XXII Jeannette and Jo. (67)
By Mary Mapes Dodge, who was born in New York City in 1838. She is the editor of the “St. Nicholas” magazine, and has written many stories for children.
1. Two girls I know—Jeannette and Jo,
And one is always moping;
The other lassie, come what may,
Is ever bravely hoping.
2. Beauty of face and girlish grace
Are theirs, for joy or sorrow;
Jeannette takes brightly every day,
And Jo dreads each to-morrow.
3. One early morn they watched the dawn—
I saw them stand together;
Their whole day’s sport, ’t was very plain,
Depended on the weather.
4. “’T will storm!” cried Jo. Jeannette spoke low;
“Yes, but ’t will soon be over.”
And, as she spoke, the sudden shower
Came, beating down the clover.
5. “I told you so!” cried angry Jo:
“It always is a-raining!”
Then hid her face in dire despair,
Lamenting and complaining.
6. But sweet Jeannette, quite hopeful yet,—
I tell it to her honor,—
Looked up and waited till the sun
Came streaming in upon her.
7. The broken clouds sailed off in crowds,
Across a sea of glory.
Jeannette and Jo ran, laughing, in—
Which ends my simple story.
8. Joy is divine. Come storm, come shine,
The hopeful are the gladdest;
And doubt and dread, children, believe
Of all things are the saddest.
9. In morning’s light, let youth be bright;
Take in the sunshine tender;
Then, at the close, shall life’s decline
Be full of sunset splendor.
10. And ye who fret, try, like Jeannette,
To shun all weak complaining;
And not, like Jo, cry out too soon—
“It always is a-raining!”