Chapter II: Part 2

Tom Trot, a man of law,
Sold his bed and lay on straw,
Sold his straw and lay on grass,
To buy his wife a looking-glass.

Hector Protector was dressed all in green;
Hector Protector was sent to the Queen.
The Queen did not like him,
No more did the King;
So Hector Protector was sent back again.

There was a young lady in blue
Who said, “Is it you? Is it you?”
When they said, “Yes, it is,”
She replied only, “Whizz!”
That ungracious young lady in blue.

—EDWARD LEAR

Trit, trot to market, to buy a penny doll.
Trit, trot home again, market’s sold them all.

Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.
Handsome is as handsome does.

Dancy-diddlety-poppity-pin!
Have a new dress when summer comes in;
When summer goes out,
’Tis all worn out,
Dancy-diddlety-poppity-pin!

_Riddle_:

Four fingers and a thumb,
Yet flesh and bone have I none.

_A glove_

WORK AND PLAY

Mother made Betty’s everyday dress.

She bought a pattern and laid it on the cloth.

She cut it out and basted it.

When it was basted, Mother called Betty.

“Come, Betty,” said Mother. “I want to fit your dress.”

“You are a dressmaker today, Mother,” said Betty. “I’m a fine lady that has come to have a dress fitted.”

“Then you must stand very still, Betty, while I fit your dress.”

When the dress was fitted, Betty said, “Now I’ll play I’m a dressmaker. This is my shop. Come, Bobby. Be a fine lady. Let me make you a dress.”

“I don’t want to be a fine lady,” said Bobby. “I don’t want a dress. I’m a tailor. This is my shop.”

“You can’t make a suit of clothes,” said Betty.

“I can make an apron,” said Bobby. “See, Teddy-bear is a shoemaker. I’ll make the shoemaker an apron.”

Mother gave them some pieces of cloth.

She gave each a needle and thread.

They played Bobby was a tailor and Betty a dressmaker.

_For study and play_:

When I was a dressmaker, a dressmaker, a dressmaker,
When I was a dressmaker, a dressmaker was I.
It was this way, and that way,
And this way, and that way,
Oh, when I was a dressmaker, a dressmaker was I.

When I was a tailor, a tailor, a tailor,
When I was a tailor, a tailor was I.
It was this way, and that way,
And this way, and that way,
Oh, when I was a tailor, a tailor was I.

“Sing, sing!”
“What shall I sing?”
“The cat ran away with my apron string!”

_Game_:

Thread the needle to begin,
Sometimes out and sometimes in.
Tailor’s blind and cannot see,
So thread the tailor’s needle.

THE SCISSORS-GRINDER

“My scissors are dull,” said Mother, when she began to cut out Betty’s aprons. “I wish the scissors-grinder would come.”

“He is coming,” said Bobby. “I hear his bell.”

“That sounds like his bell,” said Mother. “Look out, Bobby, and see if it really is the scissors-grinder.”

“It is the scissors-grinder!” cried Bobby. “He is coming down the back street.”

They looked out and saw the scissors-grinder.

He was carrying his grindstone on his back and playing a tune with his bell.

“Call him, Bobby,” said Mother.

The scissors-grinder was quick to see Bobby.

Before Bobby had time to call, he had turned in toward the back door.

He swung his grindstone from his back and set it on the ground.

“Will you please sharpen my scissors?” asked Mother.

The scissors-grinder took the scissors in his hand.

Then “Whir-r-r, whir-r-r, whir-r-r,” went the grindstone. Sparks flew from the whirring stone.

Bobby and Betty stepped back. They were afraid of the grindstone.

“Any knives to grind?” asked the scissors-man when the scissors were ground.

“Yes,” answered Mother. “I wish you would grind this knife.”

Again the wheel went, “Whir-r-r, whir-r-r, whir-r-r.”

Again sparks flew from the grindstone.

Then the man gave Mother the knife, and she paid him for his work.

The scissors-grinder now swung his grindstone on his back. Again he rang his bell.

Bobby and Betty watched the scissors-grinder until he turned a street corner.

_For study and play_:

Have you any old knives to grind?
And scissors to grind, too?
Bring them out, my pretty dears,
I’ll make them look like new.

MOTHER BUYS BETTY A NEW HAT

One day Mother read some verses to Bobby and Betty.

She read “Little Blue Apron.”

“Is that ‘Little Blue Apron’?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear,” answered Mother. “If I don’t get you a new hat soon, you will be like ‘Little Blue Apron.’”

“I like ‘Little Blue Apron,’” said Betty.

“But I should like to have a new hat, Mother.”

“I will get you a hat,” said Mother. “We will go to the milliner’s shop today.”

When afternoon came, Mother said, “Bobby, be a good boy. Stay and play with baby.”

Then Mother and Betty went down the street to the milliner’s shop.

When they reached the shop, they stood and looked at the hats in the window.

“Those are ladies’ hats,” said Mother. “Let’s go in.”

“Do you wish a hat for yourself, Madam?” asked the milliner.

“Not today,” answered Mother. “Please show us some hats for little girls.”

“That is a pretty hat,” said Betty.

“It’s pretty, but it won’t wear well,” said Mother.

“How do you like this hat?” asked the milliner.

“That is better,” said Mother. “I like the shape.”

“It’s very becoming,” said the milliner when she put the hat on Betty’s head.

“How do you like it, Betty?” asked Mother.

“I like it,” answered Betty.

“It’s a nice hat for a little girl,” said Mother. “It will match your dress.”

“Will you buy it for me, Mother?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear,” answered Mother.

Mother paid the milliner for the hat.

The milliner put the hat in a paper bag and handed it to Mother.

“Thank you,” said the milliner. “Come in again.”

“Thank you,” said Mother. “We shall be glad to come again.”

On the way home, they stopped at a candy store. Mother bought three sticks of candy.

Then Mother and Betty went home to Bobby and baby Billy.

_For study and play_:

“Little Blue Apron,
Never a hat.
How do you manage
To do like that?”

“Why, what is the use
Of a hat?” said she.
“You never wear hats
When you’re by the sea.”

—AN OLD STORY BOOK

H was a hat
Which was all on one side;
Its crown was too high,
And its brim was too wide.
Oh, what a hat!

V was a veil
With a border upon it,
And a ribbon to tie it
All round a pink bonnet
Pretty green veil!

—EDWARD LEAR

FATHER BUYS BOBBY A NEW HAT

Betty showed her new hat to Father.

“That’s a very nice hat,” said Father. “Did Mother buy one for Bobby?”

“No, Daddy,” said Betty. “Mother and I went to the milliner’s shop. The milliner doesn’t have hats for boys as big as Bobby.”

“That’s so,” said Father. “Bobby can get a good hat at the dry-goods store.”

“Won’t you take him there in the morning?” asked Mother.

“Yes,” said Father. “I’ll take him with me tomorrow morning. I pass the store on my way to work.”

Bobby knew nothing about going until the next morning.

Then Mother said, “Bobby, Father says you may go with him this morning.”

“Good!” cried Bobby. “That will be fun. Daddy, where are we going?”

“To the dry-goods store,” answered Father.

“Is that the store where I got my new suit?” asked Bobby.

“Yes, Bobby,” answered Father. “We will see if we can find a hat in the store for a boy of your size.”

“It’s for me, Daddy, isn’t it?” asked Bobby.

“Have you been a good boy?” asked Father.

“When Betty went with Mother to get her hat, I stayed with baby,” said Bobby. “I played with him.”

“That’s a good boy,” said Father. “I think we can find a hat for you in the dry-goods store.”

“I am sure we can, Daddy. They have ever so many things in the dry-goods store.”

When Father and Bobby went into the store, a salesman asked, “What can I show you?”

“Boys’ hats,” replied Father.

The salesman showed Father and Bobby the way to the place where boys’ hats were kept.

Bobby tried one on.

“That’s too small,” said Father. “Find a larger one for him.”

“This hat is larger,” said Bobby.

“How does it feel?” asked Father.

“All right,” said Bobby.

“I’ll take the hat,” said Father.

Father paid the salesman for Bobby’s hat.

Then he turned to Bobby and said, “Take your hat, young man. Now run home.”

_For study and play_:

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

_Riddles_:

There’s a garden that I ken,
Full of little gentlemen,
Little caps of blue they wear,
And green ribbons very fair.

_Flax_

What goes up when the rain comes down?

_An umbrella_

BOBBY LEARNS WHY MEN LIFT THEIR HATS

Bobby ran home with his new hat.

He showed it to Mother.

“That’s a nice hat for a little man,” said Mother. “You are old enough now to lift your hat when you meet a friend on the street.”

“Why should I lift my hat, Mother?” asked Bobby.

“Gentlemen always lift their hats,” said Mother.

“Daddy does,” said Bobby. “I’ll ask him to tell me about it.”

That night Bobby asked, “Daddy, why do men lift their hats?”

“Sit down,” said Father. “I’ll tell you about it.”

Bobby and Betty drew up their chairs.

“A long, long time ago,” said Father, “there were knights who dressed in full armor.”

“I’ve seen pictures of them,” said Bobby. “Mother showed us a picture of a knight in full armor.”

“In those days,” added Father, “it was not safe for a knight to go out unless he was dressed in full armor. But when a knight was among his friends, he took off his helmet.”

“Why did he take off his helmet?” asked Bobby.

“He was among friends,” answered Daddy. “It was safe to do it. And so when a knight took off his helmet, he the same as said, ‘I am in the presence of friends.’”

“That was a nice way to say it,” said Betty.

“Yes, dear,” said Father. “And a man has a nice way of saying about the same thing.”

“What is a man’s nice way of saying the same thing, Father?” asked Bobby.

“It is by lifting his hat,” answered Father.

“What does he say when he lifts his hat?” asked Bobby.

“When a man lifts his hat, it’s a way of saying, ‘I am in the presence of friends.’”

“That’s a good story,” said Bobby. “I like it.”

“Put on your hat, my little man,” said Father. “Play you are walking on the street. Betty, play you are a friend.”

Bobby put on his hat and walked up and down the room. Soon Betty met him. Bobby lifted his hat as he passed her.

“Well done, young man,” said Father. “Now tell me what you meant to say when you lifted your hat.”

“I am in the presence of a friend,” said Bobby. “That’s what I meant to say.”

_For study and play_:

Politeness is to do and say,
The kindest thing in the kindest way.

If a body meet a body
Coming through the town,
If a body greet a body,
Need a body frown?

—SELECTED

There was an old man of Brest,
Who was always funnily drest.
He wore gloves on his nose,
And a hat on his toes,
And a boot in the midst of his chest.

—COSMO MONKHOUSE

THE LAUNDRY MAN

Bobby has a blue laundry bag in his closet.

Betty has a yellow laundry bag in her closet.

They put their soiled clothes in their laundry bags.

Sometimes Mother sends soiled clothes to the laundry.

The laundryman calls for them.

Bobby and Betty fold the clothes before the laundryman comes.

Mother ties them in a neat bundle.

She gives the bundle to the laundryman when he calls for the clothes.

A few days later the laundryman brings back a bundle of clean clothes.

He gives Mother the bill for the laundry, and she pays him for the work.

Bobby and Betty help Mother put the clean clothes away.

Then they play laundryman.

They hitch Queen to the cart and call for Dolly’s and Teddy-bear’s clothes.

They play they wash and iron the clothes.

Then they bring them back to Teddy-bear and Dolly.

_For study and play_:

Does the laundryman ever call at your house?

Does your mother make a list of the clothes she sends to the laundry?

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Who hath a good trade
Through all waters may wade.

AT THE BARBER’S SHOP

Sometimes Father goes to the barber’s shop.

Sometimes Bobby and Betty go.

The barber cuts their hair.

One morning Father said to Bobby, “Your hair is too long. You should go to the barber and have him cut it.”

“All right,” said Bobby.

“Betty’s hair should be cut,” said Mother. “It is getting too long for a little girl.”

“May we go to the barber today?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear,” answered Mother.

That afternoon Mother took the children to the barber’s shop.

There was a big pole in front of the shop.

“That is his sign,” said Bobby.

“How do you know?” asked Betty.

“Daddy said so,” answered Bobby.

The barber met them at the door.

“How do you do?” said he.

“Very well, thank you,” said Mother.

Bobby and Betty said, “How do you do?”

“What can I do for you today?” asked the barber.

“Please, Mr. Barber, I want my hair cut,” said Betty.

“I want my hair cut,” said Bobby.

“Very well,” said the barber. “Lay off your things, children. Madam, be seated. Here is a chair, little boy. Come, little girl, sit in this big chair.”

Betty stepped forward and the barber helped her get into the big chair.

He put a towel around Betty’s neck.

He took out a comb and a pair of shears and began to cut Betty’s hair.

Once Betty dodged.

“Sit still, little girl, sit still,” said the barber. “I shall not hurt you.”

Betty tried to sit very still.

Her hair was soon cut.

“Shall I curl it?” asked the barber.

“Yes, please,” said Betty. “I like curly hair.”

When Bobby took the chair, he said, “I don’t want any curls.”

“That’s right,” said the barber. “You are too big to have your hair curled.”

When the barber had cut Bobby’s hair, Mother paid him for his work.

Then they all went home to get dinner ready for Father.

_For study and play_:

Good morning, Mr. Barber Man,
You see I’m here quite early;
I want my hair cut, if you please,
But oh, sir, cut it curly.

There was a little girl who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
And when she was good, she was very, very good,
But when she was bad, she was horrid.

—UNKNOWN

_Riddle_:

I don’t have it,
I don’t want it,
If I had it
I wouldn’t take the world for it.

_A bald head_

THE BROOM MAN

One day the broom man came down the street.

“Brooms, brooms, brooms!” called the broom man.

“Come and buy. Come and buy a broom!”

“Mother! Mother!” called Bobby and Betty. “Don’t you want to buy a broom?”

“Yes,” said Mother. “My old broom is wearing out. I need a new broom.”

Bobby called to the broom man, and he came to the back door.

Mother bought a new broom.

She paid the broom man eighty cents.

Then he went down the street calling, “Brooms, brooms, brooms!”

“Let me sweep with the new broom,” said Bobby.

Mother let Bobby sweep the back porch.

“Now it’s my turn to sweep,” said Betty.

“You may sweep the steps,” said Mother.

Betty worked very hard.

She wanted to sweep the steps clean.

“I could sweep better, Mother, if I were a little bigger,” said Betty. “I wish the broom was not so big.”

“This broom is too big for a little girl,” said Mother.

“Some day I will buy you a smaller broom.”

“Oh, thank you, Mother,” said Betty. “Buy me a little broom.”

“You shall have a little broom,” said Mother. “And tonight I will teach you and Bobby a song about broom girls who sold little brooms.”

_For study and play_:

The broom man maketh his living most sweet,
With carrying brooms from street to street;
Who would desire a pleasanter thing,
Than all the day long to do nothing but sing,
“New brooms, green brooms, will you buy any?
Come maidens, come quickly, let me make a penny”?

A new broom sweeps clean.
Sweep before your own door.

Buy a big broom for lady,
And a little broom for baby.

_Riddles_:

Round the house and round the house, and yet stands in the corner.

_A broom_

That which flies high and flies low, has no feet, yet wears shoes.

_Dust_

THE SONG OF THE DUTCH BROOM SELLER

From Dutchland I come with my fine brooms all laden,
So, Mistress and Maiden, will you please buy a broom?
Buy a broom! Buy a broom!
I’ve a large one for a lady
And a small one for a baby,
So, all you kind ladies,
Will you please buy a broom?
Buy a broom! Buy a broom!
Buy a broom! Buy a broom!

THE BALLOON MAN

“O Betty!” cried Bobby. “The balloon man is coming. I can hear his horn.”

“I can see him,” said Betty. “Just look!”

“My!” said Bobby. “Aren’t they pretty? I wish I could have a red balloon.”

“Let’s ask Mother if we can buy one,” said Betty.

Bobby ran and Betty ran, but Betty ran the faster.

“O Mother!” cried Betty. “Please give me ten cents. I want to buy a balloon.”

“Please give me ten cents,” said Bobby. “I want to buy a red balloon. Just look at it, Mother!”

“You have been good children today,” said Mother. “You may each buy a balloon.”

Mother gave each of them ten cents and they ran out to the street.

The balloon man saw them coming and cried, “Balloons! Will you buy a balloon?”

“Please, sir,” said Bobby. “I will buy that red balloon. How much is it?”

“Ten cents,” answered the balloon man.

“Here is a dime,” said Bobby.

“Take hold of the string, little boy,” said the man. “Don’t let it get away from you.”

“Please, sir,” said Betty. “I want to buy a balloon.”

“Which one will you have, little girl?” asked the balloon man.

“I want a yellow balloon, if you please,” said Betty. “Here is a dime.”

The balloon man took the dime and said, “Be careful, Miss. Keep hold of the string.”

_For study and play_:

Now boys, now girls, come buy a balloon,
’Twill fly so swiftly up to the moon;
Come buy them, blue, red, yellow, or green,
’Tis the prettiest toy that ever was seen.

K was a Kite
Which flew out of sight
Above houses so high,
Quite into the sky.
Fly away Kite!

—EDWARD LEAR

BOBBY AND BETTY FOLLOW THE HAND-ORGAN MAN

“Listen!” said Bobby. “Is that the band?”

“Let’s go and see,” said Betty.

Bobby and Betty ran out to the street.

A hand-organ man was coming.

He had been playing up the street and now was coming near.

“Let’s go and hear him play,” said Bobby.

“All right,” said Betty.

So Bobby and Betty ran up the street.

All the children in the block came out.

Some of them danced and clapped their hands while the hand-organ man played.

The organ man kept looking up at the windows.

“Here’s a nickel,” said a woman to her little boy. “Take it to the hand-organ man.”

The boy took the nickel to the organ-grinder.

He played another piece.

When this was played, Bobby said, “Please play another. I’ll bring you a penny.”

Bobby and Betty ran to the house and Mother gave each of them a penny.

Bobby gave his penny to the hand-organ man, and the man started to go.

“Play another piece,” said Betty. “I’ll give you a penny.”

Again the organ-grinder played.

Betty gave him a penny.

The organ-grinder went farther down the street.

All the children followed.

When they came to the end of the block, all but Bobby and Betty turned back.

Bobby and Betty stood still.

“It’s time to go back,” said Bobby.

“Let’s go a little farther,” said Betty. “Mother won’t care.”

The organ-grinder started a lively tune.

Bobby and Betty forgot to go back home.

They followed the organ-grinder.

On they went from house to house after the organ-grinder.

Sometimes they skipped and danced when the organ man played.

“This is fun,” said Bobby.

“It’s just like being grown up,” said Betty.

So Bobby and Betty had a fine time as long as the organ man played his tunes.

When he stopped playing, they began to feel tired.

“Let’s go home,” said Betty.

So Bobby and Betty turned back, but they did not know the way home.

_For study and play_:

I knock at the knocker,
I ring the little bell,
Please give me a penny
For singing this so well.

Driddlety-drum, driddlety-drum,
There you see the drummers are come.
Some are here and some are there,
And some are gone to the county fair.

A buckskin fiddle and a shoestring bow
Make the very best music you know.

Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee,
The fly shall marry the bumble bee.

TOM, TOM, THE PIPER’S SON

Tom, Tom, the piper’s son,
He learned to play when he was young,
But all the tune that he could play,
Was “Over the hills and far away.”

Now Tom with his pipe did make such a noise,
That he surely pleased both the girls and the boys,
And they all stopped still, for to hear him play,
“Over the hills and far away.”

Tom with his pipe did play with such skill
That those who heard him could never keep still;
Whenever they heard him, they’d all begin to dance,
Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance.

WHY MOTHER ’PHONED TO THE POLICEMAN

At first Mother did not miss Bobby and Betty.

But after a while she wondered where they were.

She went to the door and called, “Bob-by!”

There was no answer.

Then she called, “Bet-ty!”

Still there was no answer.

Then Mother guessed what had happened.

She went to the telephone and ’phoned to the policeman.

She told him Bobby and Betty were lost.

She asked him to help find them.

“How old are your children?” asked the policeman.

“Six years old,” said Mother.

“Don’t worry, Madam,” he said. “I’ll bring the children to you.”

While the policeman was hunting for Bobby and Betty, they were going on and on.

“I’m tired,” said Betty. “I want to go home.”

“Cheer up,” said Bobby. “Don’t cry, Betty, please. We’ll find Mother’s house, by-and-by.”

“Do you know the way home?” asked Betty.

“I think so,” said Bobby.

But even brave Bobby soon said, “I don’t know the way.”

Just then the policeman met the children.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“We are going home,” answered Bobby. “But we can’t find the way.”

“Come with me,” said the policeman. “I’ll show you the way.”

_For study and play_:

I like to dance along the street
And up and down the stairs,
Around the stove and in the grove
And in and out the chairs.

—SELECTED

The policeman on the corner
Wears a coat of blue.
He blows a great big whistle
Which says, “Too-too-too!”

—FIRST GRADE, Riverside,
Illinois

_Riddle_:

My sides are firmly laced about,
Yet nothing is within.
You’ll think my head is strange indeed,
Being nothing else but skin.

_A drum_

THE POLICEMAN TAKES BOBBY AND BETTY HOME

Bobby and Betty were a long way from home. But the policeman knew the way.

“I’m glad we found you,” said Bobby. “I’m glad you know the way.”

“That’s funny,” said Betty. “We lost the way and we found you. And you know the way.”

“Will you show us where Mother’s house is?” asked Bobby.

“To be sure, I will,” answered the policeman. “That is part of my business.”

“Do you do anything else?” asked Bobby.

“Oh, yes,” answered the policeman. “I walk up and down the streets and take care of the people.”

“Are you their father?” asked Betty. “Are you the father of all the people on the streets?”

“Hardly that,” answered the policeman.

“I know what you are,” said Bobby. “You are a big brother. You are a big brother to all of the people on the streets.”

“Now you have hit it, my little man,” answered the big policeman. “I try to be a big brother to the people along the streets.”

By this time it was almost dark, but Bobby and Betty were now nearly home.

“Do you know this street?” asked the policeman.

“Oh, yes,” cried Bobby. “We live just around the corner.”

Bobby and Betty almost ran the last few steps of the way.

They were soon at the door.

They could not wait for the policeman to ring the bell.

They opened the door and ran straight to Mother.

They threw their arms around her.

“O Bobby! O Betty!” cried Mother. “I am so glad to see you.”

Mother thanked the policeman for bringing the children home.

“You are very welcome,” said the policeman.

“Did you thank the policeman?” asked Mother.

“Thank you, thank you,” said Bobby and Betty.

“I hope we shall find you again,” said Bobby.

“I am glad you are everybody’s big brother,” said Betty.

“Thank you,” said the policeman. “But remember, your big brother thinks you had better play nearer home.”

_For study and play_:

I like to see the policeman,
Who is sometimes called the cop,
When he sees the speeding autos
And he makes the traffic stop.

—JEAN WOLD, JOHN JOHNSON,
AND FREDERICK VICKERY,
Second Grade, Hinsdale,
Illinois

John O’Gradgen was a wild man.
He whipped his children now and then.
When he whipped them, he made them dance
Out of Ireland into France.

MOTHER TALKS WITH BOBBY AND BETTY

“Tell me all about it,” said Mother.

Bobby and Betty told Mother they followed the organ-grinder. They told her they skipped and danced to the music the organ man played.

They told her they started home when the organ man stopped playing.

They told her the big policeman came and asked them where they were going.

“Were you afraid of the policeman?” asked Mother.

“I was at first,” said Betty. “But, Mother, he is a big brother. I’m not afraid of him now.”

“This policeman is a kind man,” said Mother. “I wish all policemen were like him.”

“Aren’t they all big brothers?” asked Bobby.

“That is what they should be,” answered Mother. “But not all policemen are big brothers.”

“I am glad we found the big-brother kind,” said Betty.

“So am I,” said Mother. “But tell me, children, why did you follow the organ-grinder beyond the end of this block?”

“He played beautiful music,” said Betty. “The music pulled us along, Mother.”

“I know,” answered Mother. “I know how music pulls you along. But my little ones must not let music pull them away from home.”

“Next time it pulls, I’ll pull the other way,” said Bobby.

“Bobby did pull a little,” said Betty. “Next time I’ll help him and we’ll come back to you.”

“That is right. Listen to the music when the organ-grinder is in this block,” said Mother. “When he goes to the next block, it is time to pull away from the music and come home to Mother.”

“I’m glad we are home now,” said Bobby.

“I wish you had been here this afternoon,” said Mother. “You can’t guess what you missed!”

“What was it, Mother?” asked Betty.

“Mrs. White came over with some ice cream,” said Mother. “She had more than she needed. She wanted you to have some.”

“Did you save it for us?” asked Bobby.

“I wanted to save it,” answered Mother.

“Did you save the ice cream, Mother?” asked Betty.

“I had no way to keep it, children. So I called in John and Josie, and they ate the ice cream.”

“Oh, fudge!” said Bobby. “I wish we had come home.”

“So do I,” said Betty. “I wish we had turned back when John and Josie did.”

“If we had turned back, we should have had the ice cream,” added Bobby.

_For study and play_:

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Dare to say no.

If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,
Five things observe with care:
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.

THE NEWSBOY

Every morning the newsboy comes with a newspaper.

He leaves it on the back porch.

Sometimes Bobby brings it in to Father.

Sometimes Betty brings it to him.

Father likes to read the paper before he goes to his work.

One morning Father said to Bobby, “Bring in the paper.”

“It hasn’t come, Daddy,” answered Bobby.

“The newsboy is late this morning,” said Father.

“He is coming now,” said Betty. “I see him.”

Bobby went out on the back porch.

The newsboy tossed a paper on the porch and ran to the next house.

Bobby took the paper to Father.

“Thank you, Bobby,” said Father.

“I want to be a newsboy,” said Bobby. “Mother, may I be a newsboy?”

“What is that you are saying?” asked Father.

“I want to be a newsboy, Father,” said Bobby.

“Betty, what do you think of that?” asked Father.

“I think Bobby is too little,” said Betty. “When Bobby is bigger he can be a newsboy.”

_For study and play_:

Papers, papers! right this way!
Come and buy one every day!

—SECOND GRADE, Riverside,
Illinois

What’s the news of the day,
Good neighbor, I pray?
They say the balloon
Has gone up to the moon.

The newsboy comes each morning,
When I’m out at play,
Throws the paper on the porch,
And then he runs away.

—MARY MACMILLAN and WILLIAM FELDMAN,
Second Grade, Hinsdale, Illinois

_Riddles_:

What is it that is black and white and red (read) all over?

_A newspaper_

Why is a cherry like a book?

_Because it is red (read)_

THE POSTMAN

Every day the postman comes with mail in his mail bag.

He takes mail out of the mail bag and puts it in the letter box.

He rings the bell and then goes on to the next house.

When Bobby and Betty are at the front door, the postman hands them their mail.

When it is in the letter box, Mother lets them take the key.

They unlock the box and take out the mail.

Then one of them locks the box and the other one takes the mail in to Mother.

One day Bobby asked, “Where does the postman get the mail?”

“At the post office,” said Mother. “The postmaster has men to sort the mail and take it to the people.”

“Does the postmaster pay our postman?” asked Bobby.

“No, dear,” answered Mother. “Uncle Sam pays our postman.”

“Does Uncle Sam pay the postmaster?” asked Bobby.

“Yes, Bobby,” answered Mother. “Uncle Sam pays all the men who take care of the mail.”

“Where does Uncle Sam get his money?” asked Bobby.

“This is one way he gets money for the work,” answered Mother. “Uncle Sam sells postage stamps. Every time we buy a stamp we help Uncle Sam pay for carrying the mail.”

“I didn’t know that before,” said Betty.

“I didn’t know it,” said Bobby.

“Some day I’ll buy a postage stamp. I’ll send a letter and help Uncle Sam. I’ll help him pay his men who take care of the mail.”

_For study and play_:

“Good morning, Mister Postman,
Your bag is full I see;
I’m looking for a letter,
Have you anything for me?”

“Good-morning, here’s a letter,
And here’s a paper, too;
I’ve others for your neighbors,
But nothing else for you.”

—SELECTED

My pot’s boiling,
My hen’s laying.
My cat went to bed
With a nightcap on her head.
It’s not you; it’s not you;
But it’s you, you, you!

_A rime to be used with the game Drop the Handkerchief_:

I sent a letter to my love,
And on the way I dropped it,
On the way I dropped it.
I dree, dree, dropped it,
I, I, I, lost it.
A little boy picked it up,
And put it in his pocket.

HOW BOBBY AND BETTY EARNED MONEY

Bobby and Betty wanted to earn money.

They wanted to buy roller skates.

So Mother said, “Save the old newspapers. You may sell them to the junkman.”

Bobby and Betty saved the old newspapers.

They made neat bundles.

When they had three big bundles, Mother said, “Now, children, you may sell them.”

That very day Bobby and Betty heard the junkman calling.

“He’s coming,” cried Bobby. “The junkman is coming.”

Bobby and Betty ran to the back gate.

The junkman was driving nearer and nearer, calling, “Pa-pers! pa-pers! Any old pa-pers to sell?”

“Yes!” shouted Bobby. “We have some old papers to sell.”

“Whoa! whoa!” called the junkman to his horses.

The horses stopped at the back gate.

The junkman jumped down from his wagon.

“This way,” said Bobby.

Bobby and Betty led the way to the back door.

“Here are the bundles,” said Bobby.

The junkman had his scales in his hand.

“Thirty pounds,” said he when he weighed the first bundle of papers.

“Forty pounds,” said the junkman when he weighed the second bundle of papers.

He then weighed the third bundle. “Thirty pounds,” he said. “One hundred pounds. I will give you twenty-five cents.”

Bobby reached out his hand for the money.

“Have you any bottles?” asked the junkman.

“Yes,” answered Betty. “Here are twelve bottles.”

“Three cents,” said the junkman, and he handed the money to Betty.

“Anything else?” asked the junkman.

“That is all,” said Betty.

The junkman picked up his load and took it out to the wagon.

“Gid-ap!” said the junkman to his horses.

The horses started.

And again the junkman called out, “Papers! pa-pers! Any old pa-pers to sell?”

When the junkman had gone, Betty said, “How much money do you have, Bobby?”

“Twenty-five cents,” answered Bobby. “How much do you have?”

“Three cents,” answered Betty. “Give me some of yours.”

Bobby looked puzzled. He knew that part of the money was Betty’s. But he did not know what to do with the twenty-five cent piece he had.

“Let me help you,” said Mother. “I’ll change the quarter. Then you and Betty can divide your money.”

So Mother gave Bobby two dimes and five pennies for his quarter.

Then Bobby and Betty worked and worked.

At last they saw how to divide it.

_For study and play_:

Penny and penny
Laid up will be many.

Who spends more than he should
Shall not have to spend when he would.

_Riddle_:

Runs all the day and comes home with its tongue out at night.

_A wagon_

WHAT BOBBY AND BETTY SOLD TO THE OLD-CLOTHES MAN

“See, Mother,” said Bobby. “I have fourteen cents.”

“I have fourteen cents, Mother. See!” said Betty.

“That is a nice start,” said Mother. “Put the money in your savings banks. Then it will not get lost.”

“I want to earn more money,” said Betty.

“What can we do?” asked Bobby.

“I will tell you what to do,” said Mother. “Father has some old clothes he doesn’t want to keep. You may sell them to the old-clothes man.”

“Good!” cried Betty.

“Hurrah!” cried Bobby.

That very day the old-clothes man came down the street.

“Any old clothes to sell? Any old clothes to sell?” called the old-clothes man.

“Yes, yes,” cried Bobby and Betty.

The old-clothes man came to the back door.

“You may sell the suit,” said Mother to Betty.

“Bobby, you may sell Father’s old shoes.”

“Any men’s clothes?” asked the old-clothes man.

“Yes,” answered Betty. “How much will you give for this suit?”

“Two dollars,” said the old-clothes man.

Betty looked at Mother.

“That is not enough,” said Betty.

“Two dollars and a half,” said the man.

Again Betty looked at Mother, and again Mother shook her head.

“Three dollars,” said the old-clothes man.

This time Mother nodded her head to Betty, and Betty said, “You may have it.”

Then the old-clothes man gave Betty three dollars and asked, “Any men’s shoes to sell?”

“Yes,” answered Bobby. “Here is a pair.”

The old-clothes man looked at the shoes. “Fifty cents,” he said.

Bobby looked at Mother, then said to the man, “That is not enough.”

“A dollar,” said the man.

“Take them,” said Bobby after he had looked up at Mother.

The old-clothes man gave Bobby a dollar for Father’s old shoes.

“Anything else?” asked the old-clothes man.

“Yes,” answered Betty. “Here is a pair of ladies’ shoes.”

The old-clothes man looked at the shoes and said, “Too small. Can’t use them.”

“That is all we have to sell,” said Betty.

The old-clothes man picked up the old clothing and said, “Good day, good day.”

“Good day,” said Mother and the children. And the old-clothes man went away.

As soon as he had gone, Bobby said, “I have a dollar. Betty how much do you have?”

“Three dollars,” answered Betty.

“Give me a dollar,” said Bobby. “Then we’ll each have two dollars.”

Betty looked puzzled. Then she said, “Yes, that is right. Here is a dollar. Now you have two dollars and I have two dollars.”

“Mother, don’t we have enough to buy roller skates?” asked Bobby.

“I think you have,” answered Mother. “How much do you have in all?”

“I have two dollars and fourteen cents,” said Betty.

“That is just what I have,” said Bobby.

“I think we can get good skates for that price,” said Mother. “We will go to the hardware store this afternoon. You may buy roller skates.”

If I’d as much money as I could tell,
I never would cry, “Old clothes to sell!
Old clothes to sell! Old clothes to sell!”
I never would cry, “Old clothes to sell!”

Old chairs to mend! Old chairs to mend!
If I had as much money as I could spend,
I never would cry, “Old chairs to mend!
Old chairs to mend! Old chairs to mend!”
I never would cry, “Old chairs to mend!”

_For study and play_:

Have you ever been in a hardware store?

What do you have in your kitchen that was bought in a hardware store?

AT THE HARDWARE STORE

“Is it time to go?” asked Bobby.

“Not quite,” answered Mother. “Is it hard to wait?”

“Yes,” answered Bobby. “I can hardly wait. I want to go to the hardware store and buy roller skates.”

Soon Mother and the children were on the way.

When they came to the hardware store, they looked at the things in the window.

“See!” cried Bobby. “See those roller skates! That’s the kind I want.”

“That’s the kind John and Josie have,” said Betty. “I like that kind.”

When they went in, the hardware man said, “What can I do for you today?”

“The children want to buy something,” answered Mother.

“What can I show you, little boy?” asked the man. “What can I show you, little girl?”

“Roller skates, please,” said Betty.

“I want to buy roller skates,” said Bobby.

“How do you like this skate?” asked the man.

Bobby shook his head.

“How do you like it, little girl?”

Betty shook her head.

While the hardware man was looking for others, Mother asked, “What is the matter, Bobby? What kind do you want?”

“I want the kind where you get two skates,” said Bobby.

“I want that kind,” said Betty.

Mother bent down and whispered to Bobby and Betty. You can guess what she said.

When the hardware man came back to them, Bobby asked, “What does a pair like this skate cost?”

“Two dollars,” said the man.

“I’ll take a pair,” said Bobby.

“I’ll take a pair just like Bobby’s,” said Betty.

“Here is the money,” said Bobby.

“Here is the money for mine,” said Betty.

“Thank you, thank you,” said the hardware man.

While he was wrapping up the skates, Bobby said, “I have fourteen cents left.”

“So have I,” said Betty.

“Why not put the money you have left in your savings bank?” asked Mother.

“That’s just what I’ll do,” said Bobby.

“That’s just what I’ll do,” said Betty. “I’ll keep my money in the savings bank until I have enough for a bicycle!”

Bobby and Betty had many a good time with their roller skates.

Some other time you may like to learn what they did the next summer.

_For study and play_:

Hey ding-a-ding,
What shall I sing?
How many holes in a skimmer?
Four and twenty,
I’m feeling quite empty;
Pray, Mama, give us some dinner.

_Riddle_:

Round as a well, deep as a bowl,
Long handle, little hole.

_A frying pan_

SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS

It may be that supervisors and teachers of primary grades have been looking for a book dealing with the occupations in the neighborhood of a city child. The author of this book looked for such a book years ago and found it not. So for years materials have been accumulated for the preparation of this reader. It is hoped that all who use it will enjoy it and gain something of value from it. If the activities recommended in the following pages are introduced, the work is bound to prove a joy to teachers as well as to their pupils.

_For study and play._ Each story is followed by related rimes, riddles, and games which may be used in different ways even by children of the same class. For instance, one child may be able to read and memorize a rime which another child finds difficulty in reading. The latter, however, can read parts of the rime and find familiar words and phrases, and when he hears the rime repeated in class the jingle of the words is likely to stay with him and aid him in his second attempt.

These old rimes and jingles are a part of the child’s social heritage. They have come down through the centuries. It is right that every child should become familiar with them and enjoy their humor and rhythm. Nearly all of them are full of action. Let children use them in dramatic play; let them make drawings to illustrate points where they discover a mental picture.

The riddles may be learned. The answers are given, for children of the first grade rarely guess riddles. They love them, however, and delight in repeating them for others to guess.

_Original poems by children._ In preparing the lessons it was not difficult to find rimes and jingles of the old trades and tradesmen, but nothing could be found in folklore on the newer occupations such as those of the iceman, laundryman, grocer, garbage man, policeman, and newsboy. It did not seem well to present these occupations without some appropriate rime, so an appeal was made to children of primary grades to assist the author by making rimes. Among those sent in by their teachers six were selected, credit being given in each case to the grade and school. Although the teachers are not named, they are not forgotten.

The children who use this book can make verses and should be encouraged to do so. Such compositions foster the creative impulse found in every child in the pre-school period, but too often atrophied through disuse on account of conditions and methods not yet altogether out of date in our educational system. Attention is called to the verses on the iceman by a third grade in Hinsdale, Illinois, as being an example of the excellent results which come from group work. Undoubtedly no one of the children could have composed such verses by himself. But under the impulse of a strong emotion and through united effort they produced verses we all may enjoy. Children of the first grade cannot be expected to produce verses to equal these, yet it may not be impossible for them to do so; at any rate, we all know that the youngest children sometimes produce rare literary gems.

_Dramatic play._ Let the children dramatize these lessons, using their own experiences with the iceman, milkman, and other workers as well as the materials given in the text. If at first they act the story in pantomime, let them do so. Young children have difficulty in the use of language and can secure more rapid action by means of gestures and pantomime. Such play develops clear mental pictures which soon find expression in words. It is well to give children freedom in dramatic play. Such freedom will not be abused if responsibility is placed upon them and if an atmosphere is secured which promotes concentration. The first plays should be very simple ones consisting of the action in one place. Sometimes it may be the representation of Bobby and Betty talking with their mother; again it may be at the baker’s shop, and again on the way home. Children quickly discover the natural divisions of a play and become interested in playing the whole story and thus finding a way of representing different scenes in an act. The dramatic play from day to day requires nothing in the way of costume; but, if later it seems best to represent a more finished play, the children will enjoy planning and making simple caps, aprons, coats, and dresses of paper or inexpensive material for the various characters. A procession of workers will prove interesting, each child representing one of the characters. Each one should be asked to do something which the worker he represents might do, whether it be the imitation of movements, an action song, or repeating an appropriate jingle. A delightful entertainment easily grows out of the work from day to day.

_Games._ In addition to dramatic plays children should play games. “Drop the Handkerchief” may be played in connection with the postman; “Button, Button, Who Has the Button?” and “The Needle’s Eye” to supplement lessons on the dressmaker and the tailor; “Hunt the Slipper” while the children are studying the shoemaker; “The Muffin Man” and “Jack, Jack, the Bread’s a-Burning” in connection with the baker. “What’s Your Trade?” may be adapted to any one of the occupations and is played as follows:

Children divide into two groups by choosing sides or by any
other arrangement. Children of the first group choose some
occupation they are to act in pantomime, but do not tell the
second group of children, for they are to guess it. When all
are ready the two groups approach each other from opposite
sides of the room.

FIRST GROUP. Here we come. Here we come.

SECOND GROUP. Where from? Where from?

FIRST GROUP. Milwaukee. Milwaukee. (The name of any place the
children may choose may be substituted for “Milwaukee.”)

SECOND GROUP. What is your trade? What is your trade?

FIRST GROUP. Watch and see. Watch and see.

Thereupon the children of the first group imitate the movements
of the occupation selected until some one of the second group
guesses it. Then the second group chooses an occupation for the
first to guess.

The teacher may modify this by letting one child act an occupation for the class to guess. In such a case when he appears the children may repeat:

Here comes an old man from the wood.
What can you do, old man?

OLD MAN. Do anything.

CHILDREN. Work away.

The child who has the part of the old man or the old woman, as the case may be, imitates the movements of some occupation and the others guess it.

_Songs._ Occupation songs are dear to young children and should be used in connection with these lessons. Examine the books accessible and make a list of the songs of the shoemaker, baker, tailor, dressmaker, and other workers. At odd moments many songs can thus be found. If it seems best, enlist the coöperation of children and their parents in collecting such songs.

Among the many books containing appropriate songs to be used in this connection are the following:

Elliott, J. W. _Mother Goose Melodies._
Gaynor, Mrs. _Songs of the Child World._
” ” _Songs and Scissors._
Gomme, Alice B. _Children’s Singing Games._ 2 vols.
Hill, Mildred and Patty. _Song Stories for the Kindergarten._
Hofer, Mari Ruef. _Children’s Singing Games; Old and New._ 3 vols.
Neidlinger, W. H. _Small Songs for Small Singers._
Poulsson, Emilie. _Holiday Songs and Everyday Songs and Games._
Smith, Eleanor. _Songs for Little Children._
” ” _The Eleanor Smith Music Course._ Book Two.
Tomlins, William. _The Child’s Garden of Song._
Wiggin, Kate Douglas. _Kindergarten Chimes._

If Book Two of the _Eleanor Smith Music Course_ is at hand, teach the children “The Fruit Vender” and “Street Sounds” when studying the banana man, “Perrie, Merrie, Dixi” when reading “Father Tells a Story,” “Shoe and Slipper” when studying the shoemaker, and “The Concert” in connection with the organ-grinder. The children’s song books listed above contain many excellent songs of the occupations.

_Construction._ Let the children use building blocks to represent the baker’s shop with its show case and shelves where he sells his bread and cake and pies. His kitchen, too, is of great interest to children; if suitable arrangements can be made, take the class to visit a baker’s kitchen. After such a visit the baker’s kitchen and oven should be constructed; the children will doubtless find ways of making bread tins and long wooden shovels or paddles for taking bread from the oven.

The project will not completely satisfy unless the baker himself appears on the scene. Whether the toy baker shall be fashioned from a clothes-pin, a piece of cornstalk, corn husks, twigs, cloth, or wood may be left to the children, who doubtless will be pleased to include in the dress the characteristic white coat or apron and a white cap.

The shoemaker, and in fact all the characters included in this book, may be treated in a similar way. If something more permanent than block-building is desired, let the children bring small dry-goods boxes or boxes of cardboard or corrugated paper and fit them up for shops and stores. The furniture for such toy shops can be made of blocks of suitable size glued together, or by use of small cardboard boxes and empty spools. Children are able to find ways and means of making such furniture, but they should not be deprived of the opportunity of seeing good forms made by others. At this period in the child’s life finished workmanship is not the aim. The product is of minor importance in comparison with the activity itself and its place in developing clear mental images.

Let the children mark out a familiar business street in their sand box and indicate the location of the shops and stores, which may be represented by small boxes. Of course, it will not do to have the stores vacant and the streets deserted. Tiny dolls may be made to represent the people, and tiny pushcarts, wheelbarrows, milk wagons, and automobiles for the street and alley. Larger pushcarts and wagons may be made as separate projects from time to time, but in the one under consideration everything must be on a small scale.

The milliner’s shop suggests the making of hats. Whether these be simple hats for a toy milliner’s shop, dolls’ hats of flowers of the season or other available material, or hats for Simple Simon, Colly-Molly-Puff, the Rabbit Woman, or any other character of the book, may be determined by the conditions when the study is made. The making of hats, caps, aprons, and other characteristic garments of the workers to be used in dramatic play provides another form of interesting and profitable work.

_Drawing._ Each lesson presents suitable subjects for children’s drawings. Use these day by day and encourage children to look for pictures in the lines they read and to put them on paper. One of the many interesting projects in connection with the study, and one which may be preserved in a somewhat permanent form, may be termed a group drawing of a street showing the shops, stores, sidewalk, and street, together with the people and vehicles. Such a group drawing may be made in sections and later placed on the wall so as to form one large continuous picture. If preferred, paper-cutting may be used instead of drawing, and the objects pasted on large sheets. Such illustrations have been made by primary classes with excellent results.