The Project Gutenberg eBook of Wee Wee Songs for Our Little Pets, by Leila Lee This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: Wee Wee Songs for Our Little Pets Author: Leila Lee Release Date: August 11, 2021 [eBook #66038] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 Produced by: Charlene Taylor, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEE WEE SONGS FOR OUR LITTLE PETS *** Contents. (In certain versions of this etext [in certain browsers] clicking on the image will bring up a larger version.) (etext transcriber's note) {3} [image unavailable.] {4} WEE WEE SONGS FOR OUR LITTLE PETS BY LEILA LEE. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY BLAKEMAN & MASON, 310 BROADWAY. 1859. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by Henry V. Degen, in the Clerk’s office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. PREFACE. Should an apology be needed for issuing a book of poetry so very simple as “Wee-Wee Songs,” it may be found in the article entitled “Mother Goose,” on page 7th. The desire expressed by Willie’s mother, “That those who love Jesus Would oftener read The sweet words he uttered, My lambs, ye must feed.” has ever found a warm response in the heart of LEILA. MOTHER GOOSE. {5} {6} {7} “MAMMA,” said our Sue, “You sent me to-day, Up stairs with the nurse And Willie to play. “And I told her I thought It was wicked and silly, To say things like these To our dear little Willy— “ ‘Oh, hi-diddle, Diddle, The cat has the Fiddle, The cow has jumped Over the moon, The little dog laughed To see all the sport, And the dish ran away With the spoon.’ “Nurse says she has found The book of great use, For children are pleased To hear Mother Goose. “Now, is it not wrong To tell them a lie? If not, I am sure I cannot see why.” “I think you are right,” Her mother replied; “Nurse must try to amuse him With something beside. “But babies are pleased With the jingle of rhyme, And old Mother Goose Has been used a long time. “We must find Wee-Wee Songs, That are not quite so silly, And buy them for nurse, To amuse little Willy. “We give him, each day, Fresh milk and sweet bread, And his dear little mind Must be properly fed. “ ’Tis not easy to find Sweet thoughts, good and true, In nursery rhymes; I wish, my dear Sue, That those who love Jesus Would oftener read Those sweet words he uttered, My lambs ye must feed![1] “For this beautiful world, So joyous and bright, Has so many things Of which poets might write. “The blue sky above us, The flowers and the trees, The warbling of birds, And the hum of the bees. “These bright thoughts would give Our darling great pleasure, If written in simple, And sweet-flowing measure. {8} {9} {10} SLEEP, DOLLY! DO, Miss Dolly, Shut your eye; I will wake you By and by. Wee-Wee Songs I want to read; You must go To sleep indeed. You’re my little Pet, ’tis true, But I can not Read to you; For you never Seem to hear, Tho’ I read quite Loud and clear. Little songs are Not for you; Mind, I’ve told you What to do! So, Miss Dolly Shut your eye; I will wake you By and by. WAKE, DOLLY! Wee-Wee Songs Are put away; Dolly, wake, ’Tis time to play! You have been So good to-day I am sure You ought to play. Dolly, now You must obey; Wake, I say, And come and play! Don’t you hear me When I say, Dolly, wake, ’Tis time to play? Do you dare To disobey When I call, Come out to play? Are you deaf, My pet, to-day? Then I’ll lead you Out to play. {11} {12} [image unavailable.] ELLA AND THE ROSES. “WHAT beautiful roses! Oh do, dear mamma, Just pick one or two ere we go; If the gardener were here he would not refuse To give us some flowers, I know.” “The gardener’s not here,” her mother replied; He asked us to see his sweet flowers; “I trust, my dear child, you would not wish to steal,— These roses, you know, are not ours. “Their beautiful fragrance you now can inhale, Their lovely, bright colors enjoy, Should you steal but one rose you’d be happy no more, You would lose all this innocent joy.” “O no! dear mamma, I should not wish to steal, So I’ll bid these sweet roses adieu! Now, Rover,” said Ella, “we’re ready to play, And I will be happy with you.” IDA MAY. NO little girl More bright and gay, Or happier Than Ida May As she ran off To school one day, And passed the store Of Mr. Gray, Where, near the door, Some ripe plums lay, And Satan whispered, Ida May— Take but one plum, Then run away; You’ll not be seen By Mr. Gray. Oh, had she thought One prayer to say, She’d not have sinned, {13} {14} She’d not have sinned, Poor Ida May! She caught one up, Then ran away, And was not seen By Mr. Gray. Ah, sinful child, To disobey The Word of God— Hear, Ida May! “Thou shalt not steal!” Now hear Him say, And you have stolen From Mr. Gray. The voice of God Will you obey? It whispers now, Stop! Ida May,— ’Tis not too late, Go back, you may Return the plum To Mr. Gray. Then lift your heart To God, and pray, “Forgive the sin Of Ida May.” That still, small voice She did obey, And ran with haste To Mr. Gray, And told him all Without delay; The good man pitied Ida May. He gently wiped Her tears away; And when she left, Kind Mr. Gray Said to the child, “One moment stay— I’ll give some plums To Ida May.” “I could not eat A plum to-day!” Said Ida, then, To Mr. Gray. She went to school And all the way God saw the heart Of Ida May Was sweetly raised To Him, to pray That He would wash Her sins away— For Jesus’ sake. And God that day, Freely forgave Dear Ida May. [image unavailable.] {15} {16} {17} [image unavailable.] THE PEACOCK. IS it right, Mr. Peacock, to strut about so? Your plumage is fine ’tis allowed; And had you but painted that beautiful tail, You would then, with some reason, feel proud. Many bright little flowers, as pretty as you, Are found in some shady retreat. Go learn of the rose-buds and violets, too, Their modesty renders them sweet. God gave you the plumage we so much admire; God painted the butterfly’s wing; God deck’d the green fields with flowers so gay, And taught the dear birds how to sing. Many things in this beautiful world He has made To look quite as pretty as you; So please, Mr. Peacock, don’t feel quite so proud, As your gay, brilliant plumage we view! MINNIE’S FAITHFULNESS {18} “BROTHER, may I unpack your trunk?” said little Minnie Bell. “O yes, my dear; how glad I am to get home safe and well; I’ve been in California for more than three long years, But I’m safely home at last, in spite of mother’s fears.” “Yes, Alfred, it has seemed, to dear mamma and me, A long, long time, and we are glad your happy face to see; Morning and evening, do you know? when we knelt down to pray, Mamma has asked, that God would bless and guard you while away. “And God has kindly heard her prayer, and kept you safe and well.” She worked awhile,—at length, she said, “Dear Alfred, please to tell Where you have put your Bible? I’ve unpacked the trunk with care, And I have laid upon the bed most all the clothes you wear. “I’ve looked at every article, and yet I have not seen A Bible or a Testament; brother, what can it mean? I fear that you have been without a Bible all the way; Is it in California, or have you lost it,—say?” “You little chatter-box, do see the presents I have brought; This for mamma, and that for you; Why! really I had thought The beautiful new dress I bought would please my sister well; How do you like this India fan, I ask you, Minnie Bell?” “O, it is very beautiful! I thank you, Alfred, dear; But yet you have not told me, what most I wish to hear.” “Well, Minnie,” said her brother, “if really you must know, When I sailed for California my Bible did not go. “I know ’twas wrong to leave it out, for never have I seen A Bible or a Testament in any place I’ve been; We did not often think of God when we were digging gold; That is the truth; now, Minnie dear, pray don’t begin to scold.” “Forgotten God for three long years! Alfred, can this be true? Dear brother, were you not afraid of God’s forgetting you?” He took the dear child in his arms, and bursting into tears, “My conduct has been wrong,” he said, “how sinful it appears!” Just then his mother entered, with her heart quite full of joy And gratitude to God above, who had kept her darling boy; She had been alone to thank him, and offer up a prayer That God who had preserved her son, would keep him in his care. “Dear mother, will you pray,” said he, “and read in God’s own Word That story of the Prodigal, which I have often heard; For I have wandered far away, but now desire to come And love and serve that Being who hath safely brought me home?” Her prayer was heard; and Alfred Bell is now a Christian man, Serving his God with faithfulness, and doing all he can That those who go to distant lands, to search for mines of gold, May find within God’s holy Word a mine of wealth untold. [image unavailable.] THE PULSIFER CHILDREN. {19} {20} {21} {22} OH, Mother! said little Ruth Greenwood one day, Please come to the window this moment, I pray, For two little children are here, by the door, They are weary and cold, and they look very poor. The Pulsifer children, I see, said her mother, ’Tis dear little Ella, and Harry, her brother Run, call them in quickly! their mother, I know Returned to this village a few days ago. I sent them, this morning, a cart-load of wood, And fear that they now may be suffering for food; We’ll fill up their baskets with bread and with meat, And give the dear children a plenty to eat. Their mother is proud, and she cannot endure The neighbors should know they are now very poor; But since we’ve “a will,” we must find out “a way,” To help this poor widow—we must not delay. Her father’s a drunkard, her husband is dead, And she is too ill to hold up her head; The wretched old man now reels thro’ the street, And never provides them a mouthful to eat. Ruth ran to the door, and called them both in; Their feet were most naked, their garments were thin, Too thin to go out in this cold wintry weather; Here Ruth and her sister both whispered together. O, yes, sister Mary, those stockings you’ve knit, Just the thing, and so warm! I am sure they will fit; We’ll make up a bundle, and stow it away In the baskets they’ve left in the entry to-day. Little Ella and Harry were grateful indeed, That God had provided such friends in their need; Their baskets were filled with biscuit and meat, And warm shoes and stockings to cover their feet. The Greenwood’s oft drew from their plentiful store, And quietly sent to the poor widow’s door Such things as she needed. Her proud heart was melted; She welcomed their visits, and soon was contented To let little Harry and Ella go where They could hear of the Saviour, and his tender care, Of dear orphan children—the story, to day, You may read in a book called “A WILL AND A WAY”[2] MORNING SONG AND MORNING PRAYER. MOTHER. AWAKE, my daughter, come and see This Robin red-breast on the tree; Open your drowsy eyes! Spring up from bed and see her now, She’s lighting on the highest bough, Come quick, before she flies! LILLIE. Yes, dear mamma, I see the bird, And sweeter notes I never heard Than she is warbling now; I hope she will not fly away, But sit and sing the live-long day, On this, her favorite bough. MOTHER. {23} {24} {25} {26} The birds must build their nests in Spring, They have to work as well as sing; To their Creator’s praise, Since early dawn, dear Lillie, she Has warbled out, from yonder tree, Her very sweetest lays. Now tell me, who has kindly kept My little daughter while she slept; Who heard her evening prayer, And gently closed the weary eye, Nor suffered danger to come nigh, But kept her in his care? LILLIE. I laid me down, mamma, and slept, Because the Lord sustained and kept His child thro’ all the night; And now I lift my heart and pray, O, God, I thank thee for this day, That I may see its light! When all my friends were fast asleep, Thou didst my soul in safety keep, And took kind care of me; Father in Heaven, O, hear me now, As at thy feet I humbly bow, To ask a gift of thee. Give me thy spirit from above, That I may learn to know and love My best and dearest Friend,— The Savior, who hath died for me, That I his little lamb may be, O Lord thy spirit send! And now, be with me all the day, That whether I’m at work or play, I may remember, then, The eye of God is still on me, Oh, help me thy dear child to be, For Jesus’ sake,—Amen. PLAY-TIME. LILLIE, put Your work away, Now ’tis time To go and play. You have been So good to-day, You’ll be happy When you play. [image unavailable.] {27} {28} BABY’S FIRST STEPS. BABY, darling, Do not fear, Move those little Feet, my dear; Don’t stand waiting There so long; You are growing Very strong. Here he comes, Oh, that’s the way! Nurse, I know Mamma will say, When she comes home, Why, how you talk! Is baby learning how to walk? Try again, Little pet, You have not Fallen yet; Here she comes; Look, nurse, look! All alone, Three steps she took. When papa Comes home to-night, It will give him Great delight; And he will say, Why, how you talk! Are you sure the child can walk? Nurse, I love Our baby so, I must teach her All I know. That’s not much, Papa would say, He laughs at me Most every day, Because I’m old Enough to read, Oh dear! that’s very Hard indeed. But, baby, we will not stop to talk, We are going out doors to teach you to walk. CONVERSATION UPON ICE. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. “COME, dear,” said Mrs. Jones one day, To Jane, her little daughter, “Come, look at this large block of ice, Now floating in the water! “You could not lift it from the ground, If you should try all day, And yet, like a mere feather, now, You see it float away.” “Oh, yes, mamma, it does seem strange, {29} {30} “Oh, yes, mamma, it does seem strange, That it should never sink, Why that large block of ice should float, I’m sure I cannot think. “How very kind it is in God To freeze the waters so, That on the top the ice remains And cannot sink below! “For, while our winters are so cold, How short a time ’twould take To form one solid mass of ice, In river, pond, or lake! “And thus, from year to year, mamma, Winter would ever reign, For such a mass could never melt When summer came again. “But tell me how the ice is formed, And what can make it float Upon the surface of the lake, Just like a little boat?” “Our Heavenly Father, Jane, has filled With bubbles full of air, Each lump of ice—and we may see His goodness everywhere. “The air expands within the ice, Just as its Maker pleases, And rarifies to make it light, Whene’er the water freezes. “Thin cakes thus form in layers, Jane, As you may often see One ring within another, round The body of a tree, “And thus ’tis piled from week to week, While Jack Frost is about, Until the men with horses come, To float the treasure out.” “And what a luxury, mamma, These large ice blocks will be When summer comes, and we again Such sultry weather see! “Last August, I remember well, When I came home from school, How good the water used to taste, With ice to make it cool. “And then, you know, we used to have Our butter hard and nice, Our cake kept cool, and fish, and meat, Preserved with lumps of ice.” “Yes, dearest, God is ever kind— How constant is his care! He gives not only food and drink, And clothes for us to wear,— “But happy homes with luxuries filled, And this bright world of ours Is stored with precious gifts of love, Abundant fruits and flowers, “To gratify the taste of man, And fill his heart with joy; Then, should not grateful thoughts of God Each passing hour employ?” “Yes, dear mamma, for warbling birds Send up their sweetest lays, To thank Him for his gifts of love, And we should offer praise “To the great God, our dearest friend, {31} {32} {33} “To the great God, our dearest friend, Who lives and reigns above; Will you not pray to Him, mamma, To fill my heart with love?” HAPPY DOLLY. HAPPY at night, Happy by day; Happy at home, Happy away! Dolly darling, Never, never, Are you cross, But happy ever! [image unavailable.] [image unavailable.] EDDIE IN THE COUNTRY. {34} “I’M sure ’tis too pleasant this beautiful day To sit here so quietly playing, Come, Lillie, let’s be off to the mountain away, And see where the sheep are now straying!” So said little Eddie, and ran with great joy, To ask if his cousin could go; But tho’ his aunt wished to oblige the dear boy, She still was compelled to say no. “I have given my daughter a lesson to learn, Then follows a half hour’s sewing; Should this be well done, then with pleasure she’ll earn, And I shall not object to her going. “You remember, last evening, she promised papa, His handkerchief neatly to sew, I have fitted her work, when ’tis done,” said mamma, “And the lesson is learned, she may go.” “I can work after dinner,” said Lillie, “do please Just for once to grant Eddie’s request.” “My dear,” said her mother, “ ’tis no use to teaze, After work, not before, you may rest.” Lillie took up her book, with a tear in her eye, She could scarce see a word that was in it; But Eddie declared ’twas of no use to cry, And she thought so herself in a minute. Resolving to try, and do all in her power, To make of each duty a pleasure, She conquered; and said to mamma, “in an hour, Please hear me recite, if you’ve leisure!” Her mother looked pleased, as she said, “how is this, Papa’s handkerchief hemmed and all ready? Well done, my dear child! Now give me a kiss, Then run out and find cousin Eddie.” BIBLE SOLD BY WEIGHT. {35} {36}