MEDDLESOME MATTY. Which, like a cloud before the skies', Sometimes she'd lift the tea-pot lid', Her grandmamma went out one day', Ah! well, thought she', I'll try them on' Forthwith she placed upon her nose I know that grandmamma would say', So thumb and finger went to work 51 Poor eyes, and nose, and mouth and chin', In vain she ran about for ease- She dashed the spectacles away', Matilda, smarting with the pain', ROBIN', robin', sing to me', Soon as thou hast swallowed it, It was kind in thee to fly' Comes from thy sweet numbers. 53 And thou wast an honest bird', Thou could'st utter', whether' Who, that hears the mellow note' LESSON XXV. A MORNING IN SPRING. 3 "How now, little Ned', Not yet out of bed'? Why, the Sun has been shining two hours'; In the garden I've been', "T is a beautiful scenè, And have gather'd this nosegay of flowers. "I think you are wrong For so early our bed-time they fix', After ten hours' rest', It is certainly best For us both to be stirring at six. THE DECEITFUL TONGUE. Come hither and see And hear the birds merrily sing'; All the flow'rets smell sweet'; LESSON XXVI. 55 THE DECEITFUL TONGUE. I ONE day heard a conversation between two little girls who were knitting at a cottage door, and the one seemed to be entertaining the other with some little histories of their neighbors and companions. At length some person was mentioned by the first speaker, and many charges were brought against her for idleness, deceit, and other faults common to children. Mary is not such a girl as you say she is, Susan'," replied the other little girl`; "she has some faults, indeed, but you make her out to be ten times worse than she is`; has she offended you'; do you not love her' ?" "I love her very well, Jané," replied the one who was called Susan'; "she has never offended mè; why should I not love her'?" "Then," replied the other', "if you do not hate her now, you will hate her very sōōn." "Because "And why so'," returned the other. you speak ill of her when she does not deserve it'; and it is written, "A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it." Prov. xxvi. 28. "Who taught you that, Jané," said Susan. "The minister'," replied the little girl'; "and I think it is very truè, for I know this much of myself", that whenever I |