# Jeannette and Jo - Source: McGuffey's Fourth Reader (fourth-reader.gutenberg.org), Public domain, William Holmes McGuffey, 1879, via Project Gutenberg - Reading level: Grade 5 - Subjects: Poems, Nature - Topics: jeannette, always, come, a-raining, came, children - Length: 274 words, about 2 min - Original: - Page: - Open in Sprouts: 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. Two girls I know—Jeannette and Jo, And one is always moping; The other lassie, come what may, Is ever bravely hoping. Beauty of face and girlish grace Are theirs, for joy or sorrow; Jeannette takes brightly every day, And Jo dreads each to-morrow. 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. "'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. "I told you so!" cried angry Jo: "It always is a-raining!" Then hid her face in dire despair, Lamenting and complaining. But sweet Jeannette, quite hopeful yet,— I tell it to her honor,— Looked up and waited till the sun Came streaming in upon her. The broken clouds sailed off in crowds, Across a sea of glory. Jeannette and Jo ran, laughing, in— Which ends my simple story. Joy is divine. Come storm, come shine, The hopeful are the gladdest; And doubt and dread, children, believe Of all things are the saddest. 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. 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!"