LITTLE LILLIE.

"I HAVE been to school, father, and tried to be good; And when I came home, as I walk'd through the wood, I saw on the tree a most beautiful bird,

And his song was the sweetest that ever I heard.

He look'd in my face with his little round eye;
I was sorry for that, for I thought he would fly;
But he still kept singing the same sweet song,
And it made me glad as I walked along.

And father, the air was so fresh and so sweet,
The
green grass and moss so soft to my feet,
And the ground was so bright with the beautiful flowers,
That I wanted to stay there a great many hours.

But I thought it was wrong any longer to stay,
For you told me never to stop by the way;
So I came straight home, and brother and I
Have been to the fields to make his kite fly.

And I work'd in my garden, and planted some seeds,
And water'd the flowers, and pull'd up the weeds ;
And I tried to help mother all that I could:
I am sure she will tell you that I have been good."

“I am glad, little Lillie," the father replied,
As he kiss'd his dear girl, "I'm glad you have tried
To be a good child; so now come with me,
And sit by my side or climb on my knee;

"And I'll tell you why all look'd so happy and gay, As you walk'd home from school through the greenwood to-day;

And why the glad song of that beautiful bird
Seem'd sweeter than any you ever had heard.

'The Lord keeps around us, by day and by night,
Kind angels to guard us, and lead us aright:
When you try to be useful and pleasant and mild,
I know that the angels are leading my child.

"For the good thoughts and feelings which they will impart,

When you try to do right, will gladden your heart;
And this is why all look'd so happy and gay,

As you walk'd home from school through the greenwood to-day."

THE LITTLE GIRL'S ADDRESS TO THE RIVER.

GENTLE river, gentle river!

Tell us, whither do you glide, Through the green and sunny meadows, With your sweetly-murmuring tide?

You for many a mile must wander,
Many a lovely prospect see:
Gentle river, gentle river!
Oh, how happy you must be!

G

Tell us, if you can remember,
Where your happy life began;
When at first, from some high mountain,
Like a silver thread you ran.

Say, how many little streamlets

Gave their mite your depth to swell; Coming each from different sources, Had they each a tale to tell?

When a playful brook you gamboll'd, And the sunshine o'er you smiled, On your banks did children loiter, Looking for the spring-flowers wild?

Gentle river, gentle river,

Do you hear a word we say? I am sure you ought to love us, For we come here every day.

Oh! I pray you, wait a moment,
And a message bear from me
To a darling little cousin

We should dearly love to see.
You will know her, if you see her,

By her clear and laughing eyes; For they sparkle like your waters 'Neath the bright blue summer skies.

She's a pretty, playful creature, Light of heart, and footsteps too : I am sure you must have seen her, For she often speaks of you.

Oh, do tell her, gentle river,

That we think of her each day; That we have not ceased to miss her, Ever since she went away.

Say to her, that brother Willie,
Who is sitting by my side,
That sweet rose she gave at parting
Cherish'd fondly till it died.

Tell her, too, that mother wishes

She could hear her voice once more, See her eyes, as bright as sunshine, Peeping at the parlour-door.

Say we will a token send her,

Which upon thy waves we'll fling; Flowers from out our little garden,

Fragrant with the breath of spring.

Gentle river, gentle river!

Though you stop not to reply, Yet you seem to smile upon us As you quickly pass us by.