McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader Part 21

4. G.o.d make my life a little hymn Of tenderness and praise; Of faith--that never waxeth dim In all His wondrous ways.

204 ECLECTIC SERIES,

LESSON LXXVII.

HOLDING THE FORT.

1. While Genie was walking slowly down street one day, she heard an odd rapping on the pavement behind her.

Looking round, she saw Rob Grey hobbling on crutches.

2. "Why, what is the matter?" cried Genie. "I have n't seen you for a week, and now you are walking in that way."

3. "I shall have to walk in this way as much as a week longer, Genie. I sprained my ankle by stopping too quick-- no, not too quick, either, for there was something in my way."

"What was it?" asked Genie.

4. "One of the Commandments," replied Rob. "You remember how that lecturer talked to us about 'holding the fort'? Well, I thought I should like to do it; but it's a pretty long war, you know--all a lifetime, and no vacations-- furloughs, I think they call them."

5. "If there was nothing to fight, we should not need to be soldiers," said Genie.

6. "Well, I thought I would try; but the

THIRD READER. 205 first day, when we came out of the schoolhouse, Jack Lee s.n.a.t.c.hed my books out of my hand, and threw them into the mud.

7. "I started after him as fast as I could run. I meant to throw him where he had

thrown the books, when, all of a sudden, I thought of the Commandment about returning good for evil.

8. "I stopped short--so short, that, somehow,

206 ECLECTIC SERIES.

my foot twisted under me. So, you see, it was one of the commandments."

9. "If one must stumble at them, it is a good thing to fall on the right side," said Genie, with a wise nod of her head.

10. "The whole thing puzzles me, and makes me feel-- well, like giving it up," said Rob. "It might have served me right when I was chasing Jack; but when I thought of the Commandment, I really tried to do the right thing."

11. "You did do it, Rob," said Genie. "You 'held the fort'

that time. Why, do n't you see--you are only a wounded soldier."

12. "I never thought of that," said Rob. "If I believe that way--" He began to whistle, and limped off to school without finis.h.i.+ng the sentence. But Genie knew, by the way he behaved that day, that he had made up his mind to hold the fort.

THIRD READER. 207

LESSON LXXVIII.

THE LITTLE PEOPLE.

1. A dreary place would be this earth, Were there no little people in it; The song of life would lose its mirth, Were there no children to begin it;

2. No little forms, like buds to grow, And make the admiring heart surrender; No little hands on breast and brow, To keep the thrilling love chords tender.

3. The sterner souls would grow more stern, Unfeeling nature more inhuman, And man to utter coldness turn, And woman would be less than woman.

4. Life's song, indeed, would lose its charm, Were there no babies to begin it; A doleful place this world would be, Were there no little people in it.

John G. Whittier.

208 THIRD READER.

LESSON LXXIX.

GOOD NIGHT.

1. The sun is hidden from our sight, The birds are sleeping sound; 'T is time to say to all, "Good night!"

And give a kiss all round.

2. Good night, my father, mother, dear!

Now kiss your little son; Good night, my friends, both far and near!

Good night to every one.

3. Good night, ye merry, merry birds!

Sleep well till morning light; Perhaps, if you could sing in words, You would have said, "Good night!"

4. To all my pretty flowers, good night!

You blossom while I sleep; And all the stars, that s.h.i.+ne so bright, With you their watches keep.

5. The moon is lighting up the skies, The stars are sparkling there; 'T is time to shut our weary eyes, And say our evening prayer.

Mrs. Follen.