And well do I remember there
a little shallow creek,
Where we would go and sail
our ships, at least three times a week:
We loaded them with cargoes
rich, and sent them all to Spain;
And back they came with heavy
freights, by which we made much gain.
Oh! pleasant pastimes on the
beach, how often I recall
The ocean grand, the distant
sails, the rocks, the lighthouse tall!
They do not fade, these pictures
bright, from memory’s inner view;
And age itself shall never
dim their colors ever new.
EMILY CARTER.
[Illustration]
MABEL AND HER FRIEND CARLO.
Mabel lives on a hill, quite near a beautiful lake, and is very fond of going with her papa to take a row on the water. Sometimes they visit the woods on the other side of the lake, and pick wild flowers, or go where the water-lilies grow, near the shore, and gather a bunch of the pretty white blossoms.
But I must tell about Mabel’s friend Carlo. He is a large shaggy dog, owned by a gentleman who lives near. Although quite a young dog, he knows a great deal. He is very fond of water, and is wild with delight at the prospect of a swim.
His master owns a large sail-boat, and, as the water near the shore is not deep, he has to use a small boat to reach it. When Carlo sees him take down the oar from its place in the yard, he runs up, and takes it in his mouth, as much as to say, “Let me carry that for you, master.” Then he trots down the hill with the oar, feeling very proud that he is allowed to carry it.
One day, Carlo took hold of the rope with his teeth, and drew the small boat to the shore; so that his master, who was in it, did not have to use the oar.
Mabel loves Carlo very much; and, although he is a
large dog, he knows that he must play very gently
with little boys and girls, and not hurt them with
his great paws.
NED
PLAYING KING.
Ho! I’m a king, a king! A crown is on my head;
A sword is at my side; and regal is my tread:
Ho, slave! proclaim my will to all the people round,—
The schools are hereby closed; henceforth must fun abound.
Vacation shall not end; all
slates I order smashed;
The man who says “arithmetic”—he
must be soundly thrashed;
All grammars shall be burnt;
the spellers we will tear;
The boy who spells correctly—a
fool’s cap he shall wear.
No dolls shall be allowed,
for dolls are what I hate;
The girls must give them up,
and learn to swim and skate;
Confectioners must charge
only a cent a pound
For all the plums and candy
that in the shops are found.
That man who asks a dime for
any pear or peach—
I’ll have him hung so
high, that none his feet can reach;
No baker is allowed hereafter
to bake bread;
He must bake only pies and
cake and ginger-snaps instead.