Volume 13 — A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY

"A Lesson in Geography, With all the States to bound!" My boys grew sober in a trice, And shook their heads and frowned,— And this was in the nursery, Where only smiles are found. Then suddenly up jumped Boy Blue,— Youngest of all is he,— And stood erect beside my chair. "Mamma," he said, "bound me!" And all the other lads looked up With faces full of glee. I gravely touched his curly head; "North, by a little pate That's 'mixed' in 'mental 'rithmetic,' And 'can't get fractions straight.' That never knows what time it is, Nor where are books or slate. "South, by two feet—two restless feet That never tire of play, But never fail to gladly run (Even on a holiday) On others' errands willingly, In most obliging way. "East, by a pocket stuffed and crammed With, oh so many things! With tops and toys and bits of wood, And pennies, knives, and strings, And by a little fist that lacks The glow that water brings. "West by the same; and well explored The pocket by the fist. The capital, two rosy lips All ready to be kissed. And,—darling, now I've bounded you; The class may be dismissed."