Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building Part 6

The next two said: "Let's hide in the shade."

(_Ring fingers only._)

The last two said: "We're not afraid."

(_Little fingers only._)

Bang! went a gun.

(_Clap hands._)

Away they all run.

(_All fingers scamper off._)

MY LITTLE GARDEN

See my little garden, How I rake it over, Then I sow the little brown seeds, And with soft earth cover.

Now the raindrops patter On the earth so gayly; See the big round sun smile On my garden daily.

The little plant is waking; Down the roots grow creeping; Up now come the leaflets Through the brown earth peeping.

Soon the buds will laugh up Toward the springtime showers; Soon my buds will open Into happy flowers.

THE FAMILY[B]

BY EMILIE POULSSON

This is the mother, so busy at home, Who loves her dear children, whatever may come.

This is the father, so brave and so strong, Who works for his family all the day long.

This is the brother, who'll soon be a man, He helps his good mother as much as he can.

This is the sister, so gentle and mild, Who plays that the dolly is her little child.

This is the baby, all dimpled and sweet, How soft his wee hands and his chubby pink feet!

Father, and mother, and children so dear, Together you see them, one family here.

[B] From "Songs and Music of Froebel's Mother Play"; used by permission of the publishers, D. Appleton & Co.

[Ill.u.s.tration: IN DREAMLAND]

JOHNNY SHALL HAVE A NEW BONNET

Johnny shall have a new bonnet, And Johnny shall go to the fair, And Johnny shall have a new ribbon To tie up his bonny brown hair.

And why may not I love Johnny?

And why may not Johnny love me?

And why may not I love Johnny?

As well as another body?

And here's a leg for a stocking, And here is a foot for a shoe, And he has a kiss for his daddy, And two for his mammy, I trow.

And why may not I love Johnny?

And why may not Johnny love me?

And why may not I love Johnny As well as another body?

#RIDING SONGS for FATHER'S KNEE#

TO MARKET RIDE THE GENTLEMEN

To market ride the gentlemen, So do we, so do we; Then comes the country clown, Hobbledy gee, Hobbledy gee; First go the ladies, nim, nim, nim, Next come the gentlemen, trim, trim, trim; Then come the country clowns, gallop-a-trot.

HERE GOES MY LORD

Here goes my lord-- A trot! a trot! a trot! a trot!

Here goes my lady-- A canter! a canter! a canter! a canter!

Here goes my young master-- Jockey-hitch! jockey-hitch! jockey-hitch! jockey-hitch!

Here goes my young miss-- An amble! an amble! an amble! an amble!

The footman lags behind, And goes gallop, a gallop, a gallop, to make up his time.

A FARMER WENT TROTTING

A farmer went trotting upon his gray mare; b.u.mpety, b.u.mpety, b.u.mp!

With his daughter behind him, so rosy and fair; Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

A raven cried croak! and they all tumbled down; b.u.mpety, b.u.mpety, b.u.mp!

The mare broke her knees, and the farmer his crown; Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

The mischievous raven flew laughing away; b.u.mpety, b.u.mpety, b.u.mp!

And vowed he would serve them the same the next day; Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

UP TO THE CEILING

Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, Backward and forward, round and round; Dance, little baby, and mother will sing, With the merry chorus, ding, ding, ding!

THE MESSENGER