Stories and Poems

 The Lost Children  by Timothy Shay Arthur   "TELL us the story about the lost children, dear mother," said George, laying down his playthings and coming to his mother's side. "Oh, yes, do, mother, please," added the little boy's sister; a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked girl, just ten years old. "I told you the story yesterday," replied the mother. "I know you did," answered George. "But we want to hear it again. Tell it to us, dear mother, and we will be such good children!" "There was once a little boy and girl," began the mother; "no older than you are, my children,...

 Old Shusco   OLD SHUSCO, as he was commonly called, was an Ojibwa Indian. It is not known where he was born, but it is believed to have been near the island of Mackinaw, in the strait which connects lakes Michigan and Huron. He was left an orphan when about ten days old, and came under the care of six different persons during his childhood and youth. When he was about fifteen, his grandfather undertook to make him a juggler, which is thought by the Indians to be an office of great honor and importance. They suppose that a juggler,...

 THE HAPPY WATERMAN   A gentleman who was one day a passenger on the river Thames, observed on the stern of the boat these words: “HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.” Taking notice of it, he deter-mined to enter into conversation with the Waterman; and, inquiring into his situation in life, found that he had a wife and five children, and supported also an old father and mother-in-law by his own labor. The gentleman upon this was still more desirous to know why he had given such a title to his boat, and asked him the reason of it. “I can easily...

 The Aged Sailor   D-- R--, the subject of the following narrative, was born at Glasgow, of respectable parents. They required him to attend public worship twice on the Sabbath, and in the evening to commit to memory a few verses of Scripture and a psalm or hymn. He was naturally very passionate and self-willed: would frequently, when sent to school, play truant; and when required to go to church, would, as often as possible, go a bird's-nesting, or duck-hunting, or roam the fields with his companions in sin and folly. At the age of sixteen he determined to throw...

 THE AGED PENITENT OR FILIAL PIETY REWARDED AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE   BY REV. GUSTAVUS ABEEL, D. D. When I first saw Mr. L——, the principal subject of this narrative, his tall figure and venerable appearance indelibly impressed my mind. He was eighty years of age, and upwards of six feet in height, though his form was somewhat bent. His hair was as white as age could make it, and his limbs were yet firm and vigorous. In early life he had been a soldier of the Revolution; and afterwards, for many years, had followed the occupation of a miller; but...