Volume I Part 24 (1/2)

Come when you're called, Do what you're bid, Close the door after you, Never be chid.

Seldom ”can't,”

Seldom ”don't;”

Never ”shan't,”

Never ”won't.”

LITTLE FRED

When little Fred Was called to bed, He always acted right; He kissed Mama, And then Papa, And wished them all good-night.

He made no noise, Like naughty boys, But gently up the stairs Directly went, When he was sent, And always said his prayers.

THE LOVABLE CHILD

Frisky as a lambkin, Busy as a bee-- That's the kind of little girl People like to see.

Modest as a violet, As a rosebud sweet-- That's the kind of little girl People like to meet.

Bright as is a diamond, Pure as any pearl-- Everyone rejoices in Such a little girl.

Happy as a robin, Gentle as a dove-- That's the kind of little girl Everyone will love.

Fly away and seek her, Little song of mine, For I choose that very girl As my Valentine.

Emilie Poulsson [1853-

GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN

Children, you are very little, And your bones are very brittle; If you would grow great and stately, You must try to walk sedately.

You must still be bright and quiet, And content with simple diet; And remain, through all bewild'ring, Innocent and honest children.

Happy hearts and happy faces, Happy play in gra.s.sy places-- That was how, in ancient ages, Children grew to kings and sages.

But the unkind and the unruly, And the sort who eat unduly, They must never hope for glory-- Theirs is quite a different story!

Cruel children, crying babies, All grow up as geese and gabies, Hated, as their age increases, By their nephews and their nieces.