengthen the mind. 
 
 For learning, we know, is more precious than gold, 
 But the worth of the heart's jewels ne'er can be told ; 
 We'll strive, then, for virtue, truth, honor, and love, 
 And thus lay up treasures in mansions above. 
 
 6 
 
62 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Our life is a school-time ; and, till that shall end, 
 With our Father in heaven for teacher and friend, 
 ! let us perform well each task that is given, 
 Till our time of probation is ended in heaven. 
 
 CHILDISH WISDOM. 
 
 'TwAS the hour of prayer, and the farmer stood, 
 
 With a thankful heart, and a lowly mind, 
 And prayed to the Author of every good, 
 
 That the Father of all would be very kind, 
 And bless his creatures with raiment and food ; 
 That the blessing each day might 'be renewed, 
 That every want might find relief, 
 And plenty for hunger, joy for grief, 
 Be measured out, by the merciful One, 
 To all who suffered teneath the sun. 
 
 The prayer concluded, the godly man 
 Went forth in peace to inspect his farm; 
 
 And by his side delighted ran, 
 
 Glowing with every healthful charm, 
 
 His little son, a sprightly boy, 
 
 Whose home was love, and whose life was joy; 
 
 And they rambled over the golden fields, 
 
 And the father said, u The harvest yields 
 
 A plentiful crop, my son, this year ; 
 
 My barns are too small for the grain, I fear." 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 63 
 
 And they wandered on, through row upon row 
 
 Of plumy leaves, and at length the child, 
 With earnest look, and a rosy glow 
 
 On his shining cheek, looked up and smiled, 
 And said, " My father, do you not pray 
 For the poor and needy, day by day, 
 That God, the good, would the hungry feed ?" 
 "I do, my son." "Well, I think, as you plead" 
 His eye waxed bright, for Jiis soul shone through it 
 "That God, if he had your wheat, would do it." 
 
 A MOTHER'S LOVE.- 
 
 HAST thou sounded the depths of yonder sea, 
 And counted the sands that under it be? 
 Hast thou measured the hight of heaven above ? 
 Then may'st thou mete out a mother's love. 
 
 Hast thou talked with, the blessed of leading on 
 To the throne of God some wandering son? 
 Hast thou witnessed the angels' bright employ? 
 Then may'st thou speak of a mother's joy. 
 
 There is not a grand, inspiring thought, 
 There is not a truth by wisdom taught, 
 There is not a feeling, pure and high, 
 That may not be read in a mother's eye. 
 
64 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 There are teachings on earth, and sky, and air; 
 
 The heavens the glory of God declare ; 
 
 But louder than voice, beneath, above, 
 
 He is heard to speak through a mother's love. 
 
 ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER. 
 
 WILL Wag went to see Charley Quirk, * 
 
 More famed for his books than his knowledge, 
 
 In order to borrow a work 
 
 He had sought for in vain over college. 
 
 But Charley replied, " My dear friend, 
 You must know I have sworn and agreed 
 
 My books from my room not to lend 
 But you may sit ~by my fire and read" 
 
 Now it happened, by chance, on the morrow, 
 That Quirk, with a cold, quivering air, 
 
 Came his neighbor Will's bellows to borrow, 
 For his own they were out of repair. 
 
 But Willy replied, u My dear friend, 
 
 I have sworn and agreed, you must know, 
 
 That my bellows I never will lend 
 But you may sit by my fire and blow" 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 65 
 
 COMMON SENSE. 
 
 SHE came among the gathering crowd, 
 A maiden fair, without pretense, 
 And,, when they asked her humble name, 
 She whispered mildly " Common Sense." 
 
 Her modest garb drew ev*ry eye, 
 Her ample cloak, her shoes of leather ; 
 And, when they sneered, she simply said, 
 "/dress according to the weather." 
 
 They argued long, and reasoned loud, 
 In dubious Hindoo phrase mysterious, 
 While she, poor child, could not divine 
 Why girls so young should be so serious. 
 
 They knew the length of Plato's beard, 
 And how the scholars wrote in Saturn ; 
 She studied authors not so deep, 
 And took the Bible for her pattern. 
 
 And so she said, "Excuse me, friends ; 
 I find all have their proper places, 
 And Common Sense should stay at home, 
 With cheerful hearts and smiling faces." 
 
 6* 
 I 
 
66 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 THE MATCH BOYS. 
 
 ARE all your matches sold, Tom? 
 
 Are all your matches done ? 
 Then let us to the open square, 
 
 To warm us in the sun 
 To warm us in the sweet, kind sun, 
 
 To feel his kindling glow; 
 For his kind^ooks are the only looks 
 
 Of kindness, that we know. 
 
 We'll call the sun our father, Tom ; 
 
 We'll call the sun our mother ; 
 We'll call each pleasant little beam 
 
 A sister or a brother. 
 He thinks no shame to kiss us, 
 
 Although we ragged go ; 
 For his kind looks are the only looks 
 
 Of kindness, that we know. 
 
 We'll rest us on the grass, Tom ; 
 
 We'll upward turn our face ; 
 We'll lock his heat within our arms 
 
 Our arms, in fond embrace ; 
 We'll give him a sad, parting tear 
 
 When he is sinking low ; 
 For his kind looks are the only looks 
 
 Of kindness, that we know. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 67 
 
 We'll tell him all our sorrows, Tom 
 
 We'll tell him all our care ; 
 We'll tell him where we sleep at night ; 
 
 We'll tell him how we fare : 
 And then, Oh then, to cheer us, 
 
 How sweetly he will glow ; 
 For his kind looks are the only looks 
 
 Of kindness, that we know. 
 
 BOTH SIDES. 
 
 A MAN in his carriage was riding along, 
 
 A gaily dressed wife by his side ; 
 In satin and laces she looked like the queen, 
 
 And he like a king in his pride. 
 
 A wood-sawyer stood on the street as they passed ; 
 
 The carriage and couple he eyed ; 
 And said, as he worked with his saw on the log, 
 
 "I wish I was rich and could ride." 
 
 The man in the carriage remarked to his wife, 
 " One thing I would give if I could 
 
 I'd give my wealth for the strength and the health 
 Of the man who sawed the wood." 
 
 A pretty young maid, with a bundle ol work, 
 Whose face, as the morning, was fair, 
 
 Went tripping along, with a smile of delight, 
 While humming a love-breathing air. 
 
68 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 She Ipoked on the carriage ; the lady she saw, 
 
 Arrayed in apparel so fine, 
 And said, in a whisper, " I wish from my heart 
 
 Those satins and laces were mine." 
 
 The lady looked out on the maid with her work 
 
 So fair in her calico dress, 
 And said, "I'd relinquish position and wealth, 
 
 Her beauty and health to possess." 
 
 Thus it is in the world, whatever our lot, 
 Our minds and our time we employ 
 
 In longing and sighing for what we have not, 
 Ungrateful for what we enjoy. 
 
 We welcome the pleasure for which we have sigh'd, 
 
 The heart has a void in it still, 
 Growing deeper and wider the longer we live y 
 
 That nothing but Heaven can fill. 
 
 A LAY FROM MY POULTRY YARD. 
 
 I HAD a flock of chickens, 
 
 The sweetest little things ! 
 -With tiny coats of creamy down, 
 
 And little bits of wings ; 
 And bills like finest ivory, 
 
 From Indian jungles brought, 
 And slender, polished legs that seemed 
 
 Cornelian, finely wrought 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 69 
 
 How pretty their bright, beady eyes, 
 
 And cunning, sidelong peep, 
 As, 'neath their clucking mother's wings, 
 
 They nestled down to sleep ! 
 How sweet their chirping twitter, 
 
 As they clustered at her side ! 
 How nimbly, on her slippery back, 
 
 .They hopped up for a ride ! 
 
 How -daintily he seemed to pick 
 
 The crumbs I loved to scatter I 
 How prettily they used to sip 
 
 The water from the platter! 
 Ah ! it would take the graphic pen 
 
 Of Hawthorne or of Dickens, 
 To picture half the beauties 
 
 Of my charming little chickens. 
 
 I fixed for them a cozy coop, 
 
 To shield them from the storm, 
 And made a nest of softest hay, 
 
 To keep them snug and warm ; 
 But " ever thus, from childhood's hour, 
 
 Our fondest hopes decay ; " 
 I would there were as much of truth 
 
 In half the poets say ! 
 
 Ah ! vain were all my tender careJ 
 Wild March, with stormy breath, 
 
 Breathed on my little nurslings 
 Three slept the sleep of death ; 
 
70 . THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 And three of those stern March had spared, 
 
 In one sad, baleful hour, 
 A wicked, cruel, murderous cat 
 
 Did ruthlessly devour. 
 
 More earnestly the rest I strove 
 To shield from hurt or harm, 
 
 And fortune seemed to favor me- 
 The air grew soft and warm : 
 
 I deemed them safe, when, one by one, 
 To crown the sad mishaps, 
 
 The remnant of my little flock 
 Fell victims to the "gapes." 
 
 Alas ! alas ! all words seem vain 
 
 To picture my dismay ; 
 And vainer still, poor mother hen, 
 
 Thy sorrow to portray ; 
 A voiceless, tearless Niobe, 
 
 By fate's fell arrows stricken 
 Thou standest by the empty coop, 
 
 Bereft of every chicken ! 
 
 No need for me, at morn or eve, 
 
 The dainty crumbs to bring ; 
 No need for ihee, poor lonely hen, 
 
 To spread thy sheltering wing. 
 I gaze around, and o'er my eye 
 
 A dewy dimness thickens, 
 And with a wailing voice I cry, 
 
 My chickens ! 0, my chickens ! 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 7l 
 
 BE FIRM. 
 
 BE firm ! whatever tempts thy soul 
 To loiter ere it reach its goal ; 
 Whatever syren voice would draw 
 Thy heart from duty and its law, 
 Oh that distrust ! Go bravely on, 
 And, till the victor-crown be won, 
 Be firm! 
 
 Firm when thy conscience is assailed ; 
 Firm when the star of hope is veiled ; 
 Firm in defying wrong and sin ; 
 Firm in life's conflict, toil, and din ; 
 Firm in the path by martyrs trod 
 And oh, in love to man and God, 
 BE FIRM. 
 
 ROBERT OF LINCOLN. 
 
 MERRILY swinging on brier and weed, 
 
 Near the nest of his little dame, 
 Over the mountain-side or mead, 
 
 Robert of Lincoln is telling his name : 
 Bob-o'-15nk, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink ; 
 Snug and safe is that nest of ours, 
 Hidden among the summer flowers, 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
72 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Robert of Lincoln is gaily drest, 
 
 Wearing a bright black wedding coat ; 
 White are his shoulders, and white his crest, 
 Hear him call in his merry note : 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink; 
 Look, what a nice new coat is mine, 
 Sure there was never a bird so fine, 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
 Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife, 
 
 Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings, 
 Passing at home a patient life, 
 
 Broods in the grass while her husband sings : 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink; 
 Brood, kind creature ; you need not fear 
 Thieves and robbers while I am here ; 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
 Modest and shy as a nun is she, 
 
 One weak chirp is her only note ; 
 Braggart and prince of braggarts is he, 
 Pouring boasts from his little throat : 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink ; 
 Never was I afraid of man ; 
 Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can ; 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 73 
 
 Six white eggs, on a bed of hay, 
 
 Flecked with purple, a pretty sight 1 
 Ihere, as the mother sits all day, 
 Robert is singing with all his might : 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink ; 
 Nice good wife, that never goes out, 
 Keeping house while I frolic about ; 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
 Soon as the little ones chip the shell, 
 
 Six wide mouths are open for food ; 
 Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well, 
 Gathering seeds for the hungry brood. 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink ; 
 This new life is likely to be 
 Hard for a gay young fellow like me ; 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
 Robert of Lincoln at length is made 
 
 Sober with work, and silent with care j 
 Off is his holiday-garment laid, 
 Half forgotten that merry air : 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink ; 
 Nobody knows, but my mate and I, 
 Where our nest and our nestlings lie ; 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
74 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Summer wanes ; the children are grown ; 
 
 Fun and frolic no more he knows ; 
 Robert of Lincoln's a humdrum crone ; 
 Off he flies, and we sing as he goes : 
 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 
 Spink, spank, spink; 
 
 When you can pipe that merry old strain, 
 Robert of Lincoln, come back again ; 
 Chee, chee, chee. 
 
 WHAT MAKES ME HAPPIEST? 
 
 WHAT is it makes me happiest? 
 
 Is it my last new play ? 
 Is it my bounding ball or hoop 
 
 I follow every day ? 
 
 Is it my puzzles, or my blocks? 
 
 My pleasant solitaire? 
 My dolls, my kitten, or my books? 
 
 My flowers, fresh and fair? 
 
 What is it makes me happiest? 
 
 It is not one of these ; 
 Yet they are treasures dear to me, 
 
 And never fail to please. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 75 
 
 Oh, it is looks and tones of love, 
 
 From those I love the best, 
 That follow me when I do right ; 
 
 These make me happiest ! 
 
 "MY MOTHER'S DEAD:" 
 
 FM very, very lonely, 
 
 Alas, I can not play ; 
 I am so sad, I sit and weep 
 
 Throughout the livelong day. 
 I miss dear mother's welcome, 
 
 Her light hand on my head, 
 Her look of love, her tender word ; 
 
 Alas, my mother's dead ! 
 
 I have no heart to play alone ; 
 
 To-day I thought I'd try, 
 And got my little hoop to roll, 
 
 But ah, it made me cry ; 
 For who will smile to see me come, 
 
 Now mother dear has gone, 
 And look so kindly in my face, 
 
 And kiss her little son ? 
 
 I'll get my blessed Bible, 
 And sit me down and read ; 
 
 My mother said that precious book 
 Would prove a friend in need. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 I seem to see dear mother now, 
 To hear her voice of love ; 
 
 She may be looking down on me, 
 From her bright home above. 
 
 She said that I must come to her 
 
 She can not come to me : 
 Our Father, teach a little one 
 
 How he may come to thee. 
 For I am very lonely now ; 
 
 Our Father, may I come, 
 And join my mother in the skies? 
 
 And heaven shall be our home. 
 
 LITTLE THINGS. 
 
 LITTLE drops of water, little grains of sand, 
 Make the boundless ocean and the beauteous land, 
 And the little moments, humble though they be, 
 Make the mighty ages of eternity. 
 So our little errors lead the soul astray, 
 From the paths of virtue, oft in sin to stray ; 
 Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, 
 Make our earth an Eden, like the heaven above ; 
 Little deeds of mercy, sown by infant hands, 
 Grow to bless the nations, far in heathen lands. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 77 
 
 THE GIANT. 
 
 THERE came a giant to my door, 
 
 A giant fierce and strong, 
 His step was heavy on the floor, 
 
 His arms were ten yards long. 
 He scowl'd and frown'd ; he shook the ground : 
 
 I trembled through and through ; - 
 At length I lookYl him in the face, 
 
 And cried, " Who cares for you ? " 
 
 The mighty giant, as I spoke, 
 
 Grew pale, and thin, and small ; 
 And through his body, as 'twere smoke, 
 
 I saw the sunshine fall. 
 His blood-red eyes turn'd blue as skies, 
 
 He whisper'd soft and low. 
 u ls this," I cried, with growing pride, 
 
 u ls this the mighty foe? " 
 
 He sunk before my earnest face, 
 
 He vanish'd quite away, 
 And left no shadow on his place 
 
 Between me and the day. 
 Such giants come to strike us dumb 
 
 But, weak in every part, 
 They melt before the strong man's eyes, 
 
 And fly the true of heart. 
 
 
 7* 
 
78 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 TIME. 
 
 THE watch is ticking, ticking, 
 Ticking my minutes away ; 
 
 And minutes make up the hours, 
 And hours make up the day. 
 
 The clock is striking, striking 
 The hours, so loud and clear ; 
 
 The hours make up the day, 
 And the days make up the year. 
 
 The bell is tolling, tolling 
 For one whose day is done ; 
 
 To where time is known no longer, 
 That weary soul has gone. 
 
 And soon 'twill toll for me ; 
 
 And then my home will be 
 
 Where the watch ticks no more, 
 And the clock strikes no more, 
 
 And there's no more time for me. 
 
 THE PATTER OF THE BAIN. 
 
 IN my cosy, little attic, 
 
 Sadly dreaming of the past, 
 
 Keeping time unto the rain-drops, 
 As they patter, thick and fast ; 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 79 
 
 What care I for the world-storms, 
 
 With dreary, business clatter, 
 While Nature's tear-drops lull me 
 
 With their patter, patter, patter ? 
 
 From each corner of my attic 
 
 Whisper voices, soft and low, 
 And they speak to me of loved ones. 
 
 Lost and mourned a while ago ; 
 Yet they solemnly console me, 
 
 In a sort of mystic chatter, 
 And the rain-drops ridicule me, 
 
 As they patter, patter, patter. 
 
 So I turn me to the future, 
 
 And I dream such beauteous dreams, 
 Calling up such fairy visions, 
 
 That my room a heaven seems 
 And still those voices whisper, 
 
 Still sweetly do they flatter, 
 Yet I know they're but the rain-drops, 
 
 By their patter, patter, patter. 
 
 VOICES OF NATUKE. 
 
 SWEET child, look upward to the sky 
 Yon twinkling stars behold, 
 
 That gild the night with beaming eye, 
 Like lamps of burnished gold. 
 
80 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Come, walk with me, this summer day, 
 For earth is green and fair, 
 
 And blossoms ope with tinted ray, 
 And fragrance fills the air. 
 
 And look upon the streams, that flow 
 To cheer the fruitful plain, 
 
 The mightier rivers, deep and slow, 
 That swell the unfathomed main ; 
 
 Then, shouldst thou, little one, inquire, 
 How came these things to be ? 
 
 Who woke the stars' unfading fire? 
 Who poured the surging sea ? 
 
 The youngest star amid the throng 
 Would with its pencil write, 
 
 ** GOD MADE ME," as it rolls along 
 Through fields of boundless light : 
 
 The lowliest flowret makes reply, 
 Though in the desert born : 
 
 " GOD is MY MAKER," doth it sigh 
 To the refulgent morn. 
 
 And, when the sun forsakes the day 
 And dews their tear-drops weep, 
 
 " PRAISE GOD OUR MAKER," doth it say, 
 And fold itself to sleep. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 81 
 
 THE ROOK AND THE LARK. 
 
 " GOOD-NIGHT, Sir Rook," said a little Lark; 
 
 " The daylight fades it will soon be dark : 
 
 I've bathed my wings in the sun's last ray, 
 
 I've sung my hymn to the dying day ; 
 
 So now I haste to my quiet nook 
 
 In yon dewy meadow ; good-night, Sir Rook." 
 
 " Good-night, poor Lark," said his titled friend, 
 
 With a haughty toss and a distant bend ; 
 
 "I also go to a rest profound, 
 
 But not to sleep on the cold, damp ground ; 
 
 The fittest place for a bird like me 
 
 Is the topmost bough of yon tall pine-tree. 
 
 " I opened my eyes at peep of day, 
 And saw you taking your upward way, 
 Dreaming your fond, romantic dreams, 
 An ugly speck in the sun's bright beams ; 
 Soaring too high to be seen or heard 
 And said to myself, What a foolish bird ! 
 
 "I trod the park with a princely air; 
 
 I filled my crop with the richest fare ; 
 
 I cawed all day 'mid a lordly crew, 
 
 And I made more noise in the world than you ! 
 
 The sun shone full on my ebon wing ; 
 
 I looked and wondered ; good night, poor thing!" 
 
82 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 " Good night, once more," said the lark's sweet voice ; 
 
 " I see no cause to repent my choice ; 
 
 You build your nest in the lofty pine, 
 
 But is your slumber more soft than mine? 
 
 You make more noise in the world than I, 
 
 But whose is the sweeter minstrelsy ? " 
 
 SONG OF THE SKATERS. 
 
 THOUGH winter winds are whistling loud, 
 
 And skies look cold and gray ; 
 Though earth lies mute beneath her shroud, 
 The skaters ! what care they ? 
 A happy throng, 
 With mirth and song, 
 O'er fields of ice we swiftly glide, 
 As sea-birds sail above the tide. 
 
 0, well we know the winter hours 
 
 Fly faster as we sing ; 
 That sooner come the birds and flowers, 
 And loveliness of Spring ! 
 So, night or day, 
 Away ! away ! 
 
 O'er crystal plains, with laugh and song, 
 We speed, we speed, like the wind along. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 83 
 
 The heated room, the crowded hall, 
 Where pride and fashion meet ; 
 "Where waves of music rise and fall, 
 In time to dancing feet 
 We ask not these ; 
 Give us the breeze, 
 
 And the gleaming floor o'er which we go, 
 Like arrows shot from the hunter's bow. 
 
 Then loud the stormy winds may blow, 
 
 And skies look cold and gray ; 
 Then earth may wear her robe of snow, 
 We'll laugh the hours away ! 
 With mirth and song, 
 A merry throng, 
 
 O'er fields of ice we'll swiftly glide, 
 As sea-birds sail above the tide. 
 
 VACATION.* ' 
 
 OH, vacation, vacation, 
 
 You're now on your way : 
 
 What a nice time we boys '11 have 
 
 Such fun, and such play ; 
 
 But the gir' swill be tied to mamma's apron-strings; 
 
 I pity 'em, don't you? poor little things!. 
 
 * This may he spoken by a little boy, und be followed by "The Reply," 
 in prose, page 93, spoken by a liltlo girl. 
 
84 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Oh, the dear little girls, 
 The poor little things, 
 Will be tied, will be tied 
 To mamma's apron-strings. 
 
 They'll put on their wrappers, 
 And get out their fans 
 Won't go out till dark, 
 Because the sun tans : 
 But we boys '11 have nice times 
 Such fun and such play ; 
 We'll not do one scrap of work 
 The whole livelong day. 
 But the dear little girls 
 The poor little tilings, 
 Will be tied, will be tied 
 To mamma's apron-strings. 
 
 The young ladies so fine, 
 
 What '11 they do at home? 
 
 Oh, they'll sit, with hands crossed, 
 
 Till autumn shall come : 
 
 But we, the rude boys, 
 
 We'll have a nice time : 
 
 We'll run races, play nine-pins, 
 
 Jump, skip, and climb 
 
 But the poor little girls, 
 
 The dear little things, 
 
 Will be tied, all vacation, 
 
 To mamma's apron-strings 1 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 85 
 
 PART II. -PROSE. 
 
 OUR PARENTS. 
 
 WE are told in the Bible that we must honor and 
 obey our parents. I fear we do not always regard 
 this. Our dear parents are very kind to us. They 
 do all they can to make us happy. They supply 
 all our wants. If we are sick, they watch over us, 
 day and night. They send us to school, and give 
 us books and kind teachers. They work hard, that 
 they may give us a good education. In every way 
 they strive to have us do right. 
 
 What could we do, without their kind aid ? As 
 we think how much they do for our happiness, let 
 us try to be good and obedient children. We can 
 not pay them, with money, for what they do for us 
 every day we live. The only pay they ask of us, 
 in return for all their goodness, is that we will love 
 and obey them. And this our Heavenly Father 
 commands us to do. 
 
 May we always be ready to love them, and quick 
 
 8 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 to obey them. May we never speak unkindly to 
 the dear parents who do so much, for us. For one, 
 I will love my parents, and I will show my love, by 
 doing as they wish. And will not you, dear school- 
 mates, honor and obey your parents ? I hope you 
 will. 
 
 ADDRESS AT AN EXHIBITION. 
 
 DEAR PARENTS AND FRIENDS : We bid you a 
 hearty welcome to this, our pleasant school-room. 
 We are glad to see you here, and we will try to 
 perform our parts so well, that you will feel glad 
 that you came to hear us. 
 
 We beg that you will remember, that we are 
 quite young, and that you will not expect too much 
 of us. We do not claim to be perfect, nor can we 
 hope to do as well as older boys and girls. But 
 we will try to do so well to-day, that you will feel 
 that we have not wasted all our time, and that our 
 kind teacher has not been inattentive to our im- 
 provement. 
 
 We have many things to learn ; and, by adding a 
 little to our stock of knowledge, daily, we hope we 
 may grow up and become wise and useful. It is 
 our motto, to do well whatever we attempt to do 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 87 
 
 for our teacher says that a little, well done, is bet- 
 ter than much, poorly done. 
 
 In behalf of myself, and my school-mates, I 
 thank you, for coming to encourage us at this time. 
 We thank you, also, for all your kindness to us, 
 in allowing us to come to so good a school. 
 In return for your goodness, we will not only try 
 to interest you now, but we will try so to live and 
 improve our time and privileges, that we may at all 
 times merit the approbation of our earthly parents, 
 and of our "Father who is in Heaven" 
 
 LITTLE BY LITTLE. 
 
 ^LITTLE by little" the rain falls from the clouds 
 upon the thirsty earth, giving beauty and freshness 
 to nature, and causing the seeds to expand, the 
 grass to spring up, the flowers to open. 
 
 " Little by little" does the acorn send forth its 
 tiny shoots, which slowly press upward and stretch 
 outward, until they take the form and qualities of 
 the stately oak. 
 
 " Little by little" do the mountain rills add to the 
 flowing rivulet, until they all unite to form the noble 
 river, and are borne onward to the mighty ocean. 
 
 "Little by little" does the painter add to the 
 
88 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 blank canvas, until it assumes the form and expres- 
 sion of the human face, and the likeness of a dear 
 friend. 
 
 So, too, " little bif little" do we grow from infancy 
 to manhood, from feebleness to strength, from a 
 state of dependence to active and useful lives. 
 
 "Little by little," do we gain that learning which 
 will fit us to act well our parts in life and make 
 us 'both useful and happy. 
 
 May we daily strive so to add, "little by little" 
 to the growth of our minds, and the culture 
 of our hearts, that we may not fail of becoming a 
 benefit to the world in which we live and so that 
 we may daily meet the approval of Him who 
 gives us all our blessings. 
 
 A FABLE. 
 
 IT happened once that all the animals, birds, 
 fishes, and insects, met to hear a sermon from one 
 of their number ; I have not been told who was the 
 orator. The subject of the discourse was the duty 
 of living to do good, and the audience seemed much 
 pleased with the number and variety of the motives 
 presented. As they wen' to their homes, after the 
 performance, thus they moralized to themselves: 
 
 Said the Ant, "This sermon is a very good one 
 
THE LITTLE OllATOR. 
 
 for some folks, but it has no sort of application to 
 me. AVhat can such a poor, little, crawling thing 
 as I, do for the good of the world ? Besides, I have 
 so large a family of my own to provide for, that it 
 requires all my time and care. If I had wings, like 
 a butterfly, I would not live so useless a life as he 
 does." 
 
 Said the Butterfly, " I am really ashamed of the 
 ant, who has such stores laid up, that she does no 
 more good with them. I am sure, if I were half as 
 rich, I would supply all the poor of the neighbor- 
 hood. But, when I can hardly get enough for my- 
 self, how can I help others ? " 
 
 The Little Fish complained that he had neither 
 time, nor talents, nor way of doing good ; he was 
 so weak that he had no influence ; and, moreover, 
 he had to get food for himself, and take care that 
 he was not ma le food for others. If he were only 
 as large and as strong as a whale, he might be useful. 
 
 The Sheep said that, as he had no horns to defend 
 himself, it was absurd to think of his doing any thing 
 for others ; he hoped his neighbor, the goat, would 
 apply the sermon to himself. 
 
 Thus each excuse i himself; and, on the whole, 
 the sole result of the discourse, so much praised, 
 was to convince each that himself was the most 
 unfortunate, and his neighbor without excuse. 
 
 8* 
 
90 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 MORAL. People, who do not do their duty in the 
 situation in which they a,re, would not be likely to 
 do so in any other. 
 
 DO IT TO-DAY! 
 
 YES : if it must be done some time or other, and 
 can be done to-day as well as any time, do it by all 
 means to-day ; for you are sure of no other time. 
 Perhaps you may think it can be done more easily 
 to-morrow, or next week, or something else seems 
 to you more important to occupy to-day. Very 
 well. If you have two things which ought, you 
 think, both to be done to-day, and only one can be 
 done, decide at once which is the most important, 
 and do that. But can such a case occur? .Has 
 not every day its own duties ? and is it not because 
 we neglected some of them yesterday, or last week, 
 that we have more than we can well do to-day ? 
 We fear much of the confusion which people are in 
 about the use of their time is caused by that artfnl, 
 deceitful busybody called 
 
 "BY AND BY." 
 There's a little mischief-making 
 
 Elfin, who is ever nigh, 
 . Thwarting every undertaking ; 
 And his name is a By and by." 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 91 
 
 What we ought to do this minute 
 
 " Will be better done," he'll cry 
 " 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 realms of Never 
 
 Leads the pilot By and by. 
 
 THE PET CHICKEN. 
 
 ONCE a little chicken lost its mother. It had no 
 brothers or sisters. It was all alone in the great 
 barn-yard. George, the farmer's son, pitied the poor 
 little thing, and asked his mother to let him bring 
 it into the house. She gave him leave, and brought 
 a box down stairs, and made for ifc a little bed 
 of soft wool. When George caught it, it was much 
 scared, Itsheart went pit-a-pat, and it cried, " Peep, 
 peep, peep," most piteously ; for how should a little 
 chicken know what such a great giant, as George 
 seemed to be, meant to do with it. He brought it 
 into the kitchen, and put it into the box ; and soon 
 
92 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 it nestled down, and poked its head under the soft 
 wool, and went to sleep, for it was very tired. 
 
 It slept a good while ; and, when it waked up 
 George fed it with some warm dough, and then it 
 hopped out of its box, and looked around, hopping 
 a little this way and a few steps that way, to get 
 acquainted. By and by great dog Tovvser came in. 
 Chick cast its small, round, black eye toward Tow- 
 ser, and hopped back. Towser wagged his tail, as 
 much as to say, " You need not be afraid of me ; I 
 would not hurt a feather of you. I take care of 
 every thing in master's kitchen." 
 
 Next came the gray kitty. She had been scud- 
 ding in the corn-loft for mice, and felt quite savage. 
 How big her eyes were, when she saw the chick. 
 " Here is a nice fat bird for my breakfast," her looks 
 seemed to say ; George caught her. " No, no, 
 Miss Kitty," said he, "this chicken is one of the 
 family now, just as much as you are : you must be 
 kind to her; you must not frighten, or bite, or 
 eat her up ; you must do to her as you wish to be 
 done by." How much the gray kitty understood, 
 I do not know. She was slow to learn, I think, for 
 George had to watch her one, two, three, and four 
 days, lest she should spring on chicky. In the end 
 they all became great friends Towser, kitty, and 
 chicken for, one day, on visiting the kitchen, what 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 93 
 
 do you think I saw? Towser was stretched before 
 the fire, kitty lay curled up between his legs, 
 chicky was roosting on his head, and all three fast 
 asleep. 
 
 When Towser is out, and kitty gone, if the family 
 go into the front room to sit, the poor chicken feels 
 very lonesome ; and it will run to the door and cry, 
 " Peep, peep, peep," asking to be let in. When the 
 door opens, in it scampers. "Chirp, chirp, chirp," 
 it says, ifi a cheerful, lively note, " chirp, chirp ; how 
 glad am I.' 1 
 
 THE REPLY * 
 
 MAY T answer thee, Master Charlie ? And first, 
 didst thou think our tongues were all tied, that we 
 
 o ' 
 
 could not reply to thee, and send back a little of the 
 laughter to your side ? We, too, are glad vacation's 
 coming; for we have worked hard, and want a little 
 rest. You wonder what we have done ? More 
 than little boys, who play and think so much of the 
 fun that is coming when school is out, can 2wssibly 
 do. We sit still almost six hours, upon a hard 
 bench ; we learn our lessons well. Can you say 
 all that for the boys? We don't always do right, 
 I know ; for the fun is in our hearts, and sometimes 
 it bursts out; but we get our pay for it. There is 
 
 * To be spoken after Vacation, on page 83. 
 
94 THE LITTLE ORATCR. 
 
 one word that always comes from our teacher's lips ; 
 it is a long, hard word, and sometimes I wonder 
 what it means, and where it first came from ? But 
 you boys can tell where it goes to. 'Tis called a 
 Misdemeanor ; did you ever hear of it, boys ? 
 
 ' l Tied to mamma's apron-strings," indeed ! It is 
 well some one is in the house, else there would be 
 a sad time when you come in crying, poor things, 
 so tired, with clothes, which in the morning were 
 clean, now covered with dirt, and which, very mys- 
 teriously, you have sadly torn. Now, if there were 
 no little girls " tied to' mamma's apron-strings," to 
 run for the thimble and thread, what would become 
 of you, pray ? surely you could not get them your- 
 selves, you are so tired and cross. Pity us, indeed ! 
 You may be thankful that we are not such romps 
 as you, and that there is some one " tied to mam- 
 ma's apron-strings." Of course we do not go out 
 in the hot sun, in the midsummer days. We save 
 our crying, complaining, and complexion too. by 
 this. But really, boys, we do pity you, sometimes. 
 When you have been out tossing ball or running 
 
 J O 
 
 races, and come in almost melted, then try to drive 
 the sister "tied to mamma's apron-strings "from her 
 nice, cool seat, and get her fan, which she wont yield 
 to you ; this, my dear litttle boys, is when we pity 
 you. I tell you we don't want you to call us '' dear j 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 95 
 
 little jgirls," and in the next breath "poor little 
 thing'." We don't want to be tanned; we love, 
 the r easant sunshine, but we don't love the color 
 it gi\vs to our faces. And as for your work : I won- 
 der w/iere's the work you ever did accomplish. 
 
 But, when the pleasant time comes for our ram- 
 bles in the woods, to gather berries and flowers, 
 please to remember we are tied to " mamma's apron- 
 strings," ;?nd can not go with you. What fine sport 
 for you, alone in the woods ; so nicely you'll come 
 home, with your hats trimmed with oak-leaves and 
 flowers ! No, no, boys, save your pity for your- 
 selves ; you will need it then. 
 
 "The young ladies, so fine, 
 
 What'll they do at home ? 
 Oh, they'll sit with hands crossed, 
 
 Till autumn shall come." 
 
 Be careful that, when you grow to be men, you 
 don't stay in doors to save your complexion. You 
 may be glad to stay with the ladies, even if they 
 are in doors; but remember, we shun the sun's 
 (son's) smile. 
 
 And now, boys, I hope you will have a good 
 time ; we girls are going to. But I warn you to be 
 careful how you trouble the " dear little girls," "the 
 poor little things," with your pity, or talk to us about 
 being tied to " mamma's apron-strings." 
 
90 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 SOLILOaUY OF A POOR BOY. 
 
 I THINK it is too cruel that I can not go by 
 Thomas Silver's house, without being called poor. 
 His father is rich, but it shows a very mean disposi- 
 tion in his son to twit me of my poverty. I know 
 I am poor ; but what of that ? I can still be 
 honest. 
 
 My teacher tells me, if I get wisdom and knowl- 
 edge, I shall be richer than if I had millions of 
 
 O ' 
 
 gold. Yes, I am poor ; but I would not steal, I 
 would not tell a lie, I would not break the Sabbath, 
 I would not willingly hurt the feelings of one of 
 my companions, for a great deal of money. 
 
 What if I am poor ? Poor boys often become 
 great men. Ben. Franklin was a poor boy. He 
 went into the great city of Philadelphia with a pack 
 on his back ; a strange lad, and no home tc go to. 
 George Washington was poor. Henry Clay, the 
 "Mill-Boy of the Slashes," was poor. And yet 
 they all made some figure in the world. 
 
 What if 1 am poor ? My Redeemer was poor. 
 He u had not where to lay his head." He dwelt 
 among the poor, and he loved them. Ah ! let me 
 blush than I can for & moment regret my poverty ! 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 97 
 
 I will sing the beautiful verse my mother loves so 
 well : 
 
 "He that is down need fear no fall; 
 
 He that is poor no pride ; 
 He that is humble ever shall 
 Have God to be his guide." 
 
 I do not see, after all, but I can sing as heartily 
 as if I had thousands of dollars. Money does not 
 make light hearts. There is the squire he is 
 rich ; but I never heard him sing or whistle in my 
 life. His cheek is paler than mine, and his arm is 
 thinner ; and I am sure he can not sleep sounder 
 than I do. 
 
 No; I am not poor, either. This fine summer 
 morning I feel quite rich. These beautiful flowers 
 are mine ; the red clouds yonder, where the sun is 
 going to burst forth they are mine. All these 
 singing-birds the robins, the thrushes, the larks 
 are mine. I never was sick a day in my life, and 
 I always manage to get a crust of bread somehow. 
 What blessings could money buy for me greater 
 than these ! I thought I was poor ; but I am rich ! 
 
 The birds have no purse or pocket-book ; neither 
 have I. They have no pains nor headaches ; neither 
 have I. They have food and drink ; so have I. 
 They are cheerful ; so am I. They are taken care 
 of by God ; so am I. 
 
 9 
 
 
98 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Ab ! this is the secret of human happiness, after 
 all. I Will think less about the things I do not 
 have, amd more about those I do have. I will al- 
 ways remember that a crust with contentment is 
 sweet; and, if I endeavor to do what is right, God 
 will never leave me without one. 
 
 ACT THE TRUTH. 
 
 A GROOM, whose business it was to take care of 
 a certain horse, let the animal go loose into the field. 
 After a while, he wanted to catch him ; but the 
 horse chose to run about, rather than be shut up 
 in the stable, so he pranced about the field, and kept 
 out of the groom's way. 
 
 The groom now went to the barn, and got the 
 measure with which he was wont to bring the horse 
 his oats. When the horse saw the measure, he 
 thought the groom surely had some oats for him ; 
 and so he went up to him, and was caught and taken 
 to the stable. 
 
 On another day, the horse was in the field, and 
 refused to be caught. So the groom again got the 
 measure, and held it out, inviting the horse to come 
 to it. But the animal shook his I end, saying, " Nay, 
 master groom; you told me a lie the other day, and 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 90 
 
 I am not so silly as to be cheated a second time by 
 you." 
 
 " But," said the groom, " I did not tell you a lie ; 
 I only held out the measure, and you thought it 
 was full of oats. I did not tell you there were oats 
 in it." 
 
 " Your excuse is worse than the cheat itself," said 
 the horse. " You held out the measure, and there- 
 by did as much as to say, '/ have some oats for 
 you. 1 " 
 
 Actions speak as well as words, and every one 
 who deceives, whether by words or deeds, is a liar. 
 Therefore, learn to act the truth as well as to speak 
 it. 
 
 THE TONGUE. 
 
 EVERY one has in his mouth a thing to talk with, 
 called the tongue. This is made to tell the truth 
 with. When it tells a lie, it does that which is very 
 wrong. 
 
 The tongue is made to say kind and pleasant 
 things to our friends. When it says a saucy thing 
 to any body, it is a naughty tongue. 
 
 When the tongue says a disobedient word to a 
 father or mother, it is a wicked tongue ; and when 
 
 
100 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 it says an unkind word to a brother or sister, it is a 
 very bad tongue indeed. 
 
 When the tongue swears, it does that which God 
 has forbidden. When it speaks bad words, it is a 
 vile tongue. What boy would like to carry such a 
 tongue in his mouth ? 
 
 And now, dear school-mates, let me ask you a 
 few questions. What sort of a tongue have you ? 
 Does it always speak the truth ? Does that tongue 
 of yours ever say saucy words ? 
 
 Does your tongue ever speak disobedient words 
 to your parents ? Does it ever say unkind words to 
 a brother or sister ? Does it ever swear, or utter vile 
 words ? 
 
 O, my school-mates, if your tongue ever says any 
 thing wrong, what shall be done ? Can you tell me 
 how to correct an evil tongue ? I can tell you. 
 Take care of your heart, and think right thoughtSj 
 and you will be sure to speak right words. 
 
 TRY. 
 
 THERE was once a good little dwarf, whose name 
 was Try a very queer name, to be sure. But Try, 
 though small, was very smart and strong. He could 
 do almost any thing ; and, when he undertook to do 
 a thing, he never gave up till it was done. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 101 
 
 But the little fellow wtis very kind. He was 
 always ready to help others out of difficulty. If he 
 saw any one with a hard task, arid almost discour- 
 aged, he would pleasantly say, " Try will assist you ; 
 don't give up." 
 
 I said there was a dwarf, called Try. I may also 
 say he is now living. He is ready to help every 
 one of us. When we have a very hard lesson, we 
 have only to get Try to help us, and all will come 
 right. And, if we will allow him to assist us in all 
 our efforts to be good, we shall succeed. Then let 
 us take Try for our helper, in all our lessons, and in 
 all our good endeavors. 
 
 THE BAD 
 
 IT is easy to tell who^the/^a'! so'ho]ar j is,''> Jle; is 
 often absent from school, and, when hVdomes',*Ko r 
 comes late. At home, he disobeys his kind father 
 and mother. In the street, he is rude and noisy. 
 He calls names, uses bad language, and quarrels. 
 In the school-room, he is idle. As he does not study 
 his lessons, he can not recite them. He often whis- 
 pers and plays, and causes his teacher much trouble. 
 His clothes and shoes are never neat and clean. He 
 loves -the company of bad boys, and does what he 
 can to make others bad. To his school-mates, he is 
 
 
102 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 unkind. He has no friends, because he never does 
 any thing to make friends. If he lives, we fear he 
 will be an ignorant and bad man, for he is not walk- 
 ing in the right way. His motto is " I DON'T CARE 
 HOW I LOOK, OR WHAT I DO." The road he travels 
 leads to a bad ending. Then let us shun the path 
 of the bad scholar. 
 
 THE GOOD SCHOLAR. 
 
 SCHOOL-MATES, we have just heard about the bad 
 scholar. I will now tell you about the good scholar, 
 and let you choose which you will be. 
 
 The good scholar is never absent from school, un- 
 ^ss -he is sick, '.He- -is- never tardy, but is always in 
 his seat before the hour for school to begin. In the 
 
 o 
 
 school i-ociTT, '1\3 is quV, and orderly. He studies 
 Iris les'sons diligently, and recites them correctly. 
 He never plays, nor whispers, nor does he, in any 
 way, trouble his kind teacher. 
 
 On the play-ground, he is always kind and pleas- 
 ant, lie never quarrels, nor does he ever use im- 
 proper language. 
 
 In the streets, he is manly and civil. If any one 
 speaks to him, he answers pleasantly and politely. 
 His dress is always neat and tidy, his face and hands 
 washed and clean, and his hair nicely brushed. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 103 
 
 At home, lie is obedient to his parents, and kind 
 to his brothers and sisters. He tries to learn some- 
 thing good, and to do some good, every clay. His 
 motto is, " I WILL TRY TO DO RIGHT," and he daily asks 
 his heavenly Father to guide and assist him. Let 
 us try to imitate him, and then we may hope to be- 
 come good and useful men. 
 
 THE DISOBEDIENT KITTEN. 
 
 "Tow," said an old puss to one of her children, 
 as she washed her face and paws, " I charge you, 
 Kitty, not to go into the next gentleman's yard, for 
 great dog Jowler lies there; he has horrid teeth, 
 and a terrible snarl, and he is always on the look- 
 out for stray kittens. Remember, and keep at 
 home ; we have a snug garden, a sweet hay-mow, 
 kind friends, and work enough rats and mice a 
 plenty. So, do not stroll off with bad company, 
 visiting places where you have no business to be, 
 and disgracing your bringing up; for you know 
 better, Kitty, you do. 7 ' 
 
 But Kitty had a saucy look; she boxed her 
 mother's ears, in play to be sure, and away she 
 frisked after a dead leaf. Kit did not look at all 
 like minding ; and, after her mother had gone to bed 
 on the hay-mow, she kept up her moonlight ram- 
 
104 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 bles, like a little silly Kit, as she was. One night, 
 when she and some of her thoughtless companions 
 were scudding across Jowler's yard, he, much dis- 
 turbed by their noise, at an hour when he thought 
 all honest folks ought to be abed and asleep, started 
 up and made after them in a violent rage ; and poor 
 Kitty, in her fright, got entangled in some briar 
 bushes, and so fell into Jowler's power. He seized 
 her by the neck with his terrible mouth, shook the 
 breath out of her body, and tossed her over the 
 fence. 
 
 " Oh, oh ! " cried Willy and Mary, when they 
 found their little favorite stiff and cold, the next 
 morning. " Oh ! " cried their mother, pussy's mis- 
 tress, "you little puss! you bid fair to be an excel- 
 lent mouser." "0, dear," mewed the old cat, "O, 
 dear, such are the fruits of disobedience. How 
 many a willful child comes to an untimely end." 
 
 THE TRUE WAT. 
 
 be cast down by trifles. If a spider 
 breaks his thread twenty times, twenty times will 
 he mend it again. Make up your minds to do a 
 thing, and you will do it Fear not, if a trouble 
 comes upon you ; keep up your spirits, though the 
 day be a dark one. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 105 
 
 " Troubles will never stop forever, 
 The darkest day will pass away." 
 If the sun is going down, look up to the stars ; if 
 the earth is dark, keep your eyes on heaven ! With 
 God's presence, and God's promises, a man or a 
 child may be cheerful. 
 
 " Never despair when fog's in the air ! 
 
 A sunshiny morning will come without warning." 
 
 Mind what you run after! Never be content 
 with a bubble that will burst, or a fire-wood that 
 will end in smoke and darkness. Get that which 
 you can keep, and which is worth keeping : 
 " Something sterling, that will stay 
 When gold and silver fly away." 
 
 Fight hard against hasty temper. Anger will 
 come, but resist it strongly. A spark may set a 
 house on fire. A fit of passion may give you cause 
 to mourn all the days of your life. Never revenge 
 an injury. 
 
 " He that revenges knows no rest ; 
 The meek possess a peaceful breast." 
 
 LESSONS TAUGHT BY A SHELL. 
 
 WHO does not love to look at shells ? How 
 beautiful in form they are ! How delicate the 
 material of which they are made ! How smooth 
 
106 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 their inner surface is ! How great the variety of 
 shapes which they assume ! And how very rich 
 the colors are, with which they are painted and 
 adorned ! Take up a polished shell, and look at 
 it; and, while admiring its beautifully rounded 
 form the rich gloss it bears, and the fine 
 play of colors it presents ask yourself tiie ques- 
 tion : What is a shell ? It is the house which 
 God has made for a little fish to live in. That fish 
 is not worth much. It has no soul. It can not think. 
 It only lives for a very short time. Then it dies, or 
 is devoured by some other fish. That is the end of 
 it. And yet how beautiful is the house it lives in. 
 No rich man no prince, or king not " even Sol- 
 omon, in all his glory" ever had a palace to live 
 in so fine, so spl'endid, as some of the houses which 
 God has made for those fish to live in. 
 
 We learn two lessons from one of these beautiful 
 shells. One is a lesson about God's wealth and 
 wisdom. Since God can afford to make such costly 
 houses for little fish to live in, how rich he must be ! 
 And since he can make them in so great variety 
 of form and beauty, how wise he must be ! 
 
 Another lesson which the shell teaches is about 
 heaven. If the house which God makes for a little 
 fish to live in, for a very short time, is so beautiful, 
 how very beautiful may we expect that heavenly 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 107 
 
 house to be, in which all who love Jesus are to live 
 forever ! 
 
 Think of these lessons, when you look at a 
 pretty shell and try to please that great Being, 
 all of whose works 'declare his goodness and 
 wisdom. 
 
 GOOD ADVICE. 
 
 IF you have an enemy, act kindly to him, and 
 make him your friend. You may not win him over 
 at once, but try again. Let one kind act follow an- 
 other, until you have gained him. By little and 
 little, great things are completed. 
 
 "Water falling, day by day, 
 Wears the hardest rock away." 
 
 And so continued kindness will soften a heart of 
 stone. Whatever you do, do it willingly. A boy 
 that is whipped to school, never learns his lessons 
 well. A man that is compelled to work, cares not 
 how badly his work is done. But he that takes off 
 his coat cheerfully, and rolls up his sleeves in earnest, 
 and sings while he works, is the man for me. 
 
 " A cheerful spirit gets on quick, 
 A grumbler in the mud will stick." 
 
 
108 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Evil thoughts are worse enemies than lions and 
 tigers ; for we can keep out of the way of wild 
 beasts, but bad thoughts win their way every where. 
 The cup that is full, will hold no more ; keep your 
 heads and hearts full of good thoughts, that bad 
 thoughts may find no room to enter. 
 
 "Be on your guard, and strive, and pray, 
 
 To drive all evil thoughts away." 
 Be good, and do good, my dear school-mates, and 
 then you will gain friends and happiness. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 How pleasant is Spring. Then the snow melts 
 away, the grass and flowers begin to grow, and the 
 little birds fill the air with their pleasant music. 
 
 It is in Spring that the farmer ploughs his fields, 
 and sows his grain. It is then, too, that the cattle 
 are driven forth into the pastures, and left to crop 
 the sweet and tender grass. 
 
 It is in Spring that the trees, which have been 
 bare all Winter, begin to shoot out their green leaves 
 and put forth their beautiful blossoms. 
 
 As we enjoy the breath of Spring, and delight in 
 Nature's returning life, let us, in our hearts, bless 
 that good Being, who makes the flowers grow, and 
 who said, " The cattle upon a thousand hills are 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 109 
 
 mine." Let us praise and bless Him, for He is 
 great and good. 
 
 SUMMER. 
 
 SUMMER has come, with its warm airs and hot 
 sun. The snows of Winter are all gone. The 
 chilly winds of Spring are felt no more. 
 
 As we look abroad, we see the earth covered 
 with a carpet of rich green, and the trees decked 
 with leaves, and laden with the growing fruit. 
 
 In the fields, the farmer is at work. The musio 
 of the scythe and the sweet songs of the feathered 
 warblers seem to be blended in every field. 
 
 The corn, which was planted in Spring, shoots up 
 its green and plumelike stalks, and the grass and 
 grain are waving in the wind. 
 
 The cattle are feeding in the pastures, or standing 
 in the cool shade of the trees. The lambs are 
 frolicking on the hill-sides, and all seem pleasant 
 and happy. 
 
 As we gaze upon the face of Nature, and behold 
 the beauties that every where meet our eyes, may 
 our thoughts be turned to Him, who has spread out 
 this lovely picture for us to look upon and enjoy. 
 
 10 
 
110 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 SUMMER has passed away, and Autumn is now 
 here. The -fields, which so lately were decked in 
 green, are now covered with the ripened corn and 
 grains. 
 
 The trees, which Spring decked with leaves and 
 blossoms, are now bending with their rich clusters 
 of nice fruit. 
 
 The foliage, in the orchard and forests, is chang- 
 ing its fresh green to brown and crimson, orange 
 and red, presenting a charming aspect. 
 
 In the fields, the laborers are busy gathering the 
 crops and fruits, and the farmer is rejoicing as he 
 beholds the rich reward of his toils. 
 
 Autumn, too, is vocal with the goodness of God ; 
 and, as we see and enjoy the bountiful crops, may 
 our hearts swell with love and gratitude to the 
 " God of the harvests'" who is our maker and kind 
 preserver. 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 WINTER is here, with his cold winds and drifting 
 [ snows. His coming has stripped the trees of their 
 leaves, and robbed the fields of their verdure. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. Ill 
 
 The ponds and brooks are covered with ice, and 
 Jack Frost has nipped every flower, and bud, and 
 blossom and often tries to nip our ears. 
 
 But Winter has its joys and sports. How merry 
 the sleigh-bells sound! How pleasant to "coast" 
 down the hills on our sleds, or to glide over the 
 glassy ice on our skates. 
 
 And then, when evening comes, how pleasant to 
 sit in the warm room, with our dear parents and 
 friends, and listen to conversation, or read the in- 
 teresting books. 
 
 Yes, Winter cold and biting Winter has its 
 pleasures ; and, while we enjoy them, let us thank 
 our " Heavenly Father," who is " God of the Sea- 
 
 A CLOSING ADDRESS. 
 
 IT is made my pleasant duty, at the close of our 
 exercises, this afternoon, to thank you for your in- 
 terest and kind attention. To you, our dear parents 
 and friends, we owe more than we can pay. Your 
 kindness has given us our pleasant school, our be- 
 loved teacher, and our useful books. 
 
 We feel that it is a great privilege, that we may 
 come here, daily, to learn. We have tried to obey 
 our dear teacher, to learn our lessons, and to be 
 
112 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 good children. We hope we have done some things 
 well, and that we have grown wiser and better, day 
 by day. 
 
 We hope our lessons and exercises, at this time, 
 have pleased you, and proved to you that we have 
 not been idle. If we have not always done all we 
 ought, we hope you, and our kind teacher, will for- 
 give us, and we will try to do better hereafter. 
 
 In return for your goodness to us, we can only 
 say we thank you sincerely. We will try so to live 
 that all our words and deeds shall be words and 
 deeds of kindness and goodness. We will not only 
 try to please you, but also to please our Father in 
 Heaven, and we will daily ask Him to bless us, and 
 our dear parents and teachers ; and, when we die, 
 may we all, parents and children, receive the ap- 
 proval of the "Great Teacher," and be pupils in his 
 school, forever 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 113 
 
 PART III -DIALOGUES. 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 I HAVE a little voice within, 
 That always tells me when I sin ; 
 I'm sure I know not whence it came 
 Pray, brother, tell me, what's its name? 
 , There is no one, however near, 
 Whispers so sternly in my ear ; 
 And often, in my lively play, 
 If any thing I do, or say, 
 That's wrong or wicked, then I hear 
 This gentle tapping in my ear. 
 I know it is not Mother's tone, 
 * Nor Fathers, for when they are gono 
 It keeps on prompting, just the same, 
 If aught I do that they would llame. 
 
 EDWARD. 
 
 And, brother, don't it always tell, 
 In kindly notes, when you've done well; 
 Are not its whispers always mild, 
 When you have been a duteous child? 
 
 10* 
 
114 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 God gave not to the bud, nor flower, 
 This inward voice of wondrous power. 
 Ah, no, it only has its birth 
 In us, who perish not with earth ; 
 Its name is conscience, and 'twill be 
 A voice from which you can not flee ; 
 It keeps a registry within, 
 Rebuking those who live in sin, 
 And utters words of softest tone 
 To those who will its dictates own. 
 
 THE CHILD AND THE KILL. 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 BEAUTIFUL rill, 
 Sparkling and bright, 
 Gliding so still, 
 From morn to night, 
 Who taught thee to flow, 
 Who ordered thy course? 
 And thy fount below, 
 Who gave it its source ? 
 
 RILL. 
 
 Twas God, my dear child, 
 Who gave me my source; 
 He taught me to flow, 
 And ordered my course, 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 115 
 
 'Neath the shade of the trees, 
 By the side of the hill, 
 Midst the grass an 1 the flowers, 
 So gentle and still. 
 
 And this is the place 
 For me to do good : 
 At the foot of the hill, 
 In the shade of the wood, 
 I water the herds ; 
 I refresh the tall trees ; 
 I nurture the flowers, 
 And cool every breeze. 
 
 And if, my dear child, 
 God e'er fixes your lot 
 At the foot of the hill, 
 Come, 0, come to this spot 
 Hear the beautiful birds 
 Sing among the thick bowers, 
 And see the blithe bees 
 Sipping sweets from the -flowers. 
 
 See what beauty and love, 
 And what happiness too, 
 Spring up by my side, 
 And your pathway pursue : 
 Nor sigh to be great, 
 Like the ocean or flood, 
 But, like the small rill, 
 Be content to do good. 
 
116 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 LAKE AND RIVER. 
 
 " They also serve, who only stand and wait." 
 
 LAKE. RIVER, why dost thou go by, 
 
 Sounding, rushing, sweeping? 
 
 RIVER. Lake, why dost thou ever lie, 
 Listless, idle, sleeping? 
 
 LAKE. Naught before my power could stand, 
 Should I spring to motion I 
 
 RIVER. I go, blessing all the land, 
 
 From my source to ocean. 
 
 LAKE. I show sun, and stars, and moon, 
 On my breast untroubled. 
 
 RIVER. Aye ! and wilt thou not as soon 
 
 Make the storm-clouds doubled ? 
 
 LAKE. River, river, go in peace ! 
 
 Til no more reprove thee. 
 
 RIVER. Lake, from pride and censure cease ; 
 May no earthquake move thee ! 
 
 LAKE, I a higher power obey 
 Lying still, I'm doing ! 
 
 RIVER. I for no allurement stay, 
 My great end pursuing. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 117 
 
 LAKE, Speed thee ! speed thee, River bright 1 
 Let not earth Dppose thee ! 
 
 RJVER. Rest thee, Lake, with all thy might, 
 Where thy hills inclose thee. 
 
 LAKE. River, hence we're done with strife, 
 Knowing each our duty. 
 
 RIVER. And, in loud or silent life, 
 
 Each may shine in beauty. 
 
 BOTH. While we keep our places thus, 
 
 Adam's sons and daughters, 
 Ho ! behold and learn of us, 
 Still and running waters 1 
 
 i 
 
 MOTHER AND CHILD. 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 I SAW the glorious sun arise 
 O'er yonder mountain gray, 
 
 And as he traveled through the skies 
 The darkness went away, 
 
 And all around me was so bright, 
 
 I wished it would be always light 
 
118 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 But when his shining course was done, 
 The gentle moon drew nigh, 
 
 And stars came twinkling, one by one, 
 Upon the shady sky. 
 
 Who made the sun to shine so far, 
 The moon, and every twinkling star? 
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 'Twas God, my child, who made them all 
 
 By his almighty skill ; 
 He keeps them, that they do not fall, 
 
 And guides them as he will ; 
 That glorious God who lives afar, 
 
 In heaven, beyond the highest star. 
 
 THE BEES. 
 
 CHILD. 
 0, MOTHER dear, pray tell me where 
 
 The bees in winter stay? 
 The flowers are gone they feed upon, 
 
 So sweet in summer's day. 
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 My child, they live within the hive, 
 
 And have enough to eat ; 
 Amid the storm they're clean and warm, 
 
 Their food is honey sweet. 
 
THE LITTLE OHATOR. 119 
 
 CHILD. 
 Say, mother dear, how came it there ? 
 
 Did father feed them so? 
 I see no way, in winter's day, 
 
 That honey has to grow. 
 
 MOTHER. 
 No, no, my child ; in summer mild, 
 
 The bees laid up their store 
 Of honey-drops, in little cups, 
 
 Till they would want no more. 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 In cups, you say how are they made ? 
 Are they as large as outs ? 
 
 MOTHER. 
 0, no ; they're all made nice and small, 
 
 Of wax found in the flowers. 
 Our summer's day, to work and play, 
 
 Is now in mercy given, 
 And we must strive, long as we live, 
 
 To lay up stores in heaven. 
 
 THE LITTLE QUESTIONER. 
 
 CHILD. GOD is in heaven can he hear 
 A feeble prayer like mine ? 
 
 MOTHER. Yes, little child ; thou need'st not fear, 
 He listen eth to thine. 
 
120 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 CHILD. God is in heaven can he see 
 When I am doing wrong? 
 
 MOTHER. Yes, that he can ; he looks at thee, 
 All day and all night long. 
 
 CHILD. God is in heaven would he know, 
 If I should tell a lie ? 
 
 MOTHER. Yes ; if thou said'st it very low, 
 He'd hear it in the sky. 
 
 CHILD. God is in heaven does he care, 
 Or is he good to me? 
 
 MOTHER. Yes ; all thou hast to eat or wear, 
 'Tis God that giveth thee. 
 
 CHILD. God is in heaven can I go 
 To thank him for his care ? 
 
 MOTHER. Not yet ; but love him here below, 
 And he will see it there. 
 
 CHILD. God is in heaven may I pray 
 To go there, when I die ? 
 
 MOTHER. Yes, love ; be good, and then one da 
 Hell call thee to the sky. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 121 
 
 "THE BETTER LAND." 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 " I HEAR thee speak of the better land, 
 Thou call'st its children a happy band ; 
 Mother! oh, where is that radiant shore? 
 Shall we not seek it, and weep no more? 
 Is it where the flower of the orange blows, 
 And the fire-flies dance through the myrtle boughs?" 
 
 MOTHER. 
 "Not there, not there, my child 1" 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 " Is it where the feathery palm-trees rise, 
 And the date grows ripe under sunny skies? 
 Or midst the green islands of glittering seas, 
 Where fragrant iorests perfume the breeze, 
 And strange, bright birds, on their starry wings, 
 Bear the rich hues of all glorious things? " , 
 
 MOTHER. 
 "Not there, not there, my child I" 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 " Is it far away, in some region old, 
 Where the rivers wander o'er sands of gold ? 
 
 11 
 
122 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Where the burning rajs of the ruby shine, 
 And the diamond lights up the secret mine, 
 And the pearl gleams forth from the coral strand ? 
 Is it there, sweet mother, that better land? " 
 
 MOTHEE. 
 "Not there, not there, my child !" 
 
 " Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy ! 
 Ear hath not heard its deep songs of joy ; 
 Dreams can not picture a world so fair 
 Sorrow and death may not enter there : 
 Time doth not breathe on its fadeless bloom ; 
 For, beyond the clouds, and beyond the tomb, 
 It is there, it is there, my child!" 
 
 THE RAGGED GIRL'S SUNDAY. 
 
 CHILD. 
 " OH, dear mamma, that little girl 
 
 Forgets this is the day 
 When children should be clean and neat, 
 
 And read, and learn, and pray 1 
 
 "Her face is dirty, and her frock, 
 
 Holes in her stockings, see ; 
 Her hair is such a fright ; oh dear, 
 
 How wicked she must be ! 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 123 
 
 " She's playing in the kennel dirt, 
 
 With ragged girls and boys ; 
 But /would not on Sunday touch 
 
 My clean and pretty toys. 
 
 "/go to church, and sit so still; 
 
 / in the garden walk, 
 Or take my seat beside the fire, 
 
 And hear nice Sunday talk. 
 
 6 
 
 u /read my Bible, learn my hymns, 
 
 My catechism say ; 
 That wicked little girl does not 
 
 She only cares to play." 
 
 MOTHER. 
 "Ah, hush that boasting tone, my love ; 
 
 Repress self-glorying pride ; 
 You can do nothing of yourself 
 
 Friends all your actions guide. 
 
 "Thank them, if you are clean and neat; 
 
 Thank them, if you are taught 
 To keep the holy Sabbath day, 
 
 Or do what else you ought. 
 
 " The nestling bird, that waits for food, 
 
 AYith eager beak and cry ; 
 The new-born lamb, that on the grass 
 
 Beside its dam doth lie ; 
 
124 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 u Are not so helpless, child, as you : 
 Forbear, then, to despise 
 
 Yon ragged girl ; she has no friends, 
 To make her good and wise." 
 
 INFANTINE INQUIRIES. 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 "TELL me, oh, mother! when T grow old, 
 Will my hair, which my sisters say is like gold, 
 Grow gray as the old man's, weak and poor, 
 Who asked for alms at our pillared door? 
 Will I look as sad, will I speak as slow, 
 As he, when he told us his tale of woe? 
 Will my hands then shake, and my eyes be dim? 
 Tell me, oh, mother! will I grow like him? 
 
 i 
 
 " He said but I know not what he meant 
 That his aged heart with sorrow was rent. 
 He spoke of the grave as a place of rest, 
 Where the weary sleep in peace, and are blest ; 
 And he told how his kindred there were laid, 
 And the friends with whom in his youth he playoJ ; 
 And tears from the eyes of the old man fell, 
 And my sisters wept as they heard his tale." 
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 " Calm thy thoughts, my own fair child ! 
 The fancies of youth and age are beguiled ; 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 125 
 
 Though pale grow thy cheeks, and thy hair turn gray, 
 Time can not steal the soul's youth away! 
 There's a land, of which thou hast heard me speak, 
 Where age never wrinkles the dweller's cheek ; 
 But in joy they live, fair boy ! like thee 
 It was there the old man longed to be. 
 
 " Though ours be a pillared and lofty home, 
 Where Want with his pale train never may come ; 
 Oh, scorn not the poor with the scorn er's jest, 
 Who seek in the shade of our hall to rest : 
 For He, who hath made them poor, may soon 
 Darken the sky of our glowing noon, 
 And leave us, with woe, in the world's bleak wild : 
 Oh, soften the griefs of the poor, my child!' 7 
 
 THE SEASONS.* 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 WITH March comes in the pleasant Spring, 
 When little birds begin to sing ; 
 To build their nests, to hatch their brood, 
 With tender care provide them food. 
 
 SUMMER, 
 
 And Summer comes with verdant June : 
 Tke flowers, then, are in full bloom ; 
 All nature smiles, the fields look gay , 
 The weather's fine to make the hay. 
 
 'To be spoken by four boys or girls. 
 11* 
 
126 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 September comes : the golden corn 
 By many busy hands is shorn ; 
 Autumn's ripe fruits, an ample store, 
 Are gathered in, for rich and poor. 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 Winter's cold frost, and northern blast 
 This is the season that comes last : 
 The snow has come, the sleigh-bells ring, 
 And merry boys rejoice and sing. 
 
 SCHOOL DIALOGUE. 
 
 These lines, taken from the Student and Miscellany, were composed 
 fir four little school-girls, who recited them fit a school examination at 
 lackson Valley, Pa. The scene represents the scholars' play-ground. 
 
 SARAH. 
 MART, don't you love to join 
 
 In merry games at play ? 
 I'm sure, I'd like it in the morn, 
 
 And through the livelong day. 
 
 MARY. 
 I'd rather roam throughout the fields, 
 
 In nature's lovely bowers ; 
 Or roam amid the wild-wood walks, 
 
 On paths all strewn with flowers. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 12*7 
 
 I'd weave myself a floral wreath, 
 
 Of blossoms, rich and fair ; 
 "With myrtle, mixed with violet, 
 
 Entwined within my hair. 
 
 ANNE. 
 0, yes, my lovely sisters, yes, 
 
 This would be sweet, 'tis true ; 
 How truly you'd enjoy yourselves, 
 
 And I'd go with you, too. 
 
 And once I saw a happy group, 
 
 Who met upon the green, 
 Adorned with flowers, rich and fair 
 
 It was a lovely scene. 
 
 ESTHER. 
 Mary, don't you love your school? 
 
 I'm sure that I can say, 
 I'd rather learn my books in school 
 
 Than run about all day. 
 
 And, as our teacher loves us, 
 
 We should make this return ; 
 Our parents too have sent us 
 
 Away to school, to learn. 
 
 And then, I know they're wiser, 
 
 And know what's best to do ; 
 I'm sure, 'tis better for us 
 
 Girls, don't you think so, too ? 
 
128 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 MARY. 
 
 Why, to be sure, Esther, dear, 
 
 I did not mean to say, 
 I'd like to leave my pleasant school, 
 
 To u run about all day." 
 
 ANNE. 
 
 I'm sure we have forgot ourselves, 
 Here talking all this time ; 
 
 "We must away to school, 1 see 
 0, dear, 'tis almost nine. 
 
 SARAH. 
 
 Come, let us all be there in time, 
 And never break the rule ; 
 
 We'll join in heart, and join in hand ; 
 Away, away to school 
 
 THE FLOWERS. 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 MOTHER, who made the pretty flowers, 
 That blossom every where ? 
 
 The daisies and forget-me-nots, 
 And violets, so fair? 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 129 
 
 Who made the golden butter-cups, 
 
 That in the meadows grow, 
 The bright-eyed little innocents, 
 
 And lilies, white as snow ? 
 
 Who made the wild red columbines, 
 
 And fill'd each tiny cup 
 With honey, which the little bees 
 
 So daintily sip up ? 
 
 Who made the fragrant clover fields, 
 That drink the summer showers ? 
 
 It must have taken very long- 
 To make so many flowers. 
 
 Mother, who keeps the flowers alive, 
 
 And clothes them every day ? 
 Who watches over them by night, 
 
 To keep all harm away ? 
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 'Twas God, my child, who form'd the flowers 
 
 So exquisitely fair, 
 And the} r , with all his hands hath made, 
 
 His kind protection share. 
 
 He form'd each leaf and opening bud, 
 
 With skill so nice and true, 
 And gave to some a golden tint, 
 
 To some a violet hue. 
 
130 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 God shields the tender flowers by night, 
 And cares for them by day ; 
 
 He giveth to each different plant 
 Its beautiful array. 
 
 He sends the soft, refreshing rain, 
 The gentle summer showers, 
 
 And light, and air, and falling dew- 
 He giveth to the flowers. 
 
 7 Tis the same God, who form'd the flowers, 
 Makes my sweet child his care ; 
 
 Then seek to raise thine infant heart 
 To him in grateful prayer. 
 
 WHO MADE THEM? 
 
 CHILD. 
 
 " MOTHER, who made the stars, which light 
 
 The beautiful blue sky ? 
 Who made the moon, so clear and bright, 
 
 That rises up so high?" 
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 " 'Twas God, my child, the glorious One 
 
 He formed them by his power ; 
 He made, alike, the brilliant sug, 
 And every leaf and flower. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 131 
 
 " He made your little feet to walk, 
 
 Your sparkling eyes to see, 
 Your busy, prattling tongue to talk, 
 
 Your limbs, so light and free. 
 
 " He paints each fragrant flower, that glows 
 
 With loveliness and bloom ; 
 He gives the violet and the rose 
 
 Their beauty and perfume. 
 
 "Our various wants his hands supply, 
 
 And guard us every hour ; 
 We're kept beneath his watchful eye, 
 
 And guided by his power. 
 
 41 Then let your little heart, my love, % 
 
 Its grateful homage pay 
 To this kind Friend, who, from above, 
 
 So gently guides your way." 
 
 QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 
 
 MARY. 
 
 Wno showed the little ant the way 
 
 Her narrow hole to bore, 
 And spend the pleasant summer day 
 
 In laying up her store ? 
 
132 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 The sparrow builds her clever nest 
 Of wool, and hay, and moss ; 
 
 Who told her how to weave it best, 
 And lay the twigs across ? 
 
 Who taught the busy bee to fly 
 Among the sweetest flowers, 
 
 And lay his feast of honey by, 
 To eat in winter hours? 
 
 ANN. 
 J Twas God who showed them all the way, 
 
 And gave their little skill; 
 And teaches children, if they pray, 
 
 To do his holy will. 
 
 A HAPPY NEW YEAR. 
 
 Charles. I wish you a happy new year, Amos. 
 
 Amos: I thank you, Charles, for your good 
 wishes. I wish you many happy years. 
 
 Charles. It is very easy for you to wish me 
 happy years but the wish will not bring them. 
 
 Amos. Very true, Charles ; but we may do 
 something to secure them, if we live. No one can 
 give us happy years. The path of wisdom and 
 goodness is the path to happiness; and if we walk 
 in it we shall be happy, whether others wish it or 
 not. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 133 
 
 Charles. Yes, friend Amos ; but it is very 
 pleasant to receive the good wishes of our friends. 
 
 Amos. I think so, too ; only we must not depend 
 upon them for happiness. We must be good, and 
 do good, if we would be truly happy. 
 
 Charles. I agree with you thre; and, as we 
 have wished each other " a happy new year," let us 
 each strive to merit and secure it. And what shall 
 we do ? 
 
 Amos. "We must be obedient to our parents and 
 teachers. 
 
 Charles. And kind to our brothers, and sisters, 
 and school-mates. 
 
 Amos. Yes, and polite and civil to all. 
 
 Charles. And we must use no bad language. 
 
 Amos. And always speak and act the truth. 
 
 Charles. And do all the good we can. . 
 
 Amos. Yes, and above all we must "Remembei 
 our Creator in the days of our youth." If we love 
 and obey Him, and do the other things we have 
 named, we shall be happy, indeed. 
 
 Charles. Let us try the right way. 
 
 Amos. Yes, and let us daily ask God to help 
 us to walk in it, and then we shall not fail in our 
 attempts. Good bye, Charles. 
 
 Charles. Good bye, Amos. 
 
134 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 THE GOLDEN RULE. 
 
 George. I never will play with Charles Mason 
 again, mother. He is a naughty boy, and I don't 
 love him. 
 
 Mother. Why, Georgie, what is the matter now ? 
 I thought you and Charley were the best of friends. 
 
 George. But, mother, he's got my new India 
 rubber ball, and says he will keep it. But I say he 
 shan't shall he ? 
 
 Mother. How came Charley to run away with 
 your ball, my son ? 
 
 George. Why, he wanted to play with it, and so 
 did I ; and while I was playing with it he caught it, 
 and ran home with it. 
 
 Mother. That was certainly wrong, George. But 
 if Charley had a nice ball, and you had none, would 
 you not like to play with it ? 
 
 George. 0, yes, indeed. 
 
 Mother. And do you not think Charley would 
 let you ? 
 
 George. O, I guess he would, for he is a nice 
 bey, sometimes. 
 
 Mother. Well, George, you know the Bible 
 teaches us "to do to others as we 'would have them 
 do to us." You, it seems, would like much to play 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 135 
 
 with Charley's ball, but don't like to have him play 
 with yours. So you see you do not do as you would 
 be done by. You did wrong, as well as Charley. * 
 
 George. But, mother, he has my ball. 
 
 Mother. I think he will not keep it long, my son. 
 He will give it to you again. 
 
 George. But he did not do as he would be done 
 by when he carried it off. 
 
 Mother. No, he did not. I suppose he did not 
 think any thing about it, any more than you in not 
 letting him play with you. Don't you remember 
 how kind Charley was, a little while ago, when he 
 had his new balloon ? Did he not let you play with 
 it? 
 
 George. Yes, mother ; and don't you know how 
 I let it blow away into a big tree, and Patrick could 
 not et it down a^ain ? 
 
 o o 
 
 Mother. And did Charley cry or fret about it ? 
 
 George. 0, no ; but he was very sorry, and so 
 was I. . I took the money uncle gave me, and 
 bought some paper, and sister Ann made him an- 
 other balloon. 
 
 Mother. And did not both you and Charley feel 
 happy when you gave it to him ? 
 
 George. Indeed we did. Charley keeps it now, 
 and sometimes we play with it. 
 
 Mother. That was regarding the golden rule. 
 
 
 
136 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 You lost his balloon and gave him another, which 
 was just. 
 
 George. Well, mother, if Charley loses my ball, 
 do you think he will be just, and bring me another ? 
 
 Mother \ Certainly if he does what is right. 
 
 Enter Charley. 
 
 Charley. I have come to bring home your ball, 
 George. Mother said I was a naughty boy to run 
 away with it, and she told me I must bring it back. 
 And, George, I am very sorry I plagued you ; I will 
 not do so again. 
 
 George. And I am sorry, Charley, that I would 
 not let you play with my ball. You may have it 
 whenever you wish. 
 
 Charley. I thank you, George; and you may 
 have my balloon whenever you wish. 
 
 Mother. And now, dear boys, learn a lesson. 
 If you would be happy, and make others happy, al- 
 ways be kind and pleasant. 
 
 THE BOOK OF THANKS. 
 
 Albert. There, I feel so vexed and out of temper 
 with Ben that I really must 
 
 Clara. Do something to injure him? 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 137] 
 
 Albert. 0, no ; that is not what I was going to 
 say but that I must look over rny "book of thanks." 
 
 Clara. Book of thanks ! what sort of a book is 
 that, I would like to know. 
 
 Albert. Here it is (taking a small book from 
 his pocket;) and I will read some from it, if you 
 would like to have me. 
 
 Clara. I certainly should. Please read. 
 
 Albert. "March 8th. Ben lent me his new 
 hat." " When I lost my shilling, Ben found it for 
 me." " June 30th. Ben invited me to go and eat 
 some cherries in his father's garden." So, after all, 
 Ben is a pretty good boy. 
 
 Clara. Why, Albert, what do you write in your 
 book? 
 
 Albert. All the acts of kindness that are ever 
 shown me and you would wonder how many they 
 are. I find much good from writing them down. 
 I do not forget them, as I might do if I only trusted 
 to my memory, so I hope I am not often ungrateful ; 
 and, when I am cross, or out of temper, I almost 
 always feel pleasant again if I only look over my 
 book. 
 
 Clara. I wonder what sort of things you put 
 down. Will you let me see it, Albert ? 
 
 Albert. Certainly, Clara. (Passing the book.) 
 
 Clara. (Takes it, and reads.) "Amos Kindly 
 
 12* 
 
138 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 asked me to spend a day with him, and did all he 
 could to make my visit pleasant." 
 
 " Mrs. Day gave me some nice peaches." 
 *" Freddie Churchill asked after me every day 
 when I was sick, and came to see me when I was 
 getting better." 
 
 And I see you put "father and mother" at the 
 top of every page ; why is that, Albert ? 
 
 Albert. O, they are so good to me, and do so 
 much for me, that I can not put it all down, and so 
 I just write their names, to remind me of their con- 
 stant care and goodness. I know that I can never 
 repay them. Read what I have put at the begin- 
 ning of the book. 
 
 Clara. (Reads.) "Every good gift is from 
 above," 
 
 Albert. That is to remind me that I owe thanks 
 to God for all the blessings I enjoy. 
 
 Clara. Well, Albert, I am much pleased with 
 your book and its object. I will ask my mother to 
 get a blank-book for me, and then I will keep a 
 " Book of Thanks," too. 
 
 DOING RIGHT. 
 
 Edward. What do you think Willie Churchill 
 says, John? 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 139 
 
 John. I suppose he says a great many things ; 
 but I am quite sure you have not heard him say 
 any thing bad. 
 
 Edward. No, nothing bad, exactly ; but a little 
 odd. He says he will never play with boys who 
 quarrel or use any improper language. 
 
 John. If you call that odd, I shall be an " odd 
 fellow " too, and I hope many others will become 
 such. I call that taking the right stand, and I like 
 Willie all the better for it. 
 
 Edward. But why does he pretend to be better 
 than others ? Is he to say what is right or wrong? 
 
 John. I do not think Willie feels that he is bet- 
 ter than others. He only means to do right, and 
 keep away from those who do wrong. Do you think 
 it right for boys to quarrel, swear, or lie ? 
 
 Edward. Certainly not. But what have I to do 
 with other boys' actions or words ? Can't they do 
 as they please ? 
 
 John. We should all try to do others good, and 
 we should treat all kindly. But, if boys will do 
 those things which are wrong, and which they know 
 are wrong, if we can not do them good, we should 
 keep away from them ; for we are told that " evil 
 communications corrupt good manners." Willie 
 Churchill is a very kind boy, is he not? Does he 
 not treat every one well ? 
 
 
140 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Edward. O, yes ; he is one of the best boys in 
 school. I never knew him to do a mean or wicked 
 thing, or speak a bad word. 
 
 John. Well, Edward, I think we shall all be safe 
 in following his example ; and I hope you will join 
 me in trying to do so. If we will all unite, we may 
 do much good. 
 
 o 
 
 Edward. I believe you are about right, John ; 
 and I think I will join you. We'll help each other 
 in being good, and in doing good. 
 
 A NEW TIPPET'S WORTH. 
 
 Mien. I do not want a new tippet this winter, 
 nor any thing new ; Pm going to ask mother, to let 
 me wear my old things. 
 
 Jane. ls r ot want a new tippet, when all your 
 cousins are to have new ones ? why, I never saw a 
 girl that did not like n'ew things ! 
 
 Ellen. I do not know as I do, exactly. 
 
 Jane. And why do you not? 
 
 Ellen. Because it makes me feel real bad to be 
 dressed up so, when there are so many children who 
 have no clothes to wear, or houses to live in, or 
 bread to eat. O, if ray mother will let me have 
 the money, to help them with, instead of buying a 
 new tippet for myself, I shall be so happy. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 141 
 
 Jane. I think you are right. I often feel sorry 
 when I see poor children, but I never the light that 
 I could go without things myself to help them. I 
 uean to try it. 
 
 Ellen. I'm glad to hear you say so, and I think 
 we shall both feel happier for practicing the self-de- 
 nial which the teacher told us about yesterday. 
 
 Jane. The Bible tells us that it is " more blessed 
 to give than to receive ;" and, if this is so, we shall 
 be most truly happy when we practice self-denial 
 for the sake of doing some good to others. 
 
 DON'T BE QUARRELSOME. 
 
 James. Don't tease your brother so, Tom Quar- 
 relsome. You are more like a wasp or mosquito 
 than a Christian boy. Indeed, you have made him 
 almost afraid of you ; and, if you don't break off 
 your teasing habit, you will soon drive all the love 
 he has for you out of his heart. 
 
 Tom. Oh, I can't help teasing him, it's so much 
 fun to see how bothered he looks, and how uneasy 
 he is. lie looks as though -he would like to run 
 away, if he was not ashamed, or afraid of being 
 laughed at. 
 
 James. You can't help teasing him, eh ? Non- 
 sense ! Wicked Cain might as well have said that 
 
 
.42 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 he couldn't help killing his brother. The fact is, 
 you don't want to help it. Your heart is so unlovely 
 that it finds pleasure in saying words which will give 
 him pain. * 
 
 Tom. But I don't mean any harm in teasing 
 him. I told you I only did it for fun, and there's no 
 harm in that. I don't do it to be ugly, and I think 
 you are very naughty to say so. 
 
 James. If you don't mean any harm, why do 
 you do it? You see that it does you no good, 
 while it makes him unhappy, and that is doing great 
 harm. It also makes you unlovely, and that is do- 
 ing harm to yourself. But I think you must do 
 what you do with the intention of annoying him, un- 
 less you are more thoughtless than boys of your age 
 ought to be. 
 
 Tom. Well, I don't believe it is a very good 
 plan, so I'll try and be careful. I'm sure I want to 
 do right. I'll not tease him any more. 
 
 James. That's right. Stick to that purpose and 
 you'll both be happier boys, and your home will be 
 a pleasanter one. But don't forget to ask God's 
 help ; if you do, your purpose will prove weak as a 
 rope of sand. God will make it as strong as iron. 
 Tom. But I am afraid that I shall keep forget 
 ting, and so tease him before I think of it. 
 
 James. Oh, if you find your old habit trips you 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 143 
 
 up once or twice, don't give up, but try again. Take 
 this motto to help you. I can leave off teasing, be- 
 cause I ought. 
 
 Tom. Well, I'll remember your good advice, and 
 try to follow it. 
 
 ON DECEPTION. 
 
 Mary. Why, Andrew, how could you tell mother 
 such a wicked lie, this morning ? 
 
 Andrew. What do you mean, Mary ? I haven't 
 told any wrong story, I know. I wouldn't be guilty 
 of so mean a thing. What makes you think I 
 would ? 
 
 Mary. You -certainly did tell a wrong story, for 
 mother asked you if you ate one of the apples from 
 the dish, and you said no, when / know, and you 
 know, that you did eat one. 
 
 Andrew. No, Mary ; you are wrong. Mother 
 didn't ask me if I ate one of the apples, but only 
 if I took one from the dish. I told her I did not, 
 and that was true. The apple rolled off upon the 
 floor, and I picked it up, and ate it. 
 
 Mary. Well, Andrew, that is deception, and 
 deception is just as bad as lying. How could you 
 deceive our kind mother so ? 
 
 Andrew. Why, I answered her question truly. 
 
144 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 If she had asked me if I had eaten one, I should 
 have said yes. 
 
 Mary. You knew what mother meant well 
 enough, and your answer deceived her, and you 
 meant it should do so. 
 
 Andrew. No, sister ; I did not mean to deceive. 
 I did not consider. I spoke before I thought. I 
 see I did wrong, and I feel very sorry. As you 
 say, mother is very kind to us, and we ought to do 
 all we can for her. What shall I do about the apple ? 
 
 Mary. My advice to you is, that you go, and 
 tell mother all about it. Confess your faults, ask 
 her to forgive you, and promise to be more careful 
 for the future. 
 
 Andrew. I will gladly follow your advice, for I 
 feel quite unhappy to think I have deceived mother. 
 
 Mary. I am glad to hear you speak so, brother. 
 I hope you will also ask God to forgive you, and to 
 help you always to act the truth as well as speak it. 
 
 Andrew. I will certainly do so, Mary, and I 
 thank you for your kind words. 
 
 ON POLITENESS. 
 
 Edward. I heard some one say that Simon 
 Rough had not much politeness. Do you know 
 what that means, Richard ? I am sure I do not 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 145 
 
 Richard. I think a polite boy is one who an- 
 swers all questions in a civil manner, and treats all 
 with true kindness. 
 
 Edward. If that is .it, we all know Simon has 
 not a great stock of it. Only yesterday, I heard a 
 gentleman ask him where Mr. Jones lives, and he 
 very bluntly said, "I don't know, and I don't 
 care." 
 
 Richard. Yes, and, more than that, he never 
 speaks to others in a kind and pleasant tone. As 
 it don't cost any thing to be polite, I think we ought 
 to be so. 
 
 Edward. So do I, Richard ; for I think a rude 
 and impolite boy is a very unpleasant companion. 
 I never wish one near me. 
 
 Richard. Nor I ; and I mean to answer every 
 one politely, and if I ask questions of others, I will 
 do so in a civil and courteous manner. 
 
 Edward. I am glad to hear you say so. Let 
 us do all we can to have all the boys in our school 
 polite and kind. 
 
 Richard. I agree to that, Edward ; and the 
 surest way to make them so, is to give them the 
 benefit of a correct example. We will try to fuel 
 right and act right ourselves, and then we shall do 
 some good. 
 
 Edward. I agree with you fully, and I am re- 
 
 " 13 
 
146 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 solved to do as you propose. If you ever think I 
 do not, please tell me. 
 
 Richard. I certainly will, Edward, and I wish 
 you to do the same by me ; and thus we will help 
 each other in the right way. 
 
 Edward. I thank you, Richard. If we thus 
 act we shall be friends indeed for true friends will 
 always try to assist each other. 
 
 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. 
 
 Peter. Charlie, did you see that man whipping 
 his horse in the street, this morning? 
 
 Charles. Yes ; and I think he is a cruel and 
 wicked man, to whip a poor horse so. I think he 
 deserves a good sound whipping himself. 
 
 Peter. I think so, too. The horse pulled as 
 hard as he could ; but, because he couldn't draw the 
 heavy load, the man fell to beating him over the 
 back, with a heavy stick. 
 
 Charles. He is more of brute than the horse. 
 I wonder how he would like to be beaten so ? 
 
 Peter. It might do him good to receive a few 
 blows on his own back. He would learn how such 
 blows feel. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 14 Y 
 
 Charles. But, Peter, I think some of the boys 
 in our school are as cruel as that man. I saw Tom 
 Savage, the other day, worrying a poor kitten. He 
 had tied a large stone to the kitten's tail, and then 
 whipped her, to make her run. 
 
 Peter. Yes; and I saw him catching flies, and 
 sticking pins through them. I wonder how he 
 would like to be treated so. 
 
 Charles. Not very well, I guess. Tom is not a 
 very good boy. 
 
 Peter. No, that he isn't. A truly kind and 
 good boy will never be cruel to any animal, nor be 
 guilty of torturing the meanest insect that lives. 
 
 Charles. The Bible teaches us to be kind to all, 
 and I think it is always safe to follow the rules of 
 the Bible. You know it says " A merciful man is 
 merciful to his beast," and I believe that is 
 true. 
 
 Peter. So do I, Charlie ; and I intend to re- 
 member it, and never to be cruel to any living 
 thing. 
 
 Charles. And I will imitate your example. My 
 motto shall be "kindness to all God's creatures." 
 
 Peter. Very good. I will take the same, and 
 we will get as many boys to join us as^ possible. 
 We'll all go, heart and hand, against cruelty. 
 Kindness to all cruelty to none. 
 
 
 . 
 
148 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 ON SCHOOL. 
 
 Willie. O, how tired I am of coming to school 
 all the time. I do wish there were no schools. 
 
 Mary. Why, Willie, how can you talk so ! Do 
 you know what you go to school for ? 
 
 Willie. I go because I have to go ; father and 
 mother make me go every day. If I could have my 
 way, I would not be there, I know. 
 
 Mary. If you feel so, Willie, it is well that you 
 have a father and mother, to look after you and see 
 that you do right. I go to school to learn, and I 
 am very thankful that I can go. Don't you think 
 we have a very kind teacher ? 
 
 Willie. Yes, our teacher is kind enough ; but, 
 Mary, I don't love to go to school. 
 
 Mary. Well, then, I suppose you wish to grow 
 up, and become a dunce. 
 
 Willie. Dunce ! What is a dunce, Mary ? 
 
 Mary. A dunce is a stupid fellow, who knows 
 nothing ; a blockhead ; and do you wish to be a 
 blockhead ? 
 
 Willie. Why, no, I don't wish to be a dunce ; 
 and, if going to school will save me from it, I am 
 sure I will go. 
 
 Mary. It certainly will. We go to school to 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 149 
 
 learn to read, and write, and spell, and to learn many 
 other things, which will make us more useful and 
 happy, when we are men and women. 
 
 Willie. Why, I am sure I never thought of 
 that before ; I thought we went there to be "out of 
 the way." But if going there and studying will 
 make us wiser and better, I will certainly go. 
 
 Mary. That's right, Willie, I am glad to hear 
 you say so ; and if you will go every day, and study 
 well, and obey your teacher, you will find school a 
 very happy place. 
 
 TRUE COURAGE. 
 
 William. Come, Freddy, let us go over on the 
 pond, and skate. 
 
 Freddy. I will go and ask my mother, and if 
 she is willing I will go. 
 
 William. Ask your mother ? Xonsense ! Come 
 along. I hope you are not tied to vour mother's 
 apron-strings. I don't ask my mother where I shall 
 go, nor when I shall go. 
 
 Freddy. Then I am sorry for you ; for we are 
 told in the Bible " to obey our parents " and my 
 mother is so good, I love to do as she wishes. 
 
 William. I don't want any of your preaching, 
 
150 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Fred; I am going to the yond, and you may as 
 well go with me, for we shall have a nice time. 
 
 Freddy. Perhaps yon will, but I know I can not 
 have a good time if I disobey my good mother, and 
 I will not do it. 
 
 William. Well, you are a coward, and a slave, 
 too. I can take care of myself, without running to 
 my mother, whenever I wish to go out of her sight. 
 
 Freddy. You may call rne a coward and a 
 slave as much as you please, but I shall not disobey 
 my mother. I should feel that I was a mean 
 coward, if I did not do as she told me. 
 
 William. I should like to know what she has 
 to do with your skating. Isn't she willing that 
 you should have a little fun, now and then ? 
 
 Freddy. My mother is always willing to have 
 me enjoy myself; and, if she thinks it safe, she will 
 let me go and skate. But she told me never to go, 
 without her permission. I promised her I would 
 not, and I will not tell a lie, if I never skate. I think 
 you would be quite as happy, if you would regard 
 your mother's wishes more. 
 
 William. But why so ? Why should I mind 
 her always ? 
 
 Freddy. If you will consider how kind your 
 mother is, and how much she does for your comfort 
 and happiness, you will be very willing to regard 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 151 
 
 her wishes. You know, William, -that our mothers 
 know what is best for us, and I hope you will see 
 that I am right. So long as they do so much for 
 us, we ought to be willing to do what we can to 
 please them. 
 
 William. Well, I think what you say is true, 
 and I will follow your example. 
 
 Freddy. Then I am sure you will never regret 
 it. 
 
 ABOUT SCHOOL. 
 
 Mary. I am glad to see you this morning, for 
 I want to have a good talk with you about our 
 teacher. 
 
 Ann. Well, Mary, what have you to say about 
 our teacher ? I hope you think, as I do, that we 
 have a very kind and good teacher. 
 
 Mary. 1 can not agree with you, if you think so. 
 I think she is too strict and too particular about 
 every little thing. I really don't like her, and I 
 don't see how you can. 
 
 Ann. Do tell me what she does that don't suit 
 you. If he injures you in any way, or causes you 
 to do wrong, I shall not like her so well as I now 
 do. How is it. 
 
152 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Mary. Why, she won't let us do any th : ng, to 
 Lave a good time in school. I can't even whisper 
 to any one. 
 
 Ann. Well, Mary, do you think teachers should 
 allow pupils to whisper in school, just when they 
 please ? How could we get our lessons, if all were 
 whispering ? 
 
 Mary. I do not say we should oil whisper ; but 
 I do think some of us might, once in a while. . 
 
 Ann, But did -you never think, Mary, that all 
 should be treated alike in school and that, if our 
 teacher allows one to whisper, she must allow all to 
 do so? 
 
 Mary. Why, no, T never thought of that before ; 
 I was only thinking of myself, and thought it could 
 do no great harm if 1 whispered a little. 
 
 Ann. But if our teacher is good, she must try 
 to do all she can for us as our teacher. What do 
 we come to school for, Mary ? 
 
 Mary. Why, to learn, to be sure. 
 
 Ann. Well, we can not learn, unless the school 
 room is quiet, can we ? 
 
 Mary. No, to be sure we can not but I never 
 thought of it before. 
 
 Ann. I think if we obey just one short rule, 
 Mary, and are very careful, we shall not only love 
 our teacher, but we shall learn. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 153 
 
 Mary. And what is that rule ? 
 
 Ann. I will tell you, if you will promise to 
 obey it. 
 
 Mary. I will, if it is a good one. 
 
 Ann. It certainly is very good, and very short. 
 It is "Do right." 
 
 Mary. I think I am willing to obey that, so far 
 as I can. But I see no great harm in a little whis- 
 pering. 
 
 Ann. I think every thing is wrong in the school 
 room, which tends to disturb the school, or trouble 
 our teacher ; and you know whispering is a great 
 annoyance. 
 
 Mary. Well, Ann, I think you are right. I 
 never thought of these things before; and after this 
 
 O O ' 
 
 I will try to follow your rule, and "Do right." 
 Ann. If you succeed, you will be truly happy. 
 
 A GOOD RECOMMENDATION. 
 
 (James, as Captain of a Ship. Thomas, a very 
 small boy.) 
 
 Thomas. (Approaching James, who is seated.) 
 Pleas?, sir ; I came to see if you want a cabin-boy, 
 to go in your ship ? 
 
 James. Yes, my lad, I do want a cabin-boy ; 
 
154 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 but what is that to you ? A little chap like you 
 will hardly answer for a cabin-boy. 
 
 Thomas. Oh, sir, I'm real strong, and I can 
 do a great deal of work, if I am young and small. 
 Please do give me a trial, sir. I will try very hard 
 to suit you. 
 
 James. But, how came you here, my lad, in 
 this great city ? Did you run away from home ? 
 
 Thomas. Oh, no, indeed, sir ! My father is 
 dead, and my mother is very poor. I wish to do 
 something to help her, and she told me I might 
 come and see you. 
 
 James. Well, my lad, I like you all the better 
 for trying to help your mother. But you are a 
 stranger to me. Have you any letters of recom- 
 mendation ? I never take boys, unless they can 
 bring me letters, stating that they are good boys. 
 
 Thomas. (Hesitating, takes a small Bible from 
 his pocket.) I have no letters, sir ; but my name 
 is in this Bible. Please look at it. 
 
 James. (Opening, reads aloud.) "Willie Gra- 
 ham. Presented as a reward, for regular and 
 punctual attendance at the Sunday School, and for 
 his blameless conduct, there and elsewhere. From 
 his Sunday School Teacher/' Very good, that's 
 enough. You are the very boy I want. You shall 
 sail with me ; and, if you are as good a lad as I 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 155 
 
 think you are, neither you nor your mother shall 
 want for any thing. 
 
 Thomas.. I thank you, sir; and I will try very 
 hard to do right, and please you. When shall I 
 come, sir ? 
 
 James. In a week from this day. Here is some 
 money, for your mother. Tell her I will get you a 
 chest, and have it filled with clothes for you, to 
 take with you. I always like boys who care for 
 their mothers. Good bye, my lad. 
 
 Thomas. Good bye, sir. 
 
 THE ALPHABET. 
 
 Samuel. John, did you ever consider how much 
 A, B, C and their companions have done and can 
 do? 
 
 John. No, I am sure I have not. All I know 
 is that I hated to say them over so much, when I 
 first came to school. They never did me any good ; 
 that I know, well enough. 
 
 Samuel. But they are really very useful, and 
 you will find them so and very interesting, too. 
 
 John. Pray tell me of what use they will ever 
 be. 
 
156 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Samuel. Why, you love to read stories, do you 
 not? 
 
 John. 0, yes, I am very fond of reading story- 
 books ; but what has A, B, C to do with stones, I 
 should like to know. 
 
 Samuel. Why, no book is made, and no story 
 printed, without the aid of the letters of the Al- 
 phabet. 
 
 John. Is that so Sam ? are you sure ? 
 
 Samuel. I am very sure. The twenty-six letters 
 of the Alphabet, and only twenty-six, are all that 
 are used in printing all the books you ever saw. 
 You may examine all the books in your father's 
 great library, and you will not find a single letter 
 except those in the A, B, C list, which you think 
 are of no consequence. 
 
 John. Well, you have told me some news; and, 
 if what you say is true, I shall think more of A, B, 
 C than I have done. 
 
 Samuel. You will find all I have said is true; 
 and, if you are not satisfied, ask your teacher, your 
 father, or your minister. They will all tell you the 
 same. 
 
 John. I thank you, Sam, for what you say, and 
 I will certainly think of it, and will not again think 
 lightly of the " Alphabet column.'* 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 157 
 
 A FOOLISH HABIT. 
 
 (Two girls, seated.) 
 
 Susan. Oh, sister, I am tired to death ! 
 
 Mary. Tired to death! why, Susan, what do 
 you mean ? 
 
 Susan. I am almost tired to death, then, if that 
 will suit you any better. 
 
 Mary. I think that is wrong, too ; it is not true, 
 and we ought always to speak the truth. 
 
 Susan. Well, at any rate, I could not possibly 
 walk another step no, not for the world. 
 
 Mary. Why, yes, you would, sister. 
 
 Susan. No, I am sure I would not; nothing 
 would tempt me to. 
 
 Mary. I am very sorry for that, for I am going 
 down to the museum, and I was going to ask you 
 to go with me. 
 
 Susan. (Hastily rising.) What, to the muse- 
 um ! O, do let me go. I should admire to go. 
 
 Mary. But how can you, if you are tired almost 
 to death ? You say, nothing could tempt you to go 
 as far as the school, and yet the museum is much 
 further. 
 
 Susan. O, I am quite rested now, dear sister ; 
 and I would n^t miss of going, for all the world. 
 
 14 
 
 
158 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Mary. I will let you go with me, if you will be 
 more careful of your speaking, hereafter. In one 
 minute you say you are "almost dead," and that 
 you can not possibly walk, and the next minute you 
 say you can walk well enough. Is not such a man- 
 ner of talking all wrong? Is it not wicked ? We 
 should say only what we mean, and that should be 
 truthful. 
 
 Susan. You are right, dear sister ; and, if you 
 will let me go with you this time, I will promise to 
 be more careful of my speech, hereafter. 
 
 Mary. I surely hope you will ; and now, if you 
 will get ready, we will go. 
 
 THE LITTLE PHILOSOPHER. 
 
 Mr. L. I thank you, my good lad! you caught 
 my horse very cleverly. What shall I give you, for 
 your trouble ? 
 
 Boy. I want nothing, sir. 
 
 Mr. L. Don't you ? so much the better for you. 
 Few men can say as much. But, pray, what were 
 you doing in the field ? 
 
 Boy. I was rooting up weeds, and tending the 
 sheep that are feeding on the turnips, and keeping 
 the crows from the corn. 
 
 Mr. L. And do you like this employment? 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 159 
 
 Boy. Yes, sir, very well, this tine weather. 
 
 Mr. L. But had you not rather play? 
 
 Boy. This is not hard work ; it is almost as good 
 as play. 
 
 Mr. L. Who sent you to work? 
 
 Boy. My father, sir 
 
 Mr. L. Where does he live? 
 
 Boy. Just b};, among the trees, there, sir. 
 
 Mr. L. What is his name ? 
 
 Boy. Thomas Hurdle, sir. 
 
 Mr. L. And what is yours ? 
 
 Boy. Peter, sir. 
 
 Mr. L. How old are you ? 
 
 Boy. I shall be eight at Michaelmas. 
 
 Mr. L. How long have you been out in this 
 field ? 
 
 Boy. Ever -since six in the morning, sir. 
 
 Mr. L. And are you not hungry ? 
 
 Boy. Yes, sir; I shall go to my dinner soon. 
 
 Mr. L. If you had sixpence now, what would 
 you do with it? 
 
 Boy. I don't know ; I never had so much in my 
 life. 
 
 Mr. L. Have you no playthings ? 
 
 Boy. Playthings! what are they ? 
 
 Mr. L. Such as balls, nine-pins, marbles, tops, 
 and wooden horses. 
 
160 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Boy. No. sir; but our Tom makes footballs, to 
 kick in cold weather, and \ve set traps for birds ; 
 and then I have a jumping-pole, and a pair of stilts, 
 to walk through the dirt with ; and I had a hoop, 
 but it is broken. 
 
 Mr. L, And do you want nothing else ? 
 
 Boy. No, sir; I have hardly time for those ; for 
 I always ride the horses to the field, and bring up 
 t.ie cows, and run to the town on errands ; and these 
 are as good as play, you know. 
 
 Mr. L. Well, but you could buy apples or 
 gingerbread at the town, I suppose, if you had 
 mon^y. 
 
 Boy. Oh ! T can get apples at home ; and, as for 
 gingerbread, 1 don't mind it much, for my mother 
 gives me a piece of pie, now and then, and that is 
 as good. 
 
 Mr. L. Would you not like a knife, to cut sticks ? 
 
 Boy. I have one here it is brother Tom gave 
 it me. 
 
 Mr. L. Your shoes are full of holes don't you 
 want a better pair ? 
 
 Boy. I have a better pair for Sundays. 
 
 Mr. L. But these let in water. 
 
 Boy. 0, 1 don't care for that ; they let it all out 
 again. 
 
 Mr. L. Your hat is all torn, too. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 161 
 
 Boy. I have a better hat at home ; but I had as 
 lief have none at all, for it hurts ray head. 
 
 Mr. L. What do you do, when it rains ? 
 
 Boy. If it rains very hard, I get under the hedge 
 till it is over. 
 
 Mr. L. What do you do, when you are hungry 
 before it is time to go home ? 
 
 Boy. I sometimes eat a raw turnip. 
 
 Mr. L. But, if there aie none? 
 
 Boy. Then I do as well as I can ; I work on, 
 and never think of it. 
 
 Mr. L. Are you not dry, sometimes, this hot 
 weather ? 
 
 Boy. Yes, sir ; but there is water enough. 
 
 Mr. L. Why, my little fellow, you are quite a 
 philosopher ! 
 
 Boy. Sir ? 
 
 Mr. L. I say you are a philosopher ; but I am 
 sure you do not know what that means. 
 
 Boy. No, sir no harm, I hope. 
 
 Mr. L. No, no ! Well, my boy, you seem to 
 want nothing at all ; so I shall not give yomjnoney, 
 to make you want any thing. But, were you ever 
 at school ? 
 
 Boy. No, sir ; but father says I shall go, after 
 harvest. 
 
 Mr. L. You will want books, then. 
 
 __ _ 
 
162 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Boy. Yes sir ; the boys have all a spelling-book, 
 and a Testament. 
 
 Mr. L. Well, then, I will give ycu them tell 
 your father so, and that it is because I thought you 
 a very good, contented bov. So, now, go to your 
 sheep again. 
 
 Boy. I will, sir. Thank you. 
 
 Mr. L. Good bye, Peter. 
 
 Boy. Good bye, sir. 
 
 .ON TARDINESS. 
 
 Samuel. What a fuss our teacher makes, if we 
 come to school a little late. I am sure, I see no 
 harm in being a few minutes late ; do you, Thomas ? 
 
 Thomas. I know our teacher don't like to have 
 us late, and I think we should try to please him. 
 
 Samuel. Well, I should like to know what harm 
 there is in being tardy at school. 
 
 Thomas. I know what our teacher says, and he 
 knows what is best. He is certainly very kind to 
 us, and I think he only requires what will be for 
 our good. 
 
 Samuel. What does he say about being late ? 
 I should like to know if there is any good reason 
 against it. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 163 
 
 Thomas. He says the habit is a bad one, in 
 many respects. If we come late, we disturb our 
 teacher and the school. And then, he says, if we 
 form the habit of being late at school, 'we shall be 
 tardy in other matters. 
 
 Samuel. I never thought of those reasons be- 
 fore, and I am not certain but he is ri^ht. I re- 
 
 ' O 
 
 member, when I came late the other morning, the 
 scholars all looked up, to see who had come, and 
 the teacher waited till I had got to my seat, before 
 he asked the class any more questions. 
 
 Thomas. Yes, I recollect it ; and I wished, then, 
 that you would not be late any more. I think it a 
 very bad practice. If you are late at school, you 
 will be late elsewhere. My motto is "Never be late? 
 and I wish you would have the same. What say 
 you to that, Sam ? 
 
 Samuel. Why, 1 think you are about right. I 
 have never thought of the subject before. From 
 this time, your motto shall be my motto, and I will 
 try to honor it. 
 
 Thomas. That's good. And now, Samuel, let 
 us do what we can, to have all the scholars in our 
 school adopt the same motto. 
 
 Samuel. That we will ; and we will all unite, and 
 call ourselves the "Prompt Band." 
 
164 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 ON NEATNESS. 
 
 Charles. It seems to me, John, that you feel 
 pretty smart this morning. How your shoes shine. 
 1 hope you are not getting so proud that you won't 
 speak to a fellow like me. 
 
 John. Why, what do you mean Charles ? Don't 
 you think I can have my shoes brushed, without 
 being proud ? 
 
 Charles. O, yes, I hope you can ; but what's 
 the use of being so very nice. I should think you 
 never saw any dirt. For my part, I don't care if 
 my shoes have mud on them. I'm not afraid of 
 dirt, I can tell you. 
 
 John. Nor am I afraid of dirt ; but I think it is 
 our duty to keep ourselves in a neat and tidy con- 
 dition. Would you like to have all the scholars 
 come to school with muddy shoes, so that the floor 
 would always be covered with dirt and dust ? Our 
 teacher likes to have the school room in a neat and 
 clean condition ; and I think she is right, and I will 
 do my part to please her. 
 
 Charles. I, too, am willing to please my teacher ; 
 but what is the use in being so mighty particular. 
 I'd like to know ? 
 
 John. I think it a good thing to be neat and 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 165 
 
 clean. My mother says I can save her much work, 
 by being careful about my shoes and clothes ; and, 
 if I can, I am sure I ought to. But, I think I can 
 be neat, without feeling smart, as you call it. Now, 
 tell me, Charles, if you do not like to see boys 
 neat? There's Torn Careless always covered with 
 mud and dirt, and his face is never clean, nor his 
 hair brushed. Would you like to have him for 
 your seat-mate ? 
 
 Charles. Why, no ; I can't say I would, when 
 it comes to that. I think, after all, that you are 
 about right; and I will try to be more careful my- 
 self, though I fear I shall never be so neat as you 
 are. 
 
 John. 0, yes, you will, Charles. Once form the 
 habit of neatness, and it will be much easier, as 
 well as pleasanter, to be clean, than to be covered 
 with mud. 
 
 THE BEGGAR. 
 
 Susan. Mary, did you see the boys, this morn- 
 ing, plaguing that poor old beggar 1 
 
 Mary. No ; but I heard the girls speaking about 
 it, and I agree with them that it was very cruel for 
 the boys to do so. 
 
 Ann. So I think, and I told them so, and they 
 
166 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 all shouted, and said it was good sport, and that it 
 was fun to hear the old man scold so. 
 
 Susan. I think no good boys would engage in 
 such sport as that. How would they like to have 
 their fathers treated so ? 
 
 Mary. That is what I asked one of the boys ; 
 and he laughed, and said his father was not an old 
 beggar. 
 
 Susan. No, but he may become one. Besides, 
 the Bible teaches us to do good to all. I think it 
 is very wicked to tease an old man so. 
 
 Ann. Indeed, it is ; and no good boy would do 
 it. If the man is so poor that he Las to beg from 
 house to house, we should certainly pity him, and 
 do all we can for him. 
 
 Mary. So I think. And now let us go and 
 talk to the boys, and let them know that we do not 
 like such* actions. 
 
 Susan. That will be right; but let us talk 
 kindly to the boys, for I can not think they wish to 
 do wrong. They have not considered what they 
 were doing. Perhaps, if we speak to them pleas- 
 antly, and tell them how we feel, they will be more 
 careful. 
 
 Ann. Yes, we will do our duty, and let the boys 
 know r that they can not please us by treating a poor 
 old man in that way. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 167 
 
 ABOUT FEATHERS* 
 
 Teacher. " What have I in my hand ? " 
 
 Pupils. " A feather." 
 
 Teacher. u Whence did it come ? " 
 
 Pupils. " From a bird." 
 
 Teacher. " How do you think a bird would feel 
 without feathers ? " 
 
 Pupils. " It would be very cold." 
 
 Teacher. " What do we wear to keep ourselves 
 warm ? " 
 
 Pupils. " Coats, jackets, stockings, etc." 
 
 Teacher. " What do we call these ? " 
 
 Pw/wfo. " Clothes." 
 
 Teacher. " What do birds have for clothes ? " 
 
 Pupils. " Feathers." 
 
 Teacher. " Can you think of any animals that 
 wear clothing different from that we wear, and also 
 different from that worn by birds? n 
 
 Pupils. " The sheep wear wool ; the dog and 
 horse wear hair." 
 
 Teacher. " Now look. (Throwing the feather 
 into the air.) What do you see ? '' 
 
 Pupils. u It flies, or floats in the air." 
 
 * Let one take the part of Teacher, and have three or four pupils 
 answer in concert, or separately. 
 
168 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Teacher " If I toss a penny into the air, will it 
 do the same ? '' 
 
 Pupils. " No, it will fall to the floor." 
 
 Teacher. " Why does the feather float, and the 
 penny fall ? " 
 
 Pupils. " Because the feather is light, and the 
 penny heavy." 
 
 Teacher. " Can any of you tell me why feathers 
 are better for birds than clothing like ours, or wool 
 like the sheep's ? " 
 
 Pupils. " Because they are light, and birds can 
 fly better with them." 
 
 Teacher. "Very well. If they had heavy cov- 
 ering they could not rise into the air ; or, if they did, 
 they would soon fall down. From this we may see 
 how wise and good our Heavenly Father is. He 
 even cares for the birds. He says in the Bible, that 
 a little bird shall not fall to the ground, without his 
 notice. Now, if God sees all the little birds, and 
 takes care of them, do you think he will ever for- 
 get little children ? In the same passage in the 
 Gospel, which tells of God's care of the little birds, 
 it says, He takes still greater .care of his children. 
 I wish you would all try to find the verse I mean, 
 and learn it, to say to-morrow. Boys sometimes 
 kill birds, ,nd destroy their nests is that right?" 
 
 Pupils " It is not." 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 169 
 
 Teacher. " No ; it is very cruel, and I hope you 
 will never do so. Now, children, examine these 
 feathers are they all alike ? " 
 
 Pupils. " One is white, one is black, and one is 
 brown." 
 
 Teacher. " What, then, will you say of the color 
 of feathers ? " 
 
 Pupils. " They have different colors." 
 
 Teacher. " Now, take one in your hands, and 
 tell me how it feels ? " 
 
 Pupils. "It is soft." 
 
 Teacher. " Are all parts'soft ? " 
 
 Pupils. " No ; the middle part is hard." 
 
 Teacher. " Yes, the middle part, which we call 
 the stem, is hard, while the down, or feathery part, 
 is soft. Is there any other difference between the 
 two parts ? '* 
 
 Pupils. " The stem is bright and smooth, but 
 the rest is not." 
 
 Teacfar. " What do we say of those things that 
 shine ? " 
 
 Pupil. " We sometimes call them brilliant." 
 
 Teacher. " And what of things that do not 
 shine ? " 
 
 Pupil. " We call them dull. 
 
 Teacher. "Do you notice any other difference 
 between the two parts ? Will all parts bend alike ? " 
 
170 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Pupils. " No, the quill or stein part does not 
 bend easily it is more stiff.'* 
 
 Teacher. " Name some other things that are 
 stiff. " 
 
 Pupil. "Wood, stone, slate." 
 
 Teacher. " For what are feathers used ?" 
 
 Pupils. " For making beds." 
 
 Teacher. " Why are they good for making 
 beds ? " 
 
 Pupil. "Because they are soft." 
 
 Teacher. "There are many other curious things 
 about feathers, which I will tell you at another time. 
 You may now repeat what you have learned about 
 feathers." 
 
 Pupils. "Feathers are the clothing of birds. 
 They are very light and soft. God takes care of 
 the little birds, and still more care of us. Feathers 
 are of different colors. The stem of the feather is 
 hard, and stiff, and shining ; but the down is soft 
 and dull. They make good beds, because they are 
 soft." 
 
 WHICH DID THE BEST? 
 
 Father. Well, children, you know I gave each 
 of you, yesterday, a nice peach. Now, tell me 
 what you did with them. 
 
TFIE LITTLE ORATOR. l7l 
 
 Edmund. I ate mine, and it was very juicy and 
 sweet. But, father, I have kept the stone, and 
 mean to plant it, and raise a tree. 
 
 Father. That is well ; it is always wise to think 
 of the future. And how about yours, Amos ? 
 
 Amos. I ate it up as soon as you gave it to me, 
 and threw the stone away. Mother gave me half 
 of hers, too ; and they were both very nice. 
 
 Father. You, rny son, have not done very 
 wisely but you may yet learn wisdom. Come, 
 Willie, tell us about your peach. 
 
 Willie. When Amos threw the stone of his 
 away, I thought it too bad, and I picked it up, arid 
 cracked it, and found a nice kernel in it. But I 
 sold mine, and got money enough to buy a half 
 dozen peaches. 
 
 Father. Prudence is well, my son ; but be care- 
 ful, and not think too much of trade and money. 
 Now, George, we will hear from you. 
 
 George. Father, I took my peach over to Mr. 
 Mason's, and gave it to little Charlie. You know 
 he has been sick for a longtime, and I thought the 
 nice peach would please him. Did I do wrong, 
 dear father ? 
 
 Father. I will let others say first. Tell me, 
 children, which do you think did the best with his 
 peach 1 
 
1 72 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Edmund, Amos, and Willie. George, father ; 
 George did the best. 
 
 father. So I think, and I hope you will all 
 learn a useful lesson from the peaches. Always 
 think of the sick and unfortunate and do what 
 you can to make them happy. Then you will be 
 happy yourselves. 
 
 IS IT RIGHT? 
 
 Alice. Brother Edward, there is one question 
 we ought always to ask ourselves, when we are 
 about to do any thing; and, if we would ask and 
 answer it honestly, it would be of great service to 
 us. 
 
 Edward. And what is that, dear sister I 
 should like to know. 
 
 Alice. It is this : " Is it right ?" 
 
 Edward. That is a very short question, surely ; 
 and, I think, a very good one. 
 
 Alice. Yes, dear Edward ; and yet, I fear, you 
 have not always regarded it as you ougnt. 
 
 Edward. When have I not, sister ? 
 
 Alice. I do not remember all the cases, but I 
 could name two or three. 
 
 Ed word. Please do so, for I should like to 
 know what they are. 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 173 
 
 Alice. Will you promise not to be offended, if 
 I name them ? 
 
 Edward. Certainly I will, for I wish you to tell 
 me, for my good. I do not wish to do wrong, I 
 am sure. 
 
 Alice. Well, Edward, I will tell you of two or 
 three cases, in which, I thought, you did not do 
 quite right. When mother asked you to do an er- 
 rand, the other day, you told her you didn't want 
 to, and asked her why she did not call Mary, to do it. 
 
 Edward. That was because I was busy playing 
 with my top. 
 
 Alice. But was it right, Edward, for you to say 
 so? Only think, how kind our dear mother is to 
 us'! How many things she does for our good. 
 
 Edward. Yes, I know, mother is very kind; 
 and we ought to obey and help her always, but I 
 didn't think. 
 
 Alice. That's it exactly you did not think ; 
 you did not ask yourself, "Is it right for me to be 
 unwilling to assist my mother ? " And yesterday, 
 ^ou know, you was quite angry with your little 
 brother. Was that quite right, Edward ? 
 
 Edward. No, Alice, it was not. But the truth 
 is that he troubled me, when I was reading a story, 
 and I pushed him away before I thought. It was 
 wrong in me, and I am sorry. 
 
174 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 Alice. - I will name only one other thing, that 
 I think of now. When your class was reciting, a 
 few days ago, I saw you, very slily, look on your 
 book, when the teacher asked you a question. 
 
 Edward. Well, that was because I couldn't 
 think of the answer. I don't think there was any 
 harm in that. 
 
 Alice. W^hy, Edward ! How can you say so. 
 It was certainly deceiving your teacher, and making 
 him think you knew your lesson, when you did not. 
 Was that right, brother ? 
 
 Edward. JSTo, sister, it was not; but I did not 
 consider. I thank you for this kind talk ; and now 
 I promise that, when I am tempted to do a thing, 
 I will always ask. before I begin -" Is IT RIGHT"? ' 
 
 Alice. 0, brother Edward, I am so glad to hear 
 you say so; and, if you will only do as you promise, 
 you will be much happier for it. 
 
 OUR DUTIES. 
 
 Mary. Here we are, all together, and let us have 
 a good taik about our duties. I hope we all wish 
 to do right. We wish to know our duties, and also 
 perform them. Lucy, will you name some duty? 
 
 Lucy. I think we should love and obey our pa- 
 rents, and do all we can to please them. We can 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 175 
 
 never repay them for all their goodness to us; but 
 we can do many little acts that will please them, and 
 make them feel happy. The Bible tells us to ' hon- 
 or father and mother." 
 
 Clara. Next to our dear parents, I think we 
 ought to honor and love our kind teachers. They 
 meet us every day, and labor hard to give us knowl- 
 edge that will fit us for usefulness and happiness, 
 
 Genevra. I think another duty is to be kind and 
 pleasant to our school-mates, to do all we can to 
 oblige them and make them happy. 
 
 Grace. We have other friends besides our school- 
 mates, and I think it is duty to treat them well, and 
 do all we can to please them ; for what would this 
 world be worth to us, if we had no friends. If we 
 would have friends, we must show ourselves friendly. 
 
 Ann. Another duty, is to be polite and civil to 
 all, and to do nothing that will cause any one the 
 slightest pain or grief. 
 
 Almira. The duties you have named, girls, are 
 , all very important. We should not only be kind to 
 all persons, but also to all animals. A toy or girl, 
 who can treat a dog, kitten, or any other creature 
 with cruelty, will not be a truly good companion for 
 any one. 
 
 Mary. All the duties you have named are very 
 important, and not one of them should be over- 
 
176 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 looked. But the most important duty of all, you 
 have not spoken of. There is One to whom we owe 
 every thing we have. Every good and every perfect 
 gift comes from our Father in heaven, and it is our 
 duty to love and serve Him ; for in Him we "live, 
 and move, and have our being." And now, dear 
 
 girls, let us all sing ; 
 
 % 
 " Our friends are dear, that we have here, 
 
 But, better far than all, 
 There's One we love, who dwells above, 
 And on His name we call." 
 
 CLOSE OF SCHOOL. 
 
 Julia. Well, girls, to-day is the last day of 
 school ; and, for one, I must say I feel sorry. 
 
 Alice. So do I; for we have had a very kind 
 teacher, and our school has been pleasant every day. 
 How do you feel about it, Florence ? 
 
 Florence. Why, I feel glad and sorry both. I 
 love our good teacher and school-mates, and school 
 has been very pleasant to me; but then, I am al- 
 most glad that I can have a few days for visiting my 
 cousins in the country it is so delightful to go into 
 the country at this beautiful season, when the trees 
 
THE LITTLE ORATOR. 177 
 
 are full of leaves and blossoms. Yes, girls, I 
 am both glad and sorry, if one can be both at 
 once. 
 
 Julia. 0, yes, I know how you feel, very well. 
 I have felt so many a time, and I feel so now. I 
 love my teacher an/1 my school so well, that I really 
 feel sad to think we shall meet no more in this room. 
 But then, vacation will give me time to play and to 
 visit my friends, and father says I may g6 to New 
 York with him. Of course, these things will be 
 pleasant. So, you se'e, I am both sorry and glad 
 same as you feel. Which should you like best, 
 Alice, to have the school keep on or close ? 
 
 Alice. It would please me best to have the school 
 continue. Our teacher is so pleasant and kind, and 
 makes our lessons so interesting, that I don't like to 
 have school close. You know, girls, what a cross 
 teacher we had before ; and I am so afraid we shall 
 have another just like her. 
 
 Julia. What, another like Miss Fret ! No, it 
 can't be. I don't believe there is another like her. 
 
 Florence. Nor I. How cross she was, and how 
 she always scolded. No matter whether we did 
 right or wrong 'twas all the same to her. She 
 never could smile, nor speak kindly. I^uess, when 
 her term waa out, we were all of one mind, and glad 
 enough to have the term close, and to see Miss Fret 
 
 
178 THE LITTLE ORATOR. 
 
 for the last time. But we all love Miss Kindly, and 
 feel sorry to have her leave. 
 
 Julia. We shall all agree with you, Florence. 
 And now, as we are about to part with our teacher, 
 let us try to think of that good Being, who gives us 
 kind teachers and friends, and J?e thankful for all 
 our blessings. 
 
Y A 04439 
 
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 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY