Parker's Second Reader Part 20

LESSON XLV.

_Mary Dow._--H.F. GOULD.

1. "Come in, little stranger," I said, As she tapped at my half-opened door, While the blanket pinned over her head Just reached to the basket she bore.

2. A look full of innocence fell From her modest and pretty blue eye, As she said, "I have matches to sell, And hope you are willing to buy.

3. "A penny a bunch is the price; I think you'll not find it too much; They're tied up so even and nice, And ready to light with a touch."

4. I asked, "What's your name, little girl?"

"'Tis Mary," said she,--"Mary Dow,"

And carelessly tossed off a curl, That played o'er her delicate brow.

5. "My father was lost in the deep,-- The s.h.i.+p never got to the sh.o.r.e; And mother is sad, and will weep, When she hears the wind blow and sea roar.

6. "She sits there at home, without food, Beside our poor sick Willie's bed; She paid all her money for wood, And so I sell matches for bread.

7. "For every time that she tries Some things she'd be paid for to make, And lays down the baby, it cries, And that makes my sick brother wake.

8. "I'd go to the yard and get chips, But, then, it would make me too sad, To see men there building the s.h.i.+ps, And think they had made one so bad.

9. "I've one other gown, and, with care, We think it may decently pa.s.s, With my bonnet that's put by to wear To meeting and Sunday-school cla.s.s.

10. "I love to go there, where I'm taught, Of One who's so wise and so good, He knows every action and thought, And gives e'en the raven his food.

11. "For He, I am sure, who can take Such fatherly care of a bird, Will never forget or forsake The children who trust to his word.

12. "And now, if I only can sell The matches I brought out to-day, I think I shall do very well, And mother'll rejoice at the pay."

13. "Fly home, little bird," then I thought, "Fly home, full of joy, to your nest!"

For I took all the matches she brought, And Mary may tell you the rest.

LESSON XLVI.

_It Snows._--H.F. GOULD.

1. It snows! it snows! from out the sky, The feathered flakes, how fast they fly!

Like little birds, that don't know why They're on the chase, from place to place, While neither can the other trace.

It snows! it snows! a merry play Is o'er us, on this heavy day!

2. As dancers in an airy hall, That hasn't room to hold them all, While some keep up and others fall, The atoms s.h.i.+ft; then, thick and swift, They drive along to form the drift, That, weaving up, so dazzling white, Is rising like a wall of light.

3. But now the wind comes whistling loud, To s.n.a.t.c.h and waft it, as a cloud, Or giant phantom in a shroud; It spreads, it curls, it mounts and whirls, At length a mighty wing unfurls, And then, away! but where, none knows, Or ever will.--It snows! it snows!

4. To-morrow will the storm be done; Then out will come the golden sun, And we shall see, upon the run Before his beams, in sparkling streams, What now a curtain o'er him seems.

And thus with life it ever goes, 'Tis shade and s.h.i.+ne!--It snows! it snows!

LESSON XLVII.

_The Dissatisfied Angler Boy._--H.F. GOULD.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

1. I'm sorry they let me go down to the brook, I'm sorry they gave me the line and the hook, And I wish I had stayed at home with my book.

I'm sure 'twas no pleasure to see That poor, little, harmless, suffering thing, Silently writhe at the end of the string; Or to hold the pole, while I felt him swing In torture, and all for me!

2. 'Twas a beautiful speckled and glossy trout, And when from the water I drew him out On the gra.s.sy bank, as he floundered about, It made me s.h.i.+vering cold, To think I had caused so much needless pain; And I tried to relieve him, but all in vain; O! never, as long as I live, again May I such a sight behold!

3. O, what would I give once more to see The brisk little swimmer alive and free, And darting about, as he used to be, Unhurt, in his native brook!

'Tis strange how people can love to play, By taking innocent lives away; I wish I had stayed at home to-day, With sister, and read my book.

LESSON XLVIII.

_The Violet: a Fable._--CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE.

1. Down in a humble dell A modest violet chanced to dwell Remote from gayer flowers; Its days were pa.s.sed in simple ease, It sipped the dew and kissed the breeze, Nor thought of happier hours.

2. Long lived it in this quiet way, Till, on a hot and sultry day About the midst of June, It chanced to spy a lady fair, All dressed in satins rich and rare, Come walking by, at noon.

3. And thus the silly flower began:-- "I much should like to live with man, And other flowers to see;-- Why is it (for I cannot tell) That I forever here should dwell, Where there is none but me?"

4. While thus it spoke, the lady stopped To pick up something she had dropped, And there the flower she spied; And soon she plucked it from its bed, Just shook the dew-drop from its head, And placed it at her side.

5. Soon at the lady's splendid home The violet found that she was come, For all was bright and gay: And then upon the mantel-shelf, With many a flower beside herself, Was placed, without delay.

6. And oh, how glad and proud was she In such a splendid place to be!-- But short was her delight; For rose and lily turned away, And would not deign a word to say To such a country wight.

7. She pa.s.sed the day in much disgrace, And wished that she might change her place, And be at home again: She sighed for her own mossy bed, Where she might rest her aching head; But now to wish were vain.

8. Next morn, the housemaid, pa.s.sing by, Just chanced the little flower to spy, And then, without delay, She rudely seized its tender stalk, And threw it in the gravel walk, And left it to decay.

9. And thus it mourned,--"O silly flower, To wish to leave its native bower!

Was it for this I sighed?

O, had I more contented been, And lived unnoticed and unseen, I might not thus have died!"