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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:36:06 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:36:06 -0700 |
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diff --git a/11147-0.txt b/11147-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b2f3e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/11147-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1036 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11147 *** + +UNCLE THOMAS' STORIES +FOR +GOOD CHILDREN + +PHEBE, +THE +BLACKBERRY GIRL. + +[Illustration] + +EDWARD LIVERMORE. +WORCESTER. + +UNCLE THOMAS'S +STORIES +FOR +GOOD CHILDREN + +[Illustration: UNCLE THOMAS.] + +PHEBE, +THE BLACKBERRY GIRL. + +[Illustration] + + +1850. + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Uncle Thomas's Stories for Good Children. + +The design of this series of unpretending +little books, is, to give to the +Young information, joined with amusement. + +They are prepared for young children, +and if, from the reading of these stories, +they acquire a love for good books, the +compiler's object will be accomplished. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +THE BLACKBERRY GIRL, PART I. + +THE BLACKBERRY GIRL, PART II. + +GOOD CHILDREN + +POOR CRAZY ROBERT + +THE PET LAMB + +FATHER WILLIAM AND THE YOUNG MAN + +THE LITTLE GIRL AND HER PETS + +THE FLOWERS + +THE CHILD AND THE FLOWERS + +ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE + +WASHING AND DRESSING + +THE INDUSTRIOUS BOY + +WE ARE SEVEN + +THE IDLE BOY + +CASABLANCA + +TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR + +[Illustration: Phebe, the Blackberry Girl] + + + + +THE BLACKBERRY GIRL. + +PART I. + + +"Why, Phebe, are you come so soon, + Where are your berries, child? +You cannot, sure, have sold them all, + You had a basket pil'd." + +"No, mother, as I climb'd the fence, + The nearest way to town, +My apron caught upon a stake, + And so I tumbled down." + +"I scratched my arm, and tore my hair, + But still did not complain; +And had my blackberries been safe, + Should not have cared a grain. + +[Illustration: Phebe and her Mother.] + +"But when I saw them on the ground + All scattered by my side, +I pick'd my empty basket up, + And down I sat and cried. + +"Just then a pretty little Miss + Chanced to be walking by; +She stopp'd, and looking pitiful, + She begg'd me not to cry. + +"'Poor little girl, you fell,' said she, + 'And must be sadly hurt'-- +'O, no,' I cried, 'but see my fruit, + All mixed with sand and dirt!' + +"'Well, do not grieve for that,' she said: + 'Go home, and get some more:' +Ah, no, for I have stripp'd the vines, + These were the last they bore. + +"My father, Miss, is very poor, + And works in yonder stall; + +He has so many little ones, + He cannot clothe us all. + +"I always long'd to go to church, + But never could I go; +For when I ask'd him for a gown, + He always answer'd, 'No.' + +"'There's not a father in the world + That loves his children more; +I'd get you one with all my heart, + But, Phebe, I am poor.' + +"But when the blackberries were ripe + He said to me one day, +'Phebe, if you will take the time + That's given you for play, + +"And gather blackberries enough,-- + And carry them to town,-- +To buy your bonnet and your shoes, + I'll try to get a gown.' + +[Illustration: Phebe and Billy going to School.] + +"O Miss, I fairly jumped for joy, + My spirits were so light: +And so, when I had leave to play, + I pick'd with all my might. + +"I sold enough to get my shoes, + About a week ago; +And these, if they had not been spilt, + Would buy a bonnet too. + +"But now they are gone, they all are gone, + And I can get no more, +And Sundays I must stay at home + Just as I did before. + +"And, mother, then. I cried again, + As hard as I could cry; +And, looking up, I saw a tear + Was standing in her eye. + +"She caught her bonnet from her head-- + 'Here, here,' she cried, 'take this!' + +O, no, indeed--I fear your 'ma + Would be offended, Miss. + +[Illustration] + +"'My 'ma! no, never! she delights + All sorrow to beguile; +And 'tis the sweetest joy she feels, + To make the wretched smile. + +"'She taught me when I had enough, + To share it with the poor: +And never let a needy child + Go empty from the door. + +[Illustration: The Church the Blackberry Girl went to.] + +"'So take it, for you need not fear + Offending her, you see; +I have another, too, at home, + And one's enough for me.' + +"So then I took it,--here it is-- + For pray what could I do? +And, mother, I shall love that Miss + As long as I love you." + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Phebe with a Basket of Berries.] + + + + +THE BLACKBERRY GIRL. + +PART II. + + +"What have you in that basket, child?" + "Blackberries, Miss, all pick'd to-day; +They're very large and fully ripe; + Do look at them, and taste them pray." + +"O yes: they're very nice, indeed. + Here's fourpence--that will buy a few: +Not quite so many as I want-- + However, I must make it do." + +"Nay, Miss, but you must take the whole;" + "I can't, indeed, my money's spent; +I should he glad to buy them all, + But I have not another cent." + +"And if you had a thousand, Miss, + I'd not accept of one from you. +Pray take them, they are all your own. + And take the little basket, too. + +"Have you forgot the little girl + You last year gave a bonnet to? +Perhaps you have--but ever will + That little girl remember you. + +"And ever since, I've been to church, + For much do I delight to go; +And there I learn that works of love + Are what all children ought to do. + +"So then I thought within myself, + That pretty basket, Billy wove, +I'll fill with fruit for tha dear Miss, + For sure 'twill be a work of love. + +"And so one morning up I rose, + While yet the fields were wet with dew, + +And pick'd the nicest I could find, + And brought them, fresh and sweet, for you. + +"I know the gift is small indeed, + For such a lady to receive; +But still I hope you'll not refuse + All that poor Phebe has to give." + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: Good Children learning their Hymn.] + + + + +GOOD CHILDREN. + + +How lovely, how charming the sight, + When children their Savior obey! +The angels look down with delight, + This beautiful scene to survey. + +Little Samuel was holy and good; + Obadiah served God from his youth, +And Timothy well understood, + From a child, the Scripture of truth. + +But Jesus was better than they: + From a child he was spotless and pure, +His parents he loved to obey, + And God's perfect will to endure. + +Like Samuel, Lord, I would be, + Obadiah and Timothy, too; +And oh! grant thy help unto me, + The steps of my Lord to pursue. + +Make me humble, and holy, and mild, + From the wicked constrain me to flee, +And then though I am but a child, + My soul shall find favor of thee. + +[Illustration] + + + + +POOR CRAZY ROBERT + + +Poor Robert is crazy, his hair is turn'd gray, + His beard has grown long, and hangs down to his breast; +Misfortune has taken his reason away, + His heart has no comfort, his head has no rest. + +Poor man, it would please me to soften thy woes, + To soothe thy affliction, and yield thee support; +But see through the village, wherever he goes, + The cruel boys follow, and turn him to sport. + +'Tis grievous to sue how the pitiless mob + Run round him and mimic his mournful complaint, + +[Illustration: Poor Crazy Robert.] + +And try to provoke him, and call him old Bob, + And hunt him about till he's ready to faint. + +But ah! wicked children, I fear they forget + That God does their cruel diversion behold; +And that in his book dreadful curses are writ, + For those who shall mock at the poor and the old. + +Poor Robert, thy troubles will shortly be o'er, + Forget in the grave thy misfortunes will be; +But God will his vengeance assuredly pour + On those wicked children who persecute thee. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration: The Pet Lamb.] + + + + +THE PET LAMB. + + +The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink; +I heard a voice: it said, Drink, pretty creature, + drink! +And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied +A snow-white mountain Lamb with a maiden at its + side. + +No other sheep were near; the Lamb was all alone, +And by a slender cord was tethered to a stone; +With one knee on the grass did the little maiden + kneel, +While to that mountain Lamb she gave its evening + meal. + +The Lamb, while from her hand he thus his + supper took, +Seemed to feast with head and ears; and his tail + with pleasure shook. +Drink, pretty creature, drink, she said in such a tone +That I almost received her heart into my own. + +'Twas little Barbara Lethwaite, a child of beauty + rare! +I watched them with delight, they were a lovely + pair: +Now with her empty can the maiden turned away; +But ere ten yards were gone her footsteps did she + stay. + +Towards the Lamb she looked; and from that + shady place +I unobserved could see the workings of her face; +If nature to her tongue could measured numbers + bring, +Thus, thought I, to her Lamb that little maid + might sing! + +What ails thee, young one? what? why pull so at + thy cord? +Is it not well with thee? well both for bed and + board? +Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass + can be; +Rest, little young one, rest; what is't that aileth + thee? + +What is it thou wouldst seek? what is wanting to + thy heart? +Thy limbs are they not strong? And beautiful + thou art: +This grass is tender grass; these flowers they + have no peers; +And that green corn all day is rustling in thy ears! + +If the sun be shining hot, do but stretch thy woolen + chain; +This beech is standing by, its covert thou canst + gain! + +For rain and mountain storms, the like thou need'st + not fear; +The rain and storm are things that scarcely can + come here. + +Rest little young one, rest; thou hast forgot the day +When my father found thee first in places far away; +Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert owned + by none, +And thy mother from thy side forevermore was + gone. + +[Illustration] + +He took thee in his arms, and in pity brought thee + home! +A blessed day for thee! then whither wouldst thou + roam? +A faithful nurse thou hast; the dam that did thee + yearn +Upon the mountain tops no kinder could have + been. + +Thou knowest that twice a day I brought thee in + this can +Fresh water from the brook, as clear as ever + ran; +And twice in the day, when the ground is wet with + dew, +I bring thee draughts of milk, warm milk it is and + new. + +Thy limbs will shortly be twice as stout as they + are now; +Then I'll yoke thee to my cart, like a pony in the + plough; + +My playmate thou shalt be; and when the wind is + cold +Our hearth shall be thy bed, our house shall be thy + fold. + +[Illustration] + +It will not, will not rest! poor creature, can it be +That 'tis thy mother's heart which is working so in + thee? +Things that I know not of belike to thee are dear, +And dreams of things which thou canst neither see + nor hear. + +Alas, the mountain tops that look so green and + fair! +I've heard of fearful winds and darkness that come + there: + +The little brooks that seem all pastime and at play, +When they are angry, roar like lions for their prey. + +Here thou need'st not dread the raven in the sky; +Night and day thou art safe,--our cottage is hard + by. +Why bleat so after me? why pull so at thy chain? +Sleep--and at break of day I will come to thee + again. + +As homeward through the lane I went with lazy + feet, +This song to myself did I oftentimes repeat; +And it seemed, as I retraced the ballad line by line, +That but half of it was hers, and one half of it was + mine. + +Again, and once again, did I repeat the song; +Nay, said I, more than half to the damsel must + belong; +For she looked with such a look, and she spake + with such a tone, +That I almost received her heart into my own. + +[Illustration: Father William and the Young Man.] + + + + +FATHER WILLIAM AND THE +YOUNG MAN. + + +You are old, Father William, the young man cries, + The few locks which are left you are gray: +You appear, Father William, a healthy old man; + Now tell me the reason, I pray. + +When I was a youth, Father William replied, + I remembered that youth would fly fast; +I abused not my health and my vigor at first, + That I never might need them at last. + +You are old, Father William, the young man said, + And pleasures, with youth, pass away; +And yet you repent not the days that are gone + Now tell me the reason, I pray. + +When I was a youth, Father William replied, + I remembered that youth could not last: +I thought of the future, whatever I did, + That I never might grieve for the past. + +You are old, Father William, the young man still cries, + And life is swift hastening away +You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death! + Come tell me the reason, I pray. + +I am cheerful, young man, Father William replied; + Let the cause your attention engage: +In the days of my youth I remembered my God! + And he hath not forgotten my age. + + + + +THE LITTLE GIRL AND HER PETS. + + +_Girl_ Swallow, thou dear one! now thou, + indeed, + From thy wandering dost reappear, + Tell me, who is it to thee that hath said + That again it is spring-time here. +_Swa._ The fatherly God, in that far-off clime, + Who sent me, he told me 'twas sweet + spring-time. + + And though she had come so far and wide, + She was not deceived in time or tide. + +[Illustration] + + The snow it was gone, the sun shone warm, + The merry gnats danced in many a swarm, + The Swallow knew neither want nor care, + She found for her children enough and to + spare. + +_Girl_ Come, little Dog, 'tis your master's will + That you learn to sit upright and still. +_Dog_ Learn must I? I'm so small, you see, + Just for a little while let it be! +_Girl_ No, little Dog, it is far best to learn soon, + For later it would be more painfully done. + + The little Dog learned, without more ado, + And soon could sit upright and walk + upright too; + In deepest waters unfearing could spring, + And whatever was lost could speedily bring. + The master saw his pleasure, and he too + began + To learn, and thus grew up a wise, good + man. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE FLOWERS. + + +Say, Ma! did God make all the flowers + That richly bloom to-day? +And is it he that sends sweet showers + To make them look so gay? + +Did he make all the mountains + That rear their heads so high? +And all the little fountains + That glide so gently by? + +And does he care for children small? + Say, ma! does God love me? + +Has he the guardian care of all + The various things we see? + +Yes! yes! my child, he made them all-- + Flowers, mountains, plants and tree; +No man so great, no child so small, + That from his eye can flee. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE CHILD AND THE FLOWERS. + + +Put up thy work, dear mother; + Dear mother, come with me, +For I've found within the garden + The beautiful sweet-pea! + +And rows of stately hollyhocks + Down by the garden-wall, +All yellow, white and crimson, + So many-hued and tall! + +And bending on their stalks, mother, + Are roses white and red; + +[Illustration: "Put up thy work, dear Mother."] + +And pale-stemmed balsams all a-blow, + On every garden-bed. + +Put up thy work, I pray thee, + And come out, mother dear! +We used to buy these flowers, + But they are growing here! + +O, mother! little Amy + Would have loved these flowers to see; +Dost remember how we tried to get + For her a pink sweet-pea? + +Dost remember how she loved + Those rose-leaves pale and sere? +I wish she had but lived to see + The lovely roses here! + +Put up thy work, dear mother, + And wipe those tears away! +And come into the garden + Before 'tis set of day! + +[Illustration] + + + + +ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE + + +One, two, +Buckle my shoe; +Three, four, +Shut the door; +Five, six, +Pick up sticks; +Seven, eight, +Lay them straight; +Nine, ten, +A good fat hen; +Eleven, twelve, +Who will delve? +Thirteen, fourteen, +Maids a courting; +Fifteen, sixteen, +Maids a kissing; +Seventeen, eighteen, +Maids a waiting; +Nineteen, twenty, +My stomach's empty. + +[Illustration] + + + + +WASHING AND DRESSING. + + +Ah! why will my dear little girl be so cross, + And cry, and look sulky and pout? +To lose her sweet smile is a terrible loss; + I can't even kiss her without. + +You say you don't like to be washed and be drest, + But would you be dirty and foul? +Come, drive that long sob from your dear little breast, + And clear your sweet face from its scowl. + +If the water is cold, and the comb hurts your head, + And the soap has got into your eye, + +[Illustration] + +Will the water grow warmer for all that you've said? + And what good will it do you to cry? + +It is not to tease you, and hurt you, my sweet, + But only for kindness and care, +That I wash you and dress you, and make you look neat, + And comb out your tanglesome hair. + +I don't mind the trouble, if you would not cry, + But pay me for all with a kiss; +That's right, take the towel and wipe your wet eye; + I thought you'd be good after this. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE INDUSTRIOUS BOY. + + +In a cottage upon the heath wild, + That always was cleanly and nice, +Liv'd William, a good little child, + Who minded his parents' advice. + +'Tis true he lov'd marbles and kite, + And spin-top, and nine-pins, and ball; +But this I declare with delight, + His book he loved better than all. + +In active and useful employ + His youth gayly glided away; +While rational pleasures and joy + Attended his steps every day. + +And now let us see him grown up; + Still cheerfulness dwelt in his mind, +Contentment yet sweeten'd his cup, + For still he was active and kind. + +His garden well loaded with store, + His cot by the side of the green, +Where woodbines crept over the door. + And jessamines peep'd in between. + +These fill'd him with honest delight, + And rewarded him well for his toil: +He went to bed cheerful at night, + And woke in the morn with a smile. + +[Illustration] + + + + +WE ARE SEVEN + + +BY WM. WORDSWORTH. + + + A simple child, + That lightly draws its breath, +And feels its life in every limb. + What should it know of death! + +I met a little cottage girl: + She was eight years old, she said; +Her hair was thick with many a curl + That clustered round her head. + +She had a rustic woodland air, + And she was wildly clad: +Her eyes were fair, and very fair; + Her beauty made me glad. + +Sisters and brothers, little maid, + How many may you be? +How many? Seven in all, she said, + And wondering looked at me. + +[Illustration] + +And where are they? I pray you tell. + She answered seven are we; +And two of us at Conway dwell, + And two are gone to sea. + +Two of us in the churchyard lie, + My sister and my brother; +And in the churchyard cottage, I + Dwell near them with my mother. + +You say that two at Conway dwell, + And two are gone to sea, +Yet ye are seven!--I pray you, tell, + Sweet maid, how this may be. + +Then did the little maid reply, + Seven boys and girls are we; +Two of us in the churchyard lie, + Beneath the churchyard tree. + +You run about, my little maid + Your limbs they are alive; +If two are in the churchyard laid, + Then ye are only five. + +Their graves are green, they may be seen, + The little maid replied, +Twelve steps or more from mother's door, + And they are side by side. + +My stockings there I often knit. + My 'kerchief there I hem; + +[Illustration: The Churchyard.] + +And there upon the ground I sit-- + sit and sing to them. + +And often after sunset, sir, + When it is light and fair, +I take my little porringer, + And eat my supper there. + +The first that died was little Jane; + In bed she moaning lay, +Till God released her of her pain; + And then she went away. + +So in the churchyard she was laid; + And when the grass was dry, +Together round her grave we played, + My brother John and I. + +And when the ground was white with snow, + And I could run and slide, +My brother John was forced to go, + And he lies by her side. + +How many are you, then, said I, + If they two are in Heaven? +The little maiden did reply, + O master! we are seven. + +But they are dead, those two are dead! + Their spirits are in heaven! +'Twas throwing words away; for still +The little maid would have her will, + And said, Nay, we are seven. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE IDLE BOY + + +Thomas was an idle lad, + And loung'd about all day; +And though he many a lesson had. + He minded nought but play. + +He only car'd for top or ball, + Or marbles, hoop or kite: +But as for learning, that was all + Neglected by him quite. + +[Illustration: The Idle Boy.] + +In vain his mothers kind advice + In vain his master's care; +He followed ev'ry idle vice, + And learnt to curse and swear! + +And think you, when he grew a man, + He prospered in his ways? +No; wicked courses never can + Bring good and happy days. + +Without a shilling in his purse, + Or cot to call his own, +Poor Thomas grew from bad to worse, + And harden'd as a stone. + +[Illustration] + +And oh, it grieves me much to write + His melancholy end; +Then let us leave the dreadful sight, + And thoughts of pity send. + +But may we this important truth + Observe and ever hold: +"All those who're idle in their youth + Will suffer when they're old." + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +CASABIANCA + + +The boy stood on the burning deck, + Whence all but him had fled! +The flame that lit the battle's wreck, + Shone round him o'er the dead. + +Yet beautiful and bright he stood, + As born to rule the storm; +A creature of heroic blood, + A proud though childlike form. + +The flames roiled on--he would not go, + Without his father's word; +That father, faint in death below, + His voice no longer heard. + +He called aloud--Say, father, say + If yet my task is done? +He knew not that the chieftain lay + Unconscious of his son. + +Speak, father! once again he cried, + If I may yet be gone; +And but the booming shots replied, + And fast the flames rolled on. + +Upon his brow he felt their breath, + And in his waving hair; +And looked from that lone post of death + In still, yet brave despair, + +And shouted but once more aloud + My father! must I stay! + +While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud, + The wreathing fires made way. + +They wrapt the ship in splendor wild, + They caught the flag on high, +And streamed above the gallant child, + Like banners in the sky. + +There came a burst of thunder sound: + The boy--O, where was he? +Ask of the winds, that far around + With fragments strewed the sea-- + +With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, + That well had borne their part; +But the noblest thing that perished there + Was that young faithful heart. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR. + + +Twinkle, twinkle, little star; +How I wonder what you are! +Up above the world so high, +Like a diamond in the sky. + +When the blazing sun is gone, +When he nothing shines upon, +Then you show your little light, +Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. + +Then the traveller in the dark +Thanks you for your tiny spark! +He could not see which way to go, +If you did not twinkle so. + +In the dark blue sky you keep, +And often through my curtains peep +For you never shut your eye +Till the sun is in the sky. + +As your bright and tiny spark +Lights the traveller in the dark, +Though I know not what you are, +Twinkle, twinkle, little star. + + +[Illustration] + +[Blank Page] + +[Blank Page] + + + + +UNCLE THOMAS' STORIES +FOR +GOOD CHILDREN + +[Illustration] + +CHARLES' JOURNEY TO FRANCE. By Mrs. Barbauld. + +STORIES ABOUT ANIMALS. By Uncle Thomas. + +POETICAL TALES. By Mary Howitt. + +STORIES OF THE MONTHS. By Mrs. Barbauld. + +PHEBE, THE BLACKBERRY GIRL. By Uncle Thomas. + +GRIMALKIN AND LITTLE FIDO. By Uncle Thomas. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Phebe, The Blackberry Girl, by Edward Livermore + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11147 *** |
