Dearer than all other stories, Is this little one of the day When he, with his friends, was riding On horseback along the roadway; There, in the dust, by a tree, he found One little bird, then another, From their nest the wind had blown them, And he was hunting for their mother. When at last he found the nest, and In it the birdies laid, 'Mid the party's merry laughter His heart was glad, his manner grave: "Seems to me," he said, "I couldn't Tonight in bed with ease have slept Had I left those creatures suffer And not restored them to their nest." Wonderful heart; ever tender-- Tender, yet _just_, with the rest. I think among all the stories, This shows his true nature the best. THE BEST TRIBUTE Sidney Dayre My Grandpa was a soldier. They tell about the day He said his very last good-by and bravely marched away, With flying flags and bayonets all gleaming in the sun. They never saw him march back when all the war was done. They brought him here and laid him where I can always bring The very brightest flowers that blossom in the spring; But sweeter far than flowers, as every one can tell, Is the memory of the soldiers who loved their country well. I wish I could be like him--to try with all my might And do my loyal service for honor and for right And victory and glory! But children now, you know, Have never any chance at all to war against a foe. And as I think upon it, the best that we can do To show our love and honor for a hero brave and true, Is to resolve together always to be brave, To live our very noblest in the land he died to save. ABRAHAM LINCOLN Susie M. Best 'Mid the names that fate has written On the deathless scroll of fame, We behold the name of Lincoln, Shining like a living flame. 'Mid the deeds the world remembers, (Deeds by dauntless heroes done), We behold the deeds of Lincoln, Blazing like a brilliant sun. 'Mid the lives whose light illumines History's dark and dreadful page, We behold the life of Lincoln, Lighting up an awful age. When the storm of peril threatened His loved land to overwhelm, Safe the ship of state he guided, With his hand upon the helm. Statesman, ruler, hero, martyr-- Fitting names for him, I say, Wherefore, let us all as brothers, Love his memory today. 'TIS SPLENDID TO LIVE SO GRANDLY[C] Margaret E. Sangster 'Tis splendid to live so grandly That, long after you are gone, The things you did are remembered, And recounted under the sun; To live so bravely and purely That a nation stops on its way, And once a year, with banner and drum, Keeps the thoughts of your natal day.