THE SLATE'S STORY.
Reading edition
aid the Pencil to the Slate, 'We've been strangers, sir, of late, And 'tis many weeks, I fancy, since we met; There was surely something wrong To have parted us so long; But if I've heard the reason, I forget.' Then the Slate looked blank, and said, With a voice of pain and dread, 'Ah, yes! for days we've both been in disgrace, For Master Johnny Scott Shunned the lesson he had got, And used us both to draw a funny face.' 'Now, of course, I needn't say That such deeds will never pay— A fact which Johnny realises now— For the picture that he drew, With a sunny smile or two, Was rubbed out with a frown upon his brow. 'And the teacher said that day We should both be put away Till Johnny understood his duty plain, And that he now has done, For I hear his laugh of fun: The cloud has passed, and—here we are again!'
