For Our Young Readers.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 31, 10 December 1897, Page 15

For Our Young Readers.

NEVER LOOK BEHIND ! Never look behind, boys, Up, and on the way ! Time enough for that, boys, On some future day. Though the way be long, boys, Fight it with a will ; Never stop to look behind When climbing up a hill. First be sure you're right, boys, Then, with courage strong, Strap your pack upon your back, And tug, tug along. Success is at the top, boys, Waiting there until Brains, and pluck, and self-respect Have mounted up the hill. IF I WERE YOU. If I a little girl could be, Well — just like you, With lips as rosy, cheeks as fair, Such eyes of blue and shining hair, What do you think I'd do ? I'd wear bo bright and sweet a smile, I'd be so loving all the while, I'd be so helpful with my hand, So quick and gentle to command, You soon would see That everyone would turn to say : " 'Tis good to meet that child to-day." Yes, yes, my dear, that's what I'd do If I were yon. Or, if I chanced to be a boy, Like some I know ; With crisp curls sparkling in the sun, And eyes all beaming bright with fun — > Ah, if I could be so, I'd strive and strive with all my might To be so true, so brave, polite, That in me each one might behold A hero — as in days of old. 'T would be a joy To hear one, looking at me, say : " My cheer and comfort all the day." Yes, if I were a boy I know I would be so. But now, perhaps, you ask of me : " When it was you Who had the young and merry face, With smiles and roses all in place, Tell us, what did you do 1 " Ah, dearies, if I ever fell Far short of doing wisely, wellIt was, you see, Because none ever took the time To tell me in such lovely rhyme What I should now rejoice to do If I were you, Sydney Dayre. WHY ? I know a curious little boy Who is always asking why — Why this, why that, why then, why now, Why no. why by-and-by. He wants to know why wood would swim, When lead and marble tank ; W hy stars should shine and winds should blow, And w hy we eat and drink. He wants to know what makes the clouds, And why they cross the sky ; Why sinks the sun behind the hills, And why the flowers die. He wants to know why winds should come From out the bellows' nose ; Why pop-guns should go pop, and why The ocean ebbs and flowh. He wants to know why fish have gill-i, And why we cannot fly ; Why Rteain comes from the kettle's spout, And rain falls from the sky. He wants to know why coal should burn, But not a bit of stone ; How seeds yet in the apple core, And marrow in the bone. He wants to know why ice should melt ; Why spiders eat the flies ; Why bees should sting, and why the yea&t Should make the dough to rise. Some of his " whys " are not too hard To answer, if you'll try ; But others, no one ever yet Has found the reason why,