P/V V A 7/ Ph 8.5, Buffered TOUS 0OBWEBS Woven from many Queer, Quaint and Curious Ques tions, gathered from many Queer Quar- * 271 ters, and all Unwound by re are 225 questions upon quaint and seemingly difficult points pertaining 10 History, Art, Science, Philosophy, Geography, Botany, and hosts of things which are not generally known of by the average person. These are fully and com- pletely answered in the book. How to Use Curious Cobwebs. little book just at the closing hour of your afternoon session, read one ; questions to the school and invite all to tell Pa and i\Ia of it when e. Insist that each individual shall try to find an answer if pos is thus aroused at home. The answer can be called for the first |ng, this being an incentive for prompt attendance'. A number We placed on the board and remain there during the week until Fri- nen a general discussion can be had. I know that genuine interest Sy this plan. Do not answer individual questions. Cite pupils to Ftionary, etc. Objects of Curious Cobwebs. : care of the teacher; to make the school more attractive and intei ; parents in the work of the school ; to induce the pupil to look out- look and schoolroom for information; to form habits of close obsen-a Lng pupil, and in forming, these habits give him a fund of informa- iepr.y for all the trouble and time expended. Answers are full and complete. It is fully indexed so that any item can be ^Kchly referred to. 1 give a lew of the queries as samples: "How can you prove that there is a blind spot in the eye?" "What river is spelled by a single letter?" "What state bought itself?" • "How can you see a snail's 'foot'?" "What is the weight of a locomotive?" "In what battle of the Revolution were all the dogs of the vicinity killed to prevent giving the alarm?" i] a rabbit run up hill better than down? Why?'' "What member of Congress was never late at roll call?' "Why will not the Jew's Harp produce a loud noise without placing it between the teeth?" "How can vessels carry grain free across • Tfcsse are orly samples — many are more difficult than these and many are more simple. Vo one will regret having sent for this little book. Price, SO Cents. A. FLANAGAN, 163 Randolph St., CHICAGO. List of Books on TsacMng, Helps for Teachers, Games, &o. How to Teach and Study U. S. History, - Si Cook's Methods in Arithmetic, Hunter's Helps to History, Historical Mottoes for the Wall, Six in Set, Excelsior Questions in Arithmetic, 700 on separate slips of cardboard, 1000 Ways of 1000 Teachers, Monthly Report Cards, per 100, - - 75c. a Hunter's Alphabet Cards, Curious Cobwebs, Exhibition and Parlor Dramas, - Hull's Drawing Sheets, i2odesigns, - Grube Method in Arithmetic, Practical Etiquette, ----- Sims' Combined School Register, the best out, send page, - Craig's Question Book, Practical Problems, two hundred, Gems of Thought, sketches of and thoughts from over American and English authors, on cards, Friday Afternoon Dialogues and Speaker, each, 00 75 5° 40 From WILLIAM SWINTON, author of Swintons Histories, Readers, Geographies, Grammars, etc., in reference to How to Teach and Study U. S. History. Prof. Trainer: — I have passed two plesant evenings in the examination of your "How to Study U. S. History." The blackboard analysis, directions for studying the immediate topic under consideration and the review feature, must commend themselves to every intelligent teacher; but the most significant and valuable feature is what you happily style "Queer Questions." These cannot fail to stimulate inquiry and original reading, and when we have inspired this "noble rage" in the breast of the pupil, we have done for him much more than can be accomplished by any amount of cramming. Yours truly. WILLIAM SWTNTON. A. FLANAGAN, 163 Randolph St., CHICAGO. THE FAVORITE SPEAKER SERIES.— NO. 1. THE FAVORITE primaryspeake: A NEW COLLECTION OF CHOICE PIECES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. Y EDITED BY T. G. LaMOlLLE and EUGENE PARSONS. -*Aw :o:- CHICAGO: A. FLANAGAN, PUBLISHER, 1885. COPYRIGHTED BY A. FLANAGAN. 1885. PREFACE |HE aim and need of such a book as this may be briefly stated. Literature admirably suited for children is furnished by magazines like "Our Little Ones and the Nursery," "Our Little Men and Women/' "Pansy/' "Wide Awake/' "Good Times/' "Youth's Companion/' "Golden Days/' "Harper's Young People/' "St. Nicholas/' and many others. The educational, religious and newspaper press devote much space to the needs and tastes of children. From many sources we have gathered these selec- tions to preserve them in a convenient form, and to furnish parents and teachers with bright, fresh pieces for the use of their children and pupils. It is believed that no other work provides so many recitations which are not to be found in any other collection. Our se- lections from the above mentioned magazines are copy- rights, and must not be used without the expres per- mission of their publishers. The Editors. Chicago, April, 1885. CONTENTS. Angels' Watch, the 58 April, Emily Huntington Miller . . 32 Beautiful Things 74 Bed- Time, Lucy Randolph Fleming 64 Birdies 55 Bobolink and Chick-a-dee, the 60 Books.. 71 Boundary of Christmas 8 Boy and the Brook, the, Laura C Richards . ... 29 Boy and the Toot, the, M. S 45 Boy's Temperance Speech, a 13 Calisthenic Exercises .........38, 43, 59, 77 Candy Pull, the 15 Cat and the Dog, the, M. F. B 66 Cherry Blossom, S. M. Day ^S Closing Address, a , 60 Conceited Grasshopper, the ... 21 Concert Recitations 12, 51 Consistency, Margaret Vandegrift 42 Dandelion, the . . 80 Dear Little Goose, a, M M. D 31 Dialogues 11, 17 Dialog, a, Uncle Charles 24 Dick's Lesson, Elizabeth Sill. - 13 First Day of School, the , . , 35 First Introduction, the Maude Meredith 62 First Letter, the, J. M. L 47 Five Little Chickens. 11 For a Little Boy, M R. D. D 26 For a Little Boy, T. G. L 53 For a Little Girl 45 Four Limbs Break. ... 55 Funny Chicken, a, Emma C Dowd 79 Funny Little Grandma, a, Clara Broughton 37 God Sees Me. ,„.. .. ..,.,.-., ..,. ? .. 12 COMTENTS. 5 Good-by 6<$ Good Company 24 Good Little Girl and the Cold Little Boy, the 48 Goggle Eyes ..- ,.... 70 Grandma's Lost Balance, Sidney Dayre 61 Grandpa's Whiskers, Eva M. Tappan 22 Helping Mother 25 "Here We Are," Mrs. M. F. Butts 43 Her Name 18 He Wasn't There 50 I'll Put It Off. 21 I'm Little, but I'm Spunky 15 Indolent Joe . 29 In Frog Land, Gertrude E. Heath 20 Introduction, an 7 Jack Horner, Aunt Clara 28 Johnny Cake, the 17 Last Day of School, the 36 Lazy Pussy, the, Pah?ier Cox 30 Letters, the. . . , ..'. ._ 47 Little Boy's First Recitation, a 61 Little Boy Who Ran Away, the 69 Little Boy's Speech, a 67 Little Boy's Wants, a, Kate Lawrence. 57 Little Chatterbox 49 Little Daisies — 12 Little Dreamer, the 55 Little Girl's Good-by, a, George Cooper ,.. 80 Little Mother, the 40 Little Things Make Great Ones 67 Love for Love, Mrs. Mary E Nealy 52 Million Little Diamonds, a, M. E B 9 Miss Polly, W S. Reed 72 Mistake, a — 27 Mistress Mouse. - 8 Morning, Noon and Night 77 My Baby Brother 16 My Kitten 76 My Time-Table 53 6 CONTENTS. Night and Day .. . .. ............. 49 Neat little Girl, a , 66 One Little Life .. 42 Order 51 Playing and Working 76 Poor Robinson Crusoe 16 Prize for Every One, a, Isabel McDougall 63 Pussy and Ponto 34 Pussy's Portrait 78 Queer Dollies . . . . 3 6 Rain, Hail, Snow, L. T. C 38 Rich Little Dolly,the .. 30 Robert and Ann . 40 Robin and the Chicken, the, Grace F. Coolidge . ... 74 Robin's New-Year 68 Short Temperance Speech . . . r 44 Smart Boy, a ........ 56 Song of a Doll, a 68 Song of the Brook, A. Z>. W 35 Sow, Sew, So, Rosa Graham . . . . 55 Summer is Nigh , 10 Tale of a Cat, a, Sadie , 46 "That Is So/' Margaret Eyti7ige 71 There Was a Hole in the Wall 73 They Both Went Off 19 To Santa Claus ..... 23 Two Little Birds 25 Two Little Birds. 33 Two Pussy Cats ... 19 Two Ways, the. . . 10 Violet and the Sunbeam, the, A. L. A Smith 9 Waiting, Mary JV. Prescott. , 54 Welcome , 75 What Baby Has,F/. K , 73 Which Was It? M.J 65 Who Is It? 33 Winged Words. , . ., 50 Wizard, a ■ 18 "You Can't Come In, Sir!"... . 27 Youth and Age .... 26 m. AN INTRODUCTION. Kind friends and patrons here to-day, We're glad to see you all, We'll try this kindness to repay, Although we know we're small. We're small and yet we feel quite big, But don't expect too much; Some people judge folks by their rig, But we don't care for such. We're here to have a jolly time, And help our school along, And those who cannot make a rhyme Will have to sing a song. Don't be too prim, and don't be rough, Just have a pleasant meeting; — But I have spoken long enough To give you all a greeting (7) FAVORITE PRIMARY SPEAKER BOUNDARY OF CHRISTMAS. Christmas is bounded on the north by Happiness, Good Wishes, Oyster Lake, and the isthmus of Cran- berry Sauce; on the east by the peninsula of Turkey and Ocean of Goodies, on the south by Mince Pies, Jellies and Cakes; on the west by Pleasant Words, from which it is separated by the mountains of Cheerfulness. The capitals of Christmas are Peace and Good Will, on the Christmas Tree River. Dear teachers, friends and schoolmates, we are now on the border of this happy country, and before enter- ing we wish you all a"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." -:o:- MISTRESS MOUSE. Mistress Mouse Built a house In mamma's best bonnet. All the cats Were catching rats, And didn't light upon it. At last they found it, And around it Sat watching for the sinner; When, strange to say, She got away, And so they lost their dinner. — The Nursery. FA VORITE PRIMARY SPEAKER. A MILLION LITTLE DIAMONDS. M. F. B. A million little diamonds Twinkled on the trees; And all the little maidens said: "A jewel, if you please! " But while they held their hands out- stretched, To catch the diamonds gay, A million little sunbeams came, And stole them all away. — St. Nicholas. -:o:- THE VIOLET AND THE SUNBEAM. A L. A. SMITH. A bright little sunbeam sped earthward one day From his father's great bosom of light; For he heard from his beautiful home in the sky A poor little violet mournfully sigh, " The earth is so cold, and the winds are so high, I am sure I shall perish ere night." But the words barely passed from her trembling lips When a life-giving kiss on her fell; And the dear little sunbeam both arms round her threw, And said, "Tremble not, I shall tarry with you," And he kissed back her life, till the tenderest blue Proclaimed her the queen of the dell. — Harper ' s Young People. i o FA VORITE PRIM A R Y SPEA KER. THE TWO WAYS. Where two ways meet the children stand, A fair, broad road on either hand; One leads to Right and one to Wrong, So runs the song. Which will you choose, each lass and lad ? The right or left, the good or bad? One leads to Right and one to Wrong, So runs the song. SUMMER IS NIGH. How do I know? Why, this very day A robin sat On a tilting spray, And merrily sang A song of May. Jack Frost has fled From the rippling brook, And a trout peeped out From his shady nook. A butterfly too Flew lazily by, And the willow catkins Shook from on high Their yellow dust As I passed by; And so 1 know That Summer is nigh. FA VORITE PRIMA R V SPEAKER. 1 1 FIVE LITTLE CHICKENS. (FOR FIVE PUPILS.) (ist.) Said the first little chicken, With a queer little squirm: "Oh, I wish I could find A fat little worm!" (2d.) Said the next little chicken, * * With an odd little shrug: "Oh, I wish I could find •A fat little bug!" (3d.) Said the third little chicken, With a sharp little squeal "Oh, I wish I could find Some nice yellow meal!" (4th.) Said the fourth little chicken, With a small sigh of grief: Her hair was yellow, her cheeks were red, But, "You mustn't touch her," they always said, This rich little dolly. Over her dress of satin and silk She wore a necklace as white as milk, This rich little dolly Her foot (like the foot of a Cinderella) Was daintily shod, as becomes full well a Rich little dolly. FA VORITE PRIMA R Y SPEAKER. 3' But nobody asked her out to dine, She was by far too rich and fine, This rich little dolly. Nobody sent, to a birthday party, Invitations old-fashioned and hearty To this little dolly. Nobody, when her heart was "b'oke," Cuddled close up to it under her cloak, This rich little dolly. But up in a moldy, musty drawer, Where nobody kissed her and nobody saw her, Stayed the poor, poor dolly. — Wide Awake. A DEAR LITTLE GOOSE. M. M. D. While I'm in the ones, I can frolic all the day; I can laugh, I can jump, I can run about and play. But when I'm in the tens, I must get up with the lark, And sew, and read, and practice, from early morn till dark. When I'm in the twenties, I'll be like my sister Joe, I will wear the sweetest dresses (and, may be, have a beau!; I'll go to balls and parties and wear my hair up high, And not a girl in all the town shall be as gay as I. 32 FA VORITE PRIMAR Y SPEAKER. When Fm in the thirties, I'll be just like my Mamma; And, it may be, I'll be married to a splendid big papa. I'll cook, and bake, and mend, and mind, and grow a little fat — But Mother is so sweet and nice, I'll not object to that. Oh, what comes after thirty? The forties/ Mercy, my! When I'm as old as forty, I think I'll have to die. But like enough the world won't last until we see that day;— It's so very, very, very, very, very far away! — St. Nicholas -:o:- APRIL. EMILY HUNTINGTON MILLER. Frost in the meadow, fog on the hill; Bluebird and robin sing with a will. Up through the brown earth, spite of the cold, Comes Lady Crocus, in purple and gold. Shy little Snow-drop, dressed like a bride, Nodding and trembling, stands by her side. Daffadowndilly slips out of bed, With a buff turban crowning her head. Slim Mr. Jonquil comes on the run; "Pray, am I up in time for the fun?" — Harper 's Yoy,ng Peqpie^ FA VORITE PRIMARY SPEAKER. ^ TWO LITTLE BIRDS. Two little birds once met in a tree, One said, "I'll love you if you will love me." The other agreed, and they built them a nest, And began to keep house with very great zest. They lived there all summer, and then flew away; And where they are now I really can't say. — St. Nicholas. -:o:- WHO IS IT? Hark! peep, peep, peep! What is it cries at night? Baby has gone to sleep To keep his black eyes bright. Hark! peep, peep, peep! Some chicks have strayed away, And for their mother weep. Listen, old hen, I pray. Hark! peep, peep, peep! Beneath their mother's wings The yellow chickens sleep, I know who 'tis that sings His peep, peep, peep, Upon a mossy log, All night his watch he'll keep Within the rushy bog. 34 P^ VORITE PR IMA R Y SPEAKER. And peep, peep, peep, He cries, "Peep if you dare." But if you nearer creep, Sir Froggie isn't there! — Morning Star. PUSSY AND PONTO. Pussy and Ponto could never agree; They scratched and they barked and they fought! Now, dear boys and girls, I am sure you will see That they did not live just as they ought. Pussy and Ponto had breakfast enough To share it and eat it in peace; But one was so cross and the other so rough That the noise would each minute increase. Pussy and Ponto caught rats and caught mice, And everyone liked them for that; But they never would take anybody's advice To be friends like a wise dog and cat. Pussy and Ponto could never agree; And yet they were never apart! If he said "Bow-wow" then "Me-ow" answered she, And up they would both of them start. FA VORITE PRIM A R Y. SPEAKER. 35 Pussy and Ponto — well, yes, — but, you know, They were only a dog and a cat! My boys and my girls, ah! you never should show Such a quarrelsome temper as that. SONG OF THE BROOK. A. D. W. What was the song of the meadow brook, As under the willows his way he took? Wouldn't you like to know? "Let me play a while as I will: By and by I must turn the mill, As farther down I go. "Daisies, hanging over my. side, Beautiful daisies, starry-eyed, Kiss me for I must go! But think of me as I turn the wheel, Grinding the corn into powdery meal And drifts of golden snow." _ 7 __ — The Nursery. :o: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. Vacation is over at last! We have had much fun. But still I am glad to get into school once more. I like my teacher so well, and I want to see my playmates again. I have so many things to tell them. I always like to be at school the first day and see how it begins. My books are ready ; I have found them all right. Come, brother Will, let us hurry off. Put the dinner up, mamma, and now kiss me good-by. 3 6 FA VORITE PRIMAR Y SPEAKER. THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. Good-by, schoolmates! Are you sorry it is the last day of school? Come and see me when you can. Good- by, dear teacher, good-by. We wish you a pleasant time during vacation. We thank you for all you have done to help us in our lessons. We are better scholars for it, and we are going to try to be good children while we are out of school, to be rested and ready for study next term. -:o:- QUEER DOLLIES. Beneath the shade An oak-tree made, Upon a summer day, Three little girls Played party once — A merry three were they. Sweet blue-eyed Sue, And brown-haired Prue, And pretty winsome Bess. But what they had For dolls, I'm sure You'd never guess. Prue had a funny yellow squash, And Sue a two-legged beet, And Bess an ear of corn, my dear, Which like herself was sweet, FA VORITE PRIMA R Y SPEAKER. 37 A FUNNY LITTLE GRANDMA. CLARA BROUGHTON. Cradled on a rose-leaf By her mother-miller, In her tiny egg slept Baby caterpillar, Till the sunbeams coaxed her From her cradle cosey, To her pretty chamber, Velvet soft and rosy Dew and honey drinking As from fairy chalice, A merry life she led In that rosy palace. Till at length she wove a Bed of cotton-down, Where she slept to waken, Dressed in satin brown. Once more in the sunshine, Oh! how sweet to roam, And on satin pinions Seek her flowery home! She had joined the noble Family of millers, And last I heard was grandmamma To six small caterpillars. — The Nursery. 38 FA VORITE PRIMAR V SPEAKER. RAIN, HAIL, SNOW. L. T. C. (Can be used for calisthenic exercises,) Pitter, patter! pitter, patter! Hear the rain Beat against the window-pane! Clitter, clatter! clitter, clatter! Tells the tale; Now the rain is turned to hail ! Soft and light, Pure and white! On the ground Not a sound! Now we know It is snow! -St. Nicholas. -:o:- CHERRY BLOSSOM. S. M. DAY. Little Cherry Blossom Lived up in a tree, And a very happy Little thing was she. Clad all through the winter In a dress of brown, Warm she was, though living In a northern town. FAVORITE PRIMARY SPEAKER. 39 But one sunny morning, Thinking it was May, "I'll not wear/' said Blossom, "This old dress to-day." Mr. Breeze, this hearing, Very kindly said, "Do be careful, Blossom: Winter has not fled." Blossom would not listen; For the sky was bright, And she wished to glisten In her robe of white. So she let the brown one Drop and blow away, Leaving her the white one, All so fine and gay! By and by the sunshine Faded from her view: How poor Blossom shivered As it colder grew! Ah! poor Cherry Blossom! She, in foolish pride, Changed her wonted clothing, Took a cold, and died. All ye little blossoms, Hear me, and take care: Go not clad too thinly, And of pride beware._ The Nurser y. 40 FA VORITE PRIMAR V SPEAKER. THE LITTLE MOTHER. Now, Dolly, dear, I'm going away, And want you to be good all day. Don't lose your shoes nor soil your dress, Nor get your hair all in a mess. But lie quite still, and up I'll come, To kiss you soon as I come home. I'd take you, dear, but then you know, It's wax Sabina's turn to go. She's sick, I'm 'fraid. Her eyes don't work; They open worse, the more I jerk; She used to be so straight and stout, But now her sawdust's running out. Her kid is out of order, dear. My papa says she's out of gear. That's dreadful, isn't it? But then The air may make her well again. So, Dolly, won't you stay alone, And be real good while I am gone? Good-by, my precious! Yes, I'll come And kiss you soon as I get home. — Frank Leslie' s Boys' and Girls' Weekly. -:o:- ROBERT AND ANN. "I mean to smoke when I'm a man," Said little Robert Brown; "I never would," said sister Ann, "Be such a silly clown." FA VORITE PRIMAR Y SPEAKER. 41 "Fie — if you call a man hard names, Who smokes a nice cigar, What do you call your uncle James, Or our own dear papa?" "Why, they have this bad habit on, And say can't lay it by; But if they never had begun. I'm sure they'd never try. "For father sometimes thinks he will, But gets so blue and croaking, His pipe he soon begins to fill, And finds himself a-smoking. "So, Robbie dear, if I were you, I'd let those things alone That you'll be sorry that you do, When you are older grown." "Why, to be sorry when a man Is reason good enough; And I will never smoke, dear Ann, If you will never snuff/' "Fie! do you think I'd use such stuff As rappee, black or brown? If noses had been made for snuff, They would be upside down." Then Bobbie laughed, but gave his hand To neither smoke nor chew; And boys and girls all o'er the land Had better do so, too. 42 FA VORITE PRIMA R Y SPEAKER. CONSISTENCY. MARGARET VANDEGRIFT. There was once a stately Giraffe, Whose motto was "Nothing by half!" His old friend the Tapir, Said, "Cut me a caper, — It's a year since I've had a good laugh!" So to please him, the gracious Giraffe Jumped over a cow and her calf; But when the old Tapir Told folks of this caper, They said: "That's just some of your chaff. "Te's a dignified chap, that Giraffe, And we know he does nothing by half; We can understand how He might jump over a cow, But he'd never jump over a calf !" — St. Nicholas. -:o: ONE LITTLE LIFE. Bright little Dandelion, Downy yellow-face, Peeping up among the grass With such gentle grace, Minding not the April wind, Blowing rude and cold; Brave little Dandelion, • With a heart of gold. FA VORITE PRIM A R Y SPEAKER. 43 Meek little Dandelion! Changing into curls, At the magic touch of Merry boys and girls! When they pinch thy dainty throat, Strip thy dress of green, On thy soft and gentle face Not a cloud is seen! Poor little Dandelion All gone to seed; Scattered roughly by the winds Like a common weed! Thou hast lived thy little life Smiling every day; Who could do a better thing, In a better way? :o:-