Lives of married folks remind us Such examples that another, Let us, then, be up and doing, Still contriving, still pursuing, And each one a husband get! PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE. ANON. [Recite the two following pieces with simplicity and naturalness.] Up this world and down this world, And tossed without, Why, "paddle your own canoe." What though the sky is heavy with clouds, Or shining, a field of blue, If the bleak wind blows, Or the sunshine glows, Still "paddle your own canoe." What if breakers rise up ahead, With dark waves rushing through, With downcast eye, And "paddle your own canoe." Never sit down With a fear and a frown, But "paddle your own canoe." There are daisies springing along the shores, There are rose-hued dyes In the autumn skies- A TALE OF A MOUSE. ANON. Last night as I tumbled and toss'd in my bed, There sat the young sinner, exceedingly slim, Said the mouse, with a whine, "I'm exceedingly small I am young, my dear sir, to be caught in this case, "Not so," I replied, " you have troubled me sore- The mouse gave a sigh, as I took up the box, But he felt like a culprit just put in the stocks; I look'd down the court and espied a tall cat, A bit to your meal in shape of a sad But, I hope, very tender and delicate mouse- The cat mew'd her thanks and uplifted her paws, DARE AND DO! J. W. SANBORN. [Boldly and forcibly.] Onward go, forward go, Like a soldier true! Never fear, never faint, In the world's highway; Nobly think, nobly act, Onward go, forward go; Be master of your plan: THE MAGIC OF SILENCE. ANON [Give in a natural, conversational style.] You have often heard "It takes two to make a quarrel." Do you believe it? I'll tell you how one of my little friends managed. Dolly never came to see Marjorie that there was not a quarrel. Marjorie tried to speak gently, but no matter how hard she tried, Dolly finally made her so angry that she would soon speak sharp words, too. "O, what shall I do?" cried poor little Marjorie. "Suppose you try this plan," said her mamma. "The next time Dolly comes in, seat yourself in front of the fire, and take the tongs in your hand. Whenever a sharp word comes from Dolly, gently snap the tongs without speaking a word." Soon afterwards, in marched Dolly to see her little friend. It was not a quarter of an hour before Dolly's temper was ruffled, and her voice was raised, and, as usual, she began to find fault and scold. Marjorie fled to the hearth and seized the tongs, snapping them gently. More angry words from Dolly. Snap! went the tongs. More still. Snap! "Why don't you speak?" screamed Dolly in a fury. Snap! went the tongs. "Speak!" said she. Snap! was the only answer. "I'll never, never come again-never!" cried Dolly. Away she went. Did she keep her promise? No, indeed. She came the very next day; but seeing Marjorie run for the tongs, she solemnly said if she would only let them alone, they should quarrel no more for ever and ever! GRANDMA'S JEWELS. LIZZIE P. SMART. [Give in a tender, expressive manner.] In an old trunk of Grandma's, That I found the other night, Was a tiny case of jewels, First I came to a circlet of pearls, Those tresses now are silver, And need no gems more rare. Then a dainty turquoise ring, That was clasped by chubby hands; And many more delicate trinkets Grown old 'mid life's swift sands. |