Quite often, as twilight comes on, Grandmothers sing hymns very low To know what will come at the last- I wish they could stay here and pray, For a boy needs their prayers every night; Some boys more than others, I s'poseSuch as I need a terrible sight! BOBOLINK. G. C. [To be spoken simply and confidentially.] Bobolink upon the spray, Such a noisy bird are you! Surely you're a funny elf, Very like the world, I think; Always talking of yourself, Other birds are not so bold, Some, indeed, are very shy; Every breath your name is told Those who praise themselves the most Of their greatness, Bobolink! THE LITTLE DREAMER. ANON. [Simply and distinctly.] A little boy was dreaming, Upon his mother's lap, That the pins fell out of all the stars, So, when his dream was over, What should this little boy do? A LITTLE BOY'S POCKET. ANON. [Imitating as much as possible the lisp of a little boy.] Do you know what's in my pottet? Listen now while I bedin it; Such a lot of sins it hold, And all there is you shall be told; Every sin dat's in my pottet, And when, and where, and how I dot it. First of all, here's in my pottet And here's my ball, too, in my pottet, To-morrow day I'll buy a spade, Here's some more sins in my pottet; LITTLE RAG-TAG. CHRISTIAN UNION. [Naturally and earnestly.] A curly, bright head, and perched upon it A pair of old shoes, forever untied, Whose soles have holes, whose toes grin wide. Come sun or come shade, come shine or come rain, To little Rag-tag 'tis ever the same; With an air of the most supreme content Why people complain she never can see, CHOOSING A NAME. MARY LAMB. [To be spoken in a lively, off-hand way.] I have got a new-born sister, I was nigh the first that kissed her I shall have the naming of her. Now, I wonder what would please her? Charlotte, Julia, or Louisa? Ann and Mary, they're too common; Jane's a prettier name, beside. Emily is neat and fine; What do you think of Caroline ? Lest the name that I should give her JACK FROST. ANON. (Imitate as much as you can, by voice and gesture, the descriptions here given.] Jack Frost is a roguish little fellow; When the wintry winds begin to bellow And steals thro' the cracks everywhere. And draws from their eyes the big round tears. DAISIES IN HEAVEN. GEO. W. BIRDSEYE. [To be delivered in a tender, sympathetic manner.] Down in the meadow, close by the lane, Fondly but sadly the mother smiled, "Yes, love, there are daisies in heaven!" |