B. Playthings? What are they? Mr. L. Such things as nine-pins, marbles, tops, and wooden horses. B. No, sir. Tom and I play at foot-ball in winter, and I have a jumping-rope. I had a hoop, but it is broken. Mr. L. Do you want nothing else? B. I have hardly time to play with what I have. I have to drive the cows, and to run of errands, and to ride the horses to the fields, and that is as good as play. Mr. L. You could get apples and cakes, if you had money, you know. B. I can have apples at home. As for cake, I do not want that. My mother makes me a pie now and then, which is as good. Mr. L. Would you not like a knife to cut sticks? B. I have one. Here it is. Brother Tom gave it to me. Mr. L. Your shoes are full of holes. Don't you want a new pair? B. I have a better pair for Sundays. B. I do not mind that, sir. Mr. L. Your hat is all torn, too. B. I have a better one at home. B. Mr. L. What do you do when it rains? If it rains very hard when I am in the field, I get under a tree for shelter. Mr. L. What do you do, if you are hungry before it is time to go home? B. I sometimes eat a raw turnip. Mr. L. But if there is none? B. Then I do as well as I can without. I work on, and never think of it. Mr. L. Why, my little fellow, I am glad to see that you are so contented. Were you ever at school? B. No, sir. But father means to send me next winter. Mr. L. You will want books then. B. Yes, sir; each boy has a Spelling-book, a Reader, and a Testament. Mr. L. Then I will give them to you. Mr. L. Good by, Peter. Dr. John Aiken. DEFINITIONS.-Root'ing, pulling up by the roots. Tend'ing, watching, attending. Tûr'nip, a vegetable. Weath'er, state of the atmosphere. Er'rands, messages. Raw, not cooked. Těs'tament, the last twenty-seven books of the Bible. LESSON LXI. LITTLE GUSTAVA. 1. Little Gustava sits in the sun, Safe in the porch, and the little drops run 2. She wears a quaint little scarlet cap, 3. Up comes her little gray, coaxing cat, With her little pink nose, and she mews, "What's that?" Gustava feeds her, she begs for more, And a little brown hen walks in at the door: 4. She scatters crumbs for the little brown hen, There comes a rush and a flutter, and then Down fly her little white doves so sweet, With their snowy wings and their crimson feet: "Welcome!" cries little Gustava. 5. So dainty and eager they pick up the crumbs. But who is this through the door-way comes? Little Scotch terrier, little dog Rags, Looks in her face, and his funny tail wags: "Ha! ha!" laughs little Gustava. 6. "You want some breakfast, too?" and down She sets her bowl on the brick floor brown, And little dog Rags drinks up her milk, While she strokes his shaggy locks, like silk: "Dear Rags!" says little Gustava. 7. Waiting without stood sparrow and crow, Cooling their feet in the melting snow. "Won't you come in, good folk?" she cried, But they were too bashful, and staid outside, Though "Pray come in!" cried Gustava. 8. So the last she threw them, and knelt on the mat With doves, and biddy, and dog, and cat. And her mother came to the open house-door: "Dear little daughter, I bring you some more, My merry little Gustava." 9. Kitty and terrier, biddy and doves, The shy, kind creatures 't is joy to feed, Celia Thaxter. DEFINITIONS.-1. Gus tä'vå, a girl's name. I'çi eleş, water frozen in long, needle-like shapes. Eaves (evz), the lower edges of a roof. 2. Quaint, odd. Măr'i gold, a yellow flower. 8. Knělt, bent on her knees. Bid'dy, chicken. LESSON LXII. THE INSOLENT BOY. 1. James Selton was one of the most insolent boys in the village where he lived. He would rarely pass people in the street without being guilty of some sort of abuse. |