Third reader. 183 cried the other girls, and they began to make the crown.  It was soon finished. 17.  “Now, Susan,” said Rose, “put it on in a very dignified way, for you are to be our queen.” 18.  As these words were spoken, the crown was placed on her head.  In a moment she snatched it off, and threw it on the ground, saying, “No crown for me; I do not deserve it.” 19.  The girls looked at her with surprise.  “I have deceived my grandmother,” said she, while tears flowed down her cheeks.  “I altered the mark she put in the stocking, that I might join you in the woods.” 20.  “Do you call that wicked?” asked one of the girls.  “I am quite sure it is; and I have been miserable all the time I have been here.” 21.  Susan now ran home, and as soon as she got there she said, with a beating heart, “O grandmother!  I deserve to be punished, for I altered the mark you put in the stocking.  Do forgive me; I am very sorry and unhappy.” 22.  “Susan,” said her grandmother, “I knew it all the time; but I let you go out, hoping

184 Eclectic series. that your own conscience would tell you of your sin.  I am so glad that you have confessed your fault and your sorrow.” 23.  “When shall I be your own little girl again?” “Now,” was the quick reply, and Susan’s grandmother kissed her forehead.

LESSON LXX.

Young soldiers.

1.  Oh, were you ne’er a schoolboy,
And did you never train,
And feel that swelling of the heart
You ne’er can feel again?

2.  Did you never meet, far down the street,
With plumes and banners gay,
While the kettle, for the kettledrum,
Played your march, march away?

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3.  It seems to me but yesterday,
Nor scarce so long ago,
Since all our school their muskets took,
To charge the fearful foe.

4.  Our muskets were of cedar wood,
With ramrods bright and new;
With bayonets forever set,
And painted barrels, too.

5.  We charged upon a flock of geese,
And put them all to flight—­
Except one sturdy gander
That thought to show us fight.

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6.  But, ah! we knew a thing or two;
Our captain wheeled the van;
We routed him, we scouted him,
Nor lost a single man!

7.  Our captain was as brave a lad
As e’er commission bore;
And brightly shone his new tin sword;
A paper cap he wore.

8.  He led us up the steep hillside,
Against the western wind,
While the cockerel plume that decked his head
Streamed bravely out behind.

9.  We shouldered arms, we carried arms,
We charged the bayonet;
And woe unto the mullein stalk
That in our course we met!

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10.  At two o’clock the roll we called,
And till the close of day,
With fearless hearts, though tired limbs,
We fought the mimic fray,—­
Till the supper bell, from out the dell,
Bade us march, march away.