New Reader (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879* edition. Excerpt: ...You are sorry, I see, to have grieved me. There's a kiss; don't fret." "No, mamma, you must not kiss me; I don't deserve it. I pushed out the flower-pot on purpose." "Ha and why?" said my father, walking up. Mrs. Primmins trembled like a leaf. "For fun " said I, hanging my he'ad--" just to see how you'd look, papa; and that's the truth of it. Now beat me, do beat me." My father threw his book fifty yards off, stooped down and caught me to his breast. "Boy," he said, "you have done wrong: you shall repair it by remembering all your life that your father blessed God for giving him a son who spoke truth in spite of fear. Oh, Mrs. Primming, the next fable of this kind you try to teach him, we part for ever." From that time I first date the hour when I felt that I loved my father, and knew that he loved me; from that time, too, he began to converse with me. He would no longer--if he met me in the garden--pass by with a smile and a nod; he would stop, put his book in his pocket, and, though his talk was often above my comprehension, still, however, I felt happier and better and less of an infant when I thought over it, and tried to puzzle out the meaning; for he had a way of suggesting, not teaching--putting things into my head, and then leaving them to work out their own problems. I remember a special instance with respect to that same flower-pot and geranium. Mr. Squills, who was a bachelor and well to do in the world, often made me little presents. Not long after the event I have narrated, he gave me one far exceeding in value those usually bestowed on children--it was a beautiful large domino-box in cut ivory, painted and gilt. This domino-box was my delight. I was never...