For Our Young Readers.

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 31, 3 December 1897, Page 5

For Our Young Readers.

TIMMY TOP NOTCH YotTNG Tim was as clever as clever could be ; No boy, to his mind, was as skilful as he. He claimed the first place 'mid the girls and the boys ; He bragged of his work and his play and his toys, Till his playmates grew weary of hearing him cry That they were so low and that he was so high, That his work was perfect, and theirs was a botch — So they gave him the nickname of " Timiny Top-notch." For whatever he did, And whatever he said, And whatever he had — was best. His fish were the biggest a boy ever caught ; His fights were the bravest a boy ever fought ; His batting was surest to score a home run ; His catches no other but he could have done ; His jokes were the funniest cracked in the town ; His pony the safest for uphill and down ; His rifle was better ; his aim was more true ; He could shoot on the wing as no other could do ; His skates were the brightest and smoothest to glide ; His sled was the swiftest that skimmed the hillside ; His bicycle-wheels were more round than the rest ; Hia clothes were cut better and fitted the best, For whatever he did, And whatever he said, And whatever he had — was best. But Tim made a visit outside his own town, Where the girls and the boys made his swagger come down ; For Bessie Brown beat him with cycle and bow, And Gertie Green save him some points how to row ; Maud Milner outshot him at birds on the wing — 'Twas a shame to be beaten by that little thing ! H< 4 dared ltobie Russell to skate him on ice ; Before he was half across, Rosie crossed twice ! Lilly Loon " spelled him down" at the school-spelling bee ; And Billy Boone taught him to shin up a tree. He wrestled Sam Summers, and went down ker flop !—! — Brave Timmy was under and Sam was on top. Peter Powers bad a rifle that charmed Tirnmy's eyes ; Timmy shot against Peter and Pete won the prize ! Barney Burns caught a pickerel as big as Tim's nine — Tim eaid that they '• coaxed it away " from his line. He went to the bat and he always struck out, And he wondered what all the boys giggled about. When John Jones swam farther and stayel longer down. Then Timmy got lonesome and cried to go home, Where whatever he did. And whatever he .wid, And whatever he had — vas bcxt. —Rev. F. J. O'Neill, in St. Mcholax LET THE U-IRLS ROMP. Most mothers have a dread of romps, so they lecture the girls daily on the proprieties, and exhort them to be little ladies. They like to see them very quiet and gentle, and as prim as possible. The lot of such children is rather pitiable, for they are deprived of the fun and frolic which they are entitled to. Children — boysand girls — must have exercise to keep them healthy. Deprive them of it, and they will fade away like flowers without sunshine. Running, racing, skipping, climbing — these are the things that strengthen the

muscles, expand the chest, and build up the nervea. The mild dose of exercise taken in the nursery, with oalisthcnicß or gymnasticr, will not invigorate the system like a good romp in the open air. Mothers, therefore, who counsel their little girls to play very quietly make a mistake. Better the laughing, rosy-cheeked, romping girl, than the pale, lily-faced one who is called every inch a lady. The latter rarely breaks anything or tears her dresses, or tires her mother's patience as the former does ; but, after all, what do the tearing and breaking amount to ? It is not a wise policy to put an old head on young shoulders. Childhood is the time for childish pranks and plays. The girls will grow into womanhood soon enough. Let them be children as long as possible, and also give them plenty of fresh air and sunlight. A SMART YOUTH. A contemporary tells a good story of a celebrated actor, who, when he was a young man, called on a well-known manager to seek an engagement, and he was received with scant courtesy by that official, who was very busy, and paid no attention to the young actor's plea that he did not know what he should do to earn his bread were employment refused him. Sadly and silently the youth turned away, and paused at the door in deep dejection, as if he hoped the manager might reconsider his decision ; but the manager made no sign, and, with a melancholy sigh, the youth who was a very clever acrobat, and inimitable in such parts as required agility and suppleness, languidly scratched his ear with his foot, as if in perplexity what to do next. The manager burst into uncontrollable laughter at this unexpected action, and our friend was engaged at once.