YOUNG COUNG FOLKS' RECITATIONS NUMBER 1 Designed for Young People of Fifteen Years COMPILED BY MRS. J. W. SHOEMAKER PHILADELPHIA The Penn Publishing Company 1889 (RECAP) Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ELOCUTION AND ORATORY, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. PREFACE. HIS little volume is designed for children between the ages of five and fifteen years. The need, as well as the numerous inquiries for a work of this kind, has led to the preparation of the present compilation. Our resources for collecting that which is fresh, varied, and vigorous are many; and, while engaged in the task of arranging, three things were kept prominently in view: first, that the selections should neither be long nor tedious; second, that there should be an abundant variety; and, third, that the tone or character should be healthful. Hence, there are short pieces both of poetry and prose, some treating of plant and animal life, some of childhood pleasures, some brimming with innocent fun, some filled with patriotic fervor, some with bits of philosophy, and others designed to inspire the soul with motives toward truth, honor, right, and duty. 70628 iii A few dialogues and acting tableaux are appended, and thus through its adaptability it is believed that the book will meet the wants of children for the merrymakings in the home circle, for church anniversaries, and for school exhibitions. Such then is the style and character of this collection of Readings and Recitations which we offer to you, the Young Folks of our Beloved Land, trusting you may find in it much to gratify and please, and, above all, that which will lead your minds and hearts to thoughts Beautiful, Pure, and Good. MRS. J. W. SHOEMAKER. Philadelphia, January 1st, 1884. |