other the
drum, while at the side of the company, stands a boy, with his drawn
sword over his shoulder, for all the world like a captain. And then
there is another, with the flag flying, as proudly as if he was in
reality bearing the colors of a real troop. Well, boys will be boys. And
this little company, have had their minds filled with brave thoughts
from infancy perhaps. It may be, that in that little company of
boy-soldiers, there is one whose name will be yet heard of in the
history of his country.
[Illustration: THE DEPOT.]
THE DEPOT.
Here is a picture of a rail-road depot, and passengers awaiting the
arrival of the cars. There are many very handsome depots in the United
States furnished with every thing that will afford comfort for
travellers. The cars too are sometimes very beautiful. Accidents very
often happen on rail-roads, and lives are often lost by the the
carelessness of those having charge of the locomotive. They go very
fast; indeed so fast, that you cannot see the houses, or trees along
the road.
[Illustration: THE POSTMASTER.]
THE POSTMASTER.
In olden times, in country towns, they had no post offices, as we now
have; but a man was appointed by the authorities, whose duty was to
travel on horseback from one village to another, with his bag of
letters, and deliver them to the persons to whom they are directed.
His arrival was always anxiously looked for, and men, women and
children, ran to meet him, all wanting letters, and feeling greatly
disappointed if he had not one for them. But now we have post offices
in almost every little town, where the mails arrive regularly.
[Illustration: THE FUNERAL.]
THE FUNERAL.
See that slow and solemn procession. What does it mean? Ah! there is a
coffin, carried by four persons, called pall bearers. Some one has been
called upon to die; to return to the God who made him. See his friends
weeping, as slowly the coffin is born to the grave. Death is a very
solemn affair, children. We all have to die some time, and after
a-while, your turn will come, and you will be laid in the cold dark
earth to rise again at the day of judgment.
[Illustration: SCISSORS GRINDER.]
THE SCISSORS GRINDER.
Oh! here he comes, his little bell tinkling, and inviting those who have
knives or scissors that want sharpening to give him a call, as he won't
charge them much, and will sharpen the ladies' scissors, so that they
will cut like
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