THE LITTLE BIRD'S SONG. 1. A little bird, with feathers brown, The song was very soft and low, 2. The people who were passing by, That made the sweetest melody 3. But all the bright eyes looked in vain; Birdie was very small, And with his modest, dark-brown coat, 4. "Why, father," little Gracie said, If I could sing a song like that, 5. "I hope my little girl will learn And try to do what good she can, 6. "This birdie is content to sit And sweetly sing his Maker's praise 7. "So live, my child, all through your life, That, be it short or long, Though others may forget your looks, 1. Harry and Annie lived a mile from town, but they went there to school every day. It was a pleasant walk down the lane, and through the meadow by the pond. 2. I hardly know whether they liked it better in summer or in winter. They used to pretend that they were travelers exploring a new country, and would scatter leaves on the road that they might find their way back again. --- 3. When the ice was thick and firm, they went across the pond. But their mother did not like to have them do this unless some one was with them. 4. "Don't go across the pond to-day, children," she said, as she kissed them and bade them good-bye one morning; "it is beginning to thaw." 5. "All right, mother," said Harry, not very good-naturedly, for he was very fond of running and sliding on the ice. When they came to the pond, the ice looked hard and safe. 6. "There," said he to his sister, "I knew it had n't thawed any. Mother is always afraid we shall be drowned. Come along, we will have a good time sliding. The school bell will not ring for an hour at least." 7. "But you promised mother," said Annie. 8. "No, I did n't. I only said 'All right,' and it is all right." 9. "I did n't say any thing; so I can do as I like," said Annie. 10. So they stepped on the ice, and started to go across the pond. They had not gone far before the ice gave way, and they fell into the water. 11. A man who was at work at work near near the shore, heard the screams of the children, and plunged into the water to save them. Harry managed to get to the shore without any help, but poor Annie was nearly drowned before the man could reach her. 12. Harry went home almost frozen, and told his mother how disobedient he had been. He remembered the lesson learned that day as long as he lived. 1. I once knew a man who was rich in his love for birds, and in their love for him. He lived in the midst of a grove full of all kinds of trees. He had no wife or children in his home. 2. He was an old man with gray beard, blue and kind eyes, and a voice that the |