MCGUFFEY'S SECOND ECLECTIC READER

Transcriber’s Notes

Welcome to the schoolroom of 1900. The moral tone is plain. "She is kind to the old blind man."

The exercises are still suitable, and perhaps more helpful than some contemporary alternatives. Much is left to the teacher. Explanations given in the text are enough to get started teaching a child to read and write. Counting in Roman numerals is included as a bonus in the form of lesson numbers.

The author, not listed in the text is William Holmes McGuffey.

Don Kostuch

ECLECTIC EDUCATIONAL SERIES.

MCGUFFEY'S
SECOND
ECLECTIC READER.

REVISED EDITION.

McGuffey Editions and Colophon are Trademarks of
JOHN WILEY & SONS, Inc.
New York - Chichester-Weinheim-Brisbane-Singapore-Toronto

Copyright, 1879, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co.
Copyright, 1896, by American Book Company
Copyright, 1907 and 1920, by H. H. Vail.
EP316

Preface

In this book, as well as in the others of the Revised Series, most of the favorite drill selections, which constituted one of the leading excellences of MCGUFFEY'S READERS, have been retained. New selections have been inserted only when they seemed manifest improvements on those formerly used.

The plan of this Reader is a continuation and extension of that pursued in the First Reader.

If the pupil is not familiar with the diacritical marks, he should be carefully drilled, as suggested on page 7, until the marked letter instantly suggests the correct sound. He is then prepared to study his reading lessons without any assistance from the teacher.

All new words are given at the head of each lesson. When these are mastered, the main difficulties left for the pupil are those of expression. In the latter portion of the book the simpler derivatives,—such as are formed by adding one or two letters,—possessives, plurals, verbal forms, etc.,—are omitted if the primitive word has been given. In this way the pupil is gradually led to the mastery of words as ordinarily printed.

A few of the most usual abbreviations have been introduced,—such as Mr., Mrs., etc. These should be carefully explained, not only as to their meaning and use, but as to the reason for their use.

Great care has been taken to have the illustrations worthy of the reputation MCGUFFEY'S READERS have attained, and some of the foremost designers of this country have contributed to the embellishment of the book.

Many of these pictures will serve admirably for lessons in language, in extension and explanation of the text. The imagination of the artist has, in some cases, filled in details not found in the text.

The thanks of the publishers are due to very many experienced teachers, who have contributed their valuable suggestions.

June, 1879.

CONTENTS.

Introductory Matter.

[Articulation]
[Punctuation]

SELECTIONS IN PROSE AND POETRY.

Lessons.

1. [Evening at Home]
2. [Bubbles]
3. [Willie's Letter (Script)]
4. [The Little Star]
5. [Two Dogs]
6. [Afraid in the Dark]
7. [Baby Bye]
8. [Puss and her Kittens]
9. [Kittie and Mousie]
10. [At Work]
11. [What a Bird Taught]
12. [Susie Sunbeam]
13. [If I were a Sun beam]
14. [Henry, the Bootblack]
15. [Don't Wake the Baby (Script)]
16. [A Kind Brother]
17. [My Good-far-nothing]
18. [The Kingbird]
19. [Evening Hymn]
20. [The Quarrel]
21. [The Bee]
22. [The Song of the Bee]
23. [The Torn Doll]
24. [Sheep-shearing]
25. [The Clouds]
26. [Patty and the Squirrel]
27. [The Sparrow]
28. [Sam and Harry]
29. [The Little Rill]
30. [The Boat Upset]
31. [Mary's Letter (Script)]
32. [The Tiger]
33. [The Fireside]
34. [Birdie's Morning Song]
35. [Willie and Bounce]
36. [Willie and Bounce (Concluded)]
37. [The Kitchen Clock]
38. [The New Scales]
39. [The Bear and the Children]
40. [The Little Harebell (Script)]
41. [The Fishhawk]
42. [What the Leaf said]
43. [The Wind and the Leaves]
44. [Mamma's Present]
45. [Mary's Story]
46. [Ralph Wick]
47. [Coasting down the Hill (Script)]
48. [The Fox and the Ducks]
49. [Pretty is that Pretty does]
50. [The Story-teller]
51. [The Story-teller (Concluded)]
52. [The Owl]
53. [The Owl (Concluded)]
54. [Grandfather's Story]
55. [God is Great and Good]
56. [A Good Old Man]
57. [The Greedy Girl]
58. [A Place for Everything]
59. [My Mother (Script)]
60. [The Broken Window]
61. [The Broken Window (Concluded)]
62. [Frank and the Hourglass]
63. [March]
64. [Jenny's Call]
65. [Poor Davy]
66. [Alice's Supper]
67. [A Snowstorm]
68. [Bessie]
69. [Bessie (Concluded)]
70. [Cheerfulness (Script)]
71. [Lullaby]

ARTICULATION.

SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.—Thorough and frequent drills on the elementary sounds are useful in correcting vicious habits of pronunciation and in strengthening the vocal organs.

As a rule, only one or two sounds should be employed at one lesson. Care should be taken that the pupils observe and practice these sounds correctly in their reading.

TABLE OF VOCALS.

LONG SOUNDS

SHORT SOUNDS.

DIPHTHONGS.

TABLE OF SUBVOCALS.

TABLE 0F ASPIRATES.

TABLE OF SUBSTITUTES.

PUNCTUATION.

Punctuation Marks are used to make the sense more clear.

A Period (.) is used at the end of a sentence, and after an abbreviation; as,

James was quite sick. Dr. Jones was called to see him.

An Interrogation Mark (?) is used at the end of a question; as,

Where is John going?

An Exclamation Mark (!) is used after words or sentences expressing some strong feeling; as,

Alas, my noble boy! that thou shouldst die!

The Comma (,), Semicolon (;), and Colon (:) are used to separate the parts of a sentence.

The Hyphen (-) is used to join the parts of a compound word; as, text-book: it is also used at the end of a line in print or script, when a word is divided; as in the word "sentence," near the bottom of page 9. [Transcriber's note: Hyphenation not shown in this HTML edition.]

M^cGUFFEY'S SECOND READER.

LESSON I.

EVENING AT HOME.

1. It is winter. The cold wind whistles through the branches of the trees.
2. Mr. Brown has done his day's work, and his children, Harry and Kate, have come home from school. They learned their lessons well to-day, and both feel happy.
3. Tea is over. Mrs. Brown has put the little sitting room in order. The fire burns brightly. One lamp gives light enough for all. On the stool is a basket of fine apples. They seem to say, "Won't you have one?"
4. Harry and Kate read a story in a new book. The father reads his newspaper, and the mother mends Harry's stockings.
5. By and by, they will tell one another what they have been reading about, and will have a chat over the events of the day.
6. Harry and Kate's bedtime will come first. I think I see them kiss their dear father and mother a sweet good night.
7. Do you not wish that every boy and girl could have a home like this?

LESSON II.

BUBBLES.

1. The boys have come out on the porch to blow bubbles. The old cat is asleep on the mat by the door.
2. "Ha! ha!" laughs Robert, as a bubble comes down softly on the old cat's back, and does not burst.
3. Willie tries to make his bubble do the same. This time it comes down on the cat's face, and makes her sneeze.
4. "She would rather wash her face without soap," says Harry. "Now let us see who can make the biggest bubble."
5. "Mine is the biggest," says Robert. "See how high it floats in the air! I can see—ah! it has burst."
6. "I can see the house and the trees and the sky in mine," says Willie; "and such beautiful colors."
7. "How many, Willie?"
8. "Red, one; blue, two; there—they are all out. Let us try again."
9. "I know how many colors there are," says Harry. "Just as many as there are in the rainbow."
10. "Do you know how many that is?"

LESSON III.

WILLIE'S LETTER.

LESSON IV.

THE LITTLE STAR

1. Twinkle, twinkle, little star;
   How I wonder what you are,
   Up above the world so high,
   Like a diamond in the sky!
2. When the blazing sun is set,
   And the grass with dew is wet,
   Then you show your little light;
   Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
3. Then, if I were in the dark,
   I would thank you for your spark.
   I could not see which way to go,
   If you did not twinkle so.
4. And when I am sound asleep,
   Oft you through my window peep;
   For you never shut your eye,
   Till the sun is in the sky.

LESSON V.

TWO DOGS.

1. James White has two dogs. One is a Newfoundland dog, and the other is a Scotch terrier.
2. The Newfoundland is a large, noble fellow. He is black, with a white spot, and with long, shaggy hair. His name is Sport.
3. Sport is a good watchdog, and a kind playfellow. Every night he guards the house while James and his father are asleep.
4. In the daytime, James often uses Sport for his horse. He has a little wagon, and a set of small harness which just fits the dog.
5. He hitches Sport to this wagon, and drives over the country. In this way, he can go almost as fast as his father with the old family horse.
6. The name of James's Scotch terrier is Dodger. He is called Dodger because he jumps about so friskily. He is up on a chair, under the table, behind the door, down cellar, and out in the yard,—all in a minute.
7. Dodger has very bright eyes, and he does many funny things. He likes to put his paws up on the crib, and watch the baby.
8. The other day he took baby's red stocking, and had great fun with it; but he spoiled it in his play, and James had to scold him.
9. Everyone likes to see James White with his two dogs. They always seem very happy together.

LESSON VI.

AFRAID IN THE DARK.

1. "Willie, will you run upstairs, and get my needle book from the bureau?"
2. But Willie did not stir. "Willie!" said mamma. She thought he had not heard.
3. "I'm afraid," said Willie.
4. "Afraid of what?"
5. "It's dark up there."
6. "What is the dark?" asked mamma. "See! It is nothing but a shadow." And she held her hand between the lamp and the workbasket on the table.

1. "Now it is dark in the basket; but as soon as I take my hand away, it is light."
2. "Come and stand between the lamp and the wall, Willie. See! There is your shadow on the wall. Can your shadow hurt you?"
3. "Oh no, mamma! I am sure it can not hurt me."
4. "Well, the dark is only a big shadow over everything."
5. "What makes the big shadow, mamma?"
6. "I will tell you all about that, Willie, when you are a little older. But now, I wish you would find me a brave boy who is not afraid of shadows, to run upstairs and get my needlebook."
7. "I am brave, mamma. I will go. —Here it is."
8. "Thank you, my brave little man. You see the dark didn't hurt you."

SLATE WORK.

LESSON VII.

BABY BYE.

1. Baby Bye,
   Here's a fly;
   We will watch him, you and I.
   How he crawls
   Up the walls,
   Yet he never falls!
   I believe with six such legs
   You and I could walk on eggs.
   There he goes
   On his toes,
   Tickling Baby's nose.
2. Spots of red
   Dot his head;
   Rainbows on his back are spread;
   That small speck
   Is his neck;
   See him nod and beck!
   I can show you, if you choose,
   Where to look to find his shoes,
   Three small pairs,
   Made of hairs;
   These he always wears.
3. Flies can see
   More than we;
   So how bright their eyes must be!
   Little fly,
   Ope your eye;
   Spiders are near by.
   For a secret I can tell,
   Spiders never use flies well;
   Then away,
   Do not stay.
   Little fly, good day.

LESSON VIII.

PUSS AND HER KITTENS.

1. Puss, with her three kittens, had lived in the coal cellar; but one day she thought she would carry them to the attic.
2. The servant thought that was not the proper place for them; so she carried them back to the cellar.
3. Puss was certain that she wanted them in the attic; so she carried them there again and again, five, six, seven, —yes, a dozen times; for each time the servant took them back to the cellar.
4. Poor puss was nearly tired out, and could carry them no longer.
5. Suddenly she went away. Where do you think she went?
6. She was gone a long time. When she returned, she had a strange cat with her that we had never seen before.
7. She seemed to tell him all about her great trouble, and he listened to her story.
8. Then the strange cat took the little kittens, one by one, and carried them to the attic. After this he went away, and we have never seen him since.
9. The servant then left the kittens in the attic, for she saw how anxious puss was to have them stay there.
10. Was not the strange cat kind to puss? This lesson should teach children to be ever ready to help one another.

LESSON IX.

KITTY AND MOUSIE.

1. Once there was a little kitty,
   White as the snow;
   In a barn he used to frolic,
   Long time ago.
2. In the barn a little mousie
   Ran to and fro;
   For she heard the little kitty,
   Long time ago.
3. Two black eyes had little kitty,
   Black as a crow;
   And they spied the little mousie,
   Long time ago.
4. Four soft paws had little kitty,
   Paws soft as snow;
   And they caught the little mousie,
   Long time ago.
5. Nine pearl teeth had little kitty,
   All in a row;
   And they bit the little mousie,
   Long time ago.
6. When the teeth bit little mousie,
   Mousie cried out "Oh!"
   But she slipped away from kitty,
   Long time ago.

LESSON X.

AT WORK.

1. A little play does not harm any one, but does much good. After play, we should be glad to work.
2. I knew a boy who liked a good game very much. He could run, swim, jump, and play ball; and was always merry when out of school.
3. But he knew that time is not all for play; that our minutes, hours, and days are very precious.
4. At the end of his play, he would go home. After he had washed his face and hands, and brushed his hair, he would help his mother, or read in his book, or write upon his slate.
5. He used to say, "One thing at a time." When he had done with work, he would play; but he did not try to play and to work at the same time.

LESSON XI.

WHAT A BIRD TAUGHT.

1. Why do you come to my apple tree,
   Little bird so gray?
   Twit-twit, twit-twit, twit-twit-twee!
   That was all he would say.
2. Why do you lock your rosy feet
   So closely round the spray?
   Twit-twit, twit-twit, twit-tweet!
   That was all he would say.
3. Why on the topmost bough do you get,
   Little bird so gray?
   Twit-twit-twee! twit-twit-twit!
   That was all he would say.
4. Where is your mate? come, answer me,
   Little bird so gray.
   Twit-twit-twit! twit-twit-twee!
   That was all he would say.

Alice Cary.

LESSON XII.

SUSIE SUNBEAM.

1. Susie Sunbeam was not her real name; that was Susan Brown. But every one called her Susie Sunbeam, because she had such a sweet, smiling face, and always brought brightness with her when she came.

1. Her grandfather first gave her this name, and it seemed to fit the little girl so nicely that soon it took the place of her own.
2. Even when a baby, Susie laughed and crowed from morning till night. No one ever heard her cry unless she was sick or hurt.
3. When she had learned to walk, she loved to go about the house and get things for her mother, and in this way save her as many steps as she could.
4. She would sit by her mother's side for an hour at a time, and ask her ever so many questions, or she would take her new book and read.
5. Susie was always pleasant in her play with other children. She never used an unkind word, but tried to do whatever would please her playmates best.
6. One day, a poor little girl with a very ragged dress was going by and Susie heard some children teasing her and making fun of her.
7. She at once ran out to the gate, and asked the poor little girl to come in. "What are you crying for?" Susie asked.
8. "Because they all laugh at me," she said.
9. Then Susie took the little girl into the house. She cheered her up with kind words, and gave her a nice dress and a pair of shoes.
10. This brought real joy and gladness to the poor child, and she, too, thought that Susie was rightly called Sunbeam.

LESSON XIII.

IF I WERE A SUNBEAM.

1. "If I were a sunbeam,
   I know what I'd do;
   I would seek white lilies,
   Roaming woodlands through.
   I would steal among them,
   Softest light I'd shed,
   Until every lily
   Raised its drooping head.
2. "If I were a sunbeam,
   I know where I'd go;
   Into lowly hovels,
   Dark with want and woe:
   Till sad hearts looked upward,
   I would shine and shine;
   Then they'd think of heaven,
   Their sweet home and mine."
3. Are you not a sunbeam,
   Child, whose life is glad
   With an inner brightness
   Sunshine never had?
   Oh, as God has blessed you,
   Scatter light divine!
   For there is no sunbeam
   But must die or shine.

LESSON XIV.

HENRY, THE BOOTBLACK.

1. Henry was a kind, good boy. His father was dead, and his mother was very poor. He had a little sister about two years old.
2. He wanted to help his mother, for she could not always earn enough to buy food for her little family.
3. One day, a man gave him a dollar for finding a pocketbook which he had lost.
4. Henry might have kept all the money, for no one saw him when he found it. But his mother had taught him to be honest, and never to keep what did not belong, to him.
5. With the dollar he bought a box, three brushes, and some blacking. He then went to the corner of the street, and said to every one whose boots did not look nice, "Black your boots, sir, please?"
6. He was so polite that gentlemen soon began to notice him, and to let him black their boots. The first day he brought home fifty cents, which he gave to his mother to buy food with.
7. When he gave her the money, she said, as she dropped a tear of joy, "You are a dear, good boy, Henry. I did not know how I could earn enough to buy bread with, but now I think we can manage to get along quite well,"
8. Henry worked all the day, and went to school in the evening. He earned almost enough to support his mother and his little sister.

LESSON XV.

DON'T WAKE THE BABY.

LESSON XVI.

A KIND BROTHER.

1. A boy was once sent from home to take a basket of things to his grandmother.
2. The basket was so full that it was very heavy. So his little brother went with him, to help carry the load.
3. They put a pole under the handle of the basket, and each then took hold of an end of the pole. In this way they could carry the basket very nicely.
4. Now the older boy thought, "My brother Tom does not know about this pole.
5. "If I slip the basket near him, his side will be heavy, and mine light; but if the basket is in the middle of the pole, it will be as heavy for me as it is for him.
6. "Tom does not know this as I do. But I will not do it. It would be wrong, and I will not do what is wrong."
7. Then he slipped the basket quite near his own end of the pole. His load was now heavier than that of his little brother.
8. Yet he was happy; for he felt that he had done right. Had he deceived his brother, he would not have felt at all happy.

LESSON XVII.

MY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING.

1. "What are you good for, my brave little man?
   Answer that question for me, if you can,—
   You, with your fingers as white as a nun,—
   You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun.
   All the day long, with your busy contriving,
   Into all mischief and fun you are driving;
   See if your wise little noddle can tell
   What you are good for. Now ponder it well."
2. Over the carpet the dear little feet
   Came with a patter to climb on my seat;
   Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee,
   Under their lashes looked up unto me;
   Two little hands pressing soft on my face,
   Drew me down close in a loving embrace;
   Two rosy lips gave the answer so true,
   "Good to love you, mamma, good to love you."

Emily Huntington Miller.

LESSON XVIII.

THE KINGBIRD.

1. The kingbird is not bigger than a robin.
2. He eats flies, and worms, and bugs, and berries.
3. He builds his nest in a tree, near some house.
4. When there are young ones in the nest, he sits on the top of a tree near them.
5. He watches to see that no bird comes to hurt them or their mother.
6. If a hawk, a crow, or even an eagle comes near, he makes a dash at it.
7. Though he is so small, he is brave, and he is also very active.
8. He never fails to drive off other birds from his nest.
9. He flies around and around the eagle, and suddenly strikes him with his sharp bill.
10. He strikes at his eye, and then darts away before the eagle can catch him.
11. Or he strikes from behind, and is off again before the eagle can turn round.
12. In a short time, the great eagle is tired of such hard blows, and flies away. He is very glad to get rid of his foe.
13. Is not the little fellow a brave bird?
14. Because he can drive off all other birds, he is called the KINGBIRD.

LESSON XIX.

EVENING HYMN.

1. Now the day is over,
   Night is drawing nigh,
   Shadows of the evening
   Steal across the sky.
2. Now the darkness gathers,
   Stars begin to peep;
   Birds, and beasts, and flowers
   Soon will be asleep.
3. Through the lonely darkness,
   May the angels spread
   Their white wings above me,
   Watching round my bed.

LESSON XX.

THE QUARREL.

1. Under a great tree in the woods, two boys saw a fine, large nut, and both ran to get it.
2. James got to it first, and picked it up.
3. "It is mine," said John, "for I was the first to see it."
4. "No, it is mine" said James, "for I was the first to pick it up."

1. Thus, they at once began to quarrel about the nut.
2. As they could not agree whose it should be, they called an older boy, and asked him.
3. The older boy said, "I will settle this quarrel."
4. He took the nut, and broke the shell. He then took out the kernel, and divided the shell into two parts, as nearly equal as he could.
5. "This half of the shell," said he, "belongs to the boy who first saw the nut.
6. "And this half belongs to the boy who picked it up.
7. "The kernel of the nut, I shall keep as my pay for settling the quarrel.
8. "This is the way," said he, laughing, "in which quarrels are very apt to end."

LESSON XXI.

THE BEE.

1. Bees live in a house that is called a hive. They are of three kinds,—workers, drones, and queens.
2. Only one queen can live in each hive. If she is lost or dead, the other bees will stop their work.

1. They are very wise and busy little creatures. They all join together to build cells of wax for their honey.
2. Each bee takes its proper place, and does its own work. Some go out and gather honey from the flowers; others stay at home and work inside the hive.
3. The cells which they build, are all of one shape and size, and no room is left between them.
4. The cells are not round, but have six sides. 7. Did you ever look into a glass hive to see the bees while at work? It is pleasant to see how busy they always are.
5. But the drones do not work. Before winter comes, all the drones are driven from the hive or killed, that they may not eat the honey which they did not gather.
6. It is not quite safe for children to handle bees. They have sharp stings that they know well how to use in their defense.

SLATE WORK.

LESSON XXII.

THE SONG OF THE BEE.

1. Buzz! buzz! buzz!
   This is the song of the bee.
   His legs are of yellow;
   A jolly, good fellow,
   And yet a great worker is he.
2. In days that are sunny
   He's getting his honey;
   In days that are cloudy
   He's making his wax:
   On pinks and on lilies,
   And gay daffodillies,
   And columbine blossoms,
   He levies a tax!
3. Buzz! buzz! buzz!
   The sweet-smelling clover,
   He, humming, hangs over;
   The scent of the roses
   Makes fragrant his wings:
   He never gets lazy;
   From thistle and daisy,
   And weeds of the meadow,
   Some treasure he brings.
4. Buzz! buzz! buzz!
   From morning's first light
   Till the coming of night,
   He's singing and toiling
   The summer day through.
   Oh! we may get weary,
   And think work is dreary;
   'Tis harder by far
   To have nothing to do.

Marian Douglas.

LESSON XXIII.

THE TORN DOLL.

1. Mary Armstrong was a pretty little girl, but she was heedless about some things.
2. Her way of leaving her books and playthings just where she had used them last, gave her mother much trouble in picking them up and putting them in their proper places.
3. She had often told Mary the evil effects of being so careless. Her books became spoiled, and her toys broken.
4. But worse than this was the growing habit of carelessness, which would be of great harm to her all her life. It would make her unhappy, and would annoy her friends.
5. One day Mary and her mother went out into their pleasant yard, to spend an hour in the open air. Mrs. Armstrong took her work with her.
6. Mary ran about and played with Dash, her pet dog, and was having a happy time.
7. But in a corner of the yard she found her nicest doll all torn and broken, and its dress covered with mud.
8. She knew, at once, that Dash had done this, and she scolded him harshly.
9. Carrying the broken doll to her mamma. she showed it to her, and could hardly keep from crying.
10. Mrs. Armstrong asked Mary if she had not left the doll on the porch where Dash could easily get it; and Mary had to answer, "Yes, ma'am."
11. "Then you must not blame the dog, Mary, for he does not know it is wrong for him to play with your doll. I hope this will be a lesson to you hereafter, to put your things away when you are through playing."
12. "I will try," said Mary. And her mother promised to mend the doll as well as she could.

LESSON XXIV.

SHEEP-SHEARING.

1. Sheep are washed and sheared some time in the month of June. This should be done quite early in the month, before the hot days begin.
2. It is fine sport for those who look on, but not much fun for the sheep.
3. It is best for the sheep to have the wool taken off; otherwise they would suffer in the summer time.
4. When the time comes for washing the sheep, they are driven to a pond or a little river.
5. Then they are thrown into the water, one at a time. The men who are in the water catch them, and squeeze the wet wool with their hands to get the dirt all out of it.
6. Then the wool is thoroughly dried, the sheep are taken to the shearer; and he cuts off the wool with a large pair of shears.
7. It is then dyed, spun, and woven into cloth.
8. In a short time, before the cold winter comes, new wool grows out on the sheep. By the corning of spring there is so much, that it must be cut off again.

LESSON XXV.

THE CLOUDS

1. "Clouds that wander through the sky,
   Sometimes low and sometimes high;
   In the darkness of the night,
   In the sunshine warm and bright.
   Ah! I wonder much if you
   Have any useful work to do."
2. "Yes, we're busy night and day,
   As o'er the earth we take our way.
   We are bearers of the rain
   To the grasses, and flowers, and grain;
   We guard you from the sun's bright rays,
   In the sultry summer days."

LESSON XXVI.

PATTY AND THE SQUIRREL.

1. Little Patty lives in a log house near a great forest. She has no sisters, and her big brothers are away all day helping their father.
2. But Patty is never lonely; for, though the nearest house is miles away, she has many little friends. Here are two of them that live in the woods.
3. But how did Patty teach them to be so tame? Patty came to the woods often, and was always so quiet and gentle that the squirrels soon found they need not be afraid of her.
4. She brought her bread and milk to eat under the trees, and was sure to leave crumbs for the squirrels.
5. When they came near, she sat very still and watched them. So, little by little, she made them her friends, till, at last, they would sit on her shoulder, and eat from her hand.
6. Squirrels build for themselves summer houses. Those are made of leaves, and sticks, and moss. They are nice and cool for summer, but would never do for the winter cold and snow.
7. So these wise little people find a hollow in an old tree. They make it warm and snug with soft moss and leaves; and here the squirrels live all through the long winter.

LESSON XXVII.

THE SPARROW.

1. Glad to see you, little bird;
   'Twas your little chirp I heard:
   What did you intend to say?
   "Give me something this cold day"?
2. That I will, and plenty, too;
   All the crumbs I saved for you.
   Don't be frightened—here's a treat:
   I will wait and see you eat.
3. Shocking tales I hear of you;
   Chirp, and tell me, are they true?
   Robbing all the summer long;
   Don't you think it very wrong?
4. Thomas says you steal his wheat;
   John complains, his plums you eat—
   Choose the ripest for your share,
   Never asking whose they are.
5. But I will not try to know
   What you did so long ago:
   There's your breakfast, eat away;
   Come to see me every day.

LESSON XXVIII.

SAM AND HARRY.

1. One fine summer afternoon, Sam was walking home from school. He went along slowly, reading a book.
2. Sam had spent all his money for the book, but he was a happy boy.
3. At length he came into the highroad, where there was a gate. A blind man stood, holding it open.
4. The poor man said, "Please give me a few cents to buy some bread!" But Sam gave him nothing.
5. What! did Sam give the poor blind man nothing? Yes; for, as I told you, he had spent all his money.
6. So Sam walked on, very sad. Soon after, a fine carriage came up, and in it were Harry and his mother.
7. The blind man stood, and held out his hat. "Let us give the poor man something," said Harry to his mother.
8. His mother gave him some cents. Harry took them, but did not put them into the man's hat.
9. He threw them into the hedge as far as he could. The poor man could not find them, for, you know, ho was blind.
10. Sam had turned back to look at the fine carriage. He saw Harry throw the cents into the hedge; so he came back at once, and looked for the money until he found it all for the blind man.
11. This took so long a time, that he almost lost his supper.
12. Which of the boys do you think was truly kind to the poor man?
13. I know which he thanked most in his heart.

LESSON XXIX.

THE LITTLE HILL.

1. Run, run, thou tiny rill;
   Run, and turn the village mill;
   Run, and fill the deep, clear pool
   In the woodland's shade so cool,
   Where the sheep love best to stray
   In the sultry summer day;
   Where the wild birds bathe and drink,
   And the wild flowers fringe the brink.

1. Run, run, thou tiny rill,
   Round the rocks, and down the hill;
   Sing to every child like me;
   The birds will join you, full of glee:
   And we will listen to the song
   You sing, your rippling course along.

LESSON XXX.

THE BOAT UPSET.

1. "Sit still, children. Do not move about in the boat," said Mr. Rose to the young folks he was taking for a trip on the water.
2. The boat was a large one, and could not easily be upset. There were in it Mr. and Mrs. Rose, the boatman, and several little boys and girls.
3. "Keep still, please, young gentlemen," said the boatman, when Edgar Rose and Thomas Read began to move from one side to the other.
4. They kept quiet for a short time only. Edgar soon wanted a stick which Thomas held in his hand. He lost his balance in trying to get the stick, and fell into the water.

1. Mr. and Mrs. Rose both started up, and stretched out their arms to save him; but in so doing, they upset the boat.
2. Every one fell into the water, and all were in the greatest danger of being drowned.
3. Another boat was near, with but one man in it. He hastened to them as quickly as possible, and saved them from drowning.
4. Children should always be careful and quiet when they are in a boat on the water, and should obey what older people tell them.

LESSON XXXI.

MARY'S LETTER.

LESSON XXXII.

THE TIGER.

1. The tiger is a giant cat. His body is nearly covered with black stripes.
2. Unlike the lion, he runs so fast that the swiftest horse can not overtake him. He goes over the ground by making bounds or springs, one after another.
3. By night, as well as by day, the tiger watches for his prey. With a frightful roar, he will seize a man, and carry him off.
4. Have you ever thought what use whiskers are to cats? Lions have great whiskers, and so have tigers and all other animals of the cat kind.
5. Whenever you find an animal with whiskers like the cat's, you may be sure that animal steals softly among branches and thick bushes.
6. By the slightest touch on the tiger's whiskers, he knows when there is anything in his road.
7. A few years ago, some English officers went out to hunt. When coming home from their day's sport, they found a little tiger kitten.
8. They took it with them and tied it, with a collar and chain, to the pole of their tent. It played about, to the delight of all who saw it.
9. One evening, just as it was growing dark, they heard a sound that frightened them greatly. It was the roar of a tiger.
10. The kitten pulled at the chain, and tried to break away. With a sharp cry, it answered the voice outside.
11. All at once, a large tigress bounded into the middle of the tent. She caught her kitten by the neck, and broke the chain which bound it.
12. Then turning to the door of the tent, she dashed away as suddenly as she had come.

LESSON XXXIII.

THE FIRESIDE.

1. One winter night, Mrs. Lord and her two little girls sat by a bright fire in their pleasant home. The girls were sewing, and their mother was busy at her knitting.

1. At last, Katie finished her work, and, looking up, said, "Mother, I think the fire is brighter than usual. How I love to hear it crackle!"
2. "And I was about to say," cried Mary, "that this is a better light than we had last night."
3. "My dears," said their mother, "it must be that you feel happier than usual to-night. Perhaps that is the reason why you think the fire better, and the light brighter."
4. "But, mother," said Mary, "I do not see why we are happier now than we were then; for last night cousin Jane was here, and we played 'Puss in the corner' and 'Blind man' until we all were tired."
5. "I know! I know why!" said Katie. "It is because we have all been doing something useful to-night. We feel happy because we have been busy."
6. "You are right, my dear," said their mother. "I am glad you have both learned that there may be something more pleasant than play, and, at the same time, more instructive."

LESSON XXXIV.

BIRDIE'S MORNING SONG.

1. Wake up, little darling, the birdies are out, And here you are still in your nest! The laziest birdie is hopping about; You ought to be up with the rest. Wake up, little darling, wake up!

1. Oh, see what you miss when you slumber so long— The dewdrops, the beautiful sky! I can not sing half what you lose in my song; And yet, not a word in reply. Wake up, little darling, wake up!
2. I've sung myself quite out of patience with you, While mother bends o'er your dear head; Now birdie has done all that birdie can do: Her kisses will wake you instead! Wake up, little darling, wake up!

George Cooper.

LESSON XXXV.

WILLIE AND BOUNCE.

1. Two fast friends were Willie Brown and his little dog Bounce. Willie could never think of taking a walk without Bounce. Cake and play were equally shared between them.
2. Willie taught his dog many cunning tricks, and often said that Bounce could do almost anything in the world but talk.
3. There came a time, however, when Bounce really told Willie's father something, though he could not talk. Let me tell you how he did this.

1. It was on a bright summer afternoon. Willie had strolled with Bounce down to the river, which was not more than two blocks from his father's store.
2. Willie began to throw stones into the water, and to watch the ripples as they made one circle after another.
3. Bounce lay on the grass, watching the flies that buzzed around his nose, and catching any that came too near.
4. There were some logs floating in the river near the shore. Willie jumped upon one of them, to see if he could throw a stone across the river.
5. He drew back, and sent the stone with all his might. just as it left his hand, the log turned, and he fell into the water.
6. He was very much frightened, for he did not know how to swim, and there was no one to hear, though he called as loud as he could for help.

LESSON XXXVI.

WILLIE AND BOUNCE. (CONCLUDED.)

1. Poor little Bounce gave a great yelp of distress. If he had been a big water dog, he could have jumped in and brought his master out.

1. He ran up and down the bank two or three times, barking, looking first at Willie and then around. Then he started, as fast as he could run, up the street to the store.
2. When he got there the door was shut, but he scratched against it and barked loudly, until some one came and opened it.
3. He caught hold of Mr. Brown's clothes, then ran to the door, then back again, catching at him, barking, and jumping.
4. A friend who was in the store said to Mr. Brown, "Something must be wrong; I would put on my hat, and go with the dog." Bounce, seeing Mr. Brown take his hat, started for the river.
5. Then Mr. Brown thought of Willie. As he came to the river, he saw Willie's hat floating on the water, and his small arm thrown up.
6. He sprang in and caught him just as he was going down for the last time, and quickly carried him to the bank. "Willie soon got over his fright, and no one seemed to be more delighted than Bounce.

LESSON XXXVII.

THE KITCHEN CLOCK.

1. Listen to the kitchen clock!
   To itself it ever talks,
   From its place it never walks;
   "Tick-tock-tick-tock:"
   Tell me what it says.
2. "I'm a very patient clock,
   Never moved by hope or fear,
   Though I've stood for many a year;
   Tick-tock-tick-tock:"
   That is what it says.
3. "I'm a very truthful clock:
   People say about the place,
   Truth is written on my face;
   Tick-tock-tick-tock:"
   That is what it says.
4. "I'm a most obliging clock;
   If you wish to hear me strike,
   You may do it when you like;
   Tick-tock-tick-tock: "
   That is what it says.
5. "I'm a very friendly clock;
   For this truth to all I tell,
   Life is short, improve it well;
   Tick-tock-tick-tock:"
   That is what it says.
6. What a talkative old clock!
   Let us see what it will do
   When the hour hand reaches two;
   "Ding-ding—tick-tock:"
   That is what it says.

LESSON XXXVIII.

THE NEW SCALES.

1. "Herbert, will you please peel my orange?" said Lucy. Herbert was reading his new book, but he put it down at once, and took the orange from his little sister.
2. "Shall I make a pair of scales, Lucy, for you to use when you play store?"
3. "Oh yes! but how can you do that'!"
4. "I'll show you. First, we must take the peel off in two little cups, one just as large as the other. While I do this, see if you can find me two nice sticks about ten inches long."
5. Lucy ran out to the woodhouse to find the sticks.—" Will these do?"
6. "No, they are too hard. Find some pine sticks if you can."
7. "Here are some."
8. "These will do nicely. Now I must make a scale beam and a post. Can you find me a little block for a post, Lucy'!"
9. "Will a ribbon block do, Herbert?"
10. "Yes, if it is not too thick."
11. "Here is one an inch thick."
12. "That will be just right. Now get the little gimlet." [Footnote: gimlet: Hand tool with a spiraled shank, a screw tip, and a cross handle; used for boring holes.]
13. Herbert worked away until he had made the beam and the post. Then he made a hole in the middle of the block, and put the post in. Next, he put the beam into a little groove at the top of the post, so that it would balance nicely.
14. "Now, Lucy, we must have a needle and some thread. We must put four threads to each cup; then we will tie the threads to the ends of the beam.
15. "There, Lucy, what do you think of that?"
16. "Why, Herbert, that is just as nice as the real scales in father's store; and you may have all my orange for making them."

LESSON XXXIX.

THE BEAR AND THE CHILDREN.

1. In the parlor of an inn in a small town, sat a man who had been going about with a bear. He was waiting for his supper, and the bear was tied up in the yard.
2. Up in the attic, three little children were playing together. The eldest might have been six years old; the youngest, not more than two.
3. Stump! stump! stump! Some one was coming up the stairs.
4. The door flew open suddenly, and there stood the great, shaggy bear. He had got tired of waiting, and had found his way to the stairs.
5. The children were badly frightened. Each one crept into a corner, but the bear found them all out, and smelt their clothes, but did not hurt them.
6. "This must be a great dog," they said, and they began to pat him.
7. Then the bear lay down on the floor, and the youngest boy climbed on his back, hid his head in the shaggy fur, and played at "hide and seek."
8. The eldest boy took his drum and began to strike it, when the bear rose on his hind legs and danced. At that the children gave a merry shout.
9. The two younger boys took their wooden guns, and gave the bear one. Away they all marched around the room, keeping step.
10. Now the frightened mother of the children came to the door. But the youngest boy shouted, joyfully. "See, we are playing soldiers!"
11. Then the bear's master came running up, and took the bear away.

LESSON XL.

THE LITTLE HAREBELL.

[Footnote: harebell: Perennial with slender stems, dense clusters of leaves, and bell-shaped blue or white flowers — bluebell.]