Her face is like the May-time, Her voice is like a bird's; Is in her lightsome words. Each spot she makes the brightest, And loved by every one. By old folks and by children, You surely must have met her; Her name is-Cheerfulness! THE BROWN THRUSH. LUCY LARCOM. [To be given in a lively, animated style.] There's a merry brown thrush sitting up in the tree; And what does he say, little girl, little boy? "Oh, the world is running over with joy ! Don't you hear? don't you see? Hush! Look! In my tree I'm as happy as happy can be!" And the brown thrush keeps singing, "A nest, do you see, And five eggs, hid by me in the juniper tree? Don't meddle! Don't touch! little girl, little boy, Or the world will lose some of its joy. Now I'm glad! Now I'm free! And I always shall be, If you never bring sorrow to me." So the merry brown thrush sings away in the tree, And he sings all the day, little girl, little boy, But long it won't be Don't you know? don't you see? Unless we are as good as can be? DO YOUR BEST. W. C. O. [Speak in a bold style.] "If you are running along in a hurry, and stumble over a brickbat, and spill your dinner pail, all right; kick the brickbat out of the way, pick up your dinner pail, save your bread and butter, if you can; if not, whistle "Hail Columbia,” and run on to school. It won't do to be put down by a brickbat. Take hold of your book as a squirrel takes hold of a hickory nut-be bound to get the meat out, if there is any in it. Because Tom Lazychops wants to be a fool is no reason why you should be one. Do your best every time; and then, when the teacher calls out the classes, you can walk out like a man, and tell her to go ahead!" A WEE BIT LASSIE. JULIA M. THAYER. [Recite naturally.] I'm just a wee bit lassie, with a lassie's winsome ways, Not quite as much as Solomon's-but his was so immense! I know that sugar plums are sweet, that "no, my love," means "yes;" That when I'm big I'll always wear my pretty Sunday dress. TWINKLE, TWINKLE. ANON. [Speak this tenderly, gazing upwards.] Twinkle, twinkle, little star, When the glorious sun is set, As your bright and tiny spark TUMBLING DOGGIE. ANON. [Render this with appropriate actions, standing on one leg, pointing to the nose, &c.] There was a little boy, and he had a little dog, And he taught that dog to beg; And that dear little dog all dinner time Would stand upon one leg. One day, to his master's great surprise, LULLABY. HOOD [Tenderly and softly.] Lullaby, baby! go to sleep. Lullaby, baby! curl up your toes; Cuddle your little knees up to your nose. Lullaby, baby! eyes shut tight; DON'T GIVE UP! PHOEBE CARY. [Boldly and with force.] If you tried and have not won, All that's great and good is done Though young birds in flying, fall, Still their wings grow stronger; And the next time they can keep Up a little longer. Though the sturdy oak has known If by easy work you beat, Who the more will prize you? Gaining victory from defeat, That's the test that tries you! A LITTLE BOY'S LECTURE. JULIA M. THAYER. [To be given in an important, grandiloquent style.] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Nearly four hundred years ago the mighty mind of Columbus, traversing unknown seas, clasped this new continent in its embrace. A few centuries later arose one here who now lives in all our hearts as the Father of his Country. An able warrior, a sagacious statesman, a noble gentleman. Yes, Christopher Columbus was great. George Washington was great. But here, my friends, in this glorious nineteenth century is—a grater! [Exhibiting a large, bright, tin grater. The large kind used for horseradish could be most easily distinguished by the audience.] HOE YOUR OWN ROW. ALICE CARY. [With spirit.] I think there are some maxims Under the sun Scarce worth preservation; But here, boys, is one So sound and so simple 'Tis worth while to know And all in the single line, If you want to have riches, Wherever you go, The wisdom of practicing "Hoe your own row!" |