McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader Part 3

12. Both Joe and his mother were ready to fall on their knees to thank Charles. They told him it was what they wished above all things.

13. So, on the next day when the hour came, Charles put his book in his pocket, and went to teach Joe. Joe learned very fast, and Charles soon began to teach him how to write.

14. Some time after, a gentleman called on Mr. Rose, and asked him if he knew where Charles was. Mr. Rose said that he was taking a walk, he supposed.

15. "I am afraid," said the gentleman, "that he does not always amuse himself thus. I often see him go to the house of the fisherman. I fear he goes out in their boat."

16. Mr. Rose was much troubled. He had told Charles that he must never venture on the river, and he thought he could trust him.

THIRD READER. 37 17. The moment the gentleman left, Mr. Rose went in search of his son. He went to the river, and walked up and down, in hope of seeing the boat.

18. Not seeing it, he grew uneasy. He thought Charles must have gone a long way off. Unwilling to leave without learning something of him, he went to the hut.

19. He put his head in at the window, which was open.

There a pleasant sight met his eyes.

20. Charles was at the table, ruling a copybook Joe was reading to him, while his mother was spinning in the corner.

21. Charles was a little confused. He feared his father might not be pleased; but he had no need to be uneasy, for his father was delighted.

22. The next day, his father took him to town, and gave him books for himself and Joe, with writing paper, pens, and ink.

23. Charles was the happiest boy in the world when he came home. He ran to Joe, his hands filled with parcels, and his heart beating with joy.

38 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON XI.

THE BLACKSMITH.

1. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink!

We begin to hammer at morning's blink, And hammer away Till the busy day, Like us, aweary, to rest shall sink.

2. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink!

From labor and care we never will shrink; But our fires we'll blow Till our forges glow With light intense, while our eyelids wink.

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3. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink; The chain we'll forge with many a link.

We'll work each form While the iron is warm, With strokes as fast as we can think.

4. Clink, clink, clinkerty clink!

Our faces may be as black as ink, But our hearts are true As man ever knew, And kindly of all we shall ever think.

LESSON XII.

A WALK IN THE GARDEN.

1. Frank was one day walking with his mother, when they came to a pretty garden. Frank looked in, and saw that it had clean gravel walks, and beds of beautiful flowers all in bloom.

2. He called to his mother, and said, "Mother, come and look at this pretty garden. I wish I might open the gate, and walk in."

40 ECLECTIC SERIES.

3. The gardener, being near, heard what Frank said, and kindly invited him and his mother to come into the garden.

4. Frank's mother thanked the man. Turning to her son, she said, "Frank, if I take you to walk in this garden, you must take care not to meddle with anything in it."

5. Frank walked along the neat gravel paths, and looked at everything, but touched nothing that he saw.

6. He did not tread on any of the borders, and was careful that his clothes should not brush the tops of the flowers, lest he might break them.

THIRD READER. 41 7. The gardener was much pleased with Frank, because he was so careful not to do mischief. He showed him the seeds, and told him the name of many of the flowers and plants.

8. While Frank was admiring the beauty of a flower, a boy came to the gate, and finding it locked, he shook it hard. But it would not open. Then he said, "Let me in; let me in; will you not let me in this garden?"

9. "No, indeed," said the gardener, "I will not let you in, I a.s.sure you; for when I let you in yesterday, you meddled with my flowers, and pulled some of my rare fruit. I do not choose to let a boy into my garden who meddles with the plants."

10. The boy looked ashamed, and when he found that the gardener would not let him in, he went slowly away.

11. Frank saw and felt how much happier a boy may be by not meddling with what does not belong to him.

12. He and his mother then continued their walk in the garden, and enjoyed the day very much. Before they left, the gardener gave each of them some pretty flowers.

42 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON XIII.

THE WOLF.

1. A boy was once taking care of some sheep, not far from a forest. Near by was a village, and he was told to call for help if there was any danger.

2. One day, in order to have some fun, he cried out, with all his might, "The wolf is coming! the wolf is coming!"

3. The men came running with clubs and axes to destroy the wolf. As they saw nothing they went home again, and left John laughing in his sleeve.

4. As he had had so much fun this time, John cried out again, the next day, "The wolf! the wolf!"

5. The men came again, but not so many as the first time.

Again they saw no trace of the wolf; so they shook their heads, and went back.

6. On the third day, the wolf came in earnest. John cried in dismay, "Help! help!

THIRD READER. 43 the wolf! the wolf!" But not a single man came to help him.

7. The wolf broke into the flock, and killed

a great many sheep. Among them was a beautiful lamb, which belonged to John.

8. Then he felt very sorry that he had deceived his friends and neighbors, and grieved over the loss of his pet lamb.

The truth itself is not believed, From one who often has deceived.

44 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON XIV.

THE LITTLE BIRD'S SONG.

1. A little bird, with feathers brown, Sat singing on a tree; The song was very soft and low, But sweet as it could be.

2. The people who were pa.s.sing by, Looked up to see the bird

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That made the sweetest melody That ever they had heard.

3. But all the bright eyes looked in vain; Birdie was very small, And with his modest, dark-brown coat, He made no show at all.

4. "Why, father," little Gracie said "Where can the birdie be?