Ettic. Yes, and black ones when the horses are black. Alice. O, I don't care. I heard Amelia Gibbs say that it's very handy to tell a white lie sometimes-it gets you out of a lot of trouble. Lizzie. And don't it get you into a lot of trouble sometimes? Alice. Yes, when you're found out. Lizzie. And people that tell untruths are sure to get found out. Ettie. Yes, that they are, or else teacher wouldn't have known when I said I learnt my lesson last night that I didn't learn it. Lizzie. Yes, and when people once find you out they don't believe you again very soon. There's a gentleman that father knows who lives in a large house and has lots of money, but he's so fond of telling untruths that father says he cannot believe one word he speaks, and I shouldn't like to be like that. Ettie. No more should I. Lizzie (turning towards her sister). Then, Ettie dear, don't you ever tell teacher a story again Ettie. No, that I won't. Lizzie. Because, don't you see, nobody will ever trust you if it gets known that you tell lies, and God is displeased with liars. The Bible says a great many things about the wicked practice of lying, and that God is angry with those who tell lies, and sometimes they are punished for doing this. Alice. O yes, I know; I read in my Bible lesson that Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for telling lies. Lizzie. And I heard of a woman who was selling some things once in a market, and a gentleman gave her half-a-crown, and she took out the change and counted it, but she didn't give it to the gentleman, because he was looking at something else; and presently, when the gentleman wanted his change, she said that she had given it to him, and just then she fell off her seat dead, and the change of the half-crown rolled out of her hand, Ettie. O, isn't that shocking! Suppose I'd fallen down dead when I told teacher that story. Alice. I'm very glad you didn't. Lizzie. People don't always die directly they tell stories, but we may be sure it must be wicked to do so, and it makes other people not believe us, and it displeases God, and I always try to think of the prayer that mother taught me "Keep the door of my lips, that I offend not with my tongue." Alice. Well, Lizzie, I think I understand more about fibs and white lies than I did, and I shall try and do as you say—always have the courage to tell the truth. I remember hearing old Mrs. Coates say one day, "Well, the truth may be blamed, but it can't be shamed." Ettie. And I am sure I shall never tell teacher again that I've learnt my words over night when I haven't learnt them, for I shouldn't like to be like the gentleman that father can't believe, nor yet to die like that naughty woman that took the gentleman's change. Alice. No, I shouldn't think you would, Ettie. We shouldn't either of us; should we, Lizzie ? Lizzie. No, I'm sure we should not. Good-bye (looking to wards Alice). Alice. Good-bye. TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT. BY MCLEOD. [Earnest and bold.] COURAGE, brother! do not stumble Perish POLICY and CUNNING, PERISH all that fears the light; Whether losing, whether winning, TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT. Trust no party, church, or faction, TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT. TRUST NO FORMS of guilty passion- FIRMEST RULE, and SAFEST GUIDING, TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT. 21 DANGER. LITTLE NIBBLE AND THE TRAP. [Cheerful and vigorous.] A dear little mouse Was once looking around, Just the thing-she had found; So airy and gay With its framework of wire; In it she could stay And no others desire. To Nibble she ran, Out of breath with the news"Come quick as you can! For your chance you may lose!" "What ails you, my dear?" The wise mother said; "A house for us both, Full of cheese and of bread !" So Nibble went out Where her little one flew, But cautious about Many glances she threw ; "See! here's the dear house! Shall we hurry right in?" ""Tis ready for use, With a door in the side- We want nothing beside !" Runing up to the door, So much was she bent On possessing the store. But Old Nibble cried, With a squeak loud and clear, "Come back to my side, Little Nibble, my dear! B If you should go in You can never come out, Till Puss shall begin To run hungry about. A fine-looking trap To catch such as you, If you went the door through; 'Mid the food scattered there, Young Nibble looked sad When her mother thus spoké, And the silence she broke ; Everywhere I will try OUT OF DANGER TO STAY." BUBBLE-BLOWING. [Cheerful and vigorous.] "Come, Lillie," said Allan to his sister; "be quick : We will blow such fine bubbles to-day! The basin is ready, and so is the pipe; And mamma has just said that we may. So lay down your doll, for I long to begin; And whoe'er blows the largest and brightest shall win. You may blow the first bubbles; so take up the pipe, O! how pretty they look as they float in the sun, I wish they would last for an hour or more; O, look! Lillie, look! what a bubble you've blown ! 'Tis the largest and brightest that I have seen yet, Now, Lillie, 'tis my turn, and I'll have a try; So each blew their bubbles, and both did their best; It was time to attend to their studies again, And to put pipe and basin away. "But first," said mamma, "I've a few words for each; There are bubbles of gold, of pleasure, and fame, Though the sin may seem pleasant and pretty to view Go not after the phantom, but earnestly say, THE SPIDER AND THE FLY. [Cheerful, vigorous, and with care in the dialogue.] "Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly; "'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I have many curious things to show you when you are there." "Oh, no, no," said the little Fly; "to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again. " "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high, Will you rest upon my little bed," said the Spider to the Fly. "There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin, And if you want to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!" "Oh, no, no," said the little Fly; "for I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!" Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you? |