The Boy Who Would Not Go to Bed.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1905, 20 September 1884, Page 5

The Boy Who Would Not Go to Bed.

You may think him a dunce, But he begged that for once He might sit up all night, or as long as he pleased ; / The nurse was in tears, With her murmured " My dears !" But only the louder and faster he teased. Overhearing the din, His father came in ; 11 Wish to sit up all night, John ?" he thought. fully cried ; " You shall have your request Till you've learned we know best. Nurse can go. I will stay at this naughty boy's side." When two hours had passed, John grew sleepy at last And so tired that he feared he would fall from his chair ; But, attempting to go, Heard his father's stein " No ! Keep your seat at the table. Your plaoe, sir, is there." Oh ! how slow ticks the clock, With its dickory ddek (For his father insists he should keep wide awake), Till quite humbly he said : " May I please go to bed ? I've found you were right, and I made a mistake." His father said yes : And now you can guess If ever that boy did the samo thing again. No sermon could preach, No punishment teach, A lesson more clearly than he learned it then. Now, boys, when you're told, That it's bed time, don't scold, And say that you feel just like keeping awake ; Sitting up all the night Isn't such a delight. Just try it for once, and you'll own your mistake. — Sophie E. Eastman, in the Independant.