McGuffey's Fourth Eclectic Reader Part 3

DEFINITIONS.--l. Jew'el-er, one who buys and sells precious stones.

Not'ed, well known. Eld'er, an officer of the Jewish church. Eph'od, part of the dress of a Jewish priest, made of two pieces, one covering the chest and the other the back, united by a girdle. 2. Di'a-monds, precious stones. 3. Hu'mor, state of mind, temper. 5. Close, come to an agreement.

EXERCISES.--Relate the story of the jeweler and his diamonds. What did the elders say to him, when they heard his reason for not giving them the diamonds at first?

XI. TO-MORROW. (45)

Mrs. M. B. Johnson is the auth.o.r.ess of "To-morrow," one of a collection of poems; ent.i.tled "Poems of Home Life."

1. A bright, merry boy, with laughing face, Whose every motion was full of grace, Who knew no trouble and feared no care, Was the light of our household--the youngest there.

2. He was too young, this little elf, With troublesome questions to vex himself; But for many days a thought would rise, And bring a shade to his dancing eyes.

3. He went to one whom he thought more wise Than any other beneath the skies; "Mother,"--O word that makes the home!-- "Tell me, when will to-morrow come?"

4. "It is almost night," the mother said, "And time for my boy to be in bed; When you wake up and it's day again, It will be to-morrow, my darling, then."

5. The little boy slept through all the night, But woke with the first red streak of light; He pressed a kiss to his mother's brow, And whispered, "Is it to-morrow now?"

6. "No, little Eddie, this is to-day: To-morrow is always one night away."

He pondered a while, but joys came fast, And this vexing question quickly pa.s.sed.

7. But it came again with the shades of night; "Will it be to-morrow when it is light?"

From years to come he seemed care to borrow, He tried so hard to catch to-morrow.

8. "You can not catch it, my little Ted; Enjoy to-day," the mother said; "Some wait for to-morrow through many a year It is always coming, but never is here."

DEFINITIONS.--1. House'hold, family, those living in the same house. 2.

Elf, a small fairy-like person. Vex, worry, trouble. Pon'dered, thought anxiously. A-while', for a short time.

EXERCISES.--What is meant by "dancing eyes" in the second stanza? What is meant by "the shades of night," in the seventh stanza? Of what name are "Eddie" and "Ted" nicknames? What troubled Eddie? Can you define tomorrow?

What did Eddie's mother advise him to do?

XII. WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY. (47)

1. Henry Bond was about ten years old when his father died. His mother found it difficult to provide for the support of a large family, thus left entirely in her care. By good management, however, she contrived to do so, and also to send Henry, the oldest, to school, and to supply him, for the most part, with such books as he needed.

2. At one time, however, Henry wanted a grammar, in order to join a cla.s.s in that study, and his mother could not furnish him with the money to buy it. He was very much troubled about it, and went to bed with a heavy heart, thinking what could be done.

3. On waking in the morning, he found that a deep snow had fallen, and the cold wind was blowing furiously. "Ah," said he, "it is an ill wind that blows n.o.body good."

4. He rose, ran to the house of a neighbor, and offered his service to clear a path around his premises. The offer was accepted. Having completed this work, and received his pay, he went to another place for the same purpose, and then to another, until he had earned enough to buy a grammar.

5. When school commenced, Henry was in his seat, the happiest boy there, ready to begin the lesson in his new book.

6. From that time, Henry, was always the first in all his cla.s.ses. He knew no such word as fail, but always succeeded in all he attempted. Having the will, he always found the way.

DEFINITIONS.--l. Man'age-ment, manner of directing things. 2. Fur'nish, to supply. 3. Fu'ri-ous-ly, violently. 4. Serv'ice, labor. Prem'i-ses, grounds around a house.

XIII. PICCOLA. (48)

By Celia Laighton Thaxter, who was born at Portsmouth, N. H., June 29, 1836. Much of her childhood was pa.s.sed at White Island, one of the Isles of Shoals, off the coast of New Hamps.h.i.+re. "Among the Isles of Shoals," is her most noted work in prose. She published a volume of poems, many of which are favorites with children. She died in 1894.

1. Poor, sweet Piccola! Did you hear What happened to Piccola, children dear?

'T is seldom Fortune such favor grants As fell to this little maid of France.

2. 'T was Christmas time, and her parents poor Could hardly drive the wolf from the door, Striving with poverty's patient pain Only to live till summer again.

3. No gift for Piccola! sad were they When dawned the morning of Christmas day!

Their little darling no joy might stir; St. Nicholas nothing would bring to her!

4. But Piccola never doubted at all That something beautiful must befall Every child upon Christmas day, And so she slept till the dawn was gray.

5. And full of faith, when at last she woke, She stole to her shoe as the morning broke; Such sounds of gladness filled all the air, 'T was plain St. Nicholas had been there.

6. In rushed Piccola, sweet, half wild-- Never was seen such a joyful child-- "See what the good saint brought!" she cried, And mother and father must peep inside.

7. Now such a story I never heard!

There was a little s.h.i.+vering bird!

A sparrow, that in at the window flew, Had crept into Piccola's tiny shoe!

8. "How good poor Piccola must have been!"

She cried, as happy as any queen, While the starving sparrow she fed and warmed, And danced with rapture, she was so charmed.

9. Children, this story I tell to you Of Piccola sweet and her bird, is true.

In the far-off land of France, they say, Still do they live to this very day.

DEFINITIONS.--3. Dawned, began to grow light. Stir, excite. 4. Be-fall, happen. 7. s.h.i.+v'er-ing, trembling from cold. Ti'ny, very small. 8.

Rapture, great joy. Charmed, greatly.

EXERCISES.--What is meant by "driving the wolf from the door"? In the third stanza, what does "St." before Nicholas mean? Who is St. Nicholas?

What did Piccola find in her shoe on Christmas morning?

XIV. TRUE MANLINESS. (50)