[Transcriber's Notes:
Welcome to the schoolroom of 1900. The moral tone is plain. "She is kind
to the old blind man."
The exercises are still suitable, and perhaps more helpful than some
contemporary alternatives. Much is left to the teacher. Explanations given
in the text are enough to get started teaching a child to read and write.
Counting in Roman numerals is included as a bonus in the form of lesson
numbers.
The author, not listed in the text is William Holmes McGuffey.
Don Kostuch
]
ECLECTIC EDUCATIONAL SERIES.
MCGUFFEY'S®
SECOND
ECLECTIC READER.
REVISED EDITION.
McGuffey Editions and Colophon are Trademarks of
JOHN WILEY & SONS, Inc..
New York - Chichester-Weinheim-Brisbane-Singapore-Toronto
Copyright, 1879, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co.
Copyright, 1896, by American Book Company
Copyright, 1907 and 1920, by H. H. Vail.
EP316
Preface
In this book, as well as in the others of the Revised Series, most of the
favorite drill selections, which constituted one of the leading
excellences of MCGUFFEY'S READERS, have been retained. New selections have
been inserted only when they seemed manifest improvements on those
formerly used.
The plan of this Reader is a continuation and extension of that pursued in
the First Reader.
If the pupil is not familiar with the diacritical marks, he should be
carefully drilled, as suggested on page 7, until the marked letter
instantly suggests the correct sound. He is then prepared to study his
reading lessons without any assistance from the teacher.
All new words are given at the head of each lesson. When these are
mastered, the main difficulties left for the pupil are those of
expression. In the latter portion of the book the simpler
derivatives,--such as are formed by adding one or two
letters,--possessives, plurals, verbal forms, etc.,--are omitted if the
primitive word has been given. In this way the pupil is gradually led to
the mastery of words as ordinarily printed.
A few of the most usual abbreviations have been introduced,--such as Mr.,
Mrs., etc. These should be carefully explained, not only as to their
meaning and use, but as to the reason for their use.
Great care has been taken to have the illustrations worthy of the
reputation MCGUFFEY'S READERS have attained, and some of the foremost
designers of this country have contributed to the embellishment of the
book.
Many of these pictures will serve admirably for lessons in language, in
extension and explanation of the text. The imagination of the artist has,
in some cases, filled in details not found in the text.
The thanks of the publishers are due to very many experienced teachers,
who have contributed their valuable suggestions.
June, 1879.
INTRODUCTORY MATTER.
ARTICULATION
PUNCTUATION
SELECTIONS IN PROSE AND POETRY.
Lessons.
1. Evening at Home
2. Bubbles
3. Willie's Letter (Script)
4. The Little Star
5. Two Dogs
6. Afraid in the Dark
7. Baby Bye
8. Puss and her Kittens
9. Kittie and Mousie
10. At Work
11. What a Bird Taught
12. Susie Sunbeam
13. If I were a Sun beam
14. Henry, the Bootblack
15. Don't Wake the Baby (Script)
16. A Kind Brother
17. My Good-far-nothing
18. The Kingbird
19. Evening Hymn
20. The Quarrel
21. The Bee
22. The Song of the Bee
23. The Torn Doll
24. Sheep-shearing
25. The Clouds
26. Patty and the Squirrel
27. The Sparrow
28. Sam and Harry
29. The Little Rill
30. The Boat Upset
31. Mary's Letter (Script)
32. The Tiger
33. The Fireside
34. Birdie's Morning Song
35. Willie and Bounce
36. Willie and Bounce
37. The Kitchen Clock
38. The New Scales
39. The Bear and the Children
40. The Little Harebell (Script)
41. The Fishhawk
42. What the Leaf said
43. The Wind and the Leaves
44. Mamma's Present
45. Mary's Story
46. Ralph Wick
47. Coasting down the Hill (Script)
48. The Fox and the Ducks
49. Pretty is that Pretty does
50. The Story-teller
51. The Story-teller
52. The Owl
53. The Owl
54. Grandfather's Story
55. God is Great and Good
56. A Good Old Man
57. The Greedy Girl
68. A Place for Everything
69. My Mother (Script)
60. The Broken Window
61. The Broken Window
62. Frank and the Hourglass
63. March
64. Jenny's Call
65. Poor Davy
66. Alice's Supper
67. A Snowstorm
68. Bessie
69. Bessie
70. Cheerfulness (Script)
71. Lullaby
ARTICULATION.
SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.-Thorough and frequent drills on the elementary
sounds are useful in correcting vicious habits of pronunciation and in
strengthening the vocal organs.
As a rule, only one or two sounds should be employed at one lesson. Care
should be taken that the pupils observe and practice these sounds
correctly in their reading.
TABLE OF VOCALS.
Long Sounds
Sound as in Sound as in
a ate e err
a care i ice
a arm o ode
a last u use
a all u burn
e eve oo fool
SHORT SOUNDS.
Sound as in Sound as in
a am o odd
e end u up
i in oo look
DIPHTHONGS.
Sound as in Sound as in
oi oil ou out
oy boy ow now
TABLE OF SUBVOCALS.
Sound as in Sound as in
b bib v valve
d did th this
g gig z zin
j jug z azure
n nine r rare
m maim w we
ng hang y yet
l lull
TABLE 0F ASPIRATES.
Sound as in Sound as in
f fifi t tat
h him sh she
k kite ch chat
p pipe th thick
s same wh why
TABLE OF SUBSTITUTES.
Sub for as in Sub for as in
a o what y i myth
e a there c k can
e a feint c a cite
i e police ch sh chaise
i e sir ch k chaos
o u son g j gem
o oo to n ng ink
o oo wolf s z as
o a fork s sh sure
o u work x gz exact
u oo full gh f laugh
u oo rude ph f phlox
y i fly qu k pique
qu kw quit
PUNCTUATION.
Punctuation Marks are used to make the sense more clear.
A Period (.) is used at the end of a sentence, and after an
abbreviation; as,
James was quite sick. Dr. Jones was called to see him.
An Interrogation Mark (?) is used at the end of a question; as,
Where is John going?
An Exclamation Mark (!) is used after words or sentences expressing some
strong feeling; as,
Alas, my noble boy! that thou shouldst die!
The Comma (,), Semicolon (;), and Colon (:) are used to separate the parts
of a sentence.
The Hyphen (-) is used to join the parts of a compound word; as,
text-book: it is also used at the end of a line in print or script, when a
word is divided; as in the word "sentence," near the bottom of page 9.
[Illustration: Bird perched on tree branch.]
MCGUFFEY'S
SECOND READER.
LESSON I.
news'paper cold or'der seem through
stock'ings chat sto'ry light Har'ry
branch'es kiss burns Mrs. e vents'
an oth'er Mr. stool lamp mends
[Illustration: Family at evening; father reading newspaper, mother sewing,
boy and girl reading.]
EVENING AT HOME.
1. It is winter. The cold wind whistles through the branches of the trees.
2. Mr. Brown has done his day's work, and his children, Harry and Kate,
have come home from school. They learned their lessons well to-day, and
both feel happy
3. Tea is over. Mrs. Brown has put the little sitting room in order. The
fire burns brightly. One lamp gives light enough for all. On the stool is
a basket of fine apples. They seem to say, "Won't you have one?"
4. Harry and Kate read a story in a new book. The father reads his
newspaper, and the mother mends Harry's stockings.
5. By and by, they will tell one another what they have been reading
about, and will have a chat over the events of the day.
6. Harry and Kate's bedtime will come first. I think I see them kiss their
dear father and mother a sweet good night.
7. Do you not wish that every boy and girl could have a home like this?
LESSON II.
beau'ti ful porch rain'bow burst
bub'bling same biggest sneeze col'ors
main soap wash red ma'ny (men'y)
[Illustration: Three children playing with bubbles and cat.]
BUBBLES.
1. The boys have come out on the porch to blow bubbles. The old cat is
asleep on the mat by the door.
2. "Ha! ha!" laughs Robert, as a bubble comes down softly on the old cat's
back, and does not burst.
3. Willie tries to make his bubble do the same. This time it comes down on
the cat's face, and makes her sneeze.
4. "She would rather wash her face without soap," says Harry. "Now let us
see who can make the biggest bubble."
5. "Mine is the biggest," says Robert. "See how high it floats in the air!
I can see--ah! it has burst."
6. "I can see the house and the trees and the sky in mine," says Willie;
"and such beautiful colors."
7. "How many, Willie?"
8. "Red, one; blue, two; there--they are all out. Let us try again."
9. "I know how many colors there are," says Harry. "Just as many as there
are in the rainbow."
10. "Do you know how many that is?"
LESSON III.
rub'ber gun par'lor street
num'ber ten o'clock' shoot
WILLIE'S LETTER.
[Illustration: Script Exercise:
New York, Dec. 10, 1878.
Dear Santa Claus:
Papa is going to give
me a Christmas tree, and he
says that you will put nice
things on it if I ask you. I would
like a gun that will shoot, and
a rubber ball that I can throw
hard, and that will not break
Mamma's windows or the big
glass in the parlor.
Now, please don't forget to come.
I live on Fourth St., number ten.
I will go to bed at eight o'clock,
and shut my eyes tight.
I will not look, indeed I won't.
Your little boy,
Willie.
]
LESSON IV.
a bove' world dark oft
nev'er spark dew till
di'a mond twin'kle blaz'ing
The Little Star
1. Twinkle, twinkle, little star;
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky!
2. When the blazing sun is set,
And the grass with dew is wet,
Then you show your little light;
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
3. Then, if I were in the dark,
I would thank you for your spark.
I could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
4. And when I am sound asleep,
Oft you through my window peep;
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
LESSON V.
be hind' to geth'er nob'le Scotch
Dodg'er min'utes crib wag'on
ter'ri er coun'try scold fel'low
shag'gy frisk'i ly fits cel'lar
guards New'found land yard har'ness
[Illustration: Two dogs, one large, the other a small puppy.]
TWO DOGS.
1. James White has two dogs. One is a Newfoundland dog, and the other is a
Scotch terrier.
2. The Newfoundland is a large, noble fellow. He is black, with a white
spot, and with long, shaggy hair. His name is Sport.
3. Sport is a good watchdog, and a kind playfellow. Every night he guards
the house while James and his father are asleep.
4. In the daytime, James often uses Sport for his horse. He has a little
wagon, and a set of small harness which just fits the dog.
5. He hitches Sport to this wagon, and drives over the country. In this
way, he can go almost as fast as his father with the old family horse.
6. The name of James's Scotch terrier is Dodger. He is called Dodger
because he jumps about so friskily. He is up on a chair, under the table,
behind the door, down cellar, and out in the yard,--all in a minute.
7. Dodger has very bright eyes, and he does many funny things. He likes to
put his paws up on the crib, and watch the baby.
8. The other day he took baby's red stocking, and had great fun with it;
but he spoiled it in his play, and James had to scold him.
9. Everyone likes to see James White with his two dogs. They always seem
very happy together.
LESSON VI.
bet ween' bu'reau (-ro) stairs nee'dle
a fraid' shad'ow held stir
AFRAID IN THE DARK.
1. "Willie, will you run upstairs, and get my needle book from the
bureau?"
2. But Willie did not stir. "Willie!" said mamma. She thought he had not
heard.
3. "I'm afraid," said Willie.
4. "Afraid of what?"
5. "It's dark up there."
6. "What is the dark?" asked mamma. "See! It is nothing but a shadow."
And she held her hand between the lamp and the workbasket on the table.
[Illustration: Mother, seated in rocking chair, kerosene lamp on table,
boy standing, examining his shadow on the wall.]
7. "Now it is dark in the basket; but as soon as I take my hand away, it
is light."
8. "Come and stand between the lamp and the wall, Willie. See! There is
your shadow on the wall. Can your shadow hurt you?"
9. "Oh no, mamma! I am sure it can not hurt me."
10. "Well, the dark is only a big shadow over everything."
11. "What makes the big shadow, mamma?"
12. "I will tell you all about that, Willie, when you are a little older.
But now, I wish you would find me a brave boy who is not afraid of
shadows, to run upstairs and get my needlebook."
13. "I am bravo, mamma. I will go. --Here it is."
14. "Thank you, my brave little man. You see the dark didn't hurt you."
SLATE WORK.
[Illustration: Script Exercise:
Beautiful faces are they that wear
The light of a pleasant spirit there;
Beautiful hands are they that do
Deeds that are noble good and true;
Beautiful feet are they that go
Swiftly to lighten another's woe.
]
LESSON VII.
spi'ders tick'ling stay neck nose se'cret crawls
legs beck ope goes toes speck choose
dot nod shoes spread be lieve' six
[Illustration: Mother and baby watching fly on the wall.]
BABY BYE.
1. Baby Bye,
Here's a fly;
We will watch him, you and I.
How he crawls
Up the walls,
Yet he never falls!
I believe with six such legs
You and I could walk on eggs.
There he goes
On his toes,
Tickling Baby's nose.
2. Spots of red
Dot his head;
Rainbows on his back are spread;
That small speck
Is his neck;
See him nod and beck!
I can show you, if you choose,
Where to look to find his shoes,
Three small pairs,
Made of hairs;
These he always wears.
3. Flies can see
More than we;
So how bright their eyes must be!
Little fly,
Ope your eye;
Spiders are near by.
For a secret I can tell,
Spiders never use flies well;
Then away,
Do not stay.
Little fly, good day.
24 ECLECTIC SERIES.
LESSON VIII.
serv'ant sud'den ly lon'ger re turned' lived tired
since five anx'ious trou'ble cer'tain nea'ly
doz'en sev'en at'tic strange great prop'er
coal seemed
[Illustration: Cat carrying kitten up stairs by the scruff of the neck.]
PUSS AND HER KITTENS.
1. Puss, with her three kittens, had lived in the coal cellar; but one day
she thought she would carry them to the attic.
2. The servant thought that was not the proper place for them; so she
carried them back to the cellar.
3. Puss was certain that she wanted them in the attic; so she carried them
there again and again, five, six, seven, --yes, a dozen times; for each
time the servant took them back to the cellar.
4. Poor puss was nearly tired out, and could carry them no longer.
5. Suddenly she went away. Where do you think she went?
6. She was gone a long time. When she returned, she had a strange cat with
her that we had never seen before.
7. She seemed to tell him all about her great trouble, and he listened to
her story.
8. Then the strange cat took the little kittens, one by one, and carried
them to the attic. After this he went away, and we have never seen him
since.
9. The servant then left the kittens in the attic, for she saw how anxious
puss was to have them stay there.
10. Was not the strange cat kind to puss? This lesson should teach
children to be ever ready to help one another.
LESSON IX.
nine mous'ie fro frol'ic bit slipped
spied crow teeth pearl used
[Illustration: White cat sneaking up on a mouse.]
KITTY AND MOUSIE.
1. Once there was a little kitty,
White as the snow;
In a barn he used to frolic,
Long time ago.
2. In the barn a little mousie
Ran to and fro;
For she heard the little kitty,
Long time ago.
3. Two black eyes had little kitty,
Black as a crow;
And they spied the little mousie,
Long time ago.
4. Four soft paws had little kitty,
Paws soft as snow;
And they caught the little mousie,
Long time ago.
5. Nine pearl teeth had little kitty,
All in a row;
And they bit the little mousie,
Long time ago.
6. When the teeth bit little mousie,
Mousie cried out "Oh!"
But she slipped away from kitty,
Long time ago.
LESSON X.
washed hours(ours) pre'cious game
harm a'ny (en'y) brushed end
AT WORK.
1. A little play does not harm any one, but does much good. After play, we
should be glad to work.
2. I knew a boy who liked a good game very much. He could run, swim, jump,
and play ball; and was always merry when out of school.
3. But he knew that time is not all for play; that our minutes, hours, and
days are very precious.
4. At the end of his play, he would go home. After he had washed his face
and hands, and brushed his hair, he would help his mother, or read in his
book, or write upon his slate.
5. He used to say, "One thing at a time." When he had done with work, he
would play; but he did not try to play and to work at the same time.
LESSON XI.
twit-twee bough (bow) twit-twit top'most lock
spray mate close'ly ros'y an'swer (an'ser)
[Illustration: Bird perched on tree branch.]
WHAT A BIRD TAUGHT.
1. Why do you come to my apple tree,
Little bird so gray?
Twit-twit, twit-twit, twit-twit-twee!
That was all he would say.
2. Why do you lock your rosy feet
So closely round the spray?
Twit-twit, twit-twit, twit-tweet!
That was all he would say.
3. Why on the topmost bough do you get,
Little bird so gray?
Twit-twit-twee! twit-twit-twit!
That was all he would say.
4. Where is your mate? come, answer me,
Little bird so gray.
Twit-twit-twit! twit-twit-twee!
That was all he would say.
Alice Cary.
LESSON XII.
bright'ness pleas'ant learned dress
play'mates un kind' rag'ged word
ques'tions smil'ing crowed child
Sun'beam cheered Sus'ie gave
glad'ness un less' name gate
SUSIE SUNBEAM.
1. Susie Sunbeam was not her real name; that was Susan Brown. But every
one called her Susie Sunbeam, because she had such a sweet, smiling face,
and always brought brightness with her when she came.
[Illustration: Older girls playing with younger girl. Three children
standing in background.]
2. Her grandfather first gave her this name, and it seemed to fit the
little girl so nicely that soon it took the place of her own.
3. Even when a baby, Susie laughed and crowed from morning till night. No
one ever heard her cry unless she was sick or hurt.
4. When she had learned to walk, she loved to go about the house and get
things for her mother, and in this way save her as many steps as she
could.
5. She would sit by her mother's side for an hour at a time, and ask her
ever so many questions, or she would take her new book and read.
6. Susie was always pleasant in her play with other children. She never
used an unkind word, but tried to do whatever would please her playmates
best.
7. One day, a poor little girl with a very ragged dress was going by and
Susie heard some children teasing her and making fun of her.
8. She at once ran out to the gate, and asked the poor little girl to come
in. "What are you crying for?" Susie asked.
9. "Because they all laugh at me," she said.
10. Then Susie took the little girl into the house. She cheered her up
with kind words, and gave her a nice dress and a pair of shoes.
11. This brought real joy and gladness to the poor child, and she, too,
thought that Susie was rightly called Sunbeam.
LESSON XIII.
wood'lands di vine' raised un til' droop'ing blessed
whose seek up'ward hov'els in'ner steal
heav'en hearts lil'ies die roam'ing
IF I WERE A SUNBEAM.
1. "If I were a sunbeam,
I know what I'd do;
I would seek white lilies,
Roaming woodlands through.
I would steal among them,
Softest light I'd shed,
Until every lily
Raised its drooping head.
2. "If I were a sunbeam,
I know where I'd go;
Into lowly hovels,
Dark with want and woe:
Till sad hearts looked upward,
I would shine and shine;
Then they'd think of heaven,
Their sweet home and mine."
3. Are you not a sunbeam,
Child, whose life is glad
With an inner brightness
Sunshine never had?
Oh, as God has blessed you,
Scatter light divine!
For there is no sunbeam
But must die or shine.
SECOND READER. 35
LESSON XIV.
sup port' a long' boots be long' dol'lar years
man'age taught cor'ner no'tice mon'ey black'ing
gen'tle men hon'est (on'est) quite buy earned
[Illustration: Boy offering to shine man's shoes.]
HENRY, THE BOOTBLACK.
1. Henry was a kind, good boy. His father was dead, and his mother was
very poor. He had a little sister about two years old.
2. He wanted to help his mother, for she could not always earn enough to
buy food for her little family.
3. One day, a man gave him a dollar for finding a pocketbook which he had
lost.
4. Henry might have kept all the money, for no one saw him when he found
it. But his mother had taught him to be honest, and never to keep what did
not belong, to him.
5. With the dollar he bought a box, three brushes, and some blacking. He
then went to the corner of the street, and said to every one whose boots
did not look nice, "Black your boots, sir, please?"
6. He was so polite that gentlemen soon began to notice him, and to let
him black their boots. The first day he brought home fifty cents, which he
gave to his mother to buy food with.
7. When he gave her the money, she said, as she dropped a tear of joy,
"You are a dear, good boy, Henry. I did not know how I could earn enough
to buy bread with, but now I think we can manage to get along quite well,"
8. Henry worked all the day, and went to school in the evening. He earned
almost enough to support his mother and his little sister.
LESSON XV.
tread whis'per soft'ly talk cheer ful' care'ful
DON'T WAKE THE BABY.
[Illustration: Script Exercise:
Baby sleeps, so we must tread
Softly round her little bed,
And be careful that our toys
Don not fall and make a noise.
We must not talk, but whisper low,
Mother wants to work, we know,
That, when father comes to tea,
All may neat and cheerful be.
]
LESSON XVI.
full load heav'y mid'dle heav'i er
slip wrong han'dle broth'er de ceived'
[Illustration: Two boys carrying a basket on a pole between them.]
A KIND BROTHER.
1. A boy was once sent from home to take a basket of things to his
grandmother.
2. The basket was so full that it was very heavy. So his little brother
went with him, to help carry the load.
3. They put a pole under the handle of the basket, and each then took hold
of an end of the pole. In this way they could carry the basket very
nicely.
4. Now the older boy thought, "My brother Tom does not know about this
pole.
5. "If I slip the basket near him, his side will be heavy, and mine light;
but if the basket is in the middle of the pole, it will be as heavy for me
as it is for him.
6. "Tom does not know this as I do. But I will not do it. It would be
wrong, and I will not do what is wrong."
7. Then he slipped the basket quite near his own end of the pole. His load
was now heavier than that of his little brother.
8. Yet he was happy; for he felt that he had done right. Had he deceived
his brother, he would not have felt at all happy.
LESSON XVII.
bus'y (biz'zy) mis'chief looked un'to glee
con triv'ing ring'lets nod'dle drew nun
press'ing fin'gers car'pet wise lips
em brace' pon'der lash'es climb true
MY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING.
1.
"What are you good for, my brave little man?
Answer that question for me, if you can,--
You, with your fingers as white as a nun,--
You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun.
All the day long, with your busy contriving,
Into all mischief and fun you are driving;
See if your wise little noddle can tell
What you are good for. Now ponder it well."
2.
Over the carpet the dear little feet
Came with a patter to climb on my seat;
Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee,
Under their lashes looked up unto me;
Two little hands pressing soft on my face,
Drew me down close in a loving embrace;
Two rosy lips gave the answer so true,
"Good to love you, mamma, good to love you."
Emily Huntington Miller.
LESSON XVIII.
ber'ries strikes rob'in ea'gle short king rid
foe dart fails sharp hawk worms ac'tive
[Illustration: Bird perched on branch.]
THE KINGBIRD.
1. The kingbird is not bigger than a robin.
2. He eats flies, and worms, and bugs, and berries.
3. He builds his nest in a tree, near some house.
4. When there are young ones in the nest, he sits on the top of a tree
near them.
5. He watches to see that no bird comes to hurt them or their mother.
6. If a hawk, a crow, or even an eagle comes near, he makes a dash at it.
7. Though he is so small, he is brave, and he is also very active.
8. He never fails to drive off other birds from his nest.
9. He flies around and around the eagle, and suddenly strikes him with his
sharp bill.
10. He strikes at his eye, and then darts away before the eagle can catch
him.
11. Or he strikes from behind, and is off again before the eagle can turn
round.
12. In a short time, the great eagle is tired of such hard blows, and
flies away. He is very glad to get rid of his foe.
13. Is not the little fellow a brave bird?
14. Because he can drive off all other birds, he is called the KINGBIRD.
LESSON XIX.
watch'ing gath'ers an'gels be gin'
dark'ness a cross' lone'ly beasts
[Illustration: Sunset;lake in foreground, town in background.]
EVENING HYMN.
1. Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
2. Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep;
Birds, and beasts, and flowers
Soon will be asleep.
3. Through the lonely darkness,
May the angels spread
Their white wings above me,
Watching round my bed.
LESSON XX.
di vid'ed quar'rel a gree' thus sey'tle
set'tling ker'nel e'qual apt parts
THE QUARREL.
1. Under a great tree in the woods, two boys saw a fine, large nut, and
both ran to get it.
2. James got to it first, and picked it up.
3. "It is mine," said John, "for I was the first to see it."
4. "No, it is mine" said James, "for I was the first to pick it up."
[Illustration: Three boys standing by a fence, one older than the others.]
5. Thus, they at once began to quarrel about the nut.
6. As they could not agree whose it should be, they called an older boy,
and asked him.
7. The older boy said, "I will settle this quarrel."
8. He took the nut, and broke the shell. He then took out the kernel, and
divided the shell into two parts, as nearly equal as he could.
9. "This half of the shell," said he, "belongs to the boy who first saw
the nut.
10. "And this half belongs to the boy who picked it up.
11. "The kernel of the nut, I shall keep as my pay for settling the
quarrel.
12. "This is the way," said he, laughing, "in which quarrels are very apt
to end."
LESSON XXI.
crea'tures drones in'side hive i'dle
de fense' driv'en killed cells size
work'ers queen stings shape wax
THE BEE.
1. Bees live in a house that is called a hive. They are of three
kinds,--workers, drones, and queens.
2. Only one queen can live in each hive. If she is lost or dead, the other
bees will stop their work.
[Illustration: Three bee-hives; wooden boxes about two feet square and four
feet high, with a sloped roof.]
3. They are very wise and busy little creatures. They all join together to
build cells of wax for their honey.
4. Each bee takes its proper place, and does its own work. Some go out and
gather honey from the flowers; others stay at home and work inside the
hive.
5. The cells which they build, are all of one shape and size, and no room
is left between them.
6. The cells are not round, but have six sides. 7. Did you ever look into
a glass hive to see the bees while at work? It is pleasant to see how busy
they always are.
8. But the drones do not work. Before winter comes, all the drones are
driven from the hive or killed, that they may not eat the honey which they
did not gather.
9. It is not quite safe for children to handle bees. They have sharp
stings that they know well how to use in their defense.
SLATE WORK.
[Illustration: Script Exercise:
How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour.
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!
]
LESSON XXII.
blos'soms drear'y wea'ry pinks smell'ing toil'ing
lev'ies buzz fra'grant this'tle weeds scent
treas'ure yel'low mead'ow tax sum'mer clo'ver
cloud'y dai'sy daf'fo dil lies columbine humming
[Illustration: Flowers]
THE SONG OF THE BEE.
1. Buzz! buzz! buzz!
This is the song of the bee.
His legs are of yellow;
A jolly, good fellow,
And yet a great worker is he.
2. In days that are sunny
He's getting his honey;
In days that are cloudy
He's making his wax:
On pinks and on lilies,
And gay daffodillies,
And columbine blossoms,
He levies a tax!
3. Buzz! buzz! buzz!
The sweet-smelling clover,
He, humming, hangs over;
The scent of the roses
Makes fragrant his wings:
He never gets lazy;
From thistle and daisy,
And weeds of the meadow,
Some treasure he brings.
4. Buzz! buzz! buzz!
From morning's first light
Till the coming of night,
He's singing and toiling
The summer day through.
Oh! we may get weary,
And think work is dreary;
'Tis harder by far
To have nothing to do.
Marian Douglas.
LESSON XXIII.
un hap'py prom'ised heed'less be came' grow'ing
care'less harsh'ly leav'ing eas'i ly ef fects'
an noy' ma'am blame worse torn
hard'ly nic'est spend hab'it e'vil
[Illustration: Mother and daughter sitting under a tree.]
THE TORN DOLL.
1. Mary Armstrong was a pretty little girl, but she was heedless about
some things.
2. Her way of leaving her books and playthings just where she had used
them last, gave her mother much trouble in picking them up and putting
them in their proper places.
3. She had often told Mary the evil effects of being so careless. Her
books became spoiled, and her toys broken.
4. But worse than this was the growing habit of carelessness, which would
be of great harm to her all her life. It would make her unhappy, and would
annoy her friends.
5. One day Mary and her mother went out into their pleasant yard, to spend
an hour in the open air. Mrs. Armstrong took her work with her.
6. Mary ran about and played with Dash, her pet dog, and was having a
happy time.
7. But in a corner of the yard she found her nicest doll all torn and
broken, and its dress covered with mud.
8. She knew, at once, that Dash had done this, and she scolded him
harshly.
9. Carrying the broken doll to her mamma. she showed it to her, and could
hardly keep from crying.
10. Mrs. Armstrong asked Mary if she had not left the doll on the porch
where Dash could easily get it; and Mary had to answer, "Yes, ma'am."
11. "Then you must not blame the dog, Mary, for he does not know it is
wrong for him to play with your doll. I hope this will be a lesson to you
hereafter, to put your things away when you are through playing."
12. "I will try," said Mary. And her mother promised to mend the doll as
well as she could.
LESSON XXIV.
thor'ough ly month dried dyed cuts shear'er sheep
those spun dirt oth'er wise wov'en cloth wool rub
[Illustration: Two men shearing sheep.]
SHEEP-SHEARING.
1. Sheep are washed and sheared some time in the month of June. This
should be done quite early in the month, before the hot days begin.
2. It is fine sport for those who look on, but not much fun for the sheep.
3. It is best for the sheep to have the wool taken off; otherwise they
would suffer in the summer time.
4. When the time comes for washing the sheep, they are driven to a pond or
a little river.
5. Then they are thrown into the water, one at a time. The men who are in
the water catch them, and squeeze the wet wool with their hands to get the
dirt all out of it.
6. Then the wool is thoroughly dried, the sheep are taken to the shearer;
and he cuts off the wool with a large pair of shears.
7. It is then dyed, spun, and woven into cloth.
8. In a short time, before the cold winter comes, new wool grows out on
the sheep. By the corning of spring there is so much, that it must be cut
off again.
LESSON XXV.
bear'ers earth warm sul'try wan'der
rays grain clouds o'er we're
THE CLOUDS
1.
"Clouds that wander through the sky, Sometimes
low and sometimes high;
In the darkness of the night,
In the sunshine warm and bright.
Ah! I wonder much if you
Have any useful work to do."
2.
"Yes, we're busy night and day,
As o'er the earth we take our way.
We are bearers of the rain
To the grasses, and flowers, and grain;
We guard you from the sun's bright rays,
In the sultry summer days."
LESSON XXVI.
peo'ple for'est squir'rel cool near'est tame hol'low
snug shoul'der miles sticks gen'tly though Pat'ty
[Illustration: Girl sitting under tree, play with squirrel.]
PATTY AND THE SQUIRREL.
1. Little Patty lives in a log house near a great forest. She has no
sisters, and her big brothers are away all day helping their father.
2. But Patty is never lonely; for, though the nearest house is miles away,
she has many little friends. Here are two of them that live in the woods.
3. But how did Patty teach them to be so tame? Patty came to the woods
often, and was always so quiet and gentle that the squirrels soon found
they need not be afraid of her.
4. She brought her bread and milk to eat under the trees, and was sure to
leave crumbs for the squirrels.
5. When they came near, she sat very still and watched them. So, little by
little, she made them her friends, till, at last, they would sit on her
shoulder, and eat from her hand.
6. Squirrels build for themselves summer houses. Those are made of leaves,
and sticks, and moss. They are nice and cool for summer, but would never
do for the winter cold and snow.
7. So these wise little people find a hollow in an old tree. They make it
warm and snug with soft moss and leaves; and here the squirrels live all
through the long winter.
LESSON XXVII.
fright'ened int end' wheat Thom'as com plains' plums
choose shock'ing spar'row rip'est rob'bing
break'fast plen'ty share treat tales wait
[Illustration: Sparrow perched on snow-covered branch.]
THE SPARROW.
1. Glad to see you, little bird;
'Twas your little chirp I heard:
What did you intend to say?
"Give me something this cold day"?
2. That I will, and plenty, too;
All the crumbs I saved for you.
Don't be frightened--here's a treat:
I will wait and see you eat.
3. Shocking tales I hear of you;
Chirp, and tell me, are they true?
Robbing all the summer long;
Don't you think it very wrong?
4. Thomas says you steal his wheat;
John complains, his plums you eat--
Choose the ripest for your share,
Never asking whose they are.
5. But I will not try to know
What you did so long ago:
There's your breakfast, eat away;
Come to see me every day.
LESSON XXVIII.
aft'er noon sup'per deep length car'riage threw
hedge stood tru'ly road few sad
[Illustration: Woman and boy riding in carriage pulled by horse.
Man in foreground holding gate open for carriage.]
SAM AND HARRY.
1. One fine summer afternoon, Sam was walking home from school. He went
along slowly, reading a book.
2. Sam had spent all his money for the book, but he was a happy boy.
3. At length he came into the highroad, where there was a gate. A blind
man stood, holding it open.
4. The poor man said, "Please give me a few cents to buy some bread!" But
Sam gave him nothing.
5. What! did Sam give the poor blind man nothing? Yes; for, as I told you,
he had spent all his money.
6. So Sam walked on, very sad. Soon after, a fine carriage came up, and in
it were Harry and his mother.
7. The blind man stood, and held out his hat. "Let us give the poor man
something," said Harry to his mother.
8. His mother gave him some cents. Harry took them, but did not put them
into the man's hat.
9. He threw them into the hedge as far as he could. The poor man could not
find them, for, you know, ho was blind.
10. Sam had turned back to look at the fine carriage. He saw Harry throw
the cents into the hedge; so he came back at once, and looked for the
money until he found it all for the blind man.
11. This took so long a time, that he almost lost his supper.
12. Which of the boys do you think was truly kind to the poor man?
13. I know which he thanked most in his heart.
LESSON XXIX.
rip'pling fringe stray thou mill
vil'lage brink clear wild hill
course bathe tiny pool rill
THE LITTLE HILL.
1. Run, run, thou tiny rill;
Run, and turn the village mill;
Run, and fill the deep, clear pool
In the woodland's shade so cool,
Where the sheep love best to stray
In the sultry summer day;
Where the wild birds bathe and drink,
And the wild flowers fringe the brink.
[Illustration: Mill, with mill pond in foreground.]
2. Run, run, thou tiny rill,
Round the rocks, and down the hill;
Sing to every child like me;
The birds will join you, full of glee:
And we will listen to the song
You sing, your rippling course along.
LESSON XXX.
has'tened pos'si ble bal'ance Ed'gar save
boat'man dan'ger quick'ly move trip
stretched sev'er al start'ed folks fell
THE BOAT UPSET.
1. "Sit still, children. Do not move about in the boat," said Mr. Rose to
the young folks he was taking for a trip on the water.
2. The boat was a large one, and could not easily be upset. There were in
it Mr. and Mrs. Rose, the boatman, and several little boys and girls.
3. "Keep still, please, young gentlemen," said the boatman, when Edgar
Rose and Thomas Read began to move from one side to the other.
4. They kept quiet for a short time only. Edgar soon wanted a stick which
Thomas held in his hand. He lost his balance in trying to get the stick,
and fell into the water.
[Illustration: Overturned boat, people clinging to boat and debris.
Another boat approaching.]
5. Mr. and Mrs. Rose both started up, and stretched out their arms to save
him; but in so doing, they upset the boat.
6. Every one fell into the water, and all were in the greatest danger of
being drowned.
7. Another boat was near, with but one man in it. He hastened to them as
quickly as possible, and saved them from drowning.
8. Children should always be careful and quiet when they are in a boat on
the water, and should obey what older people tell them.
LESSON XXXI.
MARY'S LETTER.
[Illustration: Script Exercise:
Forest Hill, June 25, 1878
My Dear Fanny:
This morning while
out rowing, we all came near
being drowned. Brother Ed, in
trying to take a stick from Tom
Reed, tripped and fell out of the
boat. Papa and Mamma caught
at him to save him, and before
we knew it we were all in the
water. The boat upset and how
we were all saved I can hardly
tell. A man in another boat
which was near, picked us up.
Had it not been for this, you
would to-day have no cousin.
Mary Rose.
]
LESSON XXXII.
li'on bod'y stripes de light' Eng'lish
prey ti'ger col'lar ti'gress fright'ful
seize chain un like' swift'est an'i mals
roar gi'ant slight'est of'fi cers whisk'ers
[Illustration: Tigress carrying cub away from tent.
Playing card scattered on ground.]
THE TIGER.
1. The tiger is a giant cat. His body is nearly covered with black
stripes.
2. Unlike the lion, he runs so fast that the swiftest horse can not
overtake him. He goes over the ground by making bounds or springs, one
after another.
3. By night, as well as by day, the tiger watches for his prey. With a
frightful roar, he will seize a man, and carry him off.
4. Have you ever thought what use whiskers are to cats? Lions have great
whiskers, and so have tigers and all other animals of the cat kind.
5. Whenever you find an animal with whiskers like the cat's, you may be
sure that animal steals softly among branches and thick bushes.
6. By the slightest touch on the tiger's whiskers, he knows when there is
anything in his road.
7. A few years ago, some English officers went out to hunt. When coming
home from their day's sport, they found a little tiger kitten.
8. They took it with them and tied it, with a collar and chain, to the
pole of their tent. It played about, to the delight of all who saw it.
9. One evening, just as it was growing dark, they heard a sound that
frightened them greatly. It was the roar of a tiger.
10. The kitten pulled at the chain, and tried to break away. With a sharp
cry, it answered the voice outside.
11. All at once, a large tigress bounded into the middle of the tent. She
caught her kitten by the neck, and broke the chain which bound it.
12. Then turning to the door of the tent, she dashed away as suddenly as
she had come.
LESSON XXXIII.
then u'su al cous'in fire'side sew'ing (so-)
Ka'tie bet'ter crac'kle knit'ting per haps'
Jane rea'son to-night' hap'pi er in struct'ive
THE FIRESIDE.
1. One winter night, Mrs. Lord and her two little girls sat by a bright
fire in their pleasant home. The girls were sewing, and their mother was
busy at her knitting.
[Illustration: Mother and two girls sewing under a lamp.]
2. At last, Katie finished her work, and, looking up, said, "Mother, I
think the fire is brighter than usual. How I love to hear it crackle!"
3. "And I was about to say," cried Mary, "that this is a better light than
we had last night."
4. "My dears," said their mother, "it must be that you feel happier than
usual to-night. Perhaps that is the reason why you think the fire better,
and the light brighter."
5. "But, mother," said Mary, "I do not see why we are happier now than we
were then; for last night cousin Jane was here, and we played 'Puss in the
corner' and 'Blind man' until we all were tired."
6. "I know! I know why!" said Katie. "It is because we have all been doing
something useful to-night. We feel happy because we have been busy."
7. "You are right, my dear," said their mother. "I am glad you have both
learned that there may be something more pleasant than play, and, at the
same time, more instructive."
LESSON XXXIV.
dew'drops hop'ping la'zi est bends sung
pa'tience in stead' dar'ling ought rest
slum'ber my self ' re ply' miss lose
BIRDIE'S MORNING SONG.
1. Wake up, little darling, the birdies are out,
And here you are still in your nest!
The laziest birdie is hopping about;
You ought to be up with the rest.
Wake up, little darling, wake up!
[Illustration: Three birds perched in bush.]
2. Oh, see what you miss when you
slumber so long--
The dewdrops, the beautiful sky!
I can not sing half what you lose in my song;
And yet, not a word in reply.
Wake up, little darling, wake up!
3. I've sung myself quite out of patience with you,
While mother bends o'er your dear head;
Now birdie has done all that birdie can do:
Her kisses will wake you instead!
Wake up, little darling, wake up!
George Cooper.
LESSON XXXV.
sent store Bounce float'ing load cir'cle
rip'ples catch'ing cake blocks strolled how ev'er
WILLIE AND BOUNCE.
1. Two fast friends were Willie Brown and his little dog Bounce. Willie
could never think of taking a walk without Bounce. Cake and play were
equally shared between them.
2. Willie taught his dog many cunning tricks, and often said that Bounce
could do almost anything in the world but talk.
3. There came a time, however, when Bounce really told Willie's father
something, though he could not talk. Let me tell you how he did this.
[Illustration: Boy and dog walking through forest.]
4. It was on a bright summer afternoon. Willie had strolled with Bounce
down to the river, which was not more than two blocks from his father's
store.
5. Willie began to throw stones into the water, and to watch the ripples
as they made one circle after another.
6. Bounce lay on the grass, watching the flies that buzzed around his
nose, and catching any that came too near.
7. There were some logs floating in the river near the shore. Willie
jumped upon one of them, to see if he could throw a stone across the
river.
8. He drew back, and sent the stone with all his might. just as it left
his hand, the log turned, and he fell into the water.
9. He was very much frightened, for he did not know how to swim, and there
was no one to hear, though he called as loud as he could for help.
LESSON XXXVI.
yelp loud'ly against look'ing bark'ing
spring clothes o'pened dis'tress scratched
WILLIE AND BOUNCE.
(CONCLUDED.)
1. Poor little Bounce gave a great yelp of distress. If he had been a big
water dog, he could have jumped in and brought his master out.
[Illustration: Boy in water clinging to log. Dog yelping.]
2. He ran up and down the bank two or three times, barking, looking first
at Willie and then around. Then he started, as fast as he could run, up
the street to the store.
3. When he got there the door was shut, but he scratched against it and
barked loudly, until some one came and opened it.
4. He caught hold of Mr. Brown's clothes, then ran to the door, then back
again, catching at him, barking, and jumping.
5. A friend who was in the store said to Mr. Brown, "Something must be
wrong; I would put on my hat, and go with the dog." Bounce, seeing Mr.
Brown take his hat, started for the river.
6. Then Mr. Brown thought of Willie. As he came to the river, he saw
Willie's hat floating on the water, and his small arm thrown up.
7. He sprang in and caught him just as he was going down for the last
time, and quickly carried him to the bank. "Willie soon got over his
fright, and no one seemed to be more delighted than Bounce.
[Illustration: Father carrying boy from water.]
LESSON XXXVII.
talk'a tive im prove' o bli'ging writ'ten tick-tock
clock truth'ful it self' kitch'en fear
reach'es most
[Illustration: Girl holding younger sister, both watching clock.]
THE KITCHEN CLOCK.
1. Listen to the kitchen clock!
To itself it ever talks,
From its place it never walks;
"Tick-tock-tick-tock: "
Tell me what it says.
2. "I'm a very patient clock,
Never moved by hope or fear,
Though I've stood for many a year;
Tick-tock-tick-tock: "
That is what it says.
3. "I'm a very truthful clock:
People say about the place,
Truth is written on my face;
Tick-tock-tick-tock: "
That is what it says.
4. "I'm a most obliging clock;
If you wish to hear me strike,
You may do it when you like;
Tick-tock-tick-tock: "
That is what it says.
5. "I'm a very friendly clock;
For this truth to all I tell,
Life is short, improve it well;
Tick-tock-tick-tock: "
That is what it says.
6. What a talkative old clock!
Let us see what it will do
When the hour hand reaches two;
"Ding-ding--tick-tock: "
That is what it says.
LESSON XXXVIII.
Her'bert or'ange find post inch'es thread
beam thick pine next groove scales
hole peel gim'let rib'bon
[Illustration: Boy and girl near table holding balance scale.]
THE NEW SCALES.
I. "Herbert, will you please peel my orange?" said Lucy. Herbert was
reading his new book, but he put it down at once, and took the orange from
his little sister.
2. "Shall I make a pair of scales, Lucy, for you to use when you play
store?"
3. "Oh yes! but how can you do that'!"
4. "I'll show you. First, we must take the peel off in two little cups,
one just as large as the other. While I do this, see if you can find me
two nice sticks about ten inches long."
5. Lucy ran out to the woodhouse to find the sticks.--" Will these do?"
6. "No, they are too hard. Find some pine sticks if you can."
7. "Here are some."
8. "These will do nicely. Now I must make a scale beam and a post. Can you
find me a little block for a post, Lucy'!"
9. "Will a ribbon block do, Herbert?"
10. "Yes, if it is not too thick."
11. "Here is one an inch thick."
12. "That will be just right. Now get the little gimlet."
[Footnote: gimlet: Hand tool with a spiraled shank, a screw tip, and a
cross handle; used for boring holes.]
13. Herbert worked away until he had made the beam and the post. Then he
made a hole in the middle of the block, and put the post in. Next, he put
the beam into a little groove at the top of the post, so that it would
balance nicely.
14. "Now, Lucy, we must have a needle and some thread. We must put four
threads to each cup; then we will tie the threads to the ends of the beam.
15. "There, Lucy, what do you think of that?"
16. "Why, Herbert, that is just as nice as the real scales in father's
store; and you may have all my orange for making them."
[Illustration: Orange halves and other parts of the scale.]
LESSON XXXIX.
smelt hide crept laid floor inn bear fur
young'est danced joy'ful ly marched
sol'diers bad'ly run'ning eld'est
[Illustration: Three children and a bear; surprised woman in background.]
THE BEAR AND THE CHILDREN.
1. In the parlor of an inn in a small town, sat a man who had been going
about with a bear. He was waiting for his supper, and the bear was tied up
in the yard.
2. Up in the attic, three little children were playing together. The
eldest might have been six years old; the youngest, not more than two.
3. Stump! stump! stump! Some one was coming up the stairs.
4. The door flew open suddenly, and there stood the great, shaggy bear. He
had got tired of waiting, and had found his way to the stairs.
5. The children were badly frightened. Each one crept into a corner, but
the bear found them all out, and smelt their clothes, but did not hurt
them.
6. "This must be a great dog," they said, and they began to pat him.
7. Then the bear lay down on the floor, and the youngest boy climbed on
his back, hid his head in the shaggy fur, and played at "hide and seek."
8. The eldest boy took his drum and began to strike it, when the bear rose
on his hind legs and danced. At that the children gave a merry shout.
9. The two younger boys took their wooden guns, and gave the bear one.
Away they all marched around the room, keeping step.
10. Now the frightened mother of the children came to the door. But the
youngest boy shouted, joyfully. "See, we are playing soldiers!"
11. Then the bear's master came running up, and took the bear away.
LESSON XL.
fair la'dy drear cling'ing hare'bell
fled ne'er de spair' nod'ding bloom'ing
[Footnote: harebell: Perennial with slender stems, dense clusters of
leaves, and bell-shaped blue or white flowers -- bluebell.]
THE LITTLE HAREBELL.
"Tell me, little harebell,
Are you lonely here.
Blooming in the shadow
On this rock so drear?"
"Clinging to this bit of earth,
As if in mid-air,
With your sweet face turned to me,
Looking strangely fair?"
"Lady" said the harebell,
Nodding low its head,
"Though this spot seem dreary,
Thought the sunlight's fled.
"Know that I'm not lonely
That I ne'er despair.
God is in the shadow
God is everywhere."
[Illustration: Flowers on hillside.]
LESSON XLI.