Aunt Kitty's Stories Part 25

SULKING.

Why is Mary standing idle, Leaning down upon the table, With pouting lip, and frowning brow?

I wonder what's the matter now!

Come here, my dear, and tell me true, Is it because I scolded you For doing work so bad and slow, That you are standing sulking so?

Why then, indeed, I'm griev'd to see, That you can so ill-temper'd be; You make your faults a great deal worse, By being angry and perverse.

O, how much better it appears, To see you melting into tears, And then to hear you humbly say, I'll not do so another day.

But when you stand and sulk about, And look so cross, and cry and pout, Why that, my little girl, you know, Is _worse_ than working bad and slow.

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GIVING WITH PRUDENCE.

I see, Mama, said little Jane, A beggar coming down the lane; O, let me take him (may not I?) This cheese-cake and some currant pie.

Your charity I much approve, And something you may take him, love; But let it be some bread and cheese, Much better than such things as these.

By giving sweetmeats to the poor Who never tasted them before, We spoil the good we have in view, And teach them wants they never knew.

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THE FIELD DAISY.

I'm a pretty little thing, Always coming with the spring, In the meadows green I'm found Peeping just above the ground, And my stalk is cover'd flat, With a white and yellow hat Little lady, when you pa.s.s Lightly o'er the tender gra.s.s, Skip about, but do not tread On my meek and healthy head For I always seem to say, Chilly winter's gone away.

THE MOUSE.

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O come brother come; I'm frightened, because There's a Mouse in the room, It is under the drawers.

O silence, John said, Do not make such a noise; The Mouse is afraid Of us little boys.

It is gentle and weak, And can never do harm; But it gives a faint squeak At the slightest alarm.

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SHORT ADVICE.

Hear, Dear Little Son; Go Slow; Do not run.

Near Here Is a well; Poor Moore In it fell.

Down Town Do not stray; There Dare Not to play.

Do you Make a rule; Come Home Straight From school.

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LEARNING TO GO ALONE.

Come, my darling, come away, Take a pretty walk to-day; Run along and never fear, I'll take care of baby dear; Up and down with little feet, That's the way to walk, my sweet.

Now it is so very near, Soon she'll get to mother dear, There she comes along at last, Here's my finger, hold it fast; Now one pretty little kiss, After such a walk as this.

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CHARITY.

Do you see that old beggar who stands at the door?

Do not send him away--we must pity the poor.

Oh, see how he s.h.i.+vers!--he's hungry and cold, For people can't work when they grow very old.

Go, set near the fire a table and seat; And Betty shall bring him some bread and some meat.

I hope my dear children will always be kind, Whenever they meet with the aged and blind.

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