Second book of reading lessons: with illustrations from Giacomelli and other eminent artisits
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\<SSS!SS8S!!SSSSSS«SS^^ ■^'M'^''i'yj'-'''v^^'^y'^'^'V-'v''<''' THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO THE J. D. BARNETT TEXT-BOOK COLLECTION University of Western Ontario LIBRARY LONDON - CANADA Class V^.N.O.OA PLEASE-^ DO NOT REMOVE THIS CARD FROM BOOK POCKET n LIBRARIES THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO LONDON CANADA LS-60135 ^hc Jloijal Jlcabcrs. special Canadian Scries. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. WiTU Illustrations from Giacomelli and other Eminent Artists. Authorized by the Minister of Education for use in the High and Public Schools of Ontario. -Toronto: THOMAS X E L S O X A X D SOX S, AND JAMES CAMPBELL AXD SON. Entered, according to Act of Parliament, in the Office of the IMinister of Agriculture, in the year of our Lord 1883, by Thojias Nelson and Sons, and James Campbell and Son, Toronto. T66 J PREFACE. The Second Book will be found to afford, in its opening- Lessons, an easy transition from the last pages of the Primer to short continuous narratives. In common with all the other Readers of this Series, the frame-work of the Second Book is so planned as to avoid all disturbance of official programmes or of school classification. Exercises in the reading of written words and in the writing of printed words are still provided for. The readings have been chosen with the desire and expectation of making this little book not alone the child's constant companion, but a dearly-loved fi'iend — brimful of charming pictures, overflowing with delightful rhymes and stories. To the English-speaking race the Baltic is the great fountain of folk-lore. Happily we can there find exquisite imagination combined with pure morals and with robust manhood. The winter scenes and amusements there are the originals of our own. When our children take to winter sports, they but live over again the youth of the gray north Fatherland. There, as here, " Christmas " calls up before the memory not the sad, weeping skies of milder climates, but the keen, IV PREFACE. bracing air, the music of the sleigh-bells, the treasui'e- trove of St. Nicholas. There is thus a peculiar propriety in bringing our children into contact with that wonderful old Fatherland from which the British Empire has in- herited so much. While not neglecting English writers, we have here freely drawn upon the fancy of the versatile brothers Grimm ; upon the Russian fabulist Krilof ; upon the famous Danish story-teller Andersen ; and upoii the less known, but equally delightful, Swedish writers Tope- lius and Gustafsson. In all of these writers, the narra- tive is of the simplest ; while their fresh and joyous style is in charming accord with the springtime of our lives. Toronto, May 10, 1882. 5j^) CONTENTS. /^ ' ^ Ferse is indicated by Italics. ilPart I^Jvst. The Fird School, What docs Little Birdie srti/ ? Little Robin Redbreast, Robin and Richard, In the Wood, Pipiiuj Tom, Little Bo-Peep, Digging Dolly's Grave, My Childhood, Who Kdlcd Cork Robin / The Star, Old Gaelic Lidlaby, Two Ways of Asking, The Hayfield, The Kitten and the Wooden Shoe, The Bee and the Dove, The First Snow-Storm, S(inta Claus, ... The Brown Bear, To a Child, Pussy's Cla.<!!i, Story of a Drop of Water, The Humming Bird, The Child's Friends, Old Mother Hubbard The Chime of the Har -bolls, . .. The Captive, Charlie's Pink, Ann and Jane Taylor, Tennyson, " Nursery Rhymes," ... " Nursery Rhymes," . .. " Nursery Rliymes," ... " Nursery Rhyme.-i," ... "Little Sms!/'s Six Teachers, Hans Christian Andersen, A.L. O.E., Sarah Helen Whitman, Lonnt'ellow, Mary Mapes Dodge, ... From tite German of Carove, From, tile German ofCarore, Frvtr. the German of Carove, 9 10 11 i; 12 16 14 I'' 18 19 21 23 24 25 26 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37 39 40 42 43 45 CONTENTS. Gratitude, PoorWiU, Little Grumblers, ... The Children in the Wood, The Suing, Niyk t Lulloiby, Watts, From the German of Carove, From tite German, '^iXvi ^cconti. Grandpapa's Darling, Round the Breakfast-Table (Part I. What the Winds Brim/, Round the Breakfast-Table (Part II. I'd he a Fairy King, Pussy Cat, A Hot Summer s Day, The Three Butterflies, Minnie and Winnie, Tell me, Little Butterfly, ... The Hedgehog, Be Good, and do Good, The Hedyeh og. The Little Conqueror, The Boys Wish, Beautiful Water, Susy and her Tea-Party, ... The Wood-Mouse, The Mushroom Girl, Little Red Riding Hood, ... The Coot, The Leap at Rhodes, The Story of the Three Bears, The Wise Beaver, ... Who Stole the Bird's Nest ? Jlobei-t of Lincoln, ... Milking Time, The Foolish Little Gnomes (Part I. ' From, the German, E. C. Stedman, CltarUs Sangder, Tennyson, From the Sivedish of Giistafssoit, Charles Kingsley, Mrs. Howitt, ... Spring of Life, The Foolish Little Gnomes (Part II, The Violet, Fire, Never Play mth Fire, The Lambs' Lullaby, " Susy's Six Birthday- Mrs. Hoicitt, ... A. and J. Taylor, Mrs. Ho^vitt, ... " jEsop's Fabl^," Kingston, W. C. Bryant,... , )!'. Alison, ( Esperanc€,in"CanadianMonihl^ \ Magazine," ... ), W. Alison, Jane Taylor, ... A. and J. Taylor, Mary Lundie Duncan, 61 62 64 65 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 76 78 80 80 81 91 94 95 101 102 103 106 107 112 114 119 120 122 1-23 CONTENTS. 'yp-Axi gr-hirb. My Hmvt's In the Hiijldands, Ships and Boats (Part I.), Ships (Part 11.), The Steam-Boat, On the Raft, ... Lines from the " Wreck of the Hexperti The Laplander, Winter Song, The Brave Little Tailor, ... Brace Willie, Deeds of Kindne.fs, ... The American Indians, . .. Welcome, Little Bobin, The Owl and the Ass, The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean The Factory Girl's Hijmn, The Wolf and the IMan, Mtj Mother, The Road to the Clouds, Tlie Hanging Nests, Night and Morninfj, The Squirrel, Tlte Canary's Funeral, Fortune and the Beggar, Burns, ... O. W. Holmes, A.L.O.E., <i,"'if. W. Lonij/'dlow, ( ''' Illustrated Book of Songs for \ Cliildren," ... ( From the German of J. L. and \ W. K. Grimm, Sarah Williams, Fanny J. Van Ahiyne, J. D. Burn.'i, ( From the German of J. L. and { W. K. Grimm, j " Illustrated Book of Songs for \ Children," ... i From the German of J. L. and \ W. K. Grimm, Ann Taylor, ... I "Finland Idyls," from the \ Sxvedish of Zach. TopelivLS, M. and E. Kirby, Charles Sangstcr, From the Swedish of Gustafsson, ( "Illustrated Book of Songs for \ Children," ... Ivan A. Krilof, 120 120 129 131 132 134 135 137 138 143 143- 145 147 148 149 152 154 156 158 164 166 167 172 174 ^art ^Lourth. Th c Spring Nosegay, The Dormouse, The Cowslips, The Way to Conquer, How the Aster Gained its Name, The Aster, Ann and Jane Taylor, ... 175 Mrs. Howitt, ... ... ... 176 From the Swedish of Gustafsson, 178 Mrs. Pro.'!ser, ... ... ... 181 W. Alison, 182 Dora Rtad Goodale, ... ... 183 CONTENTS. The Child's First Grief, ... Mrs. Hemavs, ... . 184 Shutting Doors, . 185 The Broken Pitcher, A.L.O.E., . 188 The Prairie on Fire, . 189 Someboibjs Darlirujs, . 190 Telling Mother, . 192 Lines from ''Rock me to Sleep," Elizabeth A. Akers . 193 Tivili'jht, Longfellow, . 194 Peace, Be Still, Mrs. Hevians, ... . 195 The Hardy Tin Soldier, ... Hans Christian Andersen, . 196 Above the Cloud, Mrs. Prosser, ... . 201 The True Story of Weh-Spinner, Mrs. Howift, . 202 The Land of oiu- Forefathers, Cliarles J)ickens, . 208 The Best Safety -Valve, . .. . 210 The Rainbow, Wordsivorth, ... . 211 Gently Think and Gently Speak, J.S.B Monsell . 212 What the Old Man does is alway s right, ffajw Christian Andersen, . 213 The Power of Gentleness, ... . 221 To the Fringed Gentian, . .. Bry nit. . 222 Those Evening Bells, Moore, . 223 Abide with M", H.F.LyU . 224 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. PART I. 3n 'V \ A THE FIRST SCHOOL. Who taught the bird to buikl her nest, Of wool, and hay, and moss ? Who taught her liow to weave it best, And lay the twigs across? Who taught the busy bee to fly Amongst the sweetest flowers, And lay her store of honey by To eat in winter hours? Who taught the little ants the way Their narrow holes to bore. And through the i)leasant summer day To gather up their store ? — ■*, 'Twas God who taught them all the way, And gave their little skill ; And teaches children, when they pray, To do his holy will. Axx ANH Jane Tayicr. 10 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. What does little birdie say, In her nest at peep of day ? '' Let me fly," says little birdie ; " Mother, let me fly away." — " Birdie, rest a little longer, Till thy little wings are stronger." So she rests a little longer, Then she flies, she flies away. What does little baby say, In her bed at peep of day 1 Baby says, like little birdie, *' Let me rise and fly away." — " Baby, sleep a little longer. Till thy little limbs are stronger ;" If she sleeps a little longer, Baby, too, shall fly away. Te.nxtson. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 11 NURSERY RHYMES. 1. LITTLE ROBIN REDBREAST. Little Robin Redbreast Sat upon a tree ; Up went Pussy Cat, And down went he. Down came Pussy Cat, And away Robin ran ; Said little Robin Redbreast, " Catch me if you can." Little Robin Redbreast Hopped upon a wall ; Pussy Cat jumped after iiim. And almost got a fall. Little Robin chirped aloud ; And what did Pussy say ? Pussy Cat said " Mew ;" And Robin flew away. 2 — ROBIN AND RICHARD. Robin and Richard were two pretty men. They lay abed till the clock struck ten ; Then up starts Robin and looks at the sky, " Oh, oh, brother Richard, the sun 's very high ; You go before with bottle and bag, And I'll follow after on little Jack Nasr." 12 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. IN THE WOOD. Minnie went for a walk in the wood. She took her basket on her arm, to hold all the flower.s and berries that she found, for her dear little baby brother. There are two butterflies on the flowers. Minnie must not catch them, they are so happy in the bright sunshine. The flowers are for little girls to gather, but they must only watch the pretty insects as they flutter about. They live only one short summer. They sip the honey from the flowers, flutter about a little while, lay some tiny eggs, and then die. Minnie must take care she does not lose her way. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 13 NURSERY RHYMES. 1. — PIPIXG TOM. Piping Tom was a piper's son ; He learned to play when he was young ; But the only tune that he could i)lay, Was " Ov'er the hills and far away." Now, Tom with his pipe made such a noise, That he vastly pleased both girls and boys ; And they all stopped to hear him play " Over the hills and far away." Tom played on his pijae with so much skill, That those who heard him could ne'er keep still ; Whenever they heard, they began to dance — Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance ! As Dolly was milking her cow one day, Tom took out his pipe and began to play : 14 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. So Dolly and tlie cow must dance a lilt, Till the pail fell down, and the milk was spilt. He saw a cross fellow once beating an ass, Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass ; He took out his pipe, and played them a tune. And the poor donkey's load was lightened full soon. -LITTLE BO-PEEP. Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep. And can't tell wlaere to find them : Leave them alone, and they'll come home, And brine: their tails behind them. Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep. And dreamt she heard them bleating; SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 15 But when she awoke, she found it a joke, For still they were all fleeting. Tlien up she took lier little crook, Determined then to find them ; She found them, indeed, but it made her heart bleed- For thevd left their tails behind them ! ^^« f mm It happened one day, as Bo-peep did stray Along a meadow hard by, There she espied their tails side by side, All hung up on a tree to dry ! She heaved a sigh, and wiped her eye, And ran o'er hill and dale. And tried all she could, as a shepherdess should, To tack to each sheep its tail ! IG SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. DIGGING DOLLY'S GRAVE. Susy petted her doll Peggy, and pretended to give it medicine. No^v her brother Charlie did not like dolls, and he tried to think of some means to get ]\Iiss Pegg}' out of the way. " If she's so ill, she will die very soon," said he. " Oh. I am sure she won't die," said Susy. " She's SECOND LOOK OF READIN<i LESSONS. 17 taken twenty-ten pills, and ever so much castor-oil, and a dose of — a dose of- — Avell, I don't know what it was, but something dreadful." " Let me see her," said Charlie. " Oh, she's dead. She's quite dead. We'll bury her." " Well, so we will," cried Susy. So they each took a stick and began to dig a hole in the midst of grandmamma's garden. When they had dug a pretty large one, they squeezed Miss Peggy down into it, and covered her M'ith leaves. " Now .she is dead and buried," said Charlie, " let's go and think about her. People always sit down and think about dead folk." So they sat down and looked very grave for some minutes, when Susy said, — " There ! I've fchoughted an hour, and now I am going to take her up." " No, you mustn't. She's dead ; and we ought to wear black. I am her father, and you are her mother." Susy was just going to cry. " I don't want my dear dolly to be dead any longer," said she. " If you are going to cry, I'll go home," said ( Jharlie. " I don't like girls very well." Just then nurse, who had heard all their little talk, came down. " Dolly isn't dead," said she. " She is only muddy. You mustn't bury her again." "What for mustn't I V asked Susy. " Because it makes her all muddy. And dollies 18 SECOND BOOK OF READIXG LESSONS. don't like to be buried. It makes them feel quite sad to be buried." " Then I won't do so again," said Susy. Susv'g Six Teachers. MY CHILDHOOD. Here lay, on the 2nd of April 1805, a living and weeping child, — that was myself, — Hans Christian Andersen. During the first day of my existence, my father is said to have sat by the bed and read aloud from Holberg ; but I cried all the time. " Wilt thou go to sleep, or listen quietly ?" my father asked in joke ; but I still cried on : and even in the church, when I was taken to be baptized, I cried so loudly that the preacher, who was a passionate man, said, " The young one screams like a cat 1 " which words my mother never forgot. A poor emigrant Gomar, who stood as god-father, consoled her in the mean- time by saying that the louder I cried as a child all the more beautifully should I sing when I grew older. I was the only child, and was very much spoiled ; but I often heard from my mother how very much happier I was than .she had been, and that I was brought up like the child of a noble. When a child, my mother had been driven out by her parents to beg ; and once, when she was not able to get any- thing, she had sat for a whole day under a bridge and wept. Haxs Christi.vx Axdersex. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 19 ^>r.s- WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN? Wlio killed Cock Robin ? I, said the Sparrow, With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Piobin. Who saw him die 1 I, said the Fly, With my little eye, I saw him die. Who caught his blood 1 I, said the Fish, With my little dish, I caught his blood. Who'll make his shroud 1 I, said the Beetle, With my thread and needle, I'll make his shroud. -.^^^^^^ \>i •20 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. Who'll be the clerk ? I, said the Lark, I'll say amen in the dark, I'll be the clerk. Who'll be the parson? I, said the Rook, With mv little book, I'll be the parson. Who'll be chief mourner ? I, said the Dove, I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner. Who'll bear the torch 1 I, said the Linnet, Will come in a minute, I'll bear the torch. AAlio'll dig his grave ? I, said the Owl, With my spade and shovel, I'll dig his grave. Who'll sing his dirge 1 I, said the Thrush, As I sit in a bush, I'll sing his dirge. Who'll carry his coffin ? I, said the Kite, If it be very light, I"ll carry his coffin. I Who'll toll the bell ? I, said the Bull, I Because I can pull, I I'll toll the bell. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 2L THE STAR. Here is little Ella looking out of the open "svindow of her room, be- fore she goes to say good-night to her mother. It is night, and all outside is dark and still. The birds have gone home to their nests, and the bees are safe in their hives. Ella sees a bright bright star in the sky. It is far far away ; much far- ther than .she can tell. The star makes her think of the pretty ver- ses Aunt Mary once to learn them too ? taught her. Would you Here they are : — " Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are ! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. " When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon. Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. 22 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. " Then the traveller ixi the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark ; He could not tell which way to go If you did not twinkle so. " In the dark blue sky you keep, And oft through my curtains peep; For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky." Ella said these lines over very sloAvly, all the time keeping her eyes fixed on the star far away up in the sky. Then she went to find her mother; and she told her of the bright star that was shining in the sky. That night, and on many nights after- wards, Ella and her mother went tofjether to look at the briffht eveninof star. Write :- - bright shines spark ' out-side thinli light thanks far-ther taught night look-ing pret-ty world dark win-dow good-night twin-kle tri lu-el-ler \ moth-er Luon-der cur-tains shin-ing di-a-mond slow-ly to-geth-er blaz-ing keep-in g e-uen-ing not h -in g fix 'ed through SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 23 OLD GAELIC LULLABY. Hush ! tlie waves are rolling in, White with foam, white with foam ; Father toils amid their din, But baby sleeps at home. Hush ! the winds roar hoarse and deep, — On they come, on they come I Brother seeks the wandering sheep, But baby sleeps at home. Hush ! the rain sw^eeps o'er the knowes,* Where they roam, where they roam ; Sister goes to seek the cows, But baby .sleeps at home. X. X. * Hillocks [ojv sounded as in cow]. 24 SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. THE TWO WAYS OF ASKING. Tom and Frank were errand boys in a shop. One day they were sent out with some parcels. One of the parcels was to be left at the Globe Bank ; but a.s the boys did not know where the Globe Bank was, they had to ask some one to tell them. Tom stepped up to a man who was passing, and said, " Say, where's the Globe Bank ? " The man answered quickly, " Where it always was," and kept on. " That's a mean man," said Tom. " That's an ill-bred boy," said the man to himself. " Let me ask this man that's coming," said Frank. So, when the man came up with them, Frank spoke to him. '• Sir, will you please to tell me where the Globe Bank is ? " " Certainly," said the man : " walk along with me, and I will show you." " This is a gentlemanly little fellow," said the man to himself. I like to hear a boy or a girl speak in a polite Ava}^, and say, " Sir," " I thank you," " If you please." Write : — • fel-low ill-bred cer-tain-ly stepped please gen-tle-man-ly er-rand \ par-eels po-lite SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 25 THE HAY-FIELD. Make hay while the sun is shining, — In the morning of life make hay ; A child like you But little can do, Yet work a little he may. He who cannot load a waggon Can a little go-cart fill ; The stack will grow, And its size will show You have worked with a heart and will. What small drops make the ocean ! What grains of sand the shore ! Let it be confessed You have done i/our best, — A giant can do no more I A. L. 0. E. 26 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. THE KITTEN AND THE WOODEN SHOE. Once there was a very little kitten that lived in a country house in France. Xear the house there was a pond. The kitten often used to run down to the pond, and play among the long gi-ass. In France, as in French Canada, many of the working people wear wooden shoes. One day the gardener at the house where the kitten lived left his large wooden shoes by the side of the pond. The kitten found the shoes, and began to push them about. She pushed one of them into the water ; and jumping into it, she was soon sailing on the pond ! In a minute the wooden shoe was too far from the side of the pond for the kitten to jump ashore. Poor little thing '. .she did not know what to do. Carl and liis sister, who were crossing the field, SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 27 saw the kitten in tlic wooden shoe. Tlicy ran down to tlie pond ; but the shoe was beyond tlieir reach. Then they ran for the gardener ; and he came at once to see wliat he could do. Taking a long string, he tied a small stone to it, and then threw tlie stone far into the pond, right over the wooden shoe. The gardener gave Carl the string, and he began to pull it very gently, drawing the shoe with the kitten towards the shore. On and on the tiny boat came, till it was close to where Carl and his sister stood. Out jumped the kitten, none the worse for her sail on the pond ; but she was never again seen to touch the gardener's shoes. Boys and girls may learn a lesson from this story of the kitten — Never to meddle ivith tldngs they hnoiv nothing about. Write : — house large shoes pushed reach could string small right learn 1 it-tie kit-ten 1 coun-try work-ing peo-ple Can-a-da wood-en a-shore ' tow-ards gar-den- er cross-ing sis-ter jump-in g sail -in g be-yond gen-tly les-son med-dle min-ute draui-ing noth-ing 28 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. dpi:'}. ^f/^ THE BEE AND THE DOVE. A bee was sipping honey, The pretty blossom shook ; The poor bee tojjplecl over, Into a tmy brook. A dove "within the bower A leaf plucked from a tree ; She flew unto the brooklet, And dropped it to the bee. The bee, with many struggles, Got on the leaf afloat ; And safely to the margin Came the little silvan boat ! The dove was cooing softly Within her bower one day ; A sportsman came so gaily. With dog and gun, that way. He raised the deadly weapon, And pointed at the dove ; The bee came swiftly flying Upon the wings of love ; — She lighted on his finger, She darted down her sting, And puflf! the shot was scattered, The dove was on the wing ! Then welcome every kindness. And pay it back with love ; — Each one may help another, Like the busy bee and dove. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 2J) THE FIRST SNOW-STORM. Well, little boys, are you not glad to see the first snow ? Isn't it fun to be out in it, if the fiakes only fall softly, like so many white blossoms ? But the big boys like, best of all, to make the soft snow into round balls, and then pelt each other with them. This is good exercise as long as all keep good-natured. But when some unlucky ball hits the face a little too hard, the fun often changes to something less pleasant. Then the snow brings Avith it such splendid coast- 30 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. ino- that the bovs hail it M-ith delio-ht. Even the little boys can enjoy this noAV and then with their big brothers. The pigeons also are flying about as if really enjoying the first snow-storm. Their master is kind and Avill care for them, so why should they fear the cold weather ? Many poor people dread the long, cold winter. Do you ever think, little boys, when you are sitting around the warm, comfortable fire, with your apples and nuts, that there are ever so many little boys who can hardly get bread enough to eat ? And when you are dressed warmly for a good run and play out of doors, do you ever think of the poor boys who never have any overcoat, or warm mittens, or thick shoes and stockings ? SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 31 Sometimes tlieir shoes arc so poor that their hare feet touch the cold snow. And some have no shoes- or stockings either. We should always treat the poor kindly, and help them when Ave can. Do you know who said that we always have the poor with us ? SANTA CLATJS. A health to good old Santa Glaus, And to his reindeer bold, Whose hoofs are shod with eider-down, Whose horns are tipped Avith gold. He conies from utmost fairydand Across the wintry snows ; He makes the fir-tree and the spruce To blossom like the rose. Sauah Hki.kn Whitmak. 32 SECOND BOOK OF READIXG LESSONS. THE BROWN BEAR. The Brown Bear lives in the woods. He is a o-ood climber, and likes to make his home in a hollow tree. He is very fond of wild fruits, of which he finds plenty in the forest. He is also fond of honey, and robs the hives of the wild bees. The wild bees make their hives in hollow trees, and the brown bear finds them out by the smell of the honey. When he finds a hive, he climbs the tree, and for hour's and hours he gnaws the bark and the wood, till he makes a hole large enough to let his paw in. Then, in spite of the stings of the bees, he thrusts in his paw, and scoops out lumps of the comb with SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 33 the honey in it. Nor does he stop till he has robbed the poor bees of all their store. When winter comes, the bear creeps into a hole or cave under the thick trees. There he makes for himself a bed of leaves and twigs ; and when the snow comes it covers him, and he lies snugly hid beneath it. He closes his eyes, and sleeps during the rest of the winter. In spring he wakens up again, and begins once more to roam about the woods. Men go to the forest to hunt the bear. They wish to ffet his skin to make coats, and sleigh-robes, and muffs. They also eat his flesh, and make oil from his fat. "Write : — climb-er hon-ey I un-der ' clos-es hol-low I e-nough cou-ers dur-ing p/en-ty \ him-self snug-ly \ wak-ens for-est \ win-ter \ be-neath j be-gins TO A CHILD. Out, out ! into the open air 1 Thy only dream is liberty, Thou carest little how or where. I see thee eager at thy play, Now shouting to the apples on the tree, With cheeks as round and red as they ; And now among the yellow stalks, Among the flowering shrubs and plants, As restless as the bee. LONGFKLI.OW. 3 34 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. PUSSY'S CLASS. " Now, children," said Puss, as she shook her head, ** It is time your morning lesson were said." So her kittens drew near with footsteps slow. And sat down before her, all in a row. " Attention, class !" said the cat-mamma, " And tell me, quick, where your noses are." At this all the kittens sniffed the air. As though it were filled with perfume rare. " Now, what do you say when you want a drink ?" The kittens waited a moment to think. And then came the answer clear and loud — You ought to have heard how those kittens meow'd ! SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 35 " Very well ! 'Tis tlie same, with a sharper tone, When you want a fish or a bit of bone. Now what do you say when children are good?" And the kitteny purred as soft as they could. " And what do you do when children are bad — When they tease and pull?" Each kitten looked sad. " Pooh !" said their mother, " that isn't enough ; You must use your claws when children are rough ! " And where are your claws? Look, look, my dear — (As she took up a paw) — see ! they're hidden here !" Then all the kittens crowded about To see their sharp little claws brought out. They felt quite sure they never should need To use such weapons— oh no, indeed ! But their wise mamma gave a pussy's " pshaw ! " And boxed their ears with her softest paw. " Now, sp-it ! as hard as you can I" she said ; But every kitten hung down its head. " Sp-it f I say," cried the mother-cat. But they said, " O manuna, we cant do that !' " Then go and play," said the fond mamma — ■' What sweet little darlings kittens are ! Ah, well, I was once the .same, I suppose ;" And she looked very wise, and rubbed her nose. STORY OF A DROP OF WATER. A long while ago I lived with iny countles.s sisters in the great ocean, in peace and unity. We liad all 36 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. sorts of pastimes : sometimes "sve mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the stars ; then we sank plump down deep below, and looked how the coral- builders work till they are tired, that thev may reach the light of day at last. But I was conceited, and thought myself much better than my sisters. And so, one day, when the sun rose out of the sea, I cluno- fast to one of his hot beams, and thought that now I should reach the stars, and become one of them. But I had not ascended far, when the sunbeam shook me off, and, in spite of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon a flash of fire darted throus'h the cloud, and now I thouofht I must .surely die ; but the whole cloud laid itself softly upon the top of a mountain, and so I escaped with ray fright and a black eye. Now I thought I should remain hidden, when all of a sudden I slipped o\'er a round pebble, fell from one stone to another down into the depths of the mountain, till at last it was pitch dark, and I could neither see nor hear any- thing. Then I found, indeed, that " pi'ide goeth before a fall," and gave myself up to my fate ; and as I had already laid aside all my foolish pride in the cloud, my portion was now the salt of humility. After being many times cleansed by the hidden virtues of metals and minerals, I was at length allowed to come up once more into the free, cheer- ful air ; and now will I run back to my sisters, and there wait patiently till I am called to something better. From the German of Carove. SECOND BOOK OF READING LEfiSONS. 37 ijl^. THE HUMMING-BIRD. " Oh, dear auntie, ^vhy did you come ? He lighted on that branch, and now you have frightened ^ him away," said James. " Yes, auntie; he perched himself right there, and he looked so cunning," said Nellie. " Nellie, did you see that spot of fire on his throat ? It shone just like the ruby in mamma's ring," added Annie. Then James asked me what kind of bird it was ; and I told him that it was called the rubj'-throated humming-bird. "Just the name for him, isn't itf said Annie. " What does he do with his lonfj bill ipj?^-^; down in those flowers?" Nellie asked. =fe j: ; p " He sucks the honey of the flowers,. ^ -^-'^. and catches the in.sects in them." '^: m 38 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. "Does he catch them with his hill ?" " He nins out his long tongue ; it is forked at the end, and the insects stick to it." So they chatted ■with me about the little hum- ming-bird with dazzling green plumage and ruby throat. The next day, James came running into the house calling, " I've found its nest ! I've fovmd its nest 1" " Whose nest ? "what nest V we asked. As soon as he could get his breath he told us that he meant the humming-bird's nest. Sure enough ! it was in the back part of the gai'den. It was a tiny round nest, lined with soft cotton from plants, and covered on the outside with gray lichens.* The mother bird had laid two eggs about the size of peas. She was not so gay as her mate, for she did not fasten her green dress together with a ruby pin at her throat. The children were verj happy over their new- found treasure, and promised me that they would not go to see it unless I was with them. James did not keep his promise, but went into the garden ; and in reaching up to look into the nest he broke the limb. The limb and the nest came down, and the little eg-o-s rolled out and were broken. It was too bad that our little bird's home was spoiled ; but James felt so grieved that I could not blame him. He asked again and again to be for- given, and told Annie and Nellie of his broken promise. * Pronounce, Il-kens. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 39 They felt distressed, too; but Annie put her arm around liis neck and sweetly said, " James will not do so again ; will lie, auntie ? " Writp: : — cou-ered li-chens prom-ise fast-en un-less spoiled breath-less si-lence treas-ure pfu-mage uis-it-ors ! chat-ted THE CHILD'S FRIENDS. daz-zling doc-tor bus-y ru-by cun-ning reach -ing There was once a child who lived in a little hut ; and in the hut there was nothing but a little bed, and a lookinof-cflass which hung in a dark coi'ner. Now the child cared nothing at all about the looking- glass ; but as soon as the first sunbeam glided softly through the casement and kissed his sweet eyelids, and the finch and the linnet awoke him merrily with their morning songs, he arose and went out into the green meadow. And he begged flour of the prim- rose, and sugar of the violet, and butter of the butter- cup ; he shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of a harebell ; spread out a large lime-leaf, set his little breakfast upon it, and feasted daintily. Sometimes he invited a humming-bee, oftener a gay butterfly, to partake of his feast ; but his favorite guest was the blue dragon-fly. From the German o/Cauovk. 40 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. OLD MOTHER HUBBARD. Old mother Hubbai-cl Went to the cupboard, To get her poor dog a bone : But when she went there The cupboai'd was bare, And so the poor dog got none. She went to the baker's To buy him some bread : But when she came back The poor dog was dead. She went to the joiner's To buy liim a coiiin : But when she came back The poor dog was laughing. She took a clean dish To get him some tripe : But when she came back He was smoking a pipe. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 41 She wont to tlu; hatter's To buy him a liat : But when she came back He was feeding the cat. She went to the tailor's To buy him a coat : But when she came back He was riding a goat. She went to the cobbler's To buy him some shoes : But when she came back He was reading the news. She went to the hosier's To buy him some hose : But when she came back He was dressed in his clothes. The dame made a courtesy, The dog made a bow : The dame said, " Your servant," The dog said, " Bow-wow." This wonderful dog Was dame Hubbard's delight : He could sing, he could dance, He could read, he could write. She gave him rich dainties, Whenever he fed ; And built him a tomb-stone, When he was dead. 42 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. THE CHIME OF THE HAREBELLS. The dragon-fly flew up to a harebell who stood near, and whispered in her ear that the lord and king of all the flowers — meaning a child — was in the wood, and ought to be received and welcomed as beseemed his dignity. Forthwith that harebell began to ring her sweet bells with all her might ; and when her neigh- bor heard the sound, she rang hers also ; and soon all the harebells, great and small, were in motion, and rang as if it had been for the marriage of mother Earth herself with the prince of the Sun. The tone of the hliie bells was deep and rich ; and that of the white, high and clear ; and all blended together in delicious harmony. But the birds were fast asleep in their high nests ; and the ears of the other animals were not delicate enough, or were too much over- grown with hair, to hear them. The fire-flies alone heard the joyous peal ; for they were akin to the flowers through their common ancestor, light. They inquired of their nearest relation, the lily of the valley ; and from her they heard that a large flower — meaning the child — had just passed along the foot- path, more blooming than the loveliest rose, and with two stars — his eyes — more brilliant than those of the brightest fire-fly, and that he must needs be their king. The child was delighted with the merry and silvery tones of the bells, and with the many little bright-eyed companions around him, and with the deep red strawberries which bowed down their heads to his touch. From the German of Caroye. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. THE CAPTIVE. One morning Willie was out in the fields near his father's house, when he happened to see in a hedge what looked like a bundle of dry gi-ass. Carefully making his way to it, he found it was a linnet's nest. In the nest there were three pretty little birds, Willie had often thought liow nice it would be to have a bird in a cage ; and so taking one of the linnets out of the nest, he started home in high glee. Sitting on the door-step was his sister Minnie. To her he at once showed his prize. Now let me tell you what this good little girl said about the captive bird. " Wherefore would you take the liiinet From his little ne.st 1 Blithe and merry he was in it, Happ3/^, and at rest : 44 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. Why should he a prisoner be ? — Set the little captive free I " Think, if some rude giant tore us From our cottage here, To a grated prison bore us Far from all so dear : Oh, how sad our hearts would be,— Set the little captive free I " Life is sweet to him, when springing Light from spray to spray ; Life is sweet to him, when singing In the budding May : Shall his shoi-t life saddened be ? — Set the Kttle captive free I " So the gentle Minnie pleaded For the fluttering bird ; Not another prayer was needed. Not another word : Kind was AYillies heart, for he Set the little captive free I "Write : — morn-ing ' Min-nie grat-ed fields thought bud-ding hap-pened mer-ry spring-ing bun-die pris-on sing-ing care-ful-ly pris-on-er sad-dened lin-net \ hap-py flut-ter-ing Wil-lie j cot-tage cup-board SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. CHARLIE'S PINK. " This wind cuts right through a fellow," sai<l Charlie Palmer to his brother as they stepped from the cars. " Yes ; and I'm glad we've only a few steps more to go," replied Nat, as he hurried to the door of the depot. " Stop half a second, Nat ! " exclaimed Charlie as he waited a moment. " Come along ! What are you waiting for ? " said Nat, sharply. " I thought I heard a child's — Why, Nat ! " cried Charlie, suddenly, "here's a child in the corner here;" and he dropped his lumdle, and was bending kindly over a little girl, before Nat could say a word in reply. "Sis," said Charlie, softly, and the brown eyes opened slowly, " what are you here for ? " " I runned off — I's goin' to stay here ; " and she turned her head away. " What's your name ? " asked Nat, who had also come near. " Pinky." " Pinky ? That's a funny name. What else is it ? " a.sked Charlie, gently, as he put his hand on her shoulder, " I'm Pinky ! " she exclaimed, earnestly. " Charlie, you'd better take your Pink home. Just tuck her under your coat and come along. We shall freeze here," said Nat, laughing. 4G SECOND BOOK OF BEADING LESSONS. " You needn't laugh. I shan't leave her here all Alone. I'll see if Mr. Newcomb knows anything about her ; " and he hurried away. " He knows nothing, and everybody has gone," said Charlie, running back. " What'll mother say if you carry her home ? " ■asked Nat. " Say ? She'll say I did only what was right, of course. I know mother," was Charlie's answer, as he stooped over the little girl. " Come, Pinky, go home with me," said Charlie, trying to lift her up. She hung back till she had taken one good, long look at the pleasant face above her ; then she held up her arms, saying, " You keep Pinky ? " " Yes, I'll take care of you," replied Charlie, taking her up in his arms, and wrapping his coat about her as well as he could. " O mother," cried Nat, as he opened tlie door, '•' Charlie 's got the queerest flower you ever saw ; " and he stepped aside to let Charlie enter. After his mother had heard the story, she took the child in her arms, saying, " "We'll keep Pinky till her friends come for her. She got lost, I suppose, when the people were hurrying from the depot." But no one came to claim her ; and Charlie's Pink, as she was called for a long time, became his adopted sister. Write : — ex-claimed ; sud-den-ly \ ear-nest-ly i SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 47 GRATITUDE. Whene'er I take uiy walks abroad, How many poor I see ! Wliat shall I render to my God For all his gifts to me 1 Not more than others I deserve, Yet God has given me more ; For I have food while others starve, Or beg from door to door. How many children in the street Half naked I behold ! 48 SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. While I am clothed from head to foot, And covered from the cold. While some poor wretches scarce can tell Where they may lay their head, I have a home wherein to dwell, And rest upon my bed. While others early learn to swear, And curse, and lie, and steal, Lord, I am taught thy name to fear, And do thy holy will Are these thy favours, day by day, To me above the rest 1 Then let me love thee more than they. And try to serve thee best. Watts. SECOND BOOK OF READING LESSONS. 49 POOR WILL. " Oh dear, if I could only run and play, I shouldn't care," thinks poor Will as he sits watching the boys on their way to school. Poor Will is a cripple. He cannot walk a step without the aid of his two crutches. And it is very hard to sit still nearly all day, when he wants so much to run and play. He is a good scholar, even if he has never attended .school. His mother teaches him at home ; and .she takes a great deal of pains, for she knows he will enjoy his books very much when he can read them well. 