McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader Part 6

They are always ready to help those who need help."

9. "I shall never think Mary's hands are ugly any more, Miss Roberts."

10. "I am glad to hear you say that, Daisy; and I must tell you that they are beautiful because they do their work gladly and cheerfully."

11. "O Miss Roberts! I feel so ashamed of myself, and so sorry," said Daisy, looking into her teacher's face with tearful eyes.

THIRD READER. 65 12. "Then, my dear, show your sorrow by deeds of kindness. The good alone are really beautiful."

LESSON XXV.

THINGS TO REMEMBER.

1. When you rise in the morning, remember who kept you from danger during the night. Remember who watched over you while you slept, and whose sun s.h.i.+nes around you, and gives you the sweet light of day.

2. Let G.o.d have the thanks of your heart, for his kindness and his care; and pray for his protection during the wakeful hours of day.

3. Remember that G.o.d made all creatures to be happy, and will do nothing that may prevent their being so, without good reason for it.

4. When you are at the table, do not eat in a greedy manner, like a pig. Eat quietly, 3,5

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and do not reach forth your hand for the food, but ask some one to help you.

5. Do not become peevish and pout, because you do not get a part of everything. Be satisfied with what is given you.

6. Avoid a pouting face, angry looks, and angry words. Do not slam the doors. Go quietly up and down stairs; and never make a loud noise about the house.

7. Be kind and gentle in your manners; not like the howling winter storm, but like the bright summer morning.

8. Do always as your parents bid you. Obey them with a ready mind, and with a pleasant face.

9. Never do anything that you would be afraid or ashamed that your parents should know. Remember, if no one else sees you, G.o.d does, from whom you can not hide even your most secret thought.

10. At night, before you go to sleep, think whether you have done anything that was wrong during the day, and pray to G.o.d to forgive you. If anyone has done you wrong, forgive him in your heart.

11. If you have not learned something useful, or been in some way useful, during

THIRD READER. 67 the past day, think that it is a day lost, and be very sorry for it.

12. Trust in the Lord, and He will guide you in the way of good men. The path of the just is as the s.h.i.+ning light that s.h.i.+neth more and more unto the perfect day.

13. We must do all the good we can to all men, for this is well pleasing in the sight of G.o.d. He delights to see his children walk in love, and do good one to another.

LESSON XXVI.

THREE LITTLE MICE.

1. I will tell you the story of three little mice, If you will keep still and listen to me, Who live in a cage that is cozy and nice, And are just as cunning as cunning can be.

They look very wise, with their pretty red eyes, That seem just exactly like little round beads; They are white as the snow, and stand up in a row Whenever we do not attend to their needs;--

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2. Stand up in a row in a comical way,-- Now folding their forepaws as if saying, "please;"

Now rattling the lattice, as much as to say, "We shall not stay here without more bread and cheese,"

They are not at all shy, as you'll find, if you try To make them run up in their chamber to bed; If they do n't want to go, why, they won't go--ah! no, Though you tap with your finger each queer little head.

3. One day as I stood by the side of the cage, Through the bars there protruded a funny, round tail;

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Just for mischief I caught it, and soon; in a rage, Its owner set up a most pitiful wail.

He looked in dismay,--there was something to pay,-- But what was the matter he could not make out; What was holding him so, when he wanted to go To see what his brothers upstairs were about?

4. But soon from the chamber the others rushed down, Impatient to learn what the trouble might be; I have not a doubt that each brow wore a frown, Only frowns on their brows are not easy to see.

For a moment they gazed, perplexed and amazed; Then began both together to--gnaw off the tail!

So, quick I released him,--do you think that it pleased him?

And up the small staircase they fled like a gale.

Julia C. R. Dorr.

LESSON XXVII.

THE NEW YEAR.

1. One pleasant New-year morning, Edward rose, and washed and dressed himself

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in haste. He wanted to be first to wish a happy New Year.

2. He looked in every room, and shouted the words of welcome. He ran into the

street, to repeat them to those he might meet.

3. When he came back, his father gave him two bright, new silver dollars.

4. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for a long time to buy some pretty books that he had seen at the bookstore.

THIRD READER. 71 5. He left the house with a light heart, intending to buy the books.

6. As he ran down the street, he saw a poor German family, the father, mother, and three children s.h.i.+vering with cold.

7. "I wish you a happy New Year," said Edward, as he was gayly pa.s.sing on. The man shook his head.

8. "You do not belong to this country," said Edward. The man again shook his head, for he could not understand or speak our language.

9. But he pointed to his mouth, and to the children, as if to say, "These little ones have had nothing to eat for a long time."

10. Edward quickly understood that these poor people were in distress. He took out his dollars, and gave one to the man, and the other to his wife.

11. How their eyes sparkled with grat.i.tude! They said something in their language, which doubtless meant, "We thank you a thousand times, and will remember you in our prayers."

12. When Edward came home, his father asked what books he had bought. He hung his head a moment, but quickly looked up.

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13. "I have bought no books," said he, "I gave my money to some poor people, who seemed to be very hungry and wretched.

14. "I think I can wait for my books till next New Year.

Oh, if you had seen how glad they were to receive the money!"

15. "My dear boy;" said his father, "here is a whole bundle of books. I give them to you, more as a reward for your goodness of heart than as a New-year gift.

16. "I saw you give the money to the poor German family.

It was no small sum for a little boy to give cheerfully.

17. "Be thus ever ready to help the poor, and wretched, and distressed; and every year of your life will be to you a happy New Year."

LESSON XXVIII.

THE CLOCK AND THE SUNDIAL.

A FABLE.

1. One gloomy day, the clock on a church steeple, looking down on a sundial, said,

THIRD READER. 73 "How stupid it is in you to stand there all the while like a stock!

2. "You never tell the hour till a bright sun looks forth from the sky, and gives you leave. I go merrily round, day and night, in summer and winter the same, without asking his leave.

3. "I tell the people the time to rise, to go to dinner, and to come to church.

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4. "Hark! I am going to strike now; one, two, three, four.

There it is for you. How silly you look! You can say nothing."