Читать книгу Shining Hours - Anonymous - Страница 11

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Kate was trying to learn her history lesson. She thought she never could learn the names of all the Presidents of the United States, and recite them in their order. Her eyes would stray to the story books. Her mind would wander to “Lady Constance,” who had her right hand cut off to save the life of her dear husband. And to Cinderella and her lost slipper. And to the Prince who found it and married her. In fact she could think of everything except the Presidents of the United States.

While she was wasting her time, Cousin Anna came in to call.

“What makes you look so cross, Kate?” Cousin Anna asked.

“I can’t get my lesson,” lamented Kate.

“What is your lesson about?” asked the cousin.

“All the Presidents, and I get so mixed up.”

“Have you the list in rhyme?” asked Anna.

“No, Cousin Anna. I never saw it,” said Kate.

“Oh, you must have that. It is so easy to learn. We used to learn the English Sovereigns in rhyme. I remember so well our reciting;

‘First William, the Norman,

Then William, his son,’

“And so on. And now Mrs. Peter has put our Presidents in rhyme;

‘First Washington, then Adams,

Next Jefferson we view;

James Madison, Monroe, and then,

John Adams’ son—John Q.’

“And so forth. Come home with me and I’ll get you her little book. She has the important events of each administration all in rhyme, too. For instance, under Grover Cleveland is:

‘Twas after twenty years and four

A Democrat these honors wore;

Cleveland his honest record made,

Though people did not choose free trade,—

Huge labor strikes and feuds arose,

And earthquakes sealed sad Charleston’s woes.’

“Under ‘Benjamin Harrison,’ she has:

‘Year eighty-nine brought into view

A kinsman of old Tip’canoe;

Another Harrison is chief;

And now—for good, or else for grief—

The tariff and the silver bills,

Divide the people’s votes and wills;

And liquor traffic still defies

The legislation of the wise.’

“Don’t you think you could learn this?”

“Oh, yes! Cousin Anna,” exclaimed Kate.

Cousin Anna gave the little book to Kate. Kate soon learned the six short verses, and so knew all the Presidents and in their order.

She learned, too, all the events in rhyme.