Mike Marble in His Old AgeMIKE MARBLE IN HIS OLD AGE.ToList
MIKE MARBLE IN HIS OLD AGE.ToList
And what do you think became of Fred? He turned out to be not only a good farmer, but a good neighbor, and a good man, every way. Thatsame man, who was once a beggar, and who, but for Uncle Mike's odd way of doing a kind act for him, might have remained a beggar, is now one of the most highly respected men in his parish, with enough property to make him and his family comfortable, as well as some to spare for the comfort of others.
I should love to chat about my old friend a good while longer. But perhaps I had better stop, for fear you may get tired of the theme. I must tell you a little about his old age, then I will leave off.
He was one of the happiest old men I ever knew. He was always cheerful. One could never meet him in the street,and look into his pleasant face, without catching something of his cheerfulness. Bad humor is catching, you know, as much as the small pox, or the canker rash, and so is good humor, too. At all events, I remember that once, when I felt ever so much "out of sorts," because things did not go right, I came across Uncle Mike, on my way to school, and a chat of about half a minute completely sweetened my temper.
There was nothing which Uncle Mike liked better, after his hair—the little hair that time had spared to him—waswhitened with age, than to have a group of children about him, coaxing him to tell them stories.
Dear old man! my heart blesses him now, as my memory recalls the scenes in which he used to take a part. With all his oddities and crotchets, he always had a kind and warm heart beating in his bosom. I don't believe that he ever had an enemy in the world. Every body, it always seemed to me, respected him, and those who knew him most, loved him best.
He possessed an art which is worthmore than the finest farm in America. It was the art of being happy himself, and of making others happy. He was never out of humor. Nobody could get him into a passion. I never heard of his having wounded the feelings of a single individual, during all the time that I was acquainted with him.
Now some people will say, "Oh, it was Mike Marble's way. That was his disposition. He could not help being good-natured. It came natural to him to make friends. It was as easy for him to scatter happiness allaround him, as it was to breathe." I don't know about all that. There may have been something—probably there was something—in Mike Marble's natural disposition, which was pleasant and cheerful. But I guess it cost him some effort to live in the sunshine so constantly. There is such a thing, reader—and I hope you will mark these words well—there is such a thing as keeping the heart fresh, and green, and tender, and loving, by one's own effort; and there is such a thing, too, as letting the heart, by neglect and want of culture, becomeold before its time, and dry, and tough, and crabbed. You can school your affections. Did you know that? I'll tell you how to dry up all the love and kindness you may have. Shut up your heart, as an oyster does its shell. Shut it up, and be selfish. Do so, and you will soon be sick enough of the world, and the world will be sick enough of you. But I would not do that, if I were in your place. I would advise you to try to keep the heart open, by doing all the kind acts you can. But I must end my tale of Mike Marble.
Dear old man! He has gone to his rest. His voice long since ceased to be heard on earth. He died as he lived—cheerfully and peacefully. The Saviour, in whom he had trusted, was with him in his dying hour, and I cannot doubt that that good man went to dwell with the angels.
Reader, may you, like him, live a life of usefulness, and may you take your leave of the world as peacefully, as hopefully, as cheerfully, at
A Beautiful Series, comprising six volumes, square 12mo., with eight Tinted Engravings in each volume. The following are their titles respectively:
A Beautiful Series, comprising six volumes, square 12mo., with eight Tinted Engravings in each volume. The following are their titles respectively:
I. THE PEDDLER'S BOY; or,I'll be Somebody.II. THE DIVING BELL; or,Pearls to be Sought for.III. THE POOR ORGAN-GRINDER,and other Stories.IV. OUR SUE:Her Motto and its Uses.V. MIKE MARBLE:His Crotchets and Oddities.VI. THE WONDERFUL LETTER-BAG OF KIT CURIOUS.
I. THE PEDDLER'S BOY; or,I'll be Somebody.
II. THE DIVING BELL; or,Pearls to be Sought for.
III. THE POOR ORGAN-GRINDER,and other Stories.
IV. OUR SUE:Her Motto and its Uses.
V. MIKE MARBLE:His Crotchets and Oddities.
VI. THE WONDERFUL LETTER-BAG OF KIT CURIOUS.
"Woodworth is unquestionably and immeasurably the best writer for children that we know of; for he combines a sturdy common sense and varied information with a most childlike and loveful spirit, that finds its way at once to the child's heart. We regard him as one of the truest benefactors of his race; for he is as wise as he is gentle, and never uses his power over the child-heart, to instill into it the poison of false teaching, or to cramp it with unlovely bigotry. The publishers have done their part, as well as the author, to make these volumes attractive. Altogether we regard them as one of the pleasantest series of juvenile books extant, both in their literary character and mechanical execution."—Syracuse (N.Y.) Daily Standard.
"Woodworth is unquestionably and immeasurably the best writer for children that we know of; for he combines a sturdy common sense and varied information with a most childlike and loveful spirit, that finds its way at once to the child's heart. We regard him as one of the truest benefactors of his race; for he is as wise as he is gentle, and never uses his power over the child-heart, to instill into it the poison of false teaching, or to cramp it with unlovely bigotry. The publishers have done their part, as well as the author, to make these volumes attractive. Altogether we regard them as one of the pleasantest series of juvenile books extant, both in their literary character and mechanical execution."—Syracuse (N.Y.) Daily Standard.
WOODWORTH'S STORIES ABOUT ANIMALS. 12mo., with Illuminated Title, and upwards of Fifty Beautiful Engravings; pp. 336.WOODWORTH'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. Uniform with the above. With Sixty splendid Engravings; pp. 336.These two volumes, containing characteristic anecdotes, told in a racy and pleasing vein, are among the most entertaining books of the kind to be found in the English language."Attractive stories, told in a style of great liveliness and beauty. As a writer for the young, the author is surpassed by very few, if any writers in this country."—N.Y. Tribune."Amelangeof most agreeable reading."—Presbyterian."They cannot fail to be intensely interesting."—Ch. Register."Charming stories, told with that felicitous simplicity and elegance of diction which characterize all Mr. Woodworth's efforts for the young."—N.Y. Commercial Advertiser."Nothing can be more interesting than the stories and pictorial illustrations of these works."—Brattleborough Dem."We never pen a notice with more pleasure than when any work of our friend Mr. Woodworth is the subject. Whatever he does is well done, and in a sweet and gentle spirit."—Christ. Inquirer."The author is a man of fine abilities and refined taste, and does his work in a spirit of vivacious, but most truthful earnestness."—Ladies' Repos.
WOODWORTH'S STORIES ABOUT ANIMALS. 12mo., with Illuminated Title, and upwards of Fifty Beautiful Engravings; pp. 336.
WOODWORTH'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. Uniform with the above. With Sixty splendid Engravings; pp. 336.
These two volumes, containing characteristic anecdotes, told in a racy and pleasing vein, are among the most entertaining books of the kind to be found in the English language.
"Attractive stories, told in a style of great liveliness and beauty. As a writer for the young, the author is surpassed by very few, if any writers in this country."—N.Y. Tribune.
"Amelangeof most agreeable reading."—Presbyterian.
"They cannot fail to be intensely interesting."—Ch. Register.
"Charming stories, told with that felicitous simplicity and elegance of diction which characterize all Mr. Woodworth's efforts for the young."—N.Y. Commercial Advertiser.
"Nothing can be more interesting than the stories and pictorial illustrations of these works."—Brattleborough Dem.
"We never pen a notice with more pleasure than when any work of our friend Mr. Woodworth is the subject. Whatever he does is well done, and in a sweet and gentle spirit."—Christ. Inquirer.
"The author is a man of fine abilities and refined taste, and does his work in a spirit of vivacious, but most truthful earnestness."—Ladies' Repos.
UNCLE FRANK'S PEEP AT THE BEASTS. Square 12mo. Profusely Illustrated; pp. 160.UNCLE FRANK'S PEEP AT THE BIRDS. Uniform with the above; pp. 160.These two volumes are written in the simplest style, and with words, for the most part, of two and three syllables. They are exceedingly popular among children."Of those who have the gift to write for children, Mr. Woodworth stands among the first; and, what is best of all, with the ability to adapt himself to the wants and comprehension of children, he has that high moral principle which will permit nothing to leave his pen that can do harm."—Arthur's Home Gaz.
UNCLE FRANK'S PEEP AT THE BEASTS. Square 12mo. Profusely Illustrated; pp. 160.
UNCLE FRANK'S PEEP AT THE BIRDS. Uniform with the above; pp. 160.
These two volumes are written in the simplest style, and with words, for the most part, of two and three syllables. They are exceedingly popular among children.
"Of those who have the gift to write for children, Mr. Woodworth stands among the first; and, what is best of all, with the ability to adapt himself to the wants and comprehension of children, he has that high moral principle which will permit nothing to leave his pen that can do harm."—Arthur's Home Gaz.
Typographical errors corrected in text:Page 94: queston replaced with question
Typographical errors corrected in text: