traveler. That party which should first strip him of his cloak, was to win the day. 3. The Wind began. He blew a cutting blast, which tore up the mountain oaks by their roots, and made the whole forest look like a wreck. 4. But the traveler, though at first he could scarcely keep his cloak on his back, ran under a hill for shelter, and buckled his mantle about him more closely. 5. The Wind having thus tried his utmost power in vain, the Sun began. 6. Bursting through a thick cloud, he darted his sultry beams so forcibly upon the traveler's head, that the poor fellow was almost melted. 7. "This," said he, "is past all bearing. It is so hot, that one might as well be in an oven." 8. So he quickly threw off his cloak, and went into the shade of a tree to cool himself. 9. This fable teaches us, that gentle means will often succeed where forcible ones will fail.

THIRD READER. 61

LESSON XXIII.

SUNSET.

62 ECLECTIC SERIES,

LESSON XXIV.

BEAUTIFUL HANDS. 1. "O Miss Roberts! what coarse-looking hands Mary Jessup has!" said Daisy Marvin, as she walked home from school with her teacher.

THIRD READER. 63 2. "In my opinion, Daisy, Mary's hands are the prettiest in he class." 3. "Why, Miss Roberts, they are as red and hard as they can be. How they would look if she were to try to play on a piano!" exclaimed Daisy. 4. Miss Roberts took Daisy's hands in hers, and said, "Your hands are very soft and white, Daisy—just the hands to look beautiful on a piano; yet they lack one beauty that Mary's hands have. Shall I tell you what the difference is?" 5. "Yes, please, Miss Roberts." 6. "Well, Daisy, Mary's hands are always busy. They wash dishes; they make fires; they hang out clothes, and help to wash them, too; they sweep, and dust, and sew; they are always trying to help her poor, hard-working mother. 7. "Besides, they wash and dress the children; they mend their toys and dress their dolls; yet, they find time to bathe the head of the little girl who is so sick in the next house to theirs. 8. "They are full of good deeds to every living thing. I have seen them patting the tired horse and the lame dog in the street.

64 ECLECTIC SERIES,

They are always ready to help those who need help." 9. "I shall never think Mary's hands are ugly any more, Miss Roberts." 10. "I am glad to hear you say that, Daisy; and I must tell you that they are beautiful because they do their work gladly and cheerfully." 11. "O Miss Roberts! I feel so ashamed of myself, and so sorry," said Daisy, looking into her teacher's face with tearful eyes.

THIRD READER. 65 12. "Then, my dear, show your sorrow by deeds of kindness. The good alone are really beautiful."

LESSON XXV.

THINGS TO REMEMBER. 1. When you rise in the morning, remember who kept you from danger during the night. Remember who watched over you while you slept, and whose sun shines around you, and gives you the sweet light of day. 2. Let God have the thanks of your heart, for his kindness and his care; and pray for his protection during the wakeful hours of day. 3. Remember that God made all creatures to be happy, and will do nothing that may prevent their being so, without good reason for it. 4. When you are at the table, do not eat in a greedy manner, like a pig. Eat quietly, 3,5

66 ECLECTIC SERIES. and do not reach forth your hand for the food, but ask some one to help you. 5. Do not become peevish and pout, because you do not get a part of everything. Be satisfied with what is given you. 6. Avoid a pouting face, angry looks, and angry words. Do not slam the doors. Go quietly up and down stairs; and never make a loud noise about the house. 7. Be kind and gentle in your manners; not like the howling winter storm, but like the bright summer morning. 8. Do always as your parents bid you. Obey them with a ready mind, and with a pleasant face. 9. Never do anything that you would be afraid or ashamed that your parents should know. Remember, if no one else sees you, God does, from whom you can not hide even your most secret thought. 10. At night, before you go to sleep, think whether you have done anything that was wrong during the day, and pray to God to forgive you. If anyone has done you wrong, forgive him in your heart. 11. If you have not learned something useful, or been in some way useful, during

THIRD READER. 67 the past day, think that it is a day lost, and be very sorry for it. 12. Trust in the Lord, and He will guide you in the way of good men. The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 13. We must do all the good we can to all men, for this is well pleasing in the sight of God. He delights to see his children walk in love, and do good one to another.

LESSON XXVI.

THREE LITTLE MICE.
1. I will tell you the story of three little mice,
If you will keep still and listen to me,
Who live in a cage that is cozy and nice,
And are just as cunning as cunning can be.
They look very wise, with their pretty red eyes,
That seem just exactly like little round beads;
They are white as the snow, and stand up in a row
Whenever we do not attend to their needs;—

68 ECLECTIC SERIES.

2. Stand up in a row in a comical way,—
Now folding their forepaws as if saying, "please;"
Now rattling the lattice, as much as to say,
"We shall not stay here without more bread and
cheese,"
They are not at all shy, as you'll find, if you try
To make them run up in their chamber to bed;
If they do n't want to go, why, they won't go—ah! no,
Though you tap with your finger each queer little
head.
3. One day as I stood by the side of the cage,
Through the bars there protruded a funny, round tail;

THIRD READER. 69

Just for mischief I caught it, and soon; in a rage,
Its owner set up a most pitiful wail.
He looked in dismay,—there was something to pay,—
But what was the matter he could not make out;
What was holding him so, when he wanted to go
To see what his brothers upstairs were about?

4. But soon from the chamber the others rushed down,
Impatient to learn what the trouble might be;
I have not a doubt that each brow wore a frown,
Only frowns on their brows are not easy to see.
For a moment they gazed, perplexed and amazed;
Then began both together to—gnaw off the tail!
So, quick I released him,—do you think that it pleased
him?
And up the small staircase they fled like a gale.
Julia C. R. Dorr.
LESSON XXVII.

THE NEW YEAR. 1. One pleasant New-year morning, Edward rose, and washed and dressed himself

70 ECLECTIC SERIES. in haste. He wanted to be first to wish a happy New Year. 2. He looked in every room, and shouted the words of welcome. He ran into the

street, to repeat them to those he might meet. 3. When he came back, his father gave him two bright, new silver dollars. 4. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for a long time to buy some pretty books that he had seen at the bookstore.

THIRD READER. 71 5. He left the house with a light heart, intending to buy the books. 6. As he ran down the street, he saw a poor German family, the father, mother, and three children shivering with cold. 7. "I wish you a happy New Year," said Edward, as he was gayly passing on. The man shook his head. 8. "You do not belong to this country," said Edward. The man again shook his head,