I am the lad that follows the plough-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me-- In a hickory suit that's pretty well worn I go to the field at early morn, I help to scatter the golden corn-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
Out in the meadows and woods and lanes-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me-- I watch the sheep and the lambs at play; When the grass is high I toss the hay; There isn't a boy in the world so gay-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
I go with father to shear the sheep-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me-- I fodder the cattle, the mangers fill, I drive a team, I go to the mill, I milk the cows with a right good will-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
I help the peaches and plums to save-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me-- For I am the boy can climb a tree; There isn't an apple too high for me, There isn't a nut that I can't see-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
When I am a man I'll own a farm-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me-- Horses and sheep and many a cow, Stacks of wheat, and a barley mow; I'll be a farmer and follow the plough: Robin and Thrush shall whistle for me.
'Tis better to stand in the golden corn-- Robin and Thrush just whistle for me-- To toss the hay on the breezy lea, To pluck the fruit on the orchard tree, Than roam about on the restless sea: So, sailor-boy, I'll follow the plough.
'Tis better to hear the wild birds sing, Robin and Thrush on the apple bough-- 'Tis better to have a farm and a wife, And lead a busy, peaceable life, Than march to the noisy drum and fife: So, soldier-boy, I'll follow the plough.
In HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 12 I read about some curious South American spiders that kill birds, and the other day I read in an English paper an account by Mr. Frank Buckland of an enormous spider which is kept in a glass case in the London Zoological Gardens, and I thought the little readers of YOUNG PEOPLE might be interested to know about it. This spider, says Mr. Buckland, came from South America. He is about as large as a common house-sparrow with its wings folded, and when he spreads his legs he is a terrible-looking fellow. The whole of his body is covered with dark red-brown hair. He eats cockroaches, and spins threads to catch them. He will also kill and suck the blood of young mice when they are given to him. Such a gigantic creature could very easily capture and kill humming-birds. On page 648 you will find a picture of this terrible bird-eating spider.