ting and grumbling. I know somebody who is much happier, and this is the way she contrives to be so-thinking of others-satisfied with what her Heavenly Father has judged best for her. Which somebody are you? GIVE THE LITTLE BOYS A CHANCE. GEORGE COOPER. [Deliver in a spirited, proud manner.] Here we are! don't leave us out But we step by step advance; Never slight us in your play You were once as small as we; Then, perhaps, our power you'll see. Little hands will soon be strong On our toes you needn't dance; Give the little boys a chance! THE JOVIAL FARMER BOY. ANON. [Speak with boldness and spirit.] A jovial farmer boy I'll be, As free as birds that sing; I'll carol forth my songs of glee Among the flow'rs of spring. With "Whoop-ho-hoy!" to drive my team To drink, and lave in the silver stream- No place for me the crowded town, I'll go and 'come a farmer's boy, From city perils free; I'll crack my whip, and cry, "Whoop-hoy!" A farmer boy I'll be. ROBIN REDBREAST. WILLIAM ALLINGHAM. [Deliver expressively and tenderly.] Good-bye, good-bye to summer! For summer's nearly done; The garden smiling faintly, Cool breezes in the sun, Our thrushes now are silent, Our swallows flown away But Robin's here, in coat of brown And scarlet breast-knot gay. Oh, Robin, dear! Robin sings so sweetly In the falling of the year. Bright yellow, red and orange The leaves come down in hosts; But soon they'll turn to ghosts. Oh, Robin dear! And what will this poor Robin do The fireside for the cricket, The wheat stack for the mouse, The branches plumed with snow- Oh, Robin dear! And a crumb of bread for Robin, "I am a little boy and WHO I LIKE. W. O. C. [Speak simply.] don't know much; but I can tell P from Q, and I know who I like. I like Uncle Jabez, because he always has peanuts in his pockets, and gives me some. But my Uncle Jeremiah always looks cross out of his eyes, and says: "Out of the way there, little boy!" And I like my grandma, because her cheeks smell like pineapples, and she always gives me ginger snaps when I go to see her. When I speak next time I'll tell you who I like best -it's my mother! A VERY NICE PAIR. ANON. [Render this in as droll a manner as possible.] Two magpies sat on a garden rail, As it might be Wednesday week; And, doubling like a fist his little claw-hand, This is more than flesh and blood can stand Of magpie or any other bird. So they pecked and they scratched each other's little eyes, Till all that was left on the rail Was the beak of one of the little magpies WHEN I AM BIG. M. E. H. EVERETT. [To be recited in a bold, manly way.] When I am big, what do you think Why, I shall have a splendid house- With carpets fine, and pictures, too, All in the very nicest room I'll have the nicest chair, And sitting in it, smiling sweet, She's pretty; but it isn't that She is so good she'll shame The bad right out of a fellow's heart, THE LITTLE SAILOR. GEORGE COOPER. [Deliver this in a natural manner, swinging the right hand to express the motion of a cradle.] Baby is a sailor boy, Swing, cradle, swing; Sailing is the sailor's joy, Swing, cradle, swing. Snowy sails and precious freight, Swing, cradle, swing; Baby's captain, mother's mate, Swing, cradle swing. Never fear, the watch is set, Swing, cradle swing; Swing, cradle, swing. Little eyelids downward creep, Swing, cradle swing; Swing, cradle, swing. WHO IS SHE? ANON. [With animation.] There is a little maiden Who is she? Do you know? She always has a welcome Wherever she may go. |