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;

        Thirdreader. 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?