diff options
Diffstat (limited to '42159-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 42159-0.txt | 930 |
1 files changed, 930 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/42159-0.txt b/42159-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c8c547 --- /dev/null +++ b/42159-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,930 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42159 *** + +THE + +NURSERY + +_A Monthly Magazine_ + +FOR YOUNGEST READERS. + +VOLUME XXX.--No. 4. + + BOSTON: + THE NURSERY PUBLISHING COMPANY, + NO. 36 BROMFIELD STREET. + 1881. + + + + + Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1881, by + THE NURSERY PUBLISHING COMPANY, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. + +[Illustration: JOHN WILSON & SON UNIVERSITY PRESS] + + + + +[Illustration: Contents.] + + +IN PROSE. + + PAGE + Edith and the Chickens 291 + How the Old Sparrow helped the Young One 293 + Home, Sweet Home 294 + The little Sailor 297 + So Tired 301 + Drawing-Lesson 305 + The Doll that Fanny Found 306 + All True 308 + The Strange Man 310 + A Knowing Dog 311 + The Starling 313 + Daisies and Clover 314 + Helping Mother 316 + + +IN VERSE. + + Popping Corn 290 + In School and Out 296 + The Crickets' Sociable 299 + Lessons 302 + On the Way to Slumberland 309 + Mother's Caller 312 + Curly-Head and Inquisitive Ned 315 + The Squirrel 318 + Roly-Poly (_with music_) 320 + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration: POPPING CORN. + +VOL. XXX.--NO. 4.] + + + + +POPPING CORN. + + +[Illustration] + + POUR the nice corn + Out of the bowl, + Into the popper, + Over the coal,-- + The bright glowing coal. + + Shake now, for your life, + The fine golden grain; + Now listen! what strife + Goes on there amain! + + Hear it! Pop, pop! + Pop, pop! Pop, pop! + Now the popper is full, + The shaking must stop. + + Bring the dish, little Rosie, + Come, Jamie and Josie, + And out we will pour + Our nice puffy store. + + So crisp and so light, + So tender and white! + What were beads of gold + When put in the hopper, + Into flowers unfold,-- + O magical popper! + + CAROLINE DEE. + +[Illustration] + + + + +EDITH AND THE CHICKENS. + + +"OH, tie on my hat quick, dear mamma, please," called Edith Gray, +running up stairs as fast as her little feet would carry her; "for +grandma says I may go with her to see the chickens." + +Edith was four years old, and had come the day before, for the first +time in her life, to stay on a large farm. She had never seen young +chickens, except in picture-books: so you can imagine how pleased she +was at the thought of seeing real live ones. + +She was soon in the farmyard, and after feeding the little things with +meal and water,--hasty-pudding she called it,--she seemed to long so to +pet them, that her kind grandmother said, "Well, dear, hold up your +apron, and I will put some of the chickens in; but you must handle them +very gently." + +Edith was delighted, and begged to carry them into the house for mamma +to see. Old mother-hen, who was busy scratching for the rest of her +brood, did not at first notice what was going on. But, when she saw +Edith walking off with some of her darlings, she began to spread her +wings, and puff out her feathers, and scold in hen fashion. + +Then the tall old rooster straightened himself up and looked down at +her, as much as to say, "What a goose you are to make such a fuss! The +little girl will bring your chicks back all safe." + +And so she did; and the next day, when she picked them up and petted +them again, Mrs. Hen did not say a word, but seemed quite pleased and +proud. + + AUNT SUSAN. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +HOW THE OLD SPARROW HELPED THE YOUNG ONE. + + +AN unfledged sparrow, not strong enough to fly far, had fallen into the +area of a city basement. + +The poor little bird was wasting its strength in vain attempts to get +out of its prison, while its mother looked down in alarm, and tried her +best to cheer and aid her child. + +At last the old bird flew away. "Can it be," I thought, "that she is +going to desert her little one?" No indeed! She had only hit upon a new +plan. + +Back she soon came with a stout straw in her beak. Perching on an iron +bar which crossed the area about a foot below the level of the street, +she passed one end of the straw to the little captive below. + +The nestling took the offered straw in its beak and clung to it, while +the mother, holding fast to the other end, flew up to the street. Thus, +with some aid from its own wings, the little bird was able to gain a +foothold on the iron bar. + +From this point, one more pull by the old bird helped it to reach the +pavement, where it fluttered away with its delighted mother. + + UNCLE CHARLES. + + + + +HOME, SWEET HOME. + + +"HOW real jolly it seems to be back in our own parlor again!" said +Willie Morton, making a flying leap over an ottoman as he spoke. + +With his elder brother he had been away at school for a year, while his +mother and sisters were travelling abroad. This was the first evening +that they were all together again. + +"Come, sister Annie," Willie continued, "sing 'Home, sweet home!' +Charlie can play it on the flute." + +So Annie took her place at the piano; their mother seated herself to +listen, with little Amy on her lap; and Charlie produced his flute. They +were soon singing the old familiar song with all their hearts, Willie's +voice loudest of all. + +When this song was ended, he proposed singing "The star-spangled +banner," "because," as he said to his sister, "you ought to rejoice to +be under the old flag again." + +[Illustration] + +The singing over, the excited boy roused up his little sister, who had +almost fallen asleep in her mother's lap, and whirled her round in what +he called a waltz, till his mother said it was quite time to dance off +to bed. + +The last sound heard as he ran up stairs was, "Hurrah! there's no place +like home!" + + IDA FAY. + + + + +IN SCHOOL AND OUT. + + + SCHOOL-TIME is coming again; + "So much the better!" says Jane, + And off, with her satchel and slate, + She starts, for she scorns to be late. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + But ragged and barefooted Meg + Does nothing but wander and beg. + Oh, why does she not go to school? + Poor child! She's by no means a fool. + + X. Y. Z. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE LITTLE SAILOR. + + +I HAD just finished reading the last number of "The Nursery" to my +little six-year-old boy. "Read it all over again, mamma," he said. "Why +don't the 'Nurseries' come oftener, so you could read me a new story +every minute?" + +What a silly question, wasn't it? But I didn't tell him it was silly. I +sang the frog-song over again with a good many croaks and kerchugs to +make it lively; then we all made ready--the two aunts, papa, my little +boy, and myself--to go out sailing in the harbor. + +Did any of your "Nursery" readers ever take a sail in Captain Burdette's +sail-boat "Fearless" on the smooth water at Nantucket? Well, if you did, +didn't you have a jolly time? And, if you didn't, do try it some day +when the wind blows just enough to fill the white sail. + +We had a merry party, and our little boy was so full of play, that he +dragged the boat-broom in the wake of the boat. Then he tried to stand +on the forward-deck, and hold on by the mast. But the wind shifted a +little, and the sail turned about so suddenly, that it came near pushing +him into the water. + +So papa ordered him into the stern, where the ladies were, and gave him +permission to take hold of the tiller, and help steer the boat. He +helped turn her toward the jetty which the government is building to +make the water deeper, so that large ships may sail safely into the +harbor. + +Just as we made the turn, we saw another boat coming towards us. The +tide was driving it swiftly along, and it bobbed up and down on the +sparkling ripples. A little chap was standing on the bow, drying his wet +bare legs in the sunshine. He seemed to be enjoying himself hugely, and +paid no attention to our party. + +He had a dark mantle thrown over his white vest, and was straight and +slim like a naval cadet. By and by he gave his tail a little shake, +lifted his two wings, and took himself off the water-soaked stick he had +used for a sail-boat. Then he went screaming with his mates high up in +the air. + +I dare say you know by this time that I am talking about a +sea-gull,--one of those birds which fly in such numbers about the +seacoasts. My little boy wished he could fly like a gull, but thought it +wouldn't be wise to be always hungry for a fish-dinner, as those who +study their habits say sea-gulls always are. + + MRS. G. I. HOPKINS. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE CRICKETS' SOCIABLE. + + +[Illustration] + + EACH cricket was invited, 'twas after twelve at night; + The fire was burning brightly, and not a puss in sight, + When out popped twenty couples, all chirping loud and clear: + The moon peeped in the window, as if it paused to hear. + + The band stood on a table,--a fiddle and a harp; + The former was a trifle flat, the latter rather sharp: + But, oh the jolly dancing, the capers queer and gay! + Why, pigeon-wings were nothing, and double-shuffles, play. + + The belles reclined in corners, and chatted to the beaux, + Who looked so neat and graceful, each turning out his toes; + And all the daddy-crickets were happy as could be, + Their little baby-crickets they dandled on their knee. + + A Daddy Longlegs handed a lady out to dance,-- + 'Twas said he was a baron,--quite modest was her glance; + He kissed her hand politely, his style they all admired; + He bowed to her sedately; she courtesied and retired. + + A dozen tiny crickets then tried a minuet, + And many other dances whose names you would forget. + The fiddler scraped up louder, a mouse peeped out to see; + But laughed his head off nearly to mark such jollity! + + The supper, oh, that supper! From brimming cups of dew + They sipped, and luscious goodies were spread out,--not a few. + They handed round in slices a dainty Christmas cake + That very much resembled a tiny snowy flake. + + They didn't stop till morning; they heard a rooster crow, + And then the merry fiddler put away his bow; + And twenty jolly couples with weary legs retire + As Bridget pops in lively to make the kitchen-fire. + + GEORGE COOPER. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +SO TIRED! + + +NELLY was a bright, happy little girl. Her home was in the country; and +in summer, as soon as the birds began to sing, her eyes were wide open, +and she was ready to jump and play and sing too. + +Then, as soon as she was nicely bathed and dressed, and her curly hair +tied with a pretty ribbon, away she would go out of doors, to gather +flowers, or feed the chickens, or play with the kitten. + +After breakfast she would go into the field where the hay was making, +and help with her own little rake to toss and spread it. But at eleven +o'clock her mother would call her in, put on her cool night-dress, and +lay her in her crib for a nap, and by that time the little girl was +usually tired enough to be glad to go to sleep. + +But one day she was having such a nice time with some little cousins +who had come to play with her, that, when her mother called her in for +her nap, she said, "Oh, please, mamma, don't make me go to sleep to-day; +I'm not a bit sleepy. See how wide open my eyes are!" + +Her mother laughed and said, "Well, darling, we'll try it this once, but +I'm afraid you will be tired before night." + +"Oh, no! mamma, I shall not be tired, I know, because I am having such a +good time." + +So she played on merrily until her dinner at one o'clock, and, as soon +as that was over, she was off again for another frolic. By and by she +came in, looking very weary, and said, "I don't want to play out any +more, mamma: I think it's time for my supper." + +Now it was not yet five o'clock, and her usual supper hour was half-past +six. But her mamma at once put some nice bread and butter on the table +and her mug of milk, and left her to eat it, while she went to speak to +a friend. + +When she came back soon after, Miss Nelly had pushed back her plate, +upset her mug, laid down her apron, dropped her head on her chubby arm, +and gone fast asleep. + +The next day when mamma called her for her nap, she ran quickly, saying, +"All ready, mamma, because I was so tired yesterday." + + JANE OLIVER. + + + + +LESSONS. + + +AUNT LIZZIE. + + OUT in the sunny garden-plot, + Among the blossoms gay, + The lilies and the four-o'clocks, + What have you learned to-day? + + +ALFRED. + +[Illustration] + + Loud humming in a hollyhock, + I heard a little bee: + He filled his yellow thighs with wax, + And this he taught to me: + "Short time have I to honey win; + Short time have you to study in; + Soon life and summer glide away: + We must keep busy every day." + + +BESSY. + +[Illustration] + + And on a purple candytuft + I saw a butterfly: + It waved its red-and-yellow wings, + And said, "A worm was I: + Be cheerful whatso'er befall, + And hope to soar when forced to crawl." + + +CHARLEY. + +[Illustration] + + Among some morning-glories set + There grew the fragrant mignonette: + It said to me, "A winning grace + A kind heart lends the plainest face: + Who would my simple blossom choose + Should I my pleasant perfume lose?" + + +DORA. + +[Illustration] + + Upon a green sweetbrier bough, + A pleasant, shady place, + All hung with dew, like gems, I found + A web of silver lace; + And on it, with its many eyes, + I saw a spider watching flies, + Who taught me this: "One must beware; + The fairest thing may prove a snare." + + +AUNT. + + Four useful lessons you have learned + This happy summer hour, + Taught by a bee, a butterfly, + A spider, and a flower. + + MARIAN DOUGLAS. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration: DRAWING-LESSON. + +VOL. XXX.--NO. 4.] + + + + +THE DOLL THAT FANNY FOUND. + + +FANNY went to spend her vacation with her grandma, who lived in the +country. For a whole week every day was pleasant, and she had a lovely +time. + +She picked berries for grandma to make pies. She drove the cows home +from the pasture every night. She rode into the fields in the hay-cart, +and came home on the big loads of hay. She fed the chickens, and played +with the kittens. But at last there came a rainy day. + +Fanny heard the rain pattering on the window the first thing when she +awoke in the morning. As soon as grandma opened the door to call her, +she cried out: "O grandma! see how it rains! What shall I do to-day?" + +"You can stay in the house with me," said grandma; "I have not seen much +of my little girl yet." + +"Well, you must tell me what to do," said Fanny. + +"You can go up in the garret and play. There is where your mother and +aunt Sarah used to spend a good many rainy days," said grandma. + +So, after breakfast, Fanny went into the attic. The attic was a very +large room, containing old spinning-wheels, chests, boxes, and many +other things--such as are always found in attics. + +"Now for a grand rummage!" said Fanny, and she began to look over the +boxes and chests to see what she could find. In some of the boxes there +were books and papers. In one of them there were old dresses and +bonnets. Fanny pulled the things out of this box, one after another, and +as she reached the bottom, she cried, "Oh, what have I found! what have +I found!" + +It was a large old-fashioned rag-baby almost as large as a real baby a +few weeks old. Its face and clothes were soiled and faded; its cap was +torn and yellow; and it had but one shoe: but the little girl was +delighted with it. + +She had a number of handsome dolls at home; but she had never seen one +like this before. + +"How nice and soft it is to hold!" said Fanny. "I must go right down and +show it to grandma, and ask her all about it." + +[Illustration] + +She found grandma in the milk-room, churning cream. "See what I have +found, grandma," said Fanny, holding the baby up before her. "Now do +tell me whose baby this is." + +"Oh," said grandma, laughing, "I made that doll for your mother when she +was a little girl. I remember how pleased she was with it. She named it +Sally." + +"I think old Sally is splendid, and I am going to play with her all the +time I am here," said Fanny. + +All the rest of her vacation, Sally was Fanny's pet and plaything. She +made new clothes for her, took her out to walk and ride every day, and +put her to bed every night. + +In the picture you may see Fanny and Sally out in the fields together. + + M. M. HATHAWAY. + + + + +ALL TRUE. + + +MRS. F., a lady living not far from Boston, has a bantam hen, who, every +spring morning, walks into the house, and lays an egg in a +rocking-chair. + +[Illustration] + +After laying the egg, Mrs. Bantam jumps up on the window-seat and says +"Cut, cut, cut, cut-ah-cut!" + +A turkey belonging to this same lady, who is very fond of pets, once +came off her nest with one poor little fledgeling; a duck appeared, +about the same time, with only one duckling; and, strangely enough, a +hen was roaming about with one solitary chicken. + +Mrs. F. thought that the three young ones might as well make one family: +so she put the young turkey and the duckling with the hen, and Mistress +Biddy took care of them with her own chicken, just as though she were +the true mother of them all. + +Mrs. F. used to take all three up in her lap and feed them. When put +down, the turkey and the duckling would stretch their long necks up, +looking wistfully at her, as if coaxing her to take them up again. But +the chicken did not seem to care about being petted. + + AUNT SUE. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +ON THE WAY TO SLUMBER-LAND. + + + DEAR little Lily, in night-gown white, + Her precious old dolly holding tight, + Looks back, as she goes, to say + "Papa, good-night!" + + S. O. C. + + + + +THE STRANGE MAN. + + +THIS little girl thinks she sees a strange man in the cornfield. He is +very tall, and has long black hair. She clasps her hands in wonder. She +goes up to the man; but he does not even bow to her. + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +Why, it is only a scarecrow! If the little girl had been a crow, I think +she could not have been more scared. But she will have a good laugh now +to make up for it. A pole with a hat on it can't deceive such bright +eyes as hers. + + S. O. J. + + + + +A KNOWING DOG. + + +ETHEL is never tired of talking about her dog Flash. One of his +accomplishments, she tells me, is his graceful way of setting the table. + +When it is time for Flash to have his dinner, his master says, "Flash, +bring the table-cloth!" + +Off he runs to the newspaper-rack, gets a paper, and lays it at his +master's feet. "Spread it out!" is the next command. + +[Illustration] + +Quickly he opens the paper to its full extent, and places it on the +floor carefully. He waits patiently for the bones that are to reward his +obedience. When they have been put on the clean "table-cloth," he begins +his nice feast. Dinner over, Flash picks up the paper cloth, and carries +it out of the room for the cook to burn. + +Ethel says that Flash can tell time; for at just such a minute every +day, the dog comes to his master, sits up straight, with his front paws +drooping gracefully, and asks, in his dumb way, for something to eat. +And when the time comes for his master to go down town to business, +Flash is sure to give him a hint; for Flash is very punctual, you see, +and does not approve of delay. + +One day Flash brought an intimate friend, a red setter, and introduced +him to his master. Flash stood wagging his tail, while the caller was +politely caressed. Then the two dogs trotted off together, and Flash's +playmate had a new name to put on his visiting list. + + GEORGE T. PACKARD. + + + + +MOTHER'S CALLER. + + + "RAT-TAT-TAT upon the door; pray who can it be? + Such a funny lady never did I see. + Such a hat upon her head,--far too large a size,-- + Such a mass of tangled curls hanging in her eyes! + + "Do come in, my lady small, here's the rocking-chair: + Taking out your family for the morning air? + This child fell and hurt her head? that was very sad: + Other dolly broke her arm? wasn't it too bad? + + "What, not going! Stay awhile, it is early yet: + Come and see me soon again; now, do not forget. + Ah! I've seen that face before, dimples, curls, and all,-- + 'Tis my own clear little girl come to make a call." + + RUTH REVERE. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE STARLING. + + +THIS handsome and sprightly bird is very common in Europe. It is about +eight inches long, of a rich black color spotted with buff. When caged +young, and tamed, it may be taught to say a few words and to whistle +short tunes. + +[Illustration] + +A starling owned by a lady in Germany, was in the habit of perching on +the cow's head. There he would sit between her horns, busily cleaning +his feathers. The cow did not notice him until he began to walk down her +broad forehead. Then she felt his sharp claws and shook her head to +drive him away; but he only flew back to his former place, and sat +there, singing joyously. + + L. E. H., from the German. + + + + +DAISIES AND CLOVER. + + +PATTY was taking a stroll in the pasture, plucking daisies as she went +along. Suddenly she stopped, and seemed to be intent upon something in +the grass. + +[Illustration] + +"Do you see a snake, Patty?" said her cousin Paul, coming softly up +behind her. + +"Oh, no!" answered Patty, "I was only trying to find something." + +"Trying to find something!" said Paul. "What in the world can it be?" + +"Guess, if you can." + +"Well," said Paul, "I guess it's a gold dollar." + +"No such thing." + +"Then it must be a pearl." + +"No." + +"An ear-ring?" + +"No, I don't wear ear-rings." + +"A hairpin?" + +"No indeed! you saucy boy." + +"Dear me! Then I shall have to give it up. Can't rack my brains any +more. The strain is too great." + +[Illustration] + +"What a bright boy you are at guessing! You shall have this bunch of +daisies as a reward of merit. Are they not pretty? Don't despise them +because they are weeds. Now I will tell you what I am looking for. I +want very much to find a----" + +"Stop a minute," said Paul, "I have it." And he stooped down, and +plucked a four-leaved clover. + +"That's the very thing," said Patty. + +"Good luck to you!" said Paul, handing her the clover with a graceful +bow. + + ANNA LIVINGSTON. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +CURLY-HEAD AND INQUISITIVE NED. + + + "WHAT have you in your basket, + Curly-head?" + "Though 'tis not polite to ask it, + I've some bread." + + "Where do you go with your basket? + Who's in need?" + "Though 'tis not polite to ask it, + Swans I feed." + + "Will they eat what's in the basket, + All of it?" + "Though 'tis not polite to ask it, + Every bit." + + "Where, when empty is your basket, + Go you then?" + "Though 'tis not polite to ask it, + Home again." + + E. + + + + +HELPING MOTHER. + + +WHAT is little Susan doing with that big water-bucket? It is a heavy +load for her, and she tugs at it with a right good will. + +If the water does not all leak out before she gets into the kitchen, she +will fill the teakettle. She is trying to make herself useful, you see. + +[Illustration] + +With that cap on her head, and that long apron, she fancies herself +quite grown up, and able to do Bridget's work. + +She thinks she is helping mother. But, when her mother sees the water +spilt about the well, I think she will say that the little girl has only +been doing mischief. + + A. B. C. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE SQUIRREL. + + + ONCE upon a time a squirrel + Scampered quickly up a tree; + There he sat, and from the branches + Chattered gayly unto me. + + "I am Mr. Brownie Squirrel, + And my home is in the ground: + There I live; but in this nut-tree + Oftener I may be found. + + "Long before the bright sun rises, + Here to gather nuts I roam: + They'll be needed in the winter + By my little ones at home. + + "For when shrill the north wind whistles + Through these branches black and bare, + When the nuts and leaves have vanished, + And the snow fills all the air-- + + "Then, to pay me for my trouble, + I'll have plenty and to spare. + Safe at home I'll pass the winter, + Little for the storm I'll care. + +[Illustration] + + "That reminds me I am idle; + While I'm talking here to you. + Why, dear me! how dark it's growing! + And I still have work to do." + + Throwing then a nutshell at me, + Winking with his eyes so bright, + Off he scampered through the branches, + Where he soon was lost to sight. + + Grandma heard about the squirrel, + Straightway then did grandma make + Many little squirrels like it,-- + Only hers were made of cake! + + AUNTY GAY. + + + + +ROLY-POLY. + + Words by OLIVE A. WADSWORTH. Music by T. CRAMPTON. + +[Illustration: Music] + + + 1. Roly-Poly is three years old; + Yes, three years old and a trifle over; + Roly-Poly is round as a ball, + As jolly as larks, and sweet as clover. + Roly-Poly has stars for eyes, + A heavenly chin with a dimple in it; + Peaches for cheeks, the bud of a nose, + And a tongue that is never still a minute. + + 2. Roly-Poly's a business man; + He rides to market on Grandpa's cane; + He orders breakfast of peppermint drops, + Then gallops his pony home again. + Roly-Poly rules everything; + His father and mother are captives wholly; + Sisters must yield to such a king, + Who will make all obey him, Roly-Poly. + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +The original text for the July issue had a table of contents that +spanned six issues. This was divided amongst those issues. + +Additionally, only the July issue had a title page. This page was copied +for the remaining five issues. Each issue had the number added on the +title page after the Volume number. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Nursery, October 1881, Vol. XXX, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42159 *** |