PRIMARY READER.

LESSON I.

DANGEROUS THINGS.

ONCE a little boy went to a desk, and took in his hand a sharp penknife. His father told him to put the knife down, because it was a dangerous thing.

The boy did not put it down at once', but stopped to ask, What is a dangerous thing'? It was right for him to ask that; but he ought not to have asked, till he had first put the knife down.

In a minute, the boy cried very loudly, and his father went to see what was the matter. He had cut his finger with the sharp, dangerous knife, and the blood was running very fast out of his finger.

It is dangerous for little boys to have sharp knives. -It is dangerous, too, for children not to mind their parents immediately.

LESSON II.

LITTLE WHITE CHICKEN.

GEORGE HILL lives in Boston. One time, when there was a vacation in his school, he went into the country to spend it with his aunt.

The first morning he was there, his aunt asked him if he would like to go out into the yard, and give the chickens their breakfast. George was very much pleased with feeding them'; and every morning after, he rose early, and carried out to them a bowl of meal and water. The chickens were always glad to see him, and would run and flock around him.

One of the chickens he liked very much, because its feathers were all white', and his aunt told him he might have that little white chicken for his own.

One day, he wanted his aunt to go out with him, and see his little white chicken. She went with him', and he stooped down, and patted it softly with one hand', while he fed it with the other.

See, aunt," said George, "how my little chick loves me !"

"What makes it love you so'?" said his aunt. "O, it is because I am so kind to it," said George. "Who is it that is so kind to little George', and gives him food and clothes, and makes him well when he is sick'?"

"It is God," said George; "he is very, very, good

to me.

"and if you

"" 'Yes, indeed he is," said his aunt; do not love and obey him, you will be a very ungrateful boy."

LESSON III.

HOW THEY get along aT AUNT GRAY'S.

Emily. Jane, where did you go yesterday'? Jane. I went to aunt Gray's', and did not return till this morning.

E. You made a long visit.

HOW THEY GET ALONG AT AUNT GRAY'S.

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J. I am always so happy when I go there, that I love to stay.

E.

What makes you so happy there'?

J. O, it is a delightful place.

E. I suppose they have nice fruit and flowers, and many other pretty things.

J.

Yes, they have; but that is not what I care so much about.

E. What is it, then, pray'?

J. O, they are all so kind and pleasant, and love each other so much. I think they love me, and I am sure I love them.

E. It must be pleasant indeed to visit there.

J. I am sure you would like my cousins. They are the best girls I ever knew.

E. I begin to love them now.

J.

Aunt Gray, too'-you can't think how kind she is. She has a great many good stories to tell; and when we sing with her-O, there is nothing like it. E. What songs do you sing'?

J. We sung a beautiful one this morning about the sun, while it was shining there so brightly.

E. You don't think the sun shines brighter there than any where else do you' ?

J. It seemed so to me, although I knew it did

not.

E. I suppose it was because the song was about the sun.

J.

Yes, I suppose it was'. I do not mean to tell you anything that is not true; but really, their puss Tabby, and their dog Skip, are the happiest animals I ever saw.

E. They have not taught the cat and dog to love each other, have they'?

J. All I can say, is, that Tabby and Skip are very peaceful and loving in their way.

E. It must be a delightful place.

J. I have often wondered, after being at aunt Gray's, why every body else cannot live in love and peace as they do.

E. Well, what is the reason'?

J. It seems to me there is nothing to hinder, if people only feel like it.

E. That is easy enough, surely.

J. Yes, and the wonder is, that, when a thing is so easy and desirable, every one does not choose it.

LESSON IV.

JAMES HAPPY AT WORK.

JAMES does not go to school, and has very little time for play`, yet he is as merry a fellow as any boy I know. Very early in the morning when the dew is on the grass, and you, my little reader', still dreaming in bed, James is up and away to the field. He works hard all day; sometimes the sun is very hot, and he grows tired, but nobody ever heard him say anything that sounded like complaint. Perhaps you will wonder how any boy can be happy at work. James has no father', but he has a kind mother and two little sisters, for whom he loves to work. He never feels so happy as when he finds that he can be of use to his mother. Sometimes, when he sees all the other boys at play, or when he happens to pass the school-house door, he thinks how pleasant it would be to have a good play with his old friends, or to go in and take his place in his own class. But he is so busy all day that he has very little time to think of this, and if he had ever so much, I don't think that he would spend it in useless complaints. But I will tell you what James does` find

THE BOY AND THE ROSE.

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time to do, although he always seems to be at work. He has time to ask God, every morning, to give him a thankful and contented heart`; and then, whatever he may have to do, he is always peaceful and happy.

You see that James has a pitchfork on his shoulder, and a little keg in his hand. By this you will know that he is going to the meadow to turn the sweet hay, when the men have mowed it; and in the keg is some of the best new milk, which is a great deal better than rum, to quench thirst and strengthen the mowers.

LESSON V.

THE BOY AND THE ROSE.

A LITTLE boy one day asked his mother if he might walk in the garden. She told him to go with his sister', but directed him to do nothing but what she might say was right. The two children went together', and were much pleased with the plants and the flowers. At length the boy saw a rose', and was going to pick it. His sister told him not to pick the rose; but he would not obey her.

He ran to the bush, and snatched the rose by the stem. But, alas', how bitterly did he repent his folly! The stem of the rose was covered with thorns', and his little hand was soon covered with blood.

This story should teach children never to be disobedient. It shows us that what may seem very pleasant', may do us harm if we act rashly'; and that we ought to take the advice of those who are older and wiser than ourselves. Above all', children should never disobey their parents.