Lesson L.
The alarm clock.
1.  A lady, who found it not easy to wake in the morning as
early as she wished,

Third reader. 131 bought an alarm clock.  These clocks are so made as to strike with a loud whirring noise at any hour the owner pleases to set them. 2.  The lady placed her clock at the head of the bed, and at the right time she found herself roused by the long, rattling sound. 3.  She arose at once, and felt better all day for her early rising.  This lasted for some weeks.  The alarm clock faithfully did its duty, and was plainly heard so long as it was obeyed. 4.  But, after a time, the lady grew tired of early rising.  When she was waked by the noise, she merely turned over in bed, and slept again. 5.  In a few days, the clock ceased to rouse her from her sleep.  It spoke just as loudly as ever; but she did not hear it, because she had been in the habit of not obeying it. 6.  Finding that she might as well be without it, she resolved that when she heard the sound she would jump up. 7.  Just so it is with conscience.  If we will obey its voice, even in the most trifling things, we can always hear it, clear and strong.

132 Eclectic series. 8.  But if we allow ourselves to do what we have some fears may not be quite right, we shall grow more and more sleepy, until the voice of conscience has no longer power to wake as.

LESSON LI.

Spring.

1.  The alder by the river
Shakes out her powdery curls;
The willow buds in silver
For little boys and girls.

2.  The little birds fly over,
And oh, how sweet they sing! 
To tell the happy children
That once again ’t is Spring.

        Thirdreader. 133

3.  The gay green grass comes creeping
So soft beneath their feet;
The frogs begin to ripple
A music clear and sweet.

4.  And buttercups are coming,
And scarlet columbine,
And in the sunny meadows
The dandelions shine.

5.  And just as many daisies
As their soft hands can hold,
The little ones may gather,
All fair in white and gold.

6.  Here blows the warm red clover,
There peeps the violet blue;
Oh, happy little children! 
God made them all for you. 
Celia Thaxter.

134 Eclectic series.

Lesson LII.  True courage.  One cold winter’s day, three boys were passing by a schoolhouse.  The oldest was a bad boy. always in trouble himself, and trying to get others into trouble.  The youngest, whose name was George, was a very good boy.  George wished to do right, but was very much wanting in courage.  The other boys were named Henry and James.  As they walked along, they talked as follows:  Henry.  What fun it would be to throw a snowball against the schoolroom door, and make the teacher and scholars all jump!  James.  You would jump, if you should.  If the teacher did not catch you and whip you, he would tell your father, and you would get a whipping then; and that would make you jump higher than the scholars, I think.  Henry.  Why, we would get so far off, before the teacher could come to the door, that he could not tell who we are.  Here is a snowball just as hard as ice, and George