The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-04
MAY FLOWERS.

SWEET, smiling May, with her singing
birds. her lovely wild flowers, aud her ten.
der leaves, has come; and happy, little
children are out in the pleasant woods to
pick the delicate blossoms that modestly
raise their heads from among the dry
leaves. which have sheltered them during
the cold winter.
Dotiing the ground with its snowy blos-
SONS is the wake-robin; you will know it
by its three green leaves, and its pretty
flower, with three white petals.
There is another kind, with drak pur-
pie flower, and an unpleasant smell. yet
a, distance it looks very well. 1t re-
minds me Of some children who look as if
they might beyery good, butwhose actions
are sad to behold.
Close down by the roots of some old
tree, or on some messy bank, or by the
side Of some clear stream. you will find
that sweetest of all flowers-the violet.
1t is so modest that it seems to hide it.
self from view, but tits always sought in
preference to the tall and gaudy flowers.
Now do not think your story-teller te-
dious, ifshe tells you the violet is like lit
tie children who are mild and good, and
whom every one loves, no matter how
poor or humble they are.
Who will try to be like the violet? O.,
fancy see your bright eyes sparkling,
and your lips ready to ay.I will be like
the violet, worthy Of being loved by all. :"
Look closely among the leaves, by the
side ofsome old bog, and you will find a
pale, purple blossom, rising from slen-
der stalk without leaves; but take away
the dry leaves Of the trees. and you will
find dark purple leaf almost divided in
three parts. This is the liverwort, and it
is much used in medicine. The leaf you
will find in all seasons, but it blossoms
very early in the spring.
Springing up in some moist place, you
will see a pretty, yellow flower, with slen-
der, light-green leaves. and six petals, or
flower leaves. This is the dog-tooth vio-
let, or adder's tongue very strange
name for such pretty flower. is it nota
What child does not know the beauti-
full cowslip, doiting the meadows like
stars?
Go, little children, and seek the beauti-
full flowers. o. yes. know you will you
will make nosegay for your mother. or
sisters, and perhaps in the sick room
some Of you may place the blossoms that
your friend is not able to gather.
You may have heard of May Day, and
the Queen Of May. perhaps. tits the GUS
tom in England tor the youth to meet at a
certain place, on the first of May, and
choose one oftheir number queen. They
crown her with flowers, and lead her to a
throne decked with wreaths Of flowers.
They have pole erected which they call
the May. pole, and this, too, is covered
with flowers.
Then they dance around this pole, and
after spending the day very pleasantly
they retire TO their homes with happy
thoughts.
1t seems to me that children. who really
love flowers and birds cannot be so pas
sionate and wicked, as those who care
nothing for the beautiful things OF earth.
Some have called flowers silent teachers,
and they are so truly. Did they never
teach you, children? Are you never hap
pier from having tended your little garden,
or plucked the bright blossoms from the
woods Does not the glad song OF birds
make you feel cheerful and pleasant, too ?
But fancy some little girl or boy. who
has just commenced reading the Student,
is ready to say, 'sThis is great story.
Aunt Eliza's Stories! Why thought |
was going to read nice tale. but here is
long lecture about behavior"
But some Of you know an old friend is
talking to you, and sometimes she tells
you story without lecturing you at all.
Hove little children, dearly, and delight
in amusing them; SO be patient this time,
and see what you will find next month for
you to read.