Where We Live | Page 5

you have ever seen a Town Hall tell how it looked.
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Think of the stores that you have seen. How many kinds can you name? What does each sell principally? Where are these things made? Have you ever seen a large factory? What does it manufacture?
[Illustration: PITTSBURGH OBSERVATORY.]
It would be fine if all of the buildings in which folks work were sunny, airy and clean. People employed in comfortable stores and factories are happy and feel like working.
Alas! there are many miserable places where the workmen are crowded and uncomfortable. The impure air makes them tired and ill. If you have seen a good store or factory tell what helps to keep the workers comfortable and healthy.
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Old cities have in them many very old buildings that all Americans love. The magnificent Capitol at Washington was built long ago. It is one of the finest buildings in the world. It is built of white marble. In the first picture in this book notice the beautiful dome and the great high stairs. In Philadelphia is the dear old Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell. Boston has the old Faneuil Hall. Here many great Americans of long ago have spoken to the people. Are there any old historic buildings in our neighborhood?
[Illustration: LONGFELLOW'S BIRTHPLACE, PORTLAND, MAINE.]
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Suppose some friends travel on the railroad to visit us. At what railroad station would the train arrive? Are there any other stations? How are they built? Do you think they give a beautiful, clean, friendly welcome to strangers? All stations should be pleasant and comfortable to cheer the tired travelers that pass through them day and night. At Denver, just outside of the station, there is a great arch stretching across the street. It says, "Welcome," in bright letters at night and in pretty letters in the day. The visitor is glad to see the friendly word after a long trip.
[Illustration: OLD SOUTH CHURCH, BOSTON.]
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When friends come from another town we like to show them the sights. Plan a nice trip around the town. Write a list of places to which you would take them. You must know where each place is. What could you tell about each place?
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One day we should visit some park. Is there any near our school? Are there any interesting buildings or statuary in the park? Is there any water near by?
When we visit our town park we should remember that it belongs to us, for a public park belongs to all of the people. Do you not like to have the things that belong to you as good, as useful and as beautiful as possible? Do you want your home to look sweet and clean and comfortable, or dirty, careless and unpleasant? Do you want your clothing to be strong, neat and pretty, or torn and dirty? We should all take pride in having the things we own just as good as possible. When you are in the street, the school, any public building, or in a park, say to yourself, "This is mine." Then look around and see whether you like the way it looks. Think how you can help to keep it looking well or make it look even better.
[Illustration: WINTER SCENE IN FAIRMOUNT PARK.]
How can boys and girls help keep the grass, the paths, the flower-beds, the trees and the buildings beautiful? Where does the money come from to pay the caretakers of the park?
Some people visit the park only in spring, summer or autumn. We all love the park in those seasons. Many do not know how beautiful the bare trees look in winter with their gray or brown branches. There is no more exquisite sight in the world than to see these trees coated with glistening ice out to the tiniest twig, or to see them ridged with pearly white snow. It is a merry sight to see the jolly coasters and skaters.
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Copy the list of buildings given below and mark each kind that you have seen. Tell where you saw it, of what it was built, or for what it was used.
Residence School Museum Store Church Car-barn Bank Hospital Library Factory Railroad station Office Stable Government building Garage Dairy Barn Ice House
What building is shown on the cover of this book?
CHAPTER IV
THE TOWN AS A WHOLE
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Think of the times when you have walked or ridden about our town.
What rivers did you see?
[Illustration: CAPITOL AT HARRISBURG.]
Which buildings did you think were very beautiful?
What was each used for?
What buildings have we that are very helpful to the people?
What interesting places have you visited in your neighborhood?
What other places would you like to visit?
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PREPARATION FOR A TRIP TO SOME HILLTOP, OBSERVATORY, TOWER OR ROOF-GARDEN FROM WHICH AN EXTENSIVE VIEW CAN BE HAD
What place shall we visit? Why? Draw a plan to include the school and the place to be