The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-11
The Good Children.


EDWARD M EMMA have just come
home from school. and are walking in the
garden.
1t is now the month of May. The fields
are green, and the trees are putting forth
their leaves. 1t is a lovely time. All things
seem to be starting into new life.
These two children are looking at the
sweet, pretty flowers. They love each
other dearly, as all brothers and sisters
should.
They love to talk about what they learn
at school, and of what they read in books.
II you will read what follows you may
learn some things that they have been
talking about.
edward, you are ten years old, and |
am but eight. Youlove to read, and have
learned many things which | do not know.
Will You tell me some things that you
have learned by reading9"
"Yes. Emma, | will gladly tell you all
l can of what I have read. And you can
tell me some things, for you are very fond
of reading"
81 know | love to read. but / am not so
old. as you are, and | am sure you have
learned much more thar | have; so we
will talk about what you have learned"
"l have learned that this earth on which
we live is round, like a ball. 1t does not
stand still, but rolls over, and goes round
the sun. as the apple goes round my hand.
when tie a string to ii and swing it,"
40, Edward! how can the earth turn
over? I'm sure the books did not tell
you the truth. If the earth should turn
over the tops of the trees would be down,
any we should all fall off; but | do not
know where we would go then.
"You should not talk so, Emma, for my
books did tell me the truth, and you will
be sure Of it before you are as old as /
am. ! told you the earth goes round the
sun, as the apple goes round my hand"
$50 you did, but | do not see how the
earth can turn over, nor how it can go
round the sun. Are you sure you have
not not been reading bad books, Edward?"
"Yes, | I'm quite sure Of that, and those
books tell me more than | have told you.
They say the earth goes more than q thou
sand miles in one minute, and it goes as
"a Of &c that oil the fine 81
30, Edward! a bird could moi fly half
so fast as that. How can it be true? But
| wish you would tell me all about it, for
want to know how the earth can turn
over, and go round the sum-"
81 can not tell you all about it now,
but you can learn, if you will ask your
teacher. He will tell you how it turns
over. 1t is because the earth turns over
that the sun, the DON and the stars seem
to rise in the east, and set in the west"
81 wish it was morning, for | want to
lgo to school and ask my teacher how
these things can be true. But I fear
shall fall out Of bed tonight, if the earth
turns over"
"No, Emma, you need not fear that.
for the earth turns over just as much in
the day time as it does at night"
"Do tell me more about this now, Ed.
ward. want to know how we can stay
on the earth; if it turns over"
81 cannot tell you so well as your teach
fer can ; but you know a fly a crawl
lround an apple and not fall from it."
Yes, / know that; but our feet are not
like those of a fly. and we can not hold
fast as that can. Can you walk on the
wall with your head down."
"No, Emma, you know | cannot; but
am sure the earth turns over, and that
there is something in it which holds US to
Lit, but | can not think what it is. wish
you would ask your teacher"
"You are a good brother. Edward. and
| love you very much. You are so kind,
and tell me so much that | do not know
4 81 think | should be q very bad boy if
were not kind to such a dear sister. You
are always kind, and ! do not think you
ever told a lie"
81 am glad you think SO, Edward, for ]
can not tell a lie mo, | can not. 1t al
most makes me cry 80 think that any one
will do a thing so bad. Good girls will
not do such things"
"That is right, Emma and | think the
same of boys. Good boys will not tell
lies; and they will not swear"
81 am sure they will not, Edward, and
am very glad that my dear brother new
Q tells a lie, and never swears."
Now you have read about these two.
good children, and how they remember
what they learn, and talk about it, will
you not try to do like them, and be kind
and gooda