With bounding step and merry laugh
My little girl--five and a half--
Held in her hand a picture-card:
"See! mamma, see! I've tried so hard;
Look and see what the letters spell;
'Tis a reward for doing well.
I have been good a whole long week;
Not once, mamma, did teacher speak,
Or say from recess I must stay,
Because in school I'd tried to play.
Last week, you know, my card I lost
For giving Charlie's book a 'tost,'
And speaking out aloud in school;
I did not know 'twas 'gainst the rule.
Then teacher said, 'Edith come here.'
I went right to her, mamma dear,
And 'cause I hop-skipped down the aisle,
The scholars all began to smile.
That week I was so very good,
'Most got a card, and think I should
If I'd not hop-skipped down the aisle,
And made the other scholars smile.
But if I get one once in four,
School keeps so long, I'll get lots more."
[Illustration: EDITH AT HOME.]
[Illustration: SUCH MISCHIEF AS HE MADE.
{FROM "THE TRICK THEY PLAYED ON JOCKO."}]