That made the sweetest melody
That ever they had heard.
3.  But all the bright eyes looked in vain;
Birdie was very small,
And with his modest, dark-brown coat,
He made no show at all.
4.  “Why, father,” little Gracie said
“Where can the birdie be? 
If I could sing a song like that,
I’d sit where folks could see.”
5.  “I hope my little girl will learn
A lesson from the bird,
And try to do what good she can,
Not to be seen or heard.
6.  “This birdie is content to sit
Unnoticed on the way,
And sweetly sing his Maker’s praise
From dawn to close of day.
7.  “So live, my child, all through your life,
That, be it short or long,
Though others may forget your looks,
They’ll not forget your song.”

46 Eclectic series.

Lesson XV.

Harry and Annie. 1.  Harry and Annie lived a mile from town, but they went there to school every day.  It was a pleasant walk down the lane, and through the meadow by the pond. 2.  I hardly know whether they liked it better in summer or in winter.  They used to pretend that they were travelers exploring a new country, and would scatter leaves on

Third reader. 47 the road that they might find their way back again. 3.  When the ice was thick and firm, they went across the pond.  But their mother did not like to have them do this unless some one was with them. 4.  “Do n’t go across the pond to-day, children,” she said, as she kissed them and bade them good-by one morning; “it is beginning to thaw.” 5.  “All right, mother,” said Harry, not very good-naturedly, for he was very fond of running and sliding on the ice.  When they came to the pond, the ice looked hard and safe. 6.  “There,” said he to his sister, “I knew it had n’t thawed any.  Mother is always afraid we shall be drowned.  Come along, we will have a good time sliding.  The school bell will not ring for an hour at least.” 7.  “But you promised mother,” said Annie. 8.  “No, I did n’t.  I only said ‘All right,’ and it is all right.” 9.  “I did n’t say anything; so I can do as I like,” said Annie. 10.  So they stepped on the ice, and started to go across the pond.  They had not gone

48 Eclectic series. far before the ice gave way, and they fell into the water. 11.  A man who was at work near the shore, heard the screams of the children, and plunged into the water to save them.  Harry managed to get to the shore without any help, but poor Annie was nearly drowned before the man could reach her. 12.  Harry went home almost frozen, and told his mother how disobedient he had been.  He remembered the lesson learned that day as long as he lived.

Lesson XVI.

Bird friends. 1.  I once knew a man who was rich in his love for birds, and in their love for him.  He lived in the midst of a grove full of all kinds of trees.  He had no wife or children in his home. 2.  He was an old man with gray beard, blue and kind eyes, and a voice that the