XXX.  GOOD NIGHT.

Samuel Griswold Goodrich (b. 1793, d. 1860) was born in Ridgefield, Conn.  Mr. Goodrich is best known as “Peter Parley,” under which assumed name he commenced the publication of a series of Juvenile works about 1827.  He edited “Parley’s Magazine” from 1841 to 1854.  He was appointed United States consul for Paris in 1848, and held that office four years.  He was a voluminous writer, and his works are interesting and popular.  His “Recollections of a Lifetime” was published in 1857, and “Peter Parley’s Own Story” the year after his death.

1.  The sun has sunk behind the hills,
     The shadows o’er the landscape creep;
   A drowsy sound the woodland fills,
     As nature folds her arms to sleep: 
                  Good night—­good night.

2.  The chattering jay has ceased his din,
     The noisy robin sings no more;
   The crow, his mountain haunt within,
     Dreams ’mid the forest’s surly roar: 
                  Good night—­good night.

3.  The sunlit cloud floats dim and pale;
     The dew is falling soft and still,
   The mist hangs trembling o’er the vale,
     And silence broods o’er yonder mill: 
                  Good night—­good night.

4.  The rose, so ruddy in the light,
     Bends on its stem all rayless now;
   And by its side a lily white,
     A sister shadow, seems to bow: 
                  Good night—­good night.

5.  The bat may wheel on silent wing,
     The fox his guilty vigils keep,
   The boding owl his dirges sing;
     But love and innocence will sleep: 
                  Good night—­good night.

XXXI.  AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL.

Louisa May Alcott (b. 1833, d. 1888) was born at Germantown, Pa., of New England parentage.  Her parents afterwards returned to New England, and most of her life was spent in Concord, Mass.  During the Civil War she went to Washington and nursed the wounded and sick until her own health gave way.  As a child she used to write stories for the amusement of her playmates, and in 1857 published her first book, “Flower Fables.”  Her first novel, “Moods,” appeared in 1865.  “Little Women,” published in 1868, is a picture of her own home life.  “An Old Fashioned Girl,” from which this extract is adapted, was published in 1870, and is one of her most popular books.

1.  Polly hoped the “dreadful boy” (Tom) would not be present; but he was, and stared at her all dinner time in a most trying manner.

2.  Mr. Shaw, a busy-looking gentleman, said, “How do you do, my dear?  Hope you’ll enjoy yourself;” and then appeared to forget her entirely.  Mrs. Shaw, a pale, nervous woman, greeted her little guest kindly, and took care that she wanted for nothing.

3.  Madam Shaw, a quiet old lady, with an imposing cap, exclaimed, on seeing Polly, “Bless my heart! the image of her mother—­a sweet woman—­how is she, dear?” and kept peering at the newcomer over her glasses till, between Madam and Tom, poor Polly lost her appetite.