^ .0*°* "^ 4 f _>.._% '*"'*'** : ^*v : assist' ^ r, ° 4^ > v*' ; */\ o* .•••'- ~4 O v3 . '. ^ < • V4 1 . • B cStas«i k * . o LP < 9a. »V<-* % a° v-V - ^ ►°*fe /- W :&XK. \# ^0 e A v \*^ v.. - 5 iT . 1 * ,* V V *. RHYMES AND TALES FOR. THE KINDERGARTEN AND NURSERY. COLLECTED AND REVISED MJ&mM- M. y^MJM®^. 'Come, let us live for our Children." Fe. Fecebel. NEW YORK, E. STEIGER. 1876. Copyright, 1876, by E. Steiger. PREFACE, On sending this unpretending little book out into the world, I would say, that it was prepared in fulfillment of a promise made to my former pupils, and others, who often requested me to make a collection of Rhymes and Tales suitable for the little ones in the Kindergarten and Nursery. Prepared amid the absorbing duties of teaching, and unavoidably hastened, as it has been, in its publication, I know it is imperfect in many respects. It does not claim to be a complete collection in any sense. I only wished to show mothers and young kindergartners what should be the character and quality of the Rhymes they teach, and the Stories they tell to children between three and' seven years of age. As I have learned something of the wants of children, through my constant intercourse with them, I trust I may assist the friends of the little ones in this way. ALMA L. KRIEGE. New York, May, 1876, INTRODUCTORY NOTES. Since books and magazines for the youngest readers have become so numerous and popular, the good old-fashioned custom of telling stories to children has been fast dying out, and the little ones are either too early taught to read by themselves, or they are read to by their elders, both courses being equally at variance with the true principles of education. Reading stories to children in rapid succession, as is usually done, has a tendency to make them superficial, as one impression is quickly effaced by another, and the child's ideas are apt to become confused. A story told by the mother, or some other sympathetic friend in a simple and life-like manner has a much greater educational value and exerts a more powerful influence on the child than one merely read from a book, for it seems more real. Frcebel thought that stories, carefully selected, and told in an appropriate and interesting manner, greatly assisted the child in the development of its mental and moral nature. I cannot do better than quote the following passages from his Education of Man; for although he there refers to boys beyond the Kindergarten age, his words are equally applicable to younger children. "The sensation of his own actual life, his own thinking and willing is at first almost unconscious, more like an instinct felt in the soul of the child ; but it is the most important and highest perception of dawn- ing intelligence of boys at that age, as it is the highest and most important for all men ; for man understands other objects, the life of others and the effects of other powers only so far as he understands himself, his own power, his own life. " But the comparison of an object with itself can never lead to an understanding of it; therefore the momentary interior individual fife — III — IV — with its thoughts, feelings, and sensations — compared with itself will not lead to a knowledge of its nature, its cause and results, or its signifi- cance. Everybody knows, that in order to get a clear impression it is necessary to compare one object with another which differs from it, and that comparisons with objects which are quite remote are more effectual than those with objects near at hand. " For boys such points of comparison with their own inner life, which has been perceived, are found in the presentation of another life, one that is strange to their own life; thus they see themselves, as it were, in another, and compare and measure themselves with another. " The sensation of the perception of his own life and its active forces, is either oppressive or carries him on wildly, if the boy cannot comprehend it and become conscious of it in its origin and consequen- ces, and its quality. " But this is the strongest desire of the active, healthy boy, it is this which feeds his inner life and soul. " For this reason boys are so fond of listening to stories, especially if they come with the claim that they have really happened, or at least admit of possibility in the realm of spiritual activity and manifestation of forces for which he hardly knows where to put the limit of the possible. " These powers and forces, which scarcely have begun to germinate in the boy's soul, appear to him in the myth, the fairy tale, and the story as a perfect growth full of blossoms and fruit. " How the heart expands, how the mind is strengthened, how free and vigorous life unfolds in him, and the more fully, the more distant the comparison. " As it is not the color merely which charms and attracts the child, but something spiritual, unseen conveyed by it, so, in the fairy tale and the myth, it is not the bright existences they picture, but the life, the spiritual forces they reveal to him, which serve as a measure for his own spirit and his own life. It is, as it were, the contemplation of the whole of life, and the unfettered vital forces, which act according to their own inherent laws. __ y _ " In stories, other people, other conditions, other times and coun- tries, other objects are presented to the mind, yet the listener seeks his own likeness and sees it, and no one can tell him : it is thy own like- ness ! Have you never observed how little children — younger than those we now speak of — have asked their mothers to repeat again and again the most simple stories, for instance, about a little singing bird, that flies about, and builds its nest, and feeds its young ? " With older boys it is similar. " Tell us a story," they ask. " I do not know any more, I have told you all I knew." "Well, tell us this, or that story." " I have already told it to you two or three times." " No matter, tell it again." " Their companion tells it, and see. they take every word from his lips, as if they had never heard it before. " It is not mental indolence that leads the lively boy to delight in stories, mental inactivity is not fostered by hearing life-like, stirring- tales ; you will observe how every power is strained in the listener. " You will notice, how through the agency of a genuine story-teller, the inner life of a true listener becomes active, expands, and measures itself with that of others. This proves that it is not the bright pictures which interest the boy, it is mind communicating with mind that attracts him. " As a blossom opens to the sunshine and the warm spring rain, so ear and heart open to those who have the gift of story-telling. "Mind expands to mind, life-force touches life-force and drinks it in as it were. " Story-telling is a refreshing bath for the mind, it is an exercise for all the mental powers, and a test of self-judgment and self-consciousness. " But to tell stories with such effect is by no means easy ; the story- teller must identify this outer life with his own, live it and be affected by it, render it fully and wholly, and yet stand above it. This being objective, and yet being filled with, and affected by, this other life, is what constitutes the good story-teller. " Hence young, or quite aged persons are generally good story- tellers. And the mother tells stories well because she lives the child's life, and is filled with the desire to nurture its life. The father, who is oppressed with cares and business, will rarely be able to tell stories well enough to command the children's interest. " The elder brother, or sister, who have as yet no experience of life in its hard and harsh features, being as it were outside of it, and the old man-servant, who has lived in the family for many years, his heart filled with sweet content by a life of devotion to duty: these are the favorite story-tellers of eagerly listening boys. " In stories thus told there need be no moral reflections interspersed or joined at the end ; life itself, simply presented, from whatever aspect it may be, as a working power, in its ends, causes, and effects will make a deeper impression, and contains moral lessons that cannot be heightened, and might be lessened by the interference of words and personal applications. " And who can tell what are the needs of the expanding soul, what the nourishment which it requires, and which it will appropriate to itself if left alone! " We do not tell stories often enough to our children, or else we tell stories in which the actors are like manikins or puppets. " A good story-teller is a great boon. " Happy the boys who come under his influence, which is great and ennobling in proportion as he does not appear to exert it. " With high esteem I greet a genuine story-teller, and gratefully extend my hand to him. But he has a higher recommendation than mine. See the happy faces, the sparkling eyes, the joyous voices that welcome him in the blooming circle of delighted boys who surround him, and crown him, as the bard is crowned with garlands of leaves and flowers. " Yet, boys of this age ought to join physical to mental activity, and thus, the newly stimulated inner fife ought to manifest itself out- wardly, in order that it may become permanent. " Hence, with boys of this age, listening to stories should invari- ably be connected with activity productive of some outward piece of work. " The events of the daily life experienced by the listeners ought frequently to serve as starting-points and subjects for stories." All kindergartners who have been thoroughly trained according to Frcebel's principles, know what should be the character of the stories adapted to children between three and seven years of age, and they also know what rule should be followed in the choice of subjects, and the manner of presenting them. But for mothers, and other friends of the little ones, who may desire a few suggestions, I will add the following directions given by Froebel and his exponents* Among the various kinds of stories, those suitable for children of this age are: fables, fairy tales, humorous stories, some incidents of national history in the form of biography, instructive stories of animals and plants, stories which touch on the common experiences of the child, moral stories, and Bible histories. Fables are very attractive to young children, as they are always interested in animals, whose actions appear symbolical of their own. The best fables are those which admit of an imitation of the actions of animals on the part of the children. Many persons would exclude fairy tales from the list of stories for children, on the ground that they are untrue, and, therefore, have an injurious effect. But that is a very mistaken idea ; no harm can be done if the child is not made to believe that the fanciful incidents related to him are realities ; on the contrary, great moral truths may be presen- ted to him in this guise. The child needs this play of its fancy, and exercises it naturally when it attributes life to inanimate objects, and speaks to its doll or hobby-horse, as if they could understand him. That this faculty needs cultivation, in order to harmonious develop- ment we see in unimaginative, matter-of-fact people, in whom it has been neglected. It is evident, however, that not all fairy tales can be recommended. They should have an inner meaning, and be poetical in conception. *) A. Kohler and F. Seidel give valuable information in their Buck der Erzahlunyen (Weimar, 1875). All stories about witches, hobgoblins, and the like should be care- fully avoided, as they have a tendency to excite and frighten children. Among the moral relations such should be chosen as will incite children to good actions and lead them to form correct habits. But all those should be studiously avoided which speak of bad children, and mention faults the child has never committed ; for they may either lead it to imitate what it otherwise would not have thought of, or make it self-righteous. Bible histories should be carefully selected in accordance with the trustful, loving nature of childhood. It is not well to dwell on the cruelties of wicked men, or scenes of death and suffering. Those histories will exert the deepest and most powerful influence for good which speak of God as our loving Heavenly Father, and present the Saviour as a child, and the friend of children. Bible histories should be related in an earnest and impressive man- ner, and the children should be taught to retain the incidents as histor- ical facts. The language should be simple, and it is not necessary to use the exact words of Scripture throughout, although quotations must be accurate. In general, stories for children from three to seven years of age shoidd not be too long, and very simple in form and expression, so that they may be readily comprehended. Use only good language, but avoid words the children cannot understand. State objects, qualities, and actions in particular and not in general terms. For instance, do not say, " mamma bought beautiful things for the children," but, " she bought a pretty dolly for Louise, a shining- tea-pot for Maud, a black horse and a yellow whip for Georgie." Do not say, '' I saw animals," but, "I saw dogs, cats, geese and ducks, bees and butterflies," etc. Do not interrupt your tale by questionings, and if anything has to be explained, do it incidentally, so that the children may not lose the connection. If you relate the same story again, which the children often de- mand, do not change eitlier names, facts, or qualities, else they will be disappointed, and have nothing definite and fixed in then- mind. The request of the child to have a story repeated, shows that it wants to have its first impressions deepened, and not blurred. At the close of a story it is well to question the older children occasionally. The little ones do not like to analyze, as their minds are not sufficiently developed, therefore only such questions as : "how did you like that story ?" or, " what did you like best in that story ?" woidd be appropriate. Children over six years of age may be questioned to advantage about incidents and persons described in the story. Sometimes it is well to let a child repeat the whole of a simple story in its own words ; this teaches it to express itself clearly, and is, moreover, a practical lesson in grammar. Bible histories should not be commented upon after the first hearing ; let the impression rest with the child. They may be repeated on another occasion, and then be followed by questions and conversation. One story is enough at one time. Connect stories with the work and play of children, and select them according to seasons and festivals. A variety of styles and topics is also desirable. The Rlnjmes in this collection were selected with a view to simplic- ity of form, and as representing subjects which come within the sphere of children's observation and interest. All the Rhymes may be learned by the children, although the longer ones are chiefly to be recited as narratives by the mother, and should be reserved for children over six years of age. Before teaching a piece of poetry to the children, the whole should be recited to them, then each verse taken up separately and talked about, so that the subject may be familiar before the words are committed to memory. After such instructive conversation, the entire piece should again be recited, and then the single verses may be taught the children., phrase by phrase. Contents. rhymes. RELIGIOUS POEMS. PAGE 1. MORNING PeAYEE 1 2. Morning Prayer 2 3. Evening Verse ...... 2 4. Swedish Mother's Lullaby 3 5. Hark ! My Children 3 6. Little Blue Eyes 4 7. Gracte's Birds 4 8. The Child's Woeld 5 9. God's Care 6 10. God Loves Me 6 11. Little by Little 7 12. Little Things 8 13. Patience 8 14. The Best I Can 9 15. The Golden Kule 10 16 Christmas Song 10 17. The Childhood of Jesus , 11 18. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven " 12 19. Jesus' Seat 13 MISCELLANEOUS FOEMS. 20. Up! Up! 16 21. Mowing 17 22. Little Nannie 17 23. The Voyage in the Arm-Chatr 19 24. The Fingers 20 25. The Dead Doll 21 26. The Old Kitchen Clock 23 27. Good Night ! 24 28. Good Night ! 25 29. The Bird's Nest 26 XI — XII — PAGE 30. Eggs and Birds 27 31. Little Birdies 28 32. My Kitty 28 33. The Bobin 29 34. Call the Cat 29 35. KlTTIE AND MOUSIE 30 36. The Lambs 30 37. The Bee and the Bose 31 38. What the Fairy Said to Little Curly-Locks 32 39. Forget Me Not 33 40. The Forget-Me-Not 33 41. The Brooklet 34 42. Stop, Stop, Pretty Water 34 43. The Child and the Brook 35 44. The Biver 36 45. The Boy and the Bain Drops 37 46. The Wind 38 47. Chimney-Tops 38 48. Good Morning !..... 40 49. The Moon 40 50. The Eyes of Angels 41 51. Butter-Cups and Daisies 42 52. Spring Song 43 53. The April Shower 43 54. It is Day ; 43 55. The Joys of Summer 45 56. Among the Flowers 45 57. Autumn Song 46 58. The Bude Playmate 47 59. Winter Song 47 60. The Snow 48 61. Old Santa Claus 49 TALES. "BIDBZjE HISTORIES. 1. Daniel in the Lion's Den 53 2. The Birth of Christ 54 3. Jesus in the Temple 55 4. Jesus the Friend of Little Children , .,,,.,.,..,,..,.,,, 56 — XIII — MISCELLANEOUS TALES. PAGE 5. The Little Preacher 57 6. How Little Amy Leaened to Work 60 7. The Little Rain Drop 63 8. The Drop of Watee 64 9. The Clouds 66 10. Daisy Chain 68 11. The Last Swallow 6!) 12. Johnny's First Snow-Storm 70 13. How the Sparrows were Fed 72 14. Sunbeams 73 15. That's How 75 16. The White Lady 76 17. The Lord's Wall 78 18. Henry and the Echo 79 19. Max and his Kid 82 20. Willie Smith's Two Goats 83 21. Dogs in the Barn- Yard 84 22. The Little Bird's Morning Ramble 85 23. The Canary-Bzrd 88 24. Story of a Little Mouse 89 FAIRY TALES. 25. The North Wind 94 26. The Fairy in the Mirror 96 27. The Fairies of the Rainbow and the Rain 97 28. The Ungrateful Grasses 99 29. The Aster 100 30. The Angel with the String of Pearls 101 31. The Grateful Elf 103 FABLES. 32. The Sun and the Wind 107 33. The Lamb 108 34. The Crows 108 35. The Ceow and the Pitcher ,,..,. , 109 RHYMES, Religious Poems. I. MORNINC PRAYER. ow before we work to-day, We will not forget to pray To God, who kept us through the night, And woke us with the morning light. Help us, Lord, to love Thee more, Than we ever loved before; In our work and in our play, Be Thou with us through the day ! 2. MORNING PRAYER. thank Thee, Lord, for quiet rest, And for Thy watchful care of me ; 0, let me through the day be blest, And kept from every harm by Thee. O, let me love Thee, kind Thou art To little children such as I ; Give me a gentle, holy heart, Be Thou my friend on high, on high. Help me to please my parents dear, And to do all whate'er they tell ; Bless all my friends, both far and near, And keep them ever safe and well. 3. EVENING VERSE. atch o'er a little child to-night, Blest Saviour, from above, And keep me till the morning light Within Thy arms of love. — 3 — 4. SWEDISH MOTHER'S LULLABY. here sitteth a dove so fair and white All on the lily spray ; And she listeneth how to the Saviour above The little children pray. Lightly she spreads her friendly wings, And to heaven's gate hath sped, And unto the Father in heaven she bears The prayers the children have said. And back she comes from heaven's gate, And brings— that dove is so mild — From the Father in heaven, who hears her speak, A blessing for every child. 5. HARK! MY CHILDREN! ark ! Hark ! my children, hark ! When the sky has lost its blue What do the stars sing in the dark? " We must sparkle, sparkle through." What do leaves say in the storm, Tossed in whispering heaps together? 1 1 We can keep the violets warm Till they wake in fairer weather." What do happy birdies say, Flitting through the gloomy wood ? ' ' We must sing the gloom away — Sun or shadow— God is good." — 4 — 6. UTTLE BLUE-EYES. lue-eyes, blue-eyes, where are you going This bright Sabbath morn, with your tresses flowing ; With your holy look, and your steps demure, With your dress like a snow-drift, so white and pure ; With your little clasped book, and bunch of posies, Butter-cups, violets, lilies, and roses ?" " I'm going to church, where the sweet bells call, To ask the dear Father to bless us all." 7. CRACIE'S BIRDS. nee a gentle snow-white birdie ;Came, and made its nest In a spot you'd never dream of — In a baby's breast. Then how happy, gentle, loving, Grew the baby Grace ! All the smiles and all the dimples Brightened in her face. But a black and ugly raven Came one morn this way ; Came, and drove the gentle birdie From its nest away. Ah ! how frowning and unlovely Was our Gracie then, Until evening brought the white dove To its nest again. — 5 — ■ Children, this was Grade's raven — This her gentle dove — In her heart a naughty Temper Drove away the Love. 8, THE CHILD'S WORLD- wide, beautiful, wonderful "World, With the wonderful water round you curled, And the wonderful grass upon your breast, — World, you are beautifully dressed. The wonderful air is over me, And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree, It walks on the water, and whirls the mills, And talks to itself on the top of the hills. Say, friendly Earth, how far do you go With the wheat-fields that nod, and the rivers that flow, With cities and gardens, and cliffs and isles, And people upon you for thousands of miles ? Ah ! you are so great, and I am so small, I tremble to think of you, World, at all ; And yet, when I said my prayers to-day, A whisper within me seemed to say, "You are more than the Earth, Though you are such a dot ; You can love and think, And the Earth cannot ! " — 6 — 9. COD'S CARE, nowest thou how many stars There are shining in the sky ? Knowest thou how many clouds Every clay go floating by ? God, the Lord, has counted all, He would miss one, should it fall. Knowest thou how many babes, Go to little beds at night, That, without a care or trouble, Wake up with the morning light ? God, in Heaven, each name can tell, Knows thee too and loves thee well. 10. COD LOVES ME. od cares for every little child That on this large earth liveth, He gives them home and food and clothes, And more than these God giveth. He gives them all their loving friends, He gives each child its mother, He gives them all the happiness Of loving one another. He makes the earth all beautiful, He makes thine eyes to see, And touch and hearing, taste and smell, He gives them all to thee. What can a little child give God? From his bright heavens above, The great God smiles and reaches down, To take his children's love. LITTLE BY LITTLE. ■€ $Ld ittle by little the bird builds her nest; JPllLittle by little the sun sinks to rest; Little by little the waves, in their glee, Smooth the rough rocks by the shore of the sea. Drop after drop falls the soft summer shower; Leaf upon leaf grows the cool forest bower; Grain heaped on grain forms the mountain so high That its cloud-capped summit is- lost to the eye. Little by little the bee to her cell Brings the sweet honey, and garners it well; Little by little the ant layeth by, From the summer's abundance, the winter supply. Minute by minute, so passes the day; Hour after hour, years are gliding away, The moments improve until life be past, And, little by little, grow wise to the last ! 12. LITTLE THINGS. ; -dl ittle drops of water, Little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean, And the pleasant land. Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make our earth an Eden, Like the heavens above. 13. PATIENCE. very lily in the meadow Waits in patience for the rain; Every daisy in the shadow Waits till sunshine comes again; Every birdie in the home-nest Waits for food, nor waits in vain. Blessed Saviour, it is written: " Be ye patient !" in Thy Word; Make us patient as the lily, Or the daisy, or the bird; Give us hearts like Thine, dear Jesus, Never by impatience stirred. 14. THE BEST I CAN ' cannot do much, ; ' said a little star, ' ' To make the dark world bright, My silvery beams cannot struggle far Through the folding gloom of night; But I'm only a part of God's great plan, And I'll cheerfully do the best that I can." " What is the use," said a fleecy cloud, ' < Of these few drops that I hold ? They will hardly bend the lily proud, Though caught in her cup of gold; Yet I am a part of God's great plan, So my treasure I'll give as well as I can.' A child went merrily forth to play; But a thought, like a silver thread, Kept winding in and out all day Through the happy golden head; Mother said, ' ' Darling, do all you can, For you are a part of God's great plan. " She knew no more than the glancing star, Or the cloud with its chalice full, How, why, and for what all strange things were — She was only a child at school; But she thought, u It is part of God's great plan, That even I should do all I can." — 10 — She helped a younger child along "Where the road was rough to the feet; And she sang from her heart a little song That we all thought passing sweet; And her father, a weary, toil-worn man, Said, u I will do likewise the best that I can." Our best ! Ah, children, the best of us Must hide our faces away, When the Lord of the vineyard comes to look At our task at the close of the day; But for strength from above ('tis the Master's plan), We'll pray, and we'll all do the best we can. 15. THE GOLDEN RULE. o do to all men as I would That they should do to me, Will make me kind, and just, and good, And so I'll try to be. 16. CHRISTMAS SONG. ilent night, holy night ! All is calm, all is bright 'Round you, lowly mother aud child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. — 11 — Silent night, holy night ! Shepherds tremble at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluiah, Christ, the Saviour, is born. £& 17. THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. n the green fields of Palestine, By its fountains and its rills, And by the sacred Jordan's stream, And o'er the vine-clad hills, Once lived and roved the fairest child That ever blessed the earth, The happiest, the holiest That e'er had human birth. How beautiful His childhood was ! Harmless and undefiled, Oh ! dear to His young mother's heart Was this pure, sinless child. Kindly in all His deeds and words, And gentle as the dove; Obedient, affectionate, His very soul was love. Oh ! is it not a blessed thought, Children of human birth, That once the Saviour was a child, And lived upon the earth ? 12 18. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." esus bids us shine, With a clear, pure light, Like a little candle, Burning in the night. In the world is darkness, So we must shine, You in your small corner, And I in mine. Jesus bids us shine, First of all for Him, Well he sees and knows it, If our light is dim. He looks down from Heaven To see us shine, You in your small corner And me in mine. Jesus bids us shine, Then, for all around, For many kinds of darkness In the world are found : There's sin, there's want and sorrow, So we must shine, You in your small corner, And I in mine. — 13 — ^4^5$ 19. JESUS' SEAT. Jar far away o'er the deep blue sea l Lived a man who was kind as kind could be, He loved little children, and spread every day A table from which none went empty away. Poor children came in from the alley and street, With rags on their backs, and no shoes on their feet ; Girls and boys, large and small, some naughty and rude, But John Falk loved them all and did them all good ; And while they were eating, he often would tell Of the Lord Jesus Christ, who on earth did once dwell ; How he loved little children — each one of them there He was watching from Heaven with tenderest care — And how happy and blessed would be the child's part Who would let that dear Saviour come dwell in his heart. Each day when the children assembled to eat, He taught them to offer this grace for their meat: 1 ' Bless, Jesus, the food Thou hast given us to-day, And come and sup with us, dear Jesus, we pray. " But once when the children had finished this prayer, One poor little fellow stood still by his chair For a moment, than ran to the closet where stood The bright cups of tin and the platters of wood. u Now what is the matter ?" said Falk to the child. The little one looked in his kind face and smiled : — 14 — 11 We asked the Lord Jesus just now in our grace To sup with us here ; but we've given him no place. If he should come in, how sad it would be ! But I'll put Him a stool close here beside me." Then the boy, quite contented, sat down to his food ; He was hungry and tired, and his supper was good ! But a few moments after, he heard at the door A knock low and timid, one knock and no more. He started to open it, hoping to meet The Lord Jesus Christ come to look for his seat • But when it was open he no one could see But a poor little child, much poorer than he, His face blue with hunger, his garments, so old, Were dripping with rain, and he shivered with cold. 11 Come in !" cried the boy, in a tone of delight, ' ' I suppose the Lord Christ could not come here to-night, Though we asked him to come and partake of our bread, So he's just sent you down to us here in his stead. The supper is good, and we'll each give you some, And tell the Lord Christ we are glad you have come. " From that time, when the children assembled to eat, There was always one place called ' 'the Lord Jesus' seat. ' And the best that they had was placed there each day For one who was poorer, more hungry than they. And the Lord Jesus Christ, in reply to their grace, Sent always some person to sit in his place ; And sweet was the food that the Lord did provide For the stranger he sent them to eat at their side. — 15 — Pear friends, who have read this short story, you knov The words that our Saviour ouce spoke when below, It we wish for his presence to hallow our bread, We must welcome the stranger he sends in his stead ; When we set out .our feasts, this our motto must be — " As ye do to my poor, ye have done unto me !" 16 — Miscellaneous Poems. 20. UP! UP! says the crowing cock, Don't you hear the village clock? I've been up for an hour or more, , Crowing aloud at the stable door. Dobbin has gone with the boy to the plow ; Betty has started to milk the cow ; Surely there's plenty for all to do, And every one's up, young friend, but you." "Up! up !" says the rising sun ; ' ' Is there no work, my friend, to be done ? Are there no lessons to learn, I pray, That you lie thus wasting the hours away ? Shake sleep from your eyelids and look on high, And see how blue is the morning sky : Open your window, your slumber spare, And taste how fresh is the morning air : Oh ! let it never be said That you wasted the bright morning hours in bed, — IT — 21. MOWING. eter goes out fresh and early, Mows the grass so long and sweet, Shining with the dew so pearly, Brings it for the cow to eat. She will give us milk and butter For the little children's supper. Forth the maiden goes at evening, Milks the cow with skillful hand, Brings the pail in fresh and foaming, For the eager little band, Fills each bowl and breaks the bread, Then hushes all, while grace is said. 11 Think my children," says the mother, ' ' Whence so many blessings fall, Thank the farmer for his mowing, Thank the cow in meadows lowing, Thank the maiden, and the baker, But the Lord, the Heavenly Maker, We must thank for each and all. 22. LITTLE NANNIE. awn-footed Nannie, Where have you been ? Chasing the sunbeams Into the glen, — 18 — Plunging through silver lakes, After the moon ; Tracking o'er meadows The footsteps of June." Sunny-eyed Nannie, What did you see ? ' ( Saw the fays sewing Green leaves on a tree ; Saw the waves counting The eyes of the stars, Saw cloud-lambs sleeping By sunset's red bars." Listen, Nannie, What did you hear ? ' ' Heard the rain asking A rose to appear ; Heard the woods tell When the wind whistled wrong ; Heard the stream flow Where the bird drinks his song." Nannie, dear Nannie, Oh take me with you, To run and to listen And see as you do ! ' ' Nay, nay ! you must borrow, My ear and my eye, Or the beauty will vanish The music will die." — 19 — 23. THE VOYACE IN THE ARM-CHAIR. apa, dear papa ! we've had such a fine game ! We played at a sail on the sea ; The old arm-chair made such a beautiful ship, And it sailed, oh, as nice as could be ! We made Mary the captain, and Bob was the boy Who cried "Ease her!" "Back her!" and "Slow!" And Jem was the steersman who stands at the wheel ! And I watched the engines below. We had for a passenger, grandmamma's cat ; And as Tom could not pay, he went free ; From the fireside we sailed at half-past two o'clock, And we got to the sideboard at three. But oh, only think, dear papa, when half way, Tom overboard jumped to the floor ! And though we called, "Tom, come back : don't be drowned," He galloped right out at the door ! But, papa, dear papa ! listen one minute more, Till I tell you the end of our sail: From the sideboard we went at five minutes past three, And at four o'clock saw such a whale. The whale was the sofa, and it, dear papa, Is at least twice as large as our ship ! The captain called out, ' 'Turn the ship round about ! Oh I wish I had not come this trip !" — 20 — And we all cried, ' 'Oh yes, let us get away home, And hide in some corner quite snug," So we sailed for the fireside as quick as we could ; And we landed all safe on the rua;. 24. THE FINGERS. en little soldiers forming into line, One heard his mother call, and then there were nine. Nine little soldiers marching very straight; One fell over, and then there were eight. Eight little soldiers stepping brave and even; One chased a butterfly, and then there were seven. Seven little soldiers playing funny tricks; One left disgusted, and then there were six. Six little soldiers with frolic all alive; One got hurt, and then there were five. Five little soldiers went to search for more; One weiiL off pouting, and then there were four. Four little soldiers ran to chase a bee; One was pretty badly stung, and then there were three. Three little soldiers, to their banner true; One went home crying, and then there were two. Two little soldiers playing all alone; One ran away, and then there was one. One little soldier sitting on a stone; He fell asleep, and then there was none. — 21 — •u^tb^SJff 25. THE DEAD DOLL. \ ''it«»u need n't be trying to comfort me — I tell you my b?X$ dolly is dead! A There's no use in saying she isn't, with a crack like that in her head. It's just like you said it would n't hurt much to have my tooth out, that day; And then, when the man 'most pulled my head off, you had n't a word to say. And I guess you must think I'm a baby, when you say you can mend it with glue ! As if I did n't know better than that ! Why, just suppose it was you ? You might make her look all mended — but what do I care for looks ? Why, glue's for chairs and tables, and toys, and the backs of books ! My dolly ! my own little daughter ! Oh, but it's the awfullest crack! It just makes me sick to think of the sound when her poor head went whack Against that horrible brass thing that holds up the little shelf. Now, Nursey, what makes you remind me ? I know that I did it myself! — 22 — I think you must be crazy — you'll get her another head ! What good would forty heads do her ? I tell you, my dolly is dead ! And to think I had n't quite finished her elegant new spring hat! And I took a sweet ribbon of hers last night to tie on that horrid cat ! When my mamma gave me that ribbon — I was playing out in the yard — She said to me, most expressly, "There's a ribbon for Hildegarde." And I went and put it on Tabby, and Hildegarde saw me do it ; But I said to myself, ' ' Oh, never mind, I don't believe she knew it!" But I know that she knew it now, and I just believe, I do, That her poor little heart was broken, and so her head broke too. Oh, my baby ! my little baby ! I wish my head had been hit ! For I've hit it over and over, and it has n't cracked a bit. But since the darling is dead, she'll want to be buried of course; We will take my little wagon, Nurse, and you shall be the horse; And I'll walk behind and cry; and we'll put her in this, you see — This dear little box — and we'll bury her then under the maple-tree. — 23 — And papa will make me a tombstone, like the one he made for my bird; And he'll put what I tell him on it — yes every single word! I shall say: ''Here lies Hildegarde, a beautiful doll, who is dead; She died of a broken heart, and a dreadful crack in her head." & isten to the Kitchen Clock ! To itself it ever talks, From its place it never walks; ' < Tick-tock— tick-tock. " Tell me what it says. ' l 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. "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. — 24 — "I'm a very active Clock, For I go while you're asleep, Though you never take a peep; Tick-tock — tick-tock. ' ' That is what it says. "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. What a talkative old Clock ! Let us see what it will do When the pointer reaches two; ' : Ding — ding— tick-tock. " That is what it says. 27. GOOD NIGHT! ood night ! the sun is setting; "Good night" the robins sing, And blue-eyed dolls, and blue-eyed girls Should soon be following. Come ! lay the pretty Caroline Among the pillows white, 'Tis time the little mother kissed Her sleepy doll good night. — 25 — And, Willie, put the cart away, And drive into the shed The pony and the muley cow; Tis time to go to bed. For, listen ! in the lilac-tree The robin does not sing; "Good night !" he sang, and tucked his head Beneath his weary wing. Soon all the world will go to rest. And all the sky grow dim; God ' ' giveth his beloved sleep, " So we may trust in Him. The Lord is in the shadow, The Lord is in the light, To guard his little ones from harm; Good night, dear hearts, good night ! 28. GOOD NIGHT. IfJSFood night !" said the plow to the weary old horse, And Dobbin responded, "Good night !" Then, with Tom on his back, to the farm-house he turned With a feeling of quiet delight. "Good night !" said the ox with a comical bow, As he turned from the heavy old cart, Which laughed till it shook a round wheel from its side, Then creaked out : "Good night from my heart!" — 26 — "Good night!" said the hen, when her supper was done, To Fanny, who stood in the door ; ' 'Good night ! " answered Benny, ' ' come back in the morn, And you and your chicks shall have more." "Quack, quack !" said the duck, "I wish you all well, Though I cannot tell what is polite ;" ' ' The will for the deed, " answered Benny the brave, "Good night, Madam Ducky, good night!" The geese. were parading the beautiful green, But the goslings were wearied out quite ; So, shutting their peepers, from under the wing, They murmured a sleepy "Good night!" Now the shades of evening were gathering apace, And fading the last gleam of light, So to father and mother, both Fanny and Ben Gave a kiss and a hearty "Good night!" 29. THE BIRD'S NEST. < IH|L little bird once made a nest ►^G^jf Of moss and hay and hair, And then she laid five speckled eggs, And covered them with care. 21 Five little birds were hatched in time, So small and bare and weak, The father fed them every day With insects from his beak. At last the little birds were fledged. And strong enough to fly ; And then they spread their pretty wings, And bade the nest ' ' Good-bye ! " There's many a little home like this, Sheltered in every grove, To teach us how to make our homes Abodes of peace and love. ' 30. EGGS AND BIRDS. here is the little lark's nest My father showed to me ? And where the pretty lark's eggs ?" Said Master Lori Lee. At last he found the lark's nest, But eggs were none to see. ' ' Why are you looking down there ?" Sang two young larks on high ; " We've broke the shells that held us, And found a nest on high." And the happy birds went singing, Far up the morning sky. — 28 — 31. LITTLE BIRDIES. hat do birdies dream of? .^Flowers and leaves and waving wheat, -^^Brooks and buds and mosses sweet, Nooks all hidden from the heat, Little birdies dream of. What do birdies sing of? Morning dew-drops pearly fair, Sunshine rippling down the air, Heaven's rich beauty every- where, Little birdies sing of. What are birdies proud of? Soft-lined houses upon the tree, Baby birdies, one, two, three, — These, my pet, you still may see Little birdies proud of! 32. MY KITTY. itty watches me all day, When I work and when I play ; Snarls my worsted and my thread, Purrs, and rubs her naughty head On my shoulder when I say, "Kitty, you must go away!" Then she steals into my lap, Curls up softly for a nap, — 29 — Shuts her blinking, sleepy eyes. Ah, my kitty, you are wise ! For I cannot bid you go While you love and trust me so. 33. THE ROBIN. hen deep the snow lies on the ground, And all the woods are still, The Robin sings his little song Upon my window-sill. Robin ! Robin Redbreast ! Don't stay out in the cold ; 1 would not harm you, little thing, For twice your weight in gold. You're welcome to whate'er you get, So come whene'er you will ; I like to hear you sing your song Upon my window-sill. 34. CALL THE CAT. itty-cat, I hear a mouse ! Pitty-pat ! go through the house; Kitty, hurry! Kitty, run! Quick ! or you will lose the fun. Kitty hears, and slyly creeps Near poor mousie — now she leaps. Ah! too late, you cannot win it; There's the hole, the mouse is in it. Listen, now! weet, weet, weet, weet, Mousie's babes their mother greet. Good for them, my Kitty-cat, That you missed old Pitty-pat. 35. KITTY AND MOUSIE. itty dear, with silken fur, Lie on the rug and gently pur, And do not run about the house, To catch the pretty little mouse. Poor mousie sees a bit of cheese, Which he can get with perfect ease, But wnen he hears you slyly come, He scampers off to find his home. He soon returns to take a peep, And finds Miss Kitty fast asleep; So up he jumps and takes a bite, Then wishes Kit a kind u Good-night," 36. THE LAMBS. amma, let's go and see the lambs, This warm and sunny day; I think it must make them very glad, And full of fun and play. — 31 — Ah, there they are ! You pretty things ! Now don't you run away; I came on purpose, with mamma, To see you, this fine day. What pretty little heads you've got ! And such good-natured eyes ! And ruff of wool all round your necks — How nicely curled it lies ! Come here, you little lambkin, come, And lick my hand — now do, How silly to be so afraid, Indeed, I won't hurt you. Just put your hand upon its back, Mamma; how nice and warm- There, pretty lamb, you see I don't Intend to do you harm. 37. THE BEE AND THE ROSE. hope you'll not accuse me, But excuse me, " Said the simple Bee to the royal red Rose, " If I take a pot of honey, And don't put down my money, For, alas ! I haven't any, as all the world knows. ' ' Mister Bee, don't worry, Nor be sorry," Said the queenly Rose to the poor little Bee. — 32 — ' ' You 've paid me for my honey, Much better than with money, In the sweet songs of summer, you sing and sing to me.'' 38. WHAT THE FAIRY SAID TO LITTLE CURLY- LOCKS. little girlie, Bright and early, Gathering roses red, Found a wee fairy, So light and airy, And these are the words they said: " Little fairy, Bright and airy, What do you do all day ?" ' ' 0, my cobweb swing Is a dainty thing, And I swing the hours away; Or I lie and rest In a rose-leaf nest, And wait for the time to play." "Little fairy, Bright and airy, What do you do all night ?" "0, I flit away To the woods to play With the fays, in the white moonlight; Or to tangle the curls Of naughty girls, And make them look like a fright." — 33 — $^jZ^ 39. FORCET ME NOT. Slip 01, hen, to flowers so beautiful The Father gave a name, 'Back came a little blue-eyed one, All timidly it came; And, standing at the Father's feet And gazing in His face, It said with meek and timid voice, Yet with a gentle grace: Dear Lord, the name Thou gavest me Alas ! I have forgot — The Father kindly looked him down, And said : Forget me not. 40. THE FORGET-ME-NOT. here blooms a lovely floweret On our green lawn, so blue, Its eye is like the heavens, So tender, pure, and true. Its words are few and scanty, And all it e'er was taught, It always keeps repeating These words, forget me not. — 34 — 41. THE BROOKLET. here is a brooklet just over the way. Out with the butter-cup blossoms at play, Running between them, and laughing all day; u Play with rue, flowers and children who may!" There is a little bird up in the tree, Teaching her nestlings to sing "chee, chee, chee." This means in English, ' ' How happy are we, Nearer to heaven, oh who would not be !" There is a little bee fresh from the hive, Truly the busiest fellow alive, Helping himself to the sweets that he lacks, Begging the blossoms for honey and wax. There was a little child passing, who heard Song of the brooklet and carol of bird. Smiled on the bee as he buzzed on his way, "I will be busy and happy as they." 42. STOP, STOP, PRETTY WATER. top, stop, pretty water, " Said Mary one day, To a frolicsome brook, That was running away. — 35 — ' ' You run on so fast ! I wish you would stay: My boat and my flowers, You will carry away. But I will run after, Mother says that I may, For I would know where You are running away." So Mary ran on, But I have heard say, That she never could find, Where the brook ran away. 43. THE CHILD AND THE BROOK. here did you come from ? say, pretty child ! And whither away so fast ?" Asked a thoughtful child of a babbling brook. As it leaped in gladness past. ' 'Ah ha ! little girl, my mother spring, Is up on the mountain-side ; I leaped from her lap, like a truant boy, And down through the hills I glide." ' ' But what is your hurry ? please tarry a while, Just up in this flowery nook, Where violets cluster, blue as the skies!" "I can't"— says the hurrying brook! ' ' But what is the song, you sing, pretty brook ! You sing so pretty and sweet?" ' ' The song, little girl, is the holiday song, Of the pebbles beneath my feet." "No one will miss you, I'm sure, pretty brook! There is nothing for you to do !" ' ' Nothing for me ? ha, ha ! little girl, There is more for me, than you. The flowers are drooping down in the glen, And long to see me appear ; They hang their heads on their withering stalks, While I am loitering here. "And I turn the mill, at the foot of the hill, Brimful of frolic and glee ! Then how can I stay ? I must hurry away, For the miller is waiting for me. ' ' Good-bye, little girl, I have tarried too long, To chat with a child like you ; While I run to the sea, full of frolic and glee, You see I have something to do !" 44. THE RIVER. ippling, purling little river, Always flowing hastening on, See the sparkling, silvery ripples, As they vanish one by one, — 37 — Down the hill-side, through they valley, Gliding onward, murmuring low, Watering flowers, pretty flowers, Giving joy where'er you go. Ah, the waves are like the hours, Which so swiftly pass away, One by one, they too will vanish, Though they're now so bright and gay. Therefore let us now learn gladly, What will through our lives remain, Hours hasten, without tarrying, And not one comes back again. 45. THE BOY AND THE RAIN DROPS. itter-patter, pitter-patter, On the window pane ! Oh, where do you come from, You little drops of rain ? Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, Is what I hear you say; Tell me little rain drops, Is this the way you play ? I sit here at the window; I've nothing else to do; Oh, how I'd like to play, This rainy day with you ! The little rain drops cannot speak, But, "Pitter-patter, pat" Means, ' l We play on this side, But you must play on that." 46. THE WIND. am the wind, And I come very fast; Through the tall wood I blow a loud blast. Sometimes I am soft, As a sweet, gentle child; I play with the flowers, Am quiet and mild. And then out so loud All at once I can roar, If you wish to be quiet, Close window and door. I am the wind, And I come very fast; Through the tall wood I blow a loud blast. 47. CH!MNEY-TOPS. h ! the morning is gray; And what kind of a day Is it likely to be ?" ' ' You must look up and see What the chimney-tops say. — 39 — ' ' If the smoke from the mouth Of the chimney goes south, Tis the north wind that blows From the country of snows : Look out for rough weather ; The cold and the north wind Are always together. ' ' If the smoke pouring forth From the chimney goes north, A mild day it will be, A warm time we shall see: The south wind is blowing From lands where the orange And fig trees are growing. "But, if west goes the smoke, Get your water-proof cloak And umbrella about : 'Tis the east wind that's out, A wet day you'll find it : The east wind has always A storm close behind it. "But, if east the smoke flies, We may look for blue skies : Soon the clouds will take flight, 'Twill be sunny and bright. The sweetest and best wind Is surely that fair-weather Bringer, the west wind." — 40 — 48. COOD MORNING! ood morning, merry Sunshine, How can you wake so soon ? You ' ve scared the little stars away And shined away the moon. u I saw you go to sleep last night Before I ceased my playing. How did you get 'way over here ? And where have you been staying ?" ' ' I never go to sleep, dear child, I just go round to see My little children of the East, Who rise and watch for me. u I waken all the birds, and bees, And flowers on my way; And, last of all, the little boy Who stayed out late to play." 49. THE MOON. .%QJy h, mother, how pretty the moon looks to-night, ll^She was never so cunning before, Her two little horns are so sharp and so bright, I hope they'll not grow any more. If I were up there with you and my friends, We would rock in it nicely, you see, We would sit in the middle, and hold by both ends, Oh what a bright cradle 'twould, be I — 41 — We would call to the stars to keep out of the way, Lest we should rock over their toes, And there we would sit till the dawn of the day, And see where the pretty moon goes. And there we would rock in the beautiful skies, Or through the bright clouds we would roam, We'd see the sun set, and see the sun rise, And on the next rainbow come home. 50. THE EYES OF ANGELS. A little girl -was disappointed when her mother told her what the stars were. She said : "I thought they were the of angels." imma, what are those little things, That twinkle from the skies ?" "The stars, my child." "I thought, mamma, They were the angels' eyes. " They look down on me, so like yours, As beautiful and mild ; When by my crib you used to sit And watch your feverish child. ' ' And always, when I shut my eyes, And said my little prayers, I felt so safe, because I knew That they had opened theirs." — 42 — 51. BUTTER-CUPS AND DAISIES. utter-cups and daisies, — Oh ! the pretty flowers, — Coming ere the spring-time, To tell of sunny hours, While the trees are leafless, While the fields are bare, Butter-cups and daisies fine Spring up here and there. Ere the snow-drop peepeth, Ere the crocus bold, Ere the early primrose Opes its paly gold, Somewhere on a sunny bank Butter-cups are bright ; Somewhere 'mong the frozen grass, Peeps the daisy white ! Welcome, yellow butter-cups, Welcome, daisies white ! Ye are to my spirit Beauty and delight ! Coming ere the spring-time, Of sunny hours to tell, — Speaking to our hearts of Him 11 Who does all things well" — 43 — SPRING SONG. 11 the birds have come again, Come again to meet us ! And a joyous song they raise, Chirping, trilling merry lays ! Pleasant spring-time's happy days Now return to greet us. See how gaily one and all To and fro are springing ! As their singing meets mine ear, Yoices sweet I seem to hear, Wishing me a happy year, Blessings with it bringing. What they teach us in the song We must e'er be learning ; Let us ever cheerful be, As the birds upon the tree, Welcoming so joyously Ev'ry spring returning ! 53. THE APRIL SHOWER. atter, patter, let it pour ; Patter, patter, let it roar ! Down the steep roof let it rush ; Down the hill side let it gush ! "lis the welcome April shower Which will bring the sweet May flower. — 44 — Patter, patter, let it pour ! Patter, patter, let it roar ! Soon the clouds will burst away ; Soon will shine the bright spring day ■ Soon the welcome April shower Will awake the sweet May flower. 54. IT IS MAY. 11 the birds and bees are singing ; All the lily bells are ringing ; All the brooks run full of laughter, And the wind flies whispering after, What is this they sing and say ? "It is May!" Look, my children, look ! the meadows, Where the sunshine chases shadows, Are alive with fairy faces Peeping from their grassy places. What is this the flowers say ? "It is May!" See ! the fair blue sky is brighter, And our hearts with hope are lighter ; All the bells of joy are ringing ; All our grateful voices singing ; All the storms have passed away ; "It is May!" — 45 — J y 55. THE JOYS OF SUMMER. hildren, see the bright sun gleaming, Grlitt'ring in the morning dew, Summer joys all round are beaming, In the woods and meadows too. In the vales the scythes are ringing, Where the merry mowers swarm ; Happy birds are loudly singing In the sunshine clear and warm. In the pasture, decked with flowers, Lambs are frisking here and there ; Lively children, in green bowers, Dance and frolick free from care. Whortleberries blue are growing, Woodbines shed their sweet perfume, Strawberries their heads are bowing, Bright the red wild roses bloom. Trees their shady bowers are wreathing, Every-where is pure delight ; Every one fresh life is breathing, Man, be grateful day and night ! 56. AMONC THE FLOWERS. way among the blossoms, The summer time has come ; We hear the singing waters, We hear the insect hum. — 46 — Away among the blossoms, The many birds are there ; We hear the chorus early ; "lis trilling on the air. Away among the blossoms, The daisies all are bright ; And in the dewy meadows, The clover-tops are white. Away among the blossoms, A happy world is ours ; Then praise our Heavenly Father, Whose smile is on the flowers. 57. AUTUMN SONG. very fruit is mellow, Every field is yellow, Summer days are gone ; Leaves the ground are strewing, Cooler winds are blowing — Autumn has begun. Clustered grapes hang sleeping, Where the winds soft creeping, Lift their leafy shade ; See the pears are ripening, Golden apples deep'ning Into blushing red. — 47 — 4^ 58. THE RUDE PLAYMATE. ik-leaf and maple-leaf!" Hear the wind call : ^7* ■ • Beech-leaf and willow-leaf, flutter and fall ! lied leaves and yellow leaves, orange and brown, Dance on the shaken boughs, dance, and come down I'll be your playfellow, careless and gay, We will keep sporting through all of the clay : Up in the air, or about on the ground, Merrily, merrily whirling around, Hither and thither, wherever I blow, Over the hills and the fields you shall go. ' ' Red leaves and yellow leaves, flutter and fall ! Come to me, come to me ! " hear the wind call. Fair are his promises. Off from the bough, Down comes a pretty red maple-leaf now. Poor little thing ! By to-night it will be Wishing again it were back on the tree. Rude is the wild wind, and rough is his play ; Hardest of labor is sporting all day. 59. WINTER SONG. ack Frost is a roguish little fellow. When the wint'ry wind begins to bellow, He flies like a bird through the air, And steals through the cracks every-where. — 48 — He nips little children on the nose, He pinches little children on the toes, He pulls little children by the ears, And draws from their eyes the big round tears. He makes little girls cry, oh, oh, oh ! He makes little boys say, how, how, how . But when we kindle up a good warm fire, Than Jack Frost is compelled to retire, So up the chimney, skips the roguish little boy, And all the little children jump for joy. J&gL 60. THE SNOW. HL ^Jy h, see ! the snow gp|Hs falling now— It powders all the trees ; Its flakes abound, And all around, They float upon the breeze ! 'Tis snowing fast, And cold the blast ; But yet, I hope, 'twill stay ;- Oh, see it blow, The falling snow, In shadows far away ! Jack Frost is near — We feel him here — — 49 — He's on his icy sled ; And, covered deep, The flowers sleep Beneath their snowy bed. Come out and play, This winter day, Amid the falling snow ; Come, young and old, Fear not the cold, Nor howling winds that blow ! U {J^K 61. OLD SANTA CLAUS. Id Santa Claus sat all alone in his den, i^With his leg crossed over his knee ; While a comical look peeped out at his eyes, For a funny old fellow is he. His queer little cap was tumbled and torn, And his wig it was all awry ; But he sat and mused the whole day long, While the hours went flying by. He had been as busy as busy can be, In filling his pack with toys ; He had gathered his nuts, and baked his pies, To give to the girls and boys. There were dolls for the girls, and whips for the boys, With wheel-barrows, horses, and drays ; — 50 — And bureaus and trunks for Dolly's new clothes ; All these in his pack he displays. Of candy, too, both twisted and striped, He had furnished a plentiful store ; While raisins and figs, and prunes and grapes, Hung up on a peg by the door. I am almost ready, quoth he, quoth he, And Christmas is almost here ; But one thing more — I must write a book, And give to each one this year. So he clapped his specs on his little round nose, And seizing the stump of a pen, He wrote more lines in one little hour, Than you ever could write in ten. He told them stories all pretty and new, And wrote them all out in rhyme ; Then packed them away with his box of toys, To distribute one at a time. And Christmas Eve, when all were in bed, Right down the chimney he flew ; And stretching the stocking-leg out at the top, He clapped in a book for you. TALES. 53 — Bible Histokies. I. DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. nee there lived a good man, named Daniel, in the &-city of a great and wicked king, who, with all his ^^ people, worshiped idols ; but Daniel prayed to God. The people heard him, and went slyly to the king, who loved Daniel, and made him promise to cast into a den of lions any who worshiped other than their idol gods. So he promised, and they told him of Daniel. Then he was sorry, but he had to keep his word; and Daniel was put among the lions. And, what do you think ! Daniel slept better that night than the king ! The Lord sent his angels to take care of him, and the lions were as gentle as lambs. But the king was wretched all night, for his conscience told him he had killed a holy man. But how glad he was, when he went to the mouth of the den and called, to hear Daniel's voice. Perhaps that heathen king had prayed to Daniel's God to take care of him. — 54 — 2. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. he country in which Jesus was born is far away in .the East, and is called the Holy Land or Land ot Promise, because God had promised it to Abraham and his children. — Now over this country there once ruled a king, whose name was Herod. But there was over him another master, called Augustus. And it so happened, that Caesar Augustus commanded all the people to be taxed, and to that end all must have their names written clown in a large book, each one in his own city. So Joseph also went with Mary, his wife, to Bethlehem, his city. And while they were there, God gave them a little son. Mary wrapped him in clothes, and laid him in a manger, as there was no other room for him in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were afraid. But the angel said unto them : Fear not, for I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people ; for unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you : Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly many more angels appeared and sang : "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth!" And when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said : Let us now go unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass ; and they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger ; and the angels singing praises to God. — 55 — 3. JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. r he parents of Jesus "went to Jerusalem every year, [■at the feast of the passover," to "worship in the beautiful temple. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according' to the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey ; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. — And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his under- standing and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed : and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us ? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me ? Do ye not know that I must be about my Father's busi- ness ? — And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he Went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them : but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. — And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." — 56 — 4. JESUS THE FRIEND OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN. r he gentle Christ-Child, who was always obedient to [his parents, and whose heart was full of the love of his Father in Heaven, did not remain a child, he grew up, still loving his Heavenly Father more and more, and also loving all men, to whom he was full of kindness. He Went about in the country with his twelve disciples, whom he taught, in order to do good to the people wherever he was. He comforted those that were sad-hearted, he gave bread to the hungry, he healed the sick, and he even called back the dead to life. Once, when Jesus had just sat down to rest, a great many mothers came to him with their children, for they knew that he was good, and they wished that he might speak to their little ones kindly and bless them. But the disciples of Jesus told the mothers to go away with their children, and not to disturb the Master. But as soon as Jesus heard this, he said: " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the king- dom of Heaven." And he took the children in his arms, kissed them, and laid his hands on them and blessed them. — 5.7 — Miscellaneous Tales. \X^ 5. THE LITTLE PREACHER. y$L sri't he too cunning for any thing ? Quick, Allie ! (.Come softly, or you'll frighten him away. See here -right in my hat, the little mischief!" Laurie had been hunting for his hat ever since dinner, and had just discovered it on a ledge of the barn where he had tossed it that morning. But some one had found it before him — a little brown bird, who, thinking it looked inviting, had hopped in and was chirping away to himself in the liveliest way when Laurie first spied him. Alice came up on tiptoe ; but, finding that Mr. Wren, instead of taking offense at their boldness, hopped about Laurie's hat as though he rather enjoyed being looked at, the children soon drew nearer to their sociable little friend. "I never was so close to one before," whispered Alice, the eldest of the three ; ' 'what a pretty color he is ! sort of reddish brown." 'And his wings," said Belle, li brown, with those beautiful white dots across them," — 58 — "He's a conceited little fellow, though," laughed Laurie ; "he's showing off as well as he knows how. Look at the short, turned-up tail, and just see how he's winking at us." The idea of a bird winking was so very funny to Belle that, without thinking, she broke into a merry laugh, and Mr. Wren, supposing that they were making fun of him, and not liking it any better than other people, flew off in as dignified a manner as was possible for such a merry little bird, and perched far up in the old elm-tree. The children were very much disappointed ; but as there was no chance of seeing him again, they thought the next best thing was to go in and tell mother the story. Laurie determined to put his hat in the same place in the morning with some nice bread-crumbs on its brim, to tempt the little fellow to hop in again. "Such a horrid rainy day!" muttered Laurie, who was sitting on the window all the next morning, kicking the wood-work, and looking out with a most disgusted expres- sion at the storm. Alice was at the piano slowly picking out a tune. "I do wish you would stop kicking, Laurie," she said very impatiently, "it does make me so nervous." "Nervous! You'd better say cross and be done with it. Nothing but '0 Laurie ! don't!' or, '0 Laurie ! do!' every half-second." And down he jumped with as much noise as possible, and then threw himself on the sofa by little Belle. Mother looked up from her writing after a few moments, and said pleasantly, "Children, have you looked for Mr. Wren this morning ?" — 59 — "There isn't any use,'' growled Laurie, getting up lazily. "We were going to have such gay times to-day, hunting for him ; but there'll be no birds in sight in such a rain.'' "I am not so sure about that." And Mrs. Wilson went to the window as she spoke ; ' 'I should not be at all sur- prised to see either Mr. Wren or some of his family." They all stood and watched by the window. "There, there he is!" cried Belle, suddenly, clapping her little hands in delight. '•'And did you ever?" said Alice, "chirping away as though it was a most delightful day." The children's good humor was restored in a moment ; how they laughed as they watched Mr. Wren daintily picking his way across the garden path, which to him must have seemed quite like a swollen river ! But he didn't mind, oh ! no, not a bit ; he chirped and hopped, then flew a little way. up went his cute little tail, then his head, and on he went as chirk and merry as when he sat in Laurie's hat, and sang to the sun- shine. He was busy now, very busy picking up straws, dead leaves and twigs, finding material for the little house he and his mate were going to begin. He couldn't think of minding the rain with so much work to do— indeed, I don't believe he even thought ot such a thing ; for wrens are the busiest of birds, always building, always at work. They make nest after nest just for the pleasure of making them, though the home nest is more carefully put together and always lined withe nice soft feathers. The children noticed some other kind of birds in the trees ; but they seemed quiet and melancholy ; some sparrows were sitting- silent on the branches, with drooping wings and heads, but — 60 — the gloomy weather didn't trouble the merry little wrens in the least, all weather was alike to them, they had their work to do, and one time was quite as good as another. ' 'I think we shall have to call Mr. Wren our little preacher," said Mrs. Wilson, looking down on the once more smiling faces of her three children. ' 'Don't you think he has done us all good this morning ? I like his little ser- mon very much myself." The children laughed, but they looked a little ashamed at the same time. Pretty soon Alice said shyly, ' 'I was real cross to-day, just because it rained. I didn't want to practice or do any thing." — "And a little bird has taught you a better way, " said mother, kissing her. "I'll remember the Rev. Mr. Wren when it storms again, you see if I don't ! " whispered Laurie in confidence to Belle ; and catching up his spelling-book, he went to work in good earnest, and the little girls, soon following his example, went back with bright faces to their studies. They tried all day to be as cheerful and merry as Mr. Wren was; and by keeping as busy as he did, their time passed quick- ly ; and when they talked about it afterward, they all agreed that it had been the nicest rainy day they had ever had. So much for having cheerful hearts and plenty to do. 6. HOW LITTLE AMY LEARNED TO WORK. once knew a little girl named Amy Stuart, who [liked to play better than she did to work. She loved to run in the garden, and hear the birds sing, and chase the butterflies, and smell the sweet flowers. — 61 — Amy had no little brothers or sisters to talk to, so she talked to the animals, and insects and flowers, and she said they talked to her, and she understood all they said. One day her mother said : "Amy, I think you are big- enough now to begin to do a little work every day. You will learn as you grow older that every one has some work to do, and it is best to learn young to be industrious/' "Oh, mamma," said Amy, "I don't like to work, I would rather play, it is so much nicer. Can't I go out in the woods a little while, and play, before I do my work?" "Well," said her mother, "as I haven't any thing ready just now for you to do, you may go." So away Amy skipped through the pleasant garden, into the shady woods. A gray squirrel ran across her path, and Amy called to it : " Say, dear squirrel, you don't have any thing to do but play and eat nuts, do you ?" "My dear child," said the squirrel, "you are very much mistaken, I have quite a large family to support, and am very busy now, laying by a store of nuts to last them all winter, so I cannot stop to talk with you," and away he jumped. Just then a bee came buzzing by. Said Amy, ' ' Little bee, do you have any work to do ? I never see you doing any thing but getting honey from the lovely flowers." "Indeed," said the bee, "it seems to me I never have time for any thing but work. After I have filled my little bags with the flowers' honey, I go home to my hive, build a beautiful honeycomb and fill the cells with honey, so you see I have plenty to do, " and away he flew to light on a sweet pink clover. — 62 — Amy walked on a little way, when she saw some ants who seemed to be in a great hurry. She watched them a while and then spoke to one of them saying: ' ' Isn't that bread crumb you are carrying too heavy for you ? It makes me feel so sorry to see you, I wish you could play all the time and enjoy yourself." " Oh ; " said the ant, " I am so glad to get the crumb, that I quite enjoy carrying it, although it is rather heavy. I will rest a while, and tell you about a lazy fit I had once. Our house was entirely destroyed one day, I don't know what did it, but we just escaped with our lives. My brothers and sisters said : ' Let us build a new one' ; but I said, ' No, I'm tired of working, let's go traveling and see if we can't find a house ready-macle for us, then may be we will find time to play a little, like the butterflies do'. ' 'We traveled a long, long way, but we found no house ready for us, and as we were very tired, we tried to get some of our relations to share their houses with us, but they all said, 'No, you must be very lazy ants, or you would have built yourselves a new house long ago'. At last we were forced to go to work and built a house, and since then we have been very well contented to do all the work that it is necessary to do," and the little ant picked up his bread crumb and hurried away. —Amy sat down on a stone, and this is what she said to herself: u It seems to me that every thing has something to do, and what is so funny is that they all seem to like their work. But I don't believe flowers have any employment, I will ask one of them." So she walked into the garden and said to a handsome Poppy, ,,Dear Poppy, do flowers ever work?" — G3 — •• My dear little Amy," said the Poppy, "of course we do. Did you never hear that the flowers turn into fairies at night, and each one must do some good deed, or she will not have any honey the next day ? Now I go and visit all their eyelids, and fan them with one of my leaves until they fall asleep." Amy walked slowly home, went to her mother, and said: ' ' Mamma, the squirrels, the bees, the ants, and the flowers, all have something to do, and I am the only idle one amongst them. I think I will try and finish hemming that towel I commenced so long ago." — I have since heard that Amy grew up to be a very industrious girl, while she loved flow- ers, and animals and birds and insects, as much as ever. 7. THE LITTLE RAIN DROP. .here was once a farmer, who had a large field. He .plowed it, and planted it with corn, and weeded it very carefully, as he had nothing else to depend on for the support of his wife and children. But after he had worked so hard, he saw the corn begin to droop for want of rain, and he thought he should lose his crop. This made him very sad, and he went out every day to look at his corn and see if there was any hope of rain. One day, as he stood looking at the sky very sadly, two little rain drops up in the clouds over his head saw him, and one said to the other, "Look at that poor farmer : I feel sorry for him, he has taken great pains with his field of corn, and now it is all drooping, I wish I could do him some good." — 64 — "Yes," said the other, "but you are only a little rain drop, and what can you do ? You cannot wet even one hillock." "Well," said the first, "to be sure, I cannot do much, but I can cheer the farmer a little at any rate, and I mean to do my best. I'll try; I'll go to the field to show my good will, if I can do no more, so here I go." And down went the raindrop, and came pat on the farmer's nose, and then fell on one stalk of corn. "Dear me!" said the farmer, "what's that? A rain drop ! Where did that come from ? I do believe we shall have a shower." The first rain drop had no sooner started than the second one said, "Well, if you go, I'll go too." So down it dropped, and fell on another stalk of corn. By this time a great many rain drops had come up to hear what their friends were talking of. So, when they heard them and saw them going to water the corn and cheer the farmer's heart, one of them said, "If you are going on such a good errand, I'll go too," and down it came. "So will I ! so will I !" said the others, till a whole shower of them came, and the corn ceased to droop, and grew and got ripe, and all because the little rain drop did what it could. 8. THE DROP OF WATER. .s a little brook was running merrily along on its ►-n^gJ^ way to the sea, one of its water drops suddenly stood still and stopped behind, having been caught by the root of a forget-me-not, which grew by the side of the brook. — 65 — A little girl who saw this water drop, wished to know all about it, and this is the story the water drop told her. ' 'A long while ago I lived with my countless sisters in the great seas. We had all sorts of pastimes ; sometimes we mounted up high in the air, and peeped at the stars ; then we sank down deep below, and saw how the great whales sported about, and the little fishes chased one another. "One day, when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one of his hot beams, and thought that now I should reach the stars and become one of them. But I had not ascended very far when the sunbeam shook me off and let me fall into a black cloud. Then I sailed about in the cloud • - now high up in the sky, and now low down near the earth — till the cloud approached the top of a mountain, when a flash of fire suddenly darted through it, and a loud and frightful sound rung all around. c 'I thought I must surely die. But the cloud laid itself down softly on the top of the mountain, and I escaped by trickling into a little hole in the ground. "I now wished to rest awhile, but the hole into which I fell was much deeper than I thought, so I slipped down and down, till I reached a place which was very dark, and where I could neither see nor hear any thing. Then I began to fear that I was to be a prisoner for life. Happily my fears were groundless ; for after a long and tiresome jour- ney in the dark, and over all sorts of toils and rocks, I was at last permitted to come up once more into the free, cheer- ful air. And now I will run back to my sisters, and wait patiently till I am called to something new." — 66 — But not yet was the little water drop allowed to go to its sisters in the sea, for just then the root of the forget-me-not seized it, and sucked it in, that it might become a floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue star on the green earth. k) g#^ 9 - THE CL0UDS - \ JtaP ne day John and Mary took a walk with their father. •&^lzlt was a very warm, sultry day, and far up in the sky were many clouds. "Just look," said John, "what big clouds!" "Oh yes," said Mary ; "I wonder what the Lord has made the clouds for!" "The clouds are very useful," said the father. "The Lord has made them because he loves us; the clouds are big curtains." "Curtains!" exclaimed the children, astonished. "Yes, truly," answered the father; "don't you know what we use curtains for ?" ' "Oh yes, " said Mary, " "I know. When the sun shines too strongly, we pull down the curtains to keep off the heat. " "Yes," said the father. "Now, when the sun shines very hot on the fields, the cows in the meadow are weary and restless, and the flowers and plants bow their little heads to the ground. Then the Lord spreads out the clouds before the sun, just as you pull down the curtains, and the cows enjoy the sweet grass, and the flowers and plants lift up their heads again." While the father was speaking, it began to rain. They went into a farm-house for shelter. The children placed themselves at the window to look at the rain ; which was falling in a heavy shower. "That rain, too," said the father, "comes froni the clouds." "What a pity!" said John;" we cannot walk now; every thing is wet." "True," answered the father. "Still it is very useful. The clouds are made to give rain. They are big watering- pots." ' i Watering-pots ! " said Mary, opening her eyes in wonder. "Yes, my child," said the father. "What does the gardener use his watering-pot for?" "To moisten the ground," said John quickly. "Yes," cried Mary, "for if the ground is too dry, the flowers will not grow." "Just so," said the father. "But when the great meadows and fields are too dry, what gardener is big enough to water them ? And when the farmer's land is so dry that the potatoes and the cabbages and the corn won't grow, who is to wet the soil about the roots of all these?" "Oh, I see! I see!" exclaimed John. "Then the Lord takes those big clouds and presses rain out of them." "He does," said the father ; "the clouds are big water- ing-pots with which the Lord wets this beautiful world of ours, as the gardener wets our garden." The rain was soon over, and the father again went out with his children. "How pleasant it is!" they said, as they breathed the cool fresh air. — 68 — "Yes," said the father. "Now, look at the clouds." The children looked up, and cried out, "How beau- tiful!" There the great clouds floated about in the sky. The sun had just broken through them, and given them all sorts of fine colors. Some had gilt edges ; others were red, like crimson ; some, again, were purple, pink, light blue, and dark blue. Many of them were in strange shapes. On the left-hand side was a bluish cloud, that looked like a large ship with its sails set to the top ; on the right was a dark cloud, that had very much the shape of a cow with three horns. The children laughed in delight as they found out what the clouds were like. "Now you see, " said the father, "that the clouds are pictures too. We hang up pictures and engravings in our rooms. So the Lord hangs up golden, purple, and blue clouds on the walls of the sky, to make a beautiful parlor for our whole earth." 10. DAISY CHAIN. the Summer is gone," saidMaltie to herself one day, [for she went every day to ramble in the woods and talk to herself or to the flowers. ' 'Summer is gone ; but she has forgotten to take her daisies. Here are a dozen of them in this open, sunny place. But the wild asters are Autumn's children, and they must be related to the daisies, for they look almost like them, only they are purple," — 69 — Maltie sat clown among the asters with her hands full of daisies, and began twisting them into a daisy chain. Then a pretty thought made her smile to herself. ' '"Why can't I do as papa did when our English cousins came from the city to see us on the 4th of July ? He twisted the American and English flags so gracefully together over the porch." So Maltie blended the Summer and the Autumn in a daisy and aster chain, and when she told her father what it meant, he kissed her and called her his "little poet." II. THE LAST SWALLOW. the swallows were flying off to the South, except one dear little swallow ; and he stayed on the wall, and looked round on the pleasant fields where he had been living ; and he did not want to leave them. Besides, he knew a little boy and girl who used to feed him ; and he thought they would miss him if he flew off many long, long miles to the South, where there is no snow. The other swallows called out to him to come with them, and fly off to the sunny South ; but still he lingered, and did not care to go. "Follow, follow, follow, Swallow, swallow, swallow!" sang the others ; but he did not heed them. Then a black cloud came over the sky, and a chill breeze swept down over the earth ; and the little swallow thought to himself, "That must be the breath of old Winter of whom I have heard so much, and from whom all the birds — 10 — of our family fly off because they do not like him. I have half a mind to stay and see what he is like. " So the little swallow stayed and stayed, till it was too late for him to join his friends; and then it came on to snow. And the little swallow thought to himself, "Oh! I don't like this at all. The grass is all covered with white ; and where are all the flies gone? What shall I do for food?" The little boy and girl who had been kind to him saw him, and let him know that they were willing to take care of him, and feed him. He flew round their heads once, twice, three times, as if to say, "Good-by, dear little friends : I will be back again next spring, when the violets are in bloom." Then the last swallow flew off in a straight line for the South, and left the rude, cold Winter behind him, and flew arid flew till he found all his fellow-swallows, where the trees and bushes were yet green : and his fellow-swallows were all very glad to see him ; for they had been afraid he was lost. 12. JOHNNY'S FIRST SNOW-STORM. ohnny Reed was a little boy who never saw a snow- ^ storm till he was six years old. Before' this he had lived in a warm country, where the sun shines down on orange-groves and fields always sweet with flowers. In the winter there, rain falls instead of snow. But now he had come to visit his grand-mother, w r ho lived where the snow falls in winter. And Johnny was standing at the window when the snow came down. "Oh mamma!" he cried joyfully, "do come quick, and see all these little white birds flying down from heaven!" '•They are not birds, Johnny, - ' said his mamma, smiling. ' 'Then, may be, the little angels are dancing, and losing their leathers ! Oh ! do tell me what it is : is it sugar ? Let me taste it, " said Johnny. But, when he tasted it, he gave a little jump, it was so cold. "It is snow, Johnny," said his mother. ''And what is snow, mother?" ' 'The snow-flakes, Johnny, are tiny drops of water that fall from the clouds. But the air through which they pass is so cold, it freezes them ; and they come down turned to snow. In the summer, here, it is too warm for snow ; but the winter is very cold." As she said this, she brought out an old black hat from the closet. "See, Johnny, I have caught a snow-flake on this hat. Look quick through this glass, and you will see how beau- tiful it is." Johnny looked through the glass. There lay the snow- flake like a lovely little star. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star," he cried in delight; "Oh! please show me more." So ins mamma caught several more. They were all beautiful ; yet no one was shaped like another. The next day Johnny had a fine play in the snow ; and when he came in, he said, ' 'I love snow ; and I think snow- balls are a great deal prettier than oranges." — 12 — 13. HOW THE SPARROWS WERE FED. M the sparrows that lived in a great elm, standing in a city park, met on the morning after the first fall of snow to hold a council. "This snow," began an old sparrow with a twisted bill, 1 'is something I don't like. Robin Redbreast told me a mont li ago that it would come, and said we should do better to fly away south with him, but I thought I would stand by the tree. I felt badly enough when they took us, our nestlings and all, out of our English oak, and brought us across the sea, for I am a home body. But this snow ! — I don't know where to set my feet or pick a crumb for breakfast." ' 'Can't we go back to our English oak ?" asked a younger sparrow. "It isn't so cold there." "Not if they don't choose to carry us," said the old sparrow. "I have heard," said another, "that people who live in these beautiful houses around the park are very kind, and will give us plenty to eat if we will act a bit friendly. Let's go over to that balcony. I see a little pale-faced boy behind the glass looking at us now, and he looks kind and gentle." So there was a whirring of wings, and the whole council went over to the balcony, making the light snow fly as they alighted. How the pale face of the little boy brightened as they came ! He had a Bible on the arm of the great chair in which he was curled up like a bird in its nest. "I wonder if God sent them !" he said, for he had just been reading a chapter in which was the beautiful Lord's Prayer, and the words of Jesus about the lilies that he — 73 — clothes, and the birds that he feeds. As he read, "your Heavenly Father feedeth them," he looked over to the old elm, and they all came to him in a flock. "What does it mean, mamma?" he said, calling his mother to him (for he was lame), and telling her all about it. "God has given you plenty of crumbs, and a pair of hands to scatter them with," said his mother. "Perhaps that is the way our Heavenly Father wants to feed his sparrows." A few minutes later the happy-faced boy was scattering crumbs on the balcony to as happy a group of sparrows ; and every morning and night, all winter, they came to their young provider for their breakfast and supper, and in this way the little lame boy began to lay up ' 'treasures in Heaven." 14. THE SUNBEAMS. arly one winter morning, some little sunbeams started to find their way down to this earth. They had been kept up in the sky a long time by dark, ugly clouds ; but now they came dancing and skipping along, as if to make up for their long imprisonment. These little sunbeams were very good-natured little things. And they were very busy too. They tried to do just as much good to others as they could. So when they got to the end of their long journey, they all ran about to see how they could make themselves useful. One little fellow perched himself on a window -sill of a big brick house. Looking in, he saw a little boy fast asleep — u — in the trundle-bed. "Now," said he to himself, "I wonder if Charlie wouldn't like to wake up this bright morning. He will lose all chance of taking a sleigh-ride with his father, if he doesn't. I really believe I will rouse him!" So saying, he flew on to Master Charlie's face, and danced over his eyes with so much glee, that he had to open them to see what was the matter. And oh ! how happy Charlie was when he saw the sun shining. He shouted and laughed, and before many minutes was quite dressed, and off on as merry a sleigh-ride as ever was had. Another little sunbeam went hurrying along till he saw a poor withered rose-bush trying to get a little warmth from the sun. It was standing in a basement window where scarcely any light could get to it. Here the sunbeam stopped, and it kissed the leaves, and it warmed up the roots of the poor plant until it really began to look quite green again. But it did even more good to a poor sick child inside, than to the flower. She loved her rose-bush dearly, and had felt very sad to see it fading so. But now she grew quite bright and happy, and was very thankful to the good warm sunshine. Some little sunbeams melted off the snow in the barn- yard, so the birds and chickens could find the seeds under- neath. Some dried the wet, muddy walks, and others went dancing so merrily through the air that nobody could help being the happier for them. All worked away at one thing or another, until night came, when they had to fly away home. And now, dear children, shall I tell you who can be like these sunbeams, if they try ? Why, it is you, little people. — 75 — By being good, and nappy, and cheerful, you can be as useful as those little spirits I have been telling you about. I know a little girl whose parents always call her Sunbeam, she is so good-natured and cheerful. Won't you all try to be like her? — and then you will have a right to just as pretty a name. 15. THAT'S HOW. _ t was a bitter cold day. There had been a great ^^.snow-storm, and the sky had a black and angry look. "Dear me," said Mrs. Wilson, as she looked out of the window. See how the snow has drifted into the yard ! Ann cannot get out to the wood-house for her kindlings. Those poor hens, too, have not been fed since yesterday morning. What shall we do without any body to dig a path ?" "I can shovel a path," said Johnny, a bright boy about eight years old. "It is too hard work for you, I fear," said Mrs. Wil- son," and besides we have nothing but this coal-sifter to shovel with." "No matter," said Johnny. "I can try." So Johnny put on his hat, tied his tippet round his neck, turned up his trowsers, and went to work with a will. He was digging away like a good fellow, when a man came lounging along with both his hands in his pockets. Instead of lending Johnny a helping hand, or saying a kind word to him, he called out in a sneering tone : ' 'Boy, how do you expect to get through that snow-drift ?" — 16 — "By keeping at it, — that's how !" answered Johnny, as he tossed the snow out of his little shovel. Then without wasting any more time in words, he turned straight to his work again. It was hard work. He was soon very tired, and his hands were cold, but he kept at it bravely until he had dug a good path. I think he got a piece of pie when he went back into the house, and a kiss from his kind grandmother, as she gave it to him, made it taste all the better. Now, boys and girls, we shall all have paths to dig, of one kind or another, as we go through life. Many snow- drifts will lie in our way, but if we all keep at work with a good heart, we shall be sure to come out right at last. Bear this in mind, and when you find yourselves shrinking from any good and useful task, and asking yourselves, "How shall I ever do this?" or "How am I to do that?" be ready with Johnny Wilson's answer, "By keeping at it— that's how !" 16. THE WHITE LADY. . t was the very day before Christmas and it had been [snowing, snowing, hard all the morning ; so that when Harry, Dora, and Nellie came home from school, they found the garden all covered with the beautiful, soft snow. It had hardly snowed once all winter and the children had planned all manner of nice things which they would do, as soon as the first storm came. It seemed so beautiful that it should have come to-day. To-day of all clays in the year, when it would have been — 11 — hardest to have settled down to any quiet indoor play. The hours seemed so long which lay between this afternoon and to-morrow morning. Besides, if they stayed in the house, they were almost sure that they should guess some of the secrets which Mamma and Santa Claus were stowing away in all the drawers and closets. Then, too, they would most surely have been obliged to peep through the key- hole of the library door, so very anxious were they to see what there could be in there which had made Mamma lock it up so tight all the week. But now, thanks to this dear, kind snow, Harry would be able to do something which they had all talked and thought about doing for a great many weeks. Harry felt sure that he could make a figure out of snow which would look just like a little white girl, when he had dressed it up in some of Dora's clothes. So the children set to work, Harry rolling and pounding the snow, which Nellie and Dora brought to him in their little wagons. They worked away busily for a long while, but it was not such an easy thing as Harry had thought it would be, and perhaps the "White Lady, " as Nellie called her, would never have been finished, if Uncle Charley, who spent all his time making men and women out of white marble, had not looked out of the window and, seeing Harry's trouble, come down into the garden to help them. He only seemed to give a little pat or push here and there, and there she stood, looking just like a real little girl, with Nellie's sum- mer hat on her head and Dora's new lunch basket hanging by its blue ribbons on her round, white arm. - 78 — "Now what shall we put into our White Lady's basket!" said Harry, when all was finished. "Oh ! I'll tell you," answered Uncle Charley, after an instant's pause. "You see your White Lady is a sort of Christmas Fairy who can do all kinds of wonderful things. Now each of you shall tell me what you wish for most in all the world, I'll write the wishes down on these slips of paper, and then we will fold them all up and drop them into the White Lady's basket and to-morrow morning we shall see which wish she thinks best; for that will be the one which she will grant. " ' 'Oh ! how splendid ! how nice ! " cried the three children, jumping about like so many grasshoppers. "Me first, please, Uncle," and Harry pushed to Un- cle's side, and whispered in his ear, "I wish that I had a great, big drum, with a flag painted on the side and two real, long drumsticks."— "There, that will do, Harry," and Uncle Charley wrote the wish down and gave- the paper to Harry, who folded it carefully and dropped it into the little basket hanging on the White Lady's arm. Nellie came up on tiptoe, and throwing both arms about Uncle's neck, said very low, indeed, "I wish I had a lovely, long, red sash just like the one Flora wore to my party. Oh! do you think the White Lady will give it to me?" "Wait and see, dear," said Uncle Charley, handing Nellie the paper on which he had written her wish. ' 'Come, little one, it is your turn now. What does my little girl wish for most?" said Uncle Charley, as he drew Dora to his side and bent his ear close down to her lips. — 79 — Dora hesitated an instant and then whispered very low and softly, "Uncle Charley, do you know, Alice Lane thinks that Santa Glaus don't know about her, because she's so poor. Do you think that the White Lady would bring me a beau- tiful dolly for her?" — "We will see, dear, but put your wish into the basket quickly ; for it is growing dark and cold, and, besides, it is nearly tea-time." So the children hurried in, to take their tea, hang up their stockings, and go to bed, leaving the White Lady, standing quietly outside with the three wishes, tucked away in the basket on her arm. Harry, Nellie, and Dora slept so soundly that they did not hear Santa Claus come down the chimney, nor see the red and blue stockings grow fat and round. With the first ray of Christmas sunshine, they awoke and sprang quickly out of bed with little cries of delight as they spied their treasures. The first thing which Dora saw, lying close beside her stocking, was a beautiful wax dolly with golden curls and blue eyes, while a piece of paper was pinned on her lovely pink silk dress, on which was written in beautiful, large letters, 'Tor Alice Lane with the White Lady's love." So poor little Alice had indeed a merry Christmas, and it made Dora, oh ! so happy to see her friend so glad, while Nellie and Harry thought that their White Lady was both nice and kind. As soon as they were dressed, the children ran out into the garden to see the White Lady and thank her for the doll, but no White Lady was to be seen, only a little heap of snow with a hat and basket half buried beneath it. — 80 — ktlMK l7 ' THE LORD'S WALL. \MsJyn the 6th of January, 1813, the inhabitants of a J^^^lonely dwelling near a small town in Germany were ^^ in great alarm. Russian, Swedish, and German sol- diers were approaching as night drew near. The weather was cold and blustering, and the snow-flakes began to whirl in the air. The good people feared they might be driven away from hearth and home. The pious, old grandmother was the only one who was not afraid, for she trusted in God. She read to her children and grandchildren from her old prayer-book, where she found the words, ' 'Oh Lord, build a strong wall around us, that we may be safe from the enemy ! Be thou our de- fense !" One of her grandchildren, however, who had listened with great devotion, after a pause said thoughtfully, "Now grandma, is it not too much to expect of God that he should build a wall for us ? I think we ought not to ask for such impossible things." The grandmother said, "You do not understand the meaning of these words. They mean that God may protect us from our enemies as safely as if our house were sur- rounded by a strong wall. But if God intended to build a wall for us, do you think it would be impossible for him ?" The night wore away, but, to their great astonishment, no soldier came to the house. Yet often the family heard the voices and noise of passing soldiers. When the morning came, and some of the family vent- ured out, lo and behold the miracle ! The wind had piled — 81 — the snow just in front of the house like a strong and high wall, so that the soldiers could not get near the house. Then the family all praised the Lord. But the old grand- mother said, ' 'See, my children, the Lord has actually built a wall for us, to keep us safe from the enemy. He is gracious and powerful to save us from all danger ; so let us always put our trust in Him." 18. HENRY AND THE ECHO. op, hop, hop !" shouted little Henry as he was play- ing in a field near a wood. "Hop, hop, hop !" came an echo in reply. "Who is there?" asked Henry, in surprise ; for he had never heard an echo before. "Who is there ?" replied the echo. "Foolish fellow I" cried Henry, at the top of his voice. "Foolish fellow!" was the reply from the wood. At this Henry got very angry, and called out many ugly names. The voice from the wood repeated every word. Henry could not tell who it was speaking from the wood; so he ran home and told his father that a boy hid in the wood had called him bad names. ' 'Ah, Henry ! " said his father, ' 'Yon have heard nothing but the echo of your own words. The bad names came first from your own lips. Had you used kind and gentle words, you would have had kind and gentle words in return. Re- member that kind words bring back kind echoes," — 82 — ^ifef^ l9, MAX AND HIS KID ' \ JSP n one of the high hills of Tyrol, there lived a little ykM^hoy who had a kid, to which he gave the name of ^ Jolly. The name of this little boy was Max. He was so fond of his kid, that he used to play with her, and sing songs to her. He would play a tune on the pipe, and the kid would hop about to the sound. The kid was so tame that she would let Max hug her, and would take milk from a cup he held in his hand. As soon as Max called, " Jolly, come here !" Jolly would run to him. And when Max jumped and hopped, she would jump and hop and stand on her hind legs. Some of the folks near by, who saw what a fine kid Jolly was, wanted to buy her ; but Max would not sell her— no, not for all the money they could give him. < 'I will not part with my own dear Jolly," said Max. But one day, when he came home, his dear Jolly was not to be found. Where could she be ? Max ran round to all the folks who lived near, and asked them if they had seen his Jolly ; and when they told him they had not seen her, he was ready to cry. "Don't cry, my little boy," said an old man to him, ' 'you will find your kid by and by. I do not think the wolf has killed her. You love your kid so much, I think God will give her back to you." Max dried his tears, and went home ; and when it was night, he said his prayers, and lay down in his little bed. But he could not stop thinking of Jolly. — 83 — "I do hope the old wolf has not got her," said Max, "I should be so sorry if the wolf had got her." And as little Max lay awake, looking at the moonlight as it shone through the window, he heard a noise at the door. Scratch, scratch, scratch ! Rap, rap, rap ! that was the noise. Max jumped out of the bed, and ran and opened the door ; and who should trot in but Jolly ? "Oh, you dear little kid! my own little Jolly ! " cried Max. ' 'Here you are back again ! The old man was right. He said God would send you back ; and here you are !" 20. WILLIE SMITH'S TWO GOATS. ^WLiWie Smith had two goats. His uncle brought them /Jgftto him from California. They were Rocky Mountain goats.** They were quite strong, and had been trained to harness. Willie's uncle also gave him a little cart and two sets of harness for the goats. You never saw a happier boy than Willie was, when he first mounted his little cart for a drive down the road. One day Willie's father said, "I declare, I wish I had more men to help me to get in the hay. We shall have rain before night." So Willie said, "Father, I should like to help you. I will harness the two goats, and work as long as the men do." a Yery good," said the farmer, "and I will give you five cents a load." — 84 — "You will?" said Willie. "Then I know what I shall do with the money. I shall save it, to buy a new pair of skates for next winter." So Willie harnessed his two goats, and got in twelve loads that afternoon. Can you tell me how much money he earned ? 21. DOCS IN THE BARN-YARD. ere is our old dog Fan, with her four pups. They are in the barn-yard, and the hens are in there, too. There is our old rooster. Little Tiger, one of the pups, creeps along to bark at him. But the rooster springs on the fence, flaps his great wings, and makes a noise that can be heard half a mile off. Poor Tiger is so scared that he runs back to his mother. Then Tiger grows more brave, and runs up to his brother Bob, and barks at him ; but Bob is not afraid. He stands his ground so well, that Tiger at last runs back to his mother. Tiger, you see, is a coward. Now Fan does not like to see her pups grow up to to be cowards. So she growls at Tiger. I think by her growl she means to say, ' 'Let me see you go and drive that proud old rooster out of the yard !" What makes me think so is that Tiger goes at once up to the rooster. But the rooster again utters that dreadful cry, and then Tiger runs off yelping in a great fright. The old dog now scolds at Tiger, and says something which I do not quite understand. Perhaps she says, ' 'The — 85 — pup that will drive that proud old rooster out of the yard, shall have a nice bone I have hid away somewhere." I do not know that she said this ; but little Bob runs boldly up to the rooster, and barks, oh, so loud ! that my fine gentleman is frightened, and, instead of crowing loud, as he did before, droops his feathers, and runs off. Round and round, left and right, right and left, back- ward and forward, runs the old coward, with Bob close upon his spurs. How the hens cackled ! and how the turkeys gobbled ! and how the folks in the house looked from the window and laughed ! At last the rooster escapes through a hole into the hen- house, and there ends the chase. All the little pups run, and bark for a long time at the hole through which the rooster has gone. But no one of them barks half as loud or looks half so fierce as little Tiger. He is very brave when there is no longer any danger. To hear him bark, you would think he knew no fear. I hope you will not be a boaster, like Tiger. ■M^ 22 - THE LITTLE BIRD'S MORNING RAMBLE. P' w nee there was a little bird, who lived with his mate £*in an old apple-tree ; And the little bird hopped on both of his legs, And looked up with one of his eyes ; And he said, ' 'I'll go ramble about in the field, While the sun travels up in the skies." So, telling his mate to be sure and keep the eggs warm, he bade her good-morning. And rolled up his feet 'neath his feathers so neat, And spread out his wings very wide; So merrily now he soars up from the bough, And alights by a rivulet's side. Stepping so lightly with his little feet, as not to crush the violets, he went and dipped his bill into the water and drank. And he said, ' 'How good it does taste, I declare ! I'll come and drink here every day ; And my lady shall come, yes, my lady so fair ; For I gladly will show her the way." And as he looked into the clear water, he saw A little black turtle creep softly along, All prettily spotted with yellow ; He had four funny legs and a little short tail, A comical looking old fellow. And the bird hopped along a little farther, and he saw A frog like an arrow dart swiftly along, " Another went by, then another : And their children, the tadpoles, came wagging their tails, And each one looked just like his brother. "What queer things," said he, "paddling themselves along with their tails !" And while he was watching them, along came A party of minnows, some large and some small, And they looked very playful and shy, The bird said, "Good morning!" They darted away, - 87 — And never looked up in his eye. "Shy little fellows these," said he. "Just as if I should want to harm them ! I mean to go to a shallow part of the brook and bathe." So he hopped along till he found a place where the water was only about two inches deep, and in he plunged, And made such a splashing and spattering there, That he watered the violets well ; And frightened the tadpoles— and as to the frogs, What ailed them they never could tell. The sober little turtle was sure he was crazy ; so he pru- dently crept away and hid himself under the bank. Said the bird, ' 'What good fun, to bathe here in the sun, And to spatter the water so high ! My love shall come down here and wash herself too, Ere the sun travels down in the sky." Then he came out and shook the water from his wings, and went along a little farther. He soon came to a field, where there was a man plowing, And said, "Oh, he's plowing up worms all for me, I think he's a very kind man. So I'll pick up my dinner, then sing in his ear The prettiest song that I can." And the little bird swallowed one or two earth-worms, and then perching himself upon a tree near the man, sang in his very best manner. "He could not help liking that song, I am sure !" To himself then the little bird said, And he picked up a worm to bear home to his love, And swift o'er the tree-tops he sped, And soon he alighted by her side ; and dropping the food into her mouth, he told her he would keep the eggs warm, while she went to the rivulet to drink and bathe. 23. THE CANARY-BIRD. f here was once a little canary-bird which lived in a !^J^*$beautiful golden cage and belonged to a little girl, named Minnie. The canary had two nice glass dishes, one for seed and the other for water, which Minnie filled fresh every morning. The floor of the cage was covered with nice white sand, and Minnie often gave her birdie a piece of sugar or a slice of apple, which he liked very much, and he never forgot to say "piep" when she gave it to him, which means "thank you." Now you would suppose the little birdie must have been very happy to live in such a fine house and to have such dainty food, while the sparrows outside had but poor places to live in, and had to search anxiously for every grain of seed ; but it was not so. Spring had come, and the warm sunshine poured in through the windows, the fruit-trees in the garden were all in blossom, the sparrows hopped about gaily, and so did robin-redbreast and all the other birdies. Then the dear canary wished that he too might fly about in the garden. Minnie saw that her canary looked very sad, and she said : "I know what is the matter, Dicky, and why you are so sad ; I am sure you would like to be out in the garden — 89 — like the other birdies, and I will ask Mamma to have your house carried outside." Dicky only said sadly, "piep, piep, piep," but Minnie ran to her Mamma, and she had Dicky brought out and his cage hung near a blooming cherry- tree. Oh ! how happy Dicky was now, how his little heart beat, and how joyously he sang ! So several days passed by, every sunny morning Dicky's cage was carried into the garden, under the cherry-tree, and every evening he was taken into the house again , for canary-birds are very delicate and cannot endure the chilly night air. Minnie was very happy now, and often stood at Dicky's cage, saying to him : ' 'I knew what you wanted, I knew what you wanted." But Dicky was not contented, he longed to get out of his cage and fly about as the other birds did. So one day, when the door of his cage was left open by chance, he darted out, just as Minnie was coming into the garden, and she called out to him : "Come back, Dicky, come back!" But he did not listen to her, and poor little Minnie burst into tears. Now let us see what became of Dicky. After he had flown about for a great while and had looked at all the flowers, he began to be tired and sat down on the roof of a barn ; but he had scarcely touched it when a cat jumped at him and almost caught him. He then flew on to a chest- nut-tree, but some boys spied him and threw sticks at him to make him come down. So poor Dicky sighed deeply, and thought, "I cannot stay here, I must fly away again," and he flew on to a church-tower, thinking that he might — 90 — rest there, for he was very tired by this time. But all at once the clock began to strike so loud that the whole tower shook, and Dicky was greatly frightened. So he flew down again and sat on a wall, but still he heard the awful sound ringing in his tiny ears. Scarcely had he rested a little, when the sky became quite dark, the wind began to blow hard and the rain came pouring down. Dicky did not know where to go, when suddenly he saw a nest on the wall, from which a sparrow was peeping. "Give me shelter," asked poor Dicky, "my feathers are all wet," but the sparrow said, "Get a shelter elsewhere, I have no room for you." Then Dicky flew to a swallow, and begged, ' 'Let me in, please, I am shivering with the cold," but the swallow said: "Stay where you are, there is no room for you here," and Dicky had to sit in the rain. Oh ! how he longed now for his beautiful little house and his kind mistress ! But soon the rain-storm ceased, the sun came out again from behind the clouds. Dicky was quite tired out, but once more he tried to fly and seek a shelter, and in doing so he came by a window, at which a little girl was sitting and crying ; he looked again and, sure enough, it was his dear little Minnie. Dicky flew to the window, and knocked against the panes with his little beak. When Minnie looked up and saw her little birdie, she dried her tears, opened the window to let him in, and Dicky was glad to be at home once more, and never thought of traveling again. — 91 — H^&^e 24 ' ST0RY 0F A LITTLE MOUSE ? J3sL mouse who had four children, — two boys and two S^J!' girls, — lived in a garret where there was corn stored. But her children gave her great anxiety ; for you know mice cannot be too cautious. Sometimes it is the cat that watches for them, some- times it is the owl, and sometimes people set traps. In short, there is every-where danger for mice. But the mother lived very safely in her garret. She had plenty to eat, for herself and her children. But the children were very active, and wanted to run about every-where and see every thing. One wanted to go on the roof, where the owl might easily have caught it. Another wanted to go clown in the kitchen, from whence came those delicious smells. If the mother had not been very strict with her children, the cat or owl would- have got hold of them long ago ; but as it was, they were not allowed to leave the garret. Under the garret where the mice lived, was the home of a carpenter and his wife, who had three little boys, who often played in the yard, with a' drum, a trumpet, and a gun. Then the little mice would sit at the garret-window and peep out. The big drum they admired more than any thing else, and they would have liked very much to jump and play on it. When it grew dark and the children were in their room, the little mice began to have a merry time. Some whistled — 92 — with their little pointed mouths ; some jumped and danced so that they made a great noise ; and then the carpenter would say to his children, ' 'Do you hear the mice dance ? Now go to bed, or else they will come down." The mouse-children grew, and were quite big, and the oldest mouse-boy spoke of traveling and seeing the world; but his mother would not give her consent. Then he planned to go off secretly. In a dark corner of the garret, just above the room of the carpenter, he began to nibble and gnaw a hole in the floor. He was so sly about it that his mother did not know it. After a while the hole was so large that he could look through it. Lo ! how wonderful ! What splendor and light his eyes beheld ! Such a fairy world he had never seen. Indeed, how could he have done so ? Little mice do not know any thing of Christmas Eve, and that was going on at the carpenter's. The tapers of the Christmas tree lit up the little room. On the table a whole village was built up. Soldiers stood there, as if for drill. Dolls, toys, and all sorts of nice things were lying about. The little mouse did not tire of admiring. "Oh!" said he to himself, "if I could only see those fine things close by!" But at last the lights were put out, and the children went to bed. Every thing was dark. There was no rest for the little mouse. He thought, "I'll go down there and hide till day-light, and then I can look at the things before the children get up," — 93 — So he gnawed away till his hole was large enough to get through — slid down into the stove, and was just about to jump to the floor, when — plump ! he went into the glue- pot that stood behind the stove. And there he perished most miserably; for, alas ! there was no one to help him out. The next morning the carpenter wanted to repair some furniture, and when he came to get the glue-pot, he called out to his children, ' 'See here ! Look at this little mouse that is caught here !" When the mouse-mother missed her oldest boy the next morning, she looked about and found the hole. She was very sorry that he had not minded her. She stopped up the hole, so that none of the others might come to harm. — 94 — Faiky Tales. 1j$g|Ja 25 - THE NORTH WIND. ,^JJ|Lhe north wind once went out to play, but as he was W^«[a very rude fellow, he did all manner of mischief. As soon as he came into the garden, he pulled the roses by the hair, he broke the stem on which the beautiful white lily sat, he shook the ripe peaches from the trees, and threw the pears into the mud. Out in the fields he even behaved worse ; he bent the heads of wheat down into the dust, he tore the green apples from the branches, and he upset a poor old tottering tree, so that its roots stood up in the air. Then the people went to the wind-king, and complained, and told him how naughty the north wind had been. So the wind-king sent for the north-wind, and, when he had come, he asked him whether what the people had said of him was true. He could not deny it, for every body had seen how badly the garden and the fields looked, where he had played. — 95 — Then the king asked him, "Why hast thou done this ?" And the north wind answered, "I did not mean any harm, I was only playing with the rose and with the lily, with the peaches and with the rest of them. I did not think it would hurt them." But the king said : ' 'It is a pity, but as you are such a rough play-fellow I can not let you out for a long time ; you must stay at home with me all summer. In winter, when there are no flowers and fruits in the gardens and fields, you may go out again to play ; I see you are only fit to play with the ice and snow, but not with fruits and flowers." 26, THE FAIRY IN THE MIRROR. r,_JBfj id 3 r ou ever see the Fairies in the looking-glass ? jJ^P I know of a little girl who saw them, and I will tell you how it happened. Nettie was a pretty good little girl, but she had a very unpleasant habit of frowning and fretting, if every thing did not please her, and this was so often, and she frowned so much, that she was beginning to have two little wrinkles between her eyebrows. Now, when she looked into the glass with a scowl on her face, it made the Fairies very unhappy, and they knew that Nettie was unhappy too, and they were sorry for her ; so they thought they would try and cure her of her fault. The Fairies are able to make themselves large or small, and look like any one they choose. One Fairy said to the others, ■ 'I think I have a good plan, one that will cure Nettie of her ill temper, it is this : when- — 96 — ever Nettie looks into the glass with a cross face, I shall show her my face, and I will look exactly as she does, only I shall smile instead of frowning, then she cannot help seeing how much more agreeable she is when she is pleasant, and I think in a short time she will be a sweet, amiable little girl." The very next day Nettie went to the mirror with a scowl on her face, and was surprised to see a little face appear in the glass, just like her own, but a bright smile was sparkling in the eyes, and a merry laugh was ready to break from the lips. The little girl looked earnestly at the strange appear- ance in the mirror, and in a few moments, she was laughing and smiling at the lovely Fairy face. Nettie was so pleased with her little Fairy friend that she often looked into the glass, and always had a pleasant little talk and laugh with her. But one day Nettie came expecting to see the usual smil- ing face, instead of that it was cross and frowning. Nettie felt very badly about it, and said, ' 'Oh ! dear Fairy, why do you look so cross?" "Nettie," said the Fairy, "I wanted to show you how you look when you frown." "Indeed," said Nettie. "I will always try and be kind and pleasant, if I look so ugly when I am cross." After this, Nettie's mother and father often said to each other, ' 'What a dear, sweet little girl our Nettie is grow- ing to be. Did you notice that she hardly ever is seen with a frown on her face, and tries very hard to be pleasant and kind all the time ? I am sure no one can help loving our amiable little Nettie," — 97 — THE FAIRIES OF THE RAINBOW AND THE RAIN. hese beautiful Fairies are cousins, and live in grand j, ^palaces up in Cloudland. The father of the Rainbow Fairies lives in the sun and these Fairies cannot show themselves to mortals every day, but only when their cousins, the Fairies of the Rain, give a party, and their father in the sun allows them to attend it, which he will not often do; for he generally closes his house and goes to sleep when the Rain Fairies come danc- ing down to earth. One day there was a great gathering of the Rain Fairies, for their Queen had called them together. They were all dressed in silver gauze, and the Queen wore a diamond crown, and sat on a crystal throne. When every one had become quiet, the Queen said to them, ' 'My friends, I have been looking from my windows down on the beautiful earth, and I think we have some work to do below there. ' 'The leaves of the trees all need washing, the sweet flowers and the green grass are thirsty, the little brooks are almost dried up, and I hear the farmers say, "Our corn and wheat and oats will all be ruined, if the good little Rain Fairies do not pay us a visit soon." "So, Fairies, I think we had better have a party and go down and surprise the farmers to-morrow, and see if we cannot help them a little. Who wishes to go?" "I want to go," "so do I," shouted a whole host of the merry sprites, and their voices sounded like the tinkling of silver bells. — 98 — Then the Queen said, "Would 'you not like to invite your Rainbow cousins ? I think my sister, the Princess Silver- drop, could coax their father to let them come for a few moments.." Silver-drop went to her uncle in the sun, and asked him so prettily and politely to ' 'please let his little daughters come to their party," that he said, "Yes, they may go for a little while. " Then away she skipped to the Rainbow palace, and told her cousins that they might come to the party. The Rainbow Fairies were delighted, and began to get dressed immediately. Some wore violet colored dresses, some wore red, some green, some indigo, some yellow, some blue, and some orange, and all had long gray veils on, and very pretty they looked as they sat, obediently waiting, until their father sent them word when they might go to the party. ■ While Silver-drop was gone on her errand, the other Rain Fairies were busy filling their tiny goblets from the sparkling fountain that flows in their garden. When they were all ready, the Queen opened the Cloud- land gates, and down the Fairies danced, and wherever any one alighted, she emptied her goblet of Fairy rain. Soon the earth looked fresh, and gay with the glittering drops. At first the old man in the sun closed his house, and drew a cloudy curtain before the sun, but presently he peeped out, and seeing how beautiful the earth appeared, he took the curtain away, opened his house, and the sun- beams flashed like gold on the little Rain Fairies. — 99 — As soon as the Rainbow Fairies saw the sunshine, they knew their father intended they should go to the party. So they all threw off their gray veils, as quickly as possible, and all dressed alike danced in a ring together in the blue sky. The little children looked and clapped their hands and cried, "0 see the lovely Rainbow Fairies !" and the farmers all said, ' 'How kind of the good Rain Fairies to bring us such a fine she we r !" 28. THE UNCRATEFUL CRASSES. "fiV\ beautiful Fairy was the mother of the little blades ? of grass; and they were very lucky to have a Fairy for their mother, for when they appeared on the earth, they did not look pretty at all, and scarcely dared to show themselves among all the beautiful flowers. But the kind Fairy said, ' 'Do not be afraid, my little blades, I love you all, my dear children, and will dress every one of you." Dresses for so many children ! They could not have been brought in a thousand trunks. But the Fairy sent a warm spring rain, and, when that fell on the ground, the little blades all at once received pretty green dresses, so beautiful and shining, that the people almost forgot the trees and flowers when looking at the grasses. Now, the little blades of grass were very happy, and the good Fairy also sent them clear, round dew-drops, which were their looking-glasses. But I am sorry to say that these looking-glasses were not good for them : they looked — 100 — . at their shining dresses again and again, spread them out as wide as they could, raised their little heads higher and higher, and did not notice at all, that by doing so they became less beautiful every day. The higher the grasses raised their heads, the less were they liked by the people who saw them. Their dresses were now faded and full of spots, and their hair had also turned grey within a few weeks. So the grasses were very sad, and said, "If the Fairy could only give us one dress, she had better have given us none; in one dress one cannot always remain pretty. Our dresses look so faded, and our hair has grown so grey, what good is it for us to live any longer ?" When the Fairy heard such complaints from the ungrateful blades of grass, she became angry, and sent men with sharp scythes to cut down the grasses. "For," said she, "you are naughty children, and now the cows and horses shall eat you." 29. THE ASTER. ?°53|L gentle little boy fell asleep one day in a cool arbor "»>§9f in his father's garden, which was full of the most beautiful flowers. He dreamt that three angels came to him, and he talked with them, and showed them the bright flowers in the garden. At parting, he gave each of them a nosegay and said to them, ' 'When you come back to- morrow, you may bring me a nosegay from Heaven, for I am sure you have more lovely flowers there than we have upon the earth." — 101 — "Yes, we have," said the angels, "but we cannot bring them down. Do you see the stars sparkle in the heavens ? They are the flowers of Heaven, and they are not planted in the ground, but in the air, and the sunshine did not make them grow, but they grew from the light of God's eyes. But Ave will bring you a tiny seed of those flowers to-morrow, and we will plant that into your earth and see what will come of it." Then the angels disappeared. On the next day they came again and brought a shining little seed with them ; this they planted in the ground, and watered it every morning and evening with fresh water. The little boy told all the children in the village that the angels had planted a star in his garden, and the children came every day to see whether it had sprouted. And sure enough, in the fall, a beautiful flower unfolded itself; it had a great many narrow leaves set all around, that made it look like a brightly colored star. The children were delighted with i't, and carried water in their hands to water it, and they called it by its heavenly name, "aster," which trans- lated into English means "star." This was the little boy's dream, and it was a happy dream, for from that time he liked asters better than ever. ^JK 30. THE ANCEL WITH THE STRING OF PEARLS. n a beautiful spring day two angels were floating on ^Ja shining pink cloud, very near the earth, which they enjoyed looking at in its new spring dress, after the winter was over. — 102 — The older of the two angels wore a splendid necklace of pearls, which the younger admired so much that he took it in his hand, in order to see it nearer. He looked at it admiringly, and was just going to return it to his brother, and thank him for permitting him to see it, when the string broke, and all the pearls were scattered and fell to the earth. Both looked after them sadly and frightened, and the little one said, with tears in his eyes, a Do not be angry with me, dear brother, I will do what I can to mend the wrong I have done ; I will go down at once and gather the pearls up." After saying these words, he hurried down to the earth, and arrived on a meadow, just as the sun was shining full upon it. On every little blade of grass sparkled a tiny dew- drop, and all the flowers, and trees, and shrubs in the woods near by were covered with dew-drops, which sparkled blue, and green, and red, and yellow, like so many colored beads. When the angel saw them, he called out, ' 'How happy am I, these are my brother's pearls!" And he gathered a great many of them in a little box and took them up to Heaven. But when he had come there, they had all turned to water, and the elder brother poured it down to earth again. Afterwards the little angel went again to seek for his brother's pearls, and this time he went at night, and came to a city. Every one was sleeping in peace, nowhere was there a light to be seen nor any thing that looked like pearls. Only in a little house a mother was watching at the bedside of her sick child, and a lamp was dimly burning. She was — 103 — praying and looked up to Heaven, while hot and heavy- tears fell from her eyes. The little angel gathered up the dropping tears in his box, and thought they surely must be his brother's lost pearls. But when he arrived in Heaven, his brother said to him, ' 'The tears of a pious mother are even more precious than my pearls, but they are not mine." Sadly the angel went down a third time, and searched in fields and woods, on mountains and near the sea, and asked every-where for his brother's pearls. Then a little man came to him, who said, ' 'See here, I have found many pearls and precious stones in the depths of the sea, and in the dark mountains, take as many as you want, for I would like to help you because you seem so anxious to mend your fault." Gratefully the angel took the little man's gift, and brought the gems to his brother ; but he said : l 'Those are not the right pearls, they are only ornaments for man, " and then he emptied them out and let them fall down to the earth. More sad than ever, the little angel made ready to go down again, but the older angel said, "I will gladly forget my pearls, and forgive you from my heart. Weep no more and stay with me now, that you may not also get lost ; for I can live very well without my pearls, but not without my dear brother." 31. THE CRATEFUL ELF. ne evening a dwarf, who was very tired and dripping ith rain, went through the streets of a city in order to find a shelter for the might, where he might rest — 104 — from his long journey and dry his clothes. He knocked at every house and asked pleasantly to be let in, but no door was opened to him; for the people were all asleep and could not hear the gentle knock and voice. At last he was so tired that he could hardly stand, and he had now come al- most to the end of the city, to a little house which stood near the water. ' 'If these people do not open their door to me" he said to himself, "I must perish this night with cold and hunger." A light was burning in the little house, and by it a brother and a sister were sitting and reading in their hymn-book. The dwarf knocked gently at the door, and the brother opened it at once to see who it was that came at so late an hour. When the brother saw the poor little man who was hardly able to speak, he took him up in his arms and carried him into the room, then he gave him dry clothes and put him into a soft bed. The sister prepared a warm soup for him, and both were very glad when they soon after found the little man fast asleep. The next morning the brother and sister went early to the bedside of their little guest to see how he had slept and whether he felt any better. He was still fast asleep. But soon he opened his eyes and then said to them: "Your kindness has saved my life, and I thank you from my heart; in order that I may show you how grateful I am, tell me three wishes and I will grant them." "We have not much to wish for," said the sister and brother, "we are satisfied with the things that God in his goodness has provided for us, but if we desire any thing, it is that our little house might stand at the top of yonder hill, — 105 — so that it could not be flooded again by the river, and then it would be nice to have a bench near it under a linden-tree, from where we could see the sun rise and set. And then wo wish that we might both die at the same time, sitting under the linden-tree, so that we would not be separated on going to Heaven, where we hope to find our dear parents."' Then the dwarf said, "Your wishes shall be granted." The day passed, and when the silent night came, while the brother and sister slept sweetly in the house, the dwarf stood outside in the dark. If you had seen him, you w T ould have thought that he was only a little man with rather a large head and a funny cap on; but he was an elf, who lived in the mountain, and he now took a little silver whistle from his pocket and gave a long and distinct signal, which could be heard far away. He had scarcely ceased whistling, when suddenly a great many little people just like him stood by his side, as if they had sprung from the ground, and asked him what he wanted of them; for he was their chief, and he told them his wish. Then they began to dig, and shovel, and carry loads, and soon the little house and garden with its bench under the linden-tree stood on the top of the hill, as if it had always been there. When the day dawned, the elfs went back to their caves in the mountains, but the dwarf who had slept in the house of the kind brother and sister, went in to wake them with pleasant words, and then took them to the .open window. Then the children saw that their house was really standing on the hill, that the river was flowing far down in the valley, and a beautiful linden-tree shaded the cottage. The little man then said good bye to them and departed, — 106 - Many, many years later, the sister and brother sat again under the linden-tree ; they had grown old mean- while, their hair had become white as snow. Many a time had they seen the sun go down, and watched the lovely evening sky, but never before had it seemed so beautiful, nor the water in the river so bright and clear, never before had the blossoms of the linden-tree seemed so fragrant to them, and never had the birds sung so sweetly, as to-day. — As they sat thus, grateful and happy, an angel stepped to their side, bent over them and with a sweet kiss gently closed their eyes, and one of the red clouds carried them up to Heaven, as they had once wished. — — 10.7 Fables. THE SUN AND THE WIND. Sun and the Wind had a dispute, each ^thinking himself the stronger. Finally they agreed that he should be considered the stronger, who should succeed in forcing a traveler, whom they saw on the road, to drop his cloak from his shoulders. So the Wind began to blow and storm, and rain and hail aided him ; then the poor traveler trembled and was frightened, but he only wrapped his cloak more closely about him to protect himself and keep the wind from tear- ing it off. Now came the Sun's turn. With mild and gentle warmth he sent down his rays. Heaven and earth smiled again, and the air grew warmer every moment. The traveler could not keep the heavy cloak on his shoulders any longer, so he took it off and sat down to rest under a shady tree, while the Sun rejoiced in his victory. — 108 — 33. THE LAMB. little lamb that was grazing on the meadow passed by some briers, and as it came very near them, they pulled out some of its wool. So the lamb asked, "Why do you pull me so?" "Do not be angry," answered the brier, ' 'I see a little bird flying high up in the air, that has no shelter, and it wants to build a nest, so I wished to give it some of your nice soft wool." Then the little lamb said, "Pull me as much as you please, I like to give my wool to the little bird, " and then went on. On the next day the shepherd came, took hold of the lamb, and cut off all its wool with a large pair of shears. Then the little lamb asked, < 'Shepherd, why do you pull me so?" "Do not be angry," answered the shepherd, "I want a new coat, to wear in winter, for that I need your wool." So the little lamb said, "I will gladly give it to you," and it patiently stood still while the shepherd sheared it. 34. THE CROWS. man who was traveling in Ireland, once saw on the sea-shore a large flock of crows who where trying to break open the shells of the mussels that lay scattered along the coast. They tried a long time, but the shells were too hard for them to open with their bills. At last they all came to- gether and seemed to be talking about the matter. — 109 — Finally each crow took a shell-fish in its bill, and flew far up in the air, as high as a tall steeple, then dropped the mussel, and the fall broke the shell ; so the crows could easily pick out the mussel from the shell. 35. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER. crow that was very thirsty flew to a pitcher, hoping ■*>fcjr to find some water in it. Water there was, but so little of it, that with all her efforts, the poor crow could not so much as wet the tip of her bill. "Never despair," said the crow to herself, "where there's a will, there's a way !" A bright thought came into her little black head; she could not get down to the water, but she might make the water rise up to her. The crow picked up a pebble and dropped it into the pitcher; then another and another. All sank to the bottom, and the water rose in the jar. Before the crow had dropped ten pebbles, her industry was rewarded, and she drank at her ease of the water which, but for her bright thought, she would never have been able to reach. irttbefs Jiindcrqarten Occupations for tfic #ami{j|. They came this morn- ing, and at dinner-time papa had to look at some perforating. Even the sick boy in the corner had to have his hand in it. Jennie stopped her play in the yard to play at weaving in the house, and our nine-year-old though invited by play- mates to a game on the campus, had important duties in the parlor. Two sets of weaving, and one or two pricked cards have been submitted for inspection already, an more will be, doubtless, forthcoming tc-morrow. Santa Claus with a whole basketful of toys could scarcely have given more pleasure. His gifts are complete; these "gifts" are perfected by the children themselves. "See, mamma, / did this." "Won't papa be pleased with this?" There is one man in America who ought to grow rich, and we hope he will. Mr. E. Steiger, 22 & 24 Frankfort St., New York, has publish- ed, at what seems to us a great expense and with conscientious study, a full set of Kindergarten Gifts. Through his kindness we are enabled to give the accompany- ing illustrations. The first picture illustrates the art of puncturing paper to represent cer- tain objects. Here we have a little girl making a picture of pussy. Who says that is not better #rtc(jcr§ Jtinderflarten ©ccupations for tfto JFamify. than pulling the original about the house by the tail ? "Which teaches the child the more of mercy, gentleness, taste, sweet- ness of temper, religion ? Our second cut illus- trates stick - laying. "Mamma, what can I do ?' ' is the oft repeated cry. "0, anything, my child." But the child has enough of Anything. He now wants Some- thing. Take Mr. Steiger's Eighth Gift and ask the boy to make outline re- presentations of some common objects about him. See how interested he is. He is occupied. His mind is interested. This kind of stick-laying is better than the old- fashioned method of laying it over the shoulders. But what is the other little boy doing ? He is drawing simple forms on a diagrammed slate. Notice that all are doing something. Activity is the great law of child- hood. "How absurd," says Mr. Antiquus. "Everybody knows that -^^ a child's business is to "^pf^ learn how to spell. He should be given a lesson in "Webster's Blue Speller and be made to study it. Words are made to be spelled, and children are made to spell them. "What can the world be coming to when Christian people pay teachers to teach mere children to draw? This boy seems to like it, too; he is amused. &vfxbe\!s ^indcraartcn Occupations f or tftc Ramify. Now give him ten words to learn to spell, would he be amused? No, indeed. Therefore Spelling, not Drawing, is best for children". Mr. Antiquus lives in Out-of-the-way county, where they have no railroads nor telegraphs, nor anything else except chills and fever and Webster's Speller. But the best thing of all is our little weaver, weaving a mat to show papa. The colors are white and red, just those dear papa likes. She is as absorbed as if she were playing with her dolls. But do these games teach children anything? That depends on what you mean by teaching. If you mean, Do they teach children to spell, and to hate teachers and schools ? No. If you mean. Do they cultivate the taste, fancy, invention, imagination, the eye, the judgment, the hand, the heart, and ultimately the conscience and soul? Yes. This is the best kind of teaching. It may not be practical; but it is better. It is culture; it is growth. We must defer till a later day a history of the Kindergarten, its author, its rise, its growth, its prospects. We content ourselves for the present with these brief outlines of what it is and what it aims to do ... . (The Carolina Teacher, Columbia.) We have tried it, and we know that the ' 'Kindergarten Gifts for the Family" are a nice thing to have in the house. Indeed, we do not know of anything that affords so much and so profitable entertainment to the little folks as these. The children want "something to do," and will have it. If they are not otherwise occupied, they will, almost of necessity, get intc mischief. The secret of "managing" them is occupation. Give them some- thing to do which will require their attention, and even tax their ingenuity. Besides entertaining them, this will also discipline them, and a double service is thus rendered them. When will parents learn that their little ones are made actually miserable by the everlasting "you mustn't do this," and "don't do that," and provide for them something that they may do? If tired mothers who are almost distracted daily by the appeals of their children for a variety of amusement, and who ' 'don't know what to do" to satisfy them, would look into the Kindergarten system a little, and get an idea of what it aims and claims to be, they would greatly help themselves, and benefit their little ones. "Come, let us live for our children !" said Frederick Froebel, the founder of that system. "Live for my children!" says the mother, "and don't I live for them, and don't I almost daily die for them ?" Yes, dear devoted soul, you do ; but you haven't learned the secret how to live most and best for them, and so you waste your strength and spend yourself in vain. You "have tried everything," perhaps, excepting the best thing. Now try that. Verily it is the Kindergarten. And what is that ? do you ask. Well, we haven't time nor space to tell you here, but we will tell you how you can find out all about it ; what it is, what it costs, etc., etc. Send a letter to Mr. E. Steiger, 22 & 24 Frankfort Street, New York, and ask him to send you some of his tracts and pamphlets. He will send them to you free, and they will tell you something worth knowing. Until within a few weeks we knew next of nothing about the Kindergarten, but ifrteM'g Htndgcflarten ®ccnpattons for tfie #amify. finding it so helpful to our little folks, and to ourselves also, as a relief, we are prompted to thus urgently recommend others to get acquainted with it. (The Watchman, Boston.) .... We believe that in its proper place the Kindergarten system is destined to work a grand result in the early education of children, and Mr. Steiger's toys seem admirably adapted to facilitate the imparting of knowledge to the young by means of that object-teaching whose usefulness and efficiency were first demonstrated by the gifted Pestalozzi. (Christian at Work, New York.) .... These Occupations are particularly adapted to family use, and are invaluable in directing the early training of the young mind. According to the system of Froebel, the mother is the earliest and most natural teacher of the child; it is she who gives its mind its life-long direction, either toward a high culture or a grade of medium attainment. The price of these Occu- pations is moderate, but, whatever their cost, they will be found to afford a pleasure and instruction to the child which money cannot buy. (Christian Statesman, Milwaukee.) ... .In regard to this special collection of "Occupations", we hardly see how anything could be more attractive, though the price is surprisingly low. Regarded only as toys, they can hardly fail to render most effective assistance in engaging the attention of the little ones, and keeping them busy, contented, and quiet. But they add to that the far higher service of inculcating manual skill, artistic taste, and the love of study and application, without tears for the pupil or wearisomeness to the instructor .... (The Cultivator and Country Gentleman, Albany.) . . . We are sure we are doing teachers and parents a special favor by calling their attention to this new, novel, and effective way of teaching and training the children. Surely we are coming speedily to some better methods of educating the children, and it is worth while to t;ive Mr. Steiger's series Of Kindergarten Occupations a trial. (American Journal of Education, St. Louis.) .... We know of nothing ever gotten up so simple, and yet so useful, to occupy the attention of little children and keep them amused and out of mischief, as these beautiful boxes [The Gospel Banner, Augusta.) .... Our children are delighted with these gifts and find in them an in- finite source of amusement, to say nothing of the valuable instruction which they are receiving, with scarcely any effort on their part. We advise heads of families who are troubled to devise amusements for their children, to send for samples of these Occupations and give them a trial. The happiest results are Sure to follow. (Maine Farmer, Augusta,) . . . .We heartily agree with Mr. Steiger in pronouncing these " Occupa- tions" a legitimative substitute for toys, and, with him believe, that just in proportion as they are adopted, the rising generation will be the gainers. ( The Christian Recorder, Philadelphia.) A very large number of influential newspapers and magazines, of all classes, have expressed themselves similarly, while parents, and all purchasers are delighted with the "Kindergarten Occu- pations for the Family". £ia v xl'a .ftindcraaricn ©ccuputions foe tlic #amify. The price of each number of Frcebel's Kindergarten Occu- pations for the Family, put up in a strong paper box, with attractive chromo-lithographed cover, is 75 Cents.— They will be forwarded to any part of the United States, by mail, prepaid, upon receipt of 90 Cents for each box. Stick-laying. 500 assorted Sticks, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 inches long, re- spectively, 265 Designs on 12 plates, and Instructions. 2. Net-work Drawing. 1 Slate, 65 by 8 i inches, grooved in squares (\ inch wide) on one side, with narrow frame, rounded corners; 3 slate pencils, 94 Designs on 12 plates, and Instructions. 3. Perforating (Pricking). 2 Perforating - Needles, 1 Perforating-Cushion, 1 Package of 10 leaves of paper, ruled in squares on one side, 1 Package of 10 leaves of heavy white pa- per, 93 Designs on 12 plates, and Instructions. 4. Weaving (Braiding). 1 Steel Weaving-Needle, 20 Mats of assorted colors and widths, with corre- sponding strips, 65Designs on 12 plates, and Instruc- tions. 5. Em b roidering. Worsted, 12 different colors, and 3 Worsted- Needles, 1 Perforating- Needle, 10 pieces of Bristol Board, ruled on one side, 1 piece of Blotting Paper, 10 leaves of white paper, 136 Designs on 12 plates, and Instructions, "-'^ 3k J' JtqM's itindcgfladcn Occupations for tne .family. Cork (or Peas) Work. 60 Cork Cubes, pieces of Wire, 1, 2 and 4 inches long, re- spectively, 1 Piercing- Pin, 108 Designs on 12 plates, and Instructions. Plaiting (Inter- lacing Slats). 30 Wooden Slats, 9 inches long, i inch gggggSfllli wide, 30 Slats, 6 inches §g§|p§| long, i inch wide, 93 De- ^2 signs on 12 plates, and Instructions. 8. Hi tig -laying. 10 Kings and 20 Half Rings each, of 2 inches, 1 1 inch, and | inch di- ameter (altogether 30 Whole Rings and Half Rings), 107 De- signs on 12 plates, and Instructions. Intertwining Paper. 100 Strips of Paper, white and colored, 55 Designs on 12 and Instructions Cutting Paper. 1 Pair of Scissors, with rounded blades, 100 leaves of Paper, white and colored, 10 haves of stout Ultrama- rine Paper, 96 Designs ou 12 plates, and In- structions. Kindergarten Literature (in English, German, and French), and Kindergarten Gifts and Occupation Material on hand. Catalogues and Tracts sent free on application. !E. Steiger, 2S & 24 Frankfort St., ISew York. kindergarten ^Publications. J, F. B»i ■srhitzktf. Kimbrgarten-Lieder, I Willi German and English Words. Contain- ing Vie 32 Songs in Range's Guide. Arranged with an Accompaniment of ;. Second Voice and Pianoforte Guidance ad. lib.). $3.50 .Tinnrs Currii . T ■<■ I'riiicijiirs and Practice of Early and Infant School Education, with an Appendix of Infant School Hymns, and Songs with appropriate melodies. Cloth, (2.00 A'olf Dmiai. The Kindergarli n. A Manual for Vie Introduction of Frmbel's System of \ Primary Education into Pub'ic Schools, and for lite use of Mothers and Private Teachers. With 16 lithographed plates. Cloth, $1.00. (Introduction. To Teachers. Kindergarten Games, with 20 Songs, the text in English and German. Gymnastic Exercises, with 4 Songs, the text in English and German. Mental Exercises. Child-like Songs, 23, the text ■ in English and German. Child-like Poetry without song. 4 Pieces in English. 19 in English and German on opposite pages, 2 in German. Child-like Tales, 12 in English and German on opposite pages The play of Drawing according to Frcebel's System). Frcebel's Kindergarten Occupations for the Family. Each in an elegant and strong Paper Box, containing Material, Designs and Instructions. @ $0.75 1. Stick-Laying. — 2. Net-work Drawing. — 3. Perforating Pricking . — 4. Weaving (Braiding). — 5. Embroidering. — 6. Cork or Peas Work.—l. Patting (Interlacing Slats). — 8. Ring-laying. — 9. Intertwining Paper. — 10. Culling Paper. Karl Frcebel. Elements of Designing on the Developing System, for Elementary School Classes and for Families 4 Parts, each containing 24 pages ruled in squares, with designs and space for copying. Each part, in paper, §0.35 Parts 1, 2, 3. Straight Lines and their Combinations. Part 4. Circles and Curved Tines, and their Combinations. Each pa~e of the given Examples is followed by a blank page for the Compositions, Combinations or Inventions of the pupil. Gohlammer-Ileffelt. Die Emordnung des Kindergartens in das Schulwesen der Ge- ineinde. Nach H. Goldamjiek mit Kuck- sicht auf amerikanische Yerbaltnisse dar- gestellt von Hermann Peffelt. Printed in German type.) Paper, $0.15 IK N. Hail man. Kindergarten Culture in the Family and Kindergarten: A complete Sketch of Frcebel's System of Early Educa- tion, adapted to American Institutions. For the use of Mothers and Teachers. Illus- trated. Cloth, $0.75 -1. B. Hansclimann. Das System des Kin- dergartens nach Frobel. Fur Mutter nnd Kindergartnerinnen. (Printed in German type.) Illustrated. Paper, $0.15 Heinrich Hoffmann. Kindergarten Toys, and how to use them. A practical Explana- tion of the first six Gifts of Frmbel's Kinder- garten. Illustrated. Paper, $0.20 Der Kindergarten in Amerika. Entstehung, Wesen, Bedeutung und Erziehungsmittel des Fraibel' schen Sysi s, wnd seine Anwendung aufhiesigt Vi rhSttnissi ■ Fur Eltern. Lehrer und Kinderfreunde kurz dargestellt. Paper, $0.15 Kindergarten Tract;. (Steiger's) No. 1. What is the purpose of Kindergarten Education ? - 5u copies lor $0.10 2. Was 1st der Zweck der Kindergarten- Erziehung? (Printed in German type.) — 50 copies for $0 05 3. What is a Kindergarten ? or Fraibel' s System of Education briefly explained. 50 copies for $0.10 4. TFos ist ein Kindergarten? Kurze Darstellung des Fraibel' schen Sys- tems. (Printed in German type.) — 50 copies for $0.10 5. Frcebel and the Kindergarten System. (Extract from a Lecture by Prof. Jns. Payne.) — 50 copies for $0.20 G. What I think of Kindergartens. (From the Herald of Health.) — 50 copies for $0.10 7. Kindergarten. (From the N. Y. Weekly Tribune.) — 50 copies for $0.10 8. A Day in the Kindergarten of Frdu- lein Held at Nashua, iV. IT. — 50 copies for $0.10 9. The Kindergarten. (An Address by Miss S. E. Blow.)— 50 copies for $0.20 10. The Medical Profession recommend the Kindergarten. — 50 copies for $0.05 11. The Chris! mas Kindergarten. (A Let- ter by the Rev. J. S. Travelli.) — 50 copies for $0.10 12. The Rose Window.— bO copies for $0.10 13. A few Words to Mothers on Frcebel's First Gift for Babies. — 50 copies for $0.20 14. Friedrlch Fraibel' s Developing System of Education. (A Lecture by Karl Frcebel.) — 50 copies for $0.20 15. Fraibel' s Kindergarten Education es- pecially necessary in Orphan Asylums and similar Institutions where there are no natural Mothers. (Account of a visit to the New York Foundling Asy- lum by Elizabeth P. Peabody.) — 50 copies for $0.10 One copy of each of the above Tracts will be sent gratis on application; additional supply for distribution furnished in quantities of 50 or more copies, at the low prices stated. Packets of complete Sets of the 15 Tracts will be mailed upon receipt of 5 Cents per packet. J3. Steiger, 22 &c 2-4 Frankfort St., WewYork. j^inderflarten ffiuBfications. Aug. Kcehler. Kindergarten Education. — Part First. The Kindergarten as a Sepa- rate and Independent Educational luxlitu/iim. Part Second. The Child and its Education. — The Means of Education and their Applica- tion. In press. Aug. Kcehler. Die neue Erziehung. Grund- zuge der padagogischen Ideen Frobel's und deren Anwendung in Familie, Kindergarten und Schule. Paper, gilt edges, $0.15 Marie Kraus-Balte and John Kraus. Kindergarten Guide. In 8 Numbers : 1. The First and Second Gifts. — 2. The Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Gifts. — 3. The Tablets. — i. Stick-laying, Ring laying, Slat- Interlacing, Connected S,at, Thread Game.— 5. Drawing, Perforating, Sewing.— G. Paper- folding. Paper- cutting and mounting, Weav- ing, Paper- intertwining. — 7 . Pi as-work, Mod- eling. — 8. Stories, Music, Games, Conversa- tional Lessons, Discipline, Care of Plants and Animals, etc. In press. Alma L. Kriege. Rhymes and Tales for the Kindergarten and Nursery. Collected and revised. With introductory remarks on the value aud mode of telling stories to children. Paper, $0.50 ; cloth, gilt edges, $1.00 Matilda BT. Kriege. The Child, its Nature and Relations. An Elucidation of Frcebel's Principles of Education. A free rendering of the German of the Baroness Makenholtz- Buelow. On tinted paper. Cloth, gilt top, $1.00 (The New Education. — The Child's Being. — Its Relation to Nature, Man, and God. — The Child's Manifestations. — The Child's Education. — Frcebel's " Mother's Cosseting Songs." — Fundamental Forms. — Reading.; Matilda H. Kriege. Friedrich Frcebel. A biographical Sketch. With portrait. Paper, $0.25; cloth, 0.50 Mrs. H. Matin and Miss Elizabeth P. Peabody. Moral Culture of Infancy and Kindergarten Guide. With Music for the Plays. Cloth, $1.25 Henrietta Noa. Plays for the Kindergarten. Music by Ch. J. Richter. (The Text of the 19 plays is in both English and German.) Stiff cover, $0.30 JosejiJi, Payne. Frcebel and the Kindergar- ten System of Elementary Education. Paper, $0.15 Joseph Payne. The Science, and Art of Education A Lecture), and Principles of the Science of Education, ax exhibited in the Phe- nomena attendant on the unfolding of a Young Child's Powers under V e Influence of Na- tural Circumstances. Taper, $0.15; cloth, $0.40 Elizabeth P. Peabody. Lectures on the Nursery and Kindergaiten. No. 1. Education of the Kindergartner . Paper, $0.25. No. 2. The Nursery. Paper, $0.25. Plays and Songs for Kindergarten and Family. Collected and revised by a Kindergartner. Paper, $0.75 Johannes and Bertha Ronge. A practical Guide to the English Kindergarten, for the use of Mothers, Governesses, and Infant- Teachers, being an exposition of Frcebel's System of Infant - Training, accompanied with a great variety of Instructive and Amus- ing Games, and Industrial and Gymnastic Exercises. With numerous Songs set to Music and arranged for the Exercises. With 71 lithographic plates. Cloth, $2.10 Steiger's Designs for Stick-laying. 12 plates in Wrapper, $0.30 Net-work Drawing, 12 plates in Wrapper, $0.30 Perforating (Pricking' , 12 plates inWrap- per. t0.30 Weaving (Braiding), 12 plates in Wrap- per, $0.30 Embroidering, 12 plates in Wrapper. $0.30 Cork or Peas Work, 12 plates in Wrap- per, $0.30 Plaiting (Interlacing Slats', 12 plates in Wrapper, $0.30 Ring-laying, 12 plates in Wrapper, $0.30 Intertwining Paper, 12 plates in Wrap- per, $0.30 Cutting Paper, 12 plates inWrapper, $0.30 Ed. Wiebe. The Paradise of Childhood. A Manual for Self-Instruction in Friedrich Frcebel's Educational Principles, and a Prac- tical Guide to Kindergartner s. In 4 parts. Paper, $3.00 ; cloth, $3.50 A. Douai's Series of RATIONAL READERS, combining the Principles of Pestalozzi's and Frcebel's Systems of Education. — With a systematic classification of English words, by which their Pronunciation, Orthography, and Etymology may be readily taught with- out the use of any new signs. I. The Rational Phonetic Primer. An In- troduction to the Series of Rational Readers. Boards, $0.20 II. The Rational First Reader. For Phonetic and Elocutional Instruction. Boards, $0.30 in. The Rational Second Reader. For Pho- netic, Elocutional, Etymological, and Grammatical Instruction. Boards, $0.50 IV. The Rational Third Reader. For In- struction in the Laws of Pronun- ciation, Grammar, and Elocution. Boards, $0.80 V. A Reform of the Common English Branches of Instruction. Manual Introductory to, and explanatory of, the Series of Rational Readers. Boards, $0.30 A very complete Stock of other Kinder- garten Literature (in German and French) and of Kindergarten Gifts and OccupatUm Material on hand. Cata- logues forwarded free on application. E, Steiger, J23 &c 24 Frankfort St., Wew York, *39 ■Mm-- \** :Mfo\ \<** «v\/ V & % \ 'Vi^sr a5^ «£», * • ■ •- ^ 0* -* ff ..*-./% * ^, \ W •*«'- W ' «,. .& ' . ... .. ; 8 w* ••JBR' w •: iV*. 0^ ^0^ .... 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