Chapter 2

THE SWAN AND THE DRAKE

Slowly, in majestic silence, Sailed a Swan upon a lake; Round about him, never quiet, Swam a noisy quacking Drake.

"Swan," exclaimed the latter, halting, "I can scarcely comprehend Why I never hear you talking: Are you really dumb, my friend?"

Said the Swan, by way of answer: "I have wondered, when you make Such a shocking, senseless clatter, Whether you are deaf, Sir Drake!"

Better, like the Swan, remain in Silence grave and dignified, Than keep, drake-like, ever prating, While your listeners deride.

W.R.E.

UPSETTING BABY'S MILK.

"Ponto," the dog, who was longing for a run with nurse and baby, came up into the nursery to see if they were nearly ready for their walk. Nurse had gone out of the room, leaving baby fastened into her chair with a saucer of milk on the ledge in front of her. Ponto would not have taken the milk without leave--he knew better how to behave than that; but he wanted baby to give him some, and did not know how easily the saucer would be upset: one great paw put on the little shelf sent it over, broke it, and spilt the milk. You see the baby is not at all afraid of the dog, and she is too good-tempered to cry about the milk being spilt; but she holds her spoon out of Ponto's way and says, "Naughty, naughty!"

CLEVER TRAY.

I want to tell you a true story about the terrier dog you see having a game at hide-and-seek with our two children.

One evening, nurse had put baby to bed, and tucked her in quite snug and warm. Having to do some shopping, nurse went out, and, in going along the street she felt something pulling her skirt, and on looking down discovered Tray with her skirt in his mouth. Nurse thought he was only playing, and tried to shake him off, but he began to bark and whine, and seemed to say, in his doggish way: "Please _do_ attend to me; _do_ come back with me!" that at last, just to see if he would leave off, she began to walk home. And oh, how delighted Tray was! When they reached the house Tray ran up-stairs, and nurse discovered baby sitting up in bed, and screaming sadly. The little thing had awoke, and finding herself alone, began to cry; and the faithful dog had heard her, and set off directly to find nurse.

MY FRIEND WASHINGTON.

When I was a very little girl, one of my best friends was Washington Henry. He was one of our servants, who made himself useful inside of the house, and was as black as night, as you may see by the picture. He liked nothing better than to meet me outside the house and have a romp, and he would take me all round the barn and show me the ducks, and hens, and the nice little chickens, and wheel me round in the baby-carriage, while he capered and danced about like a high-mettled steed. I can tell you we had plenty of fun, and father often used to wonder how it was I liked Washington so much, but it was only because he was more kind and considerate than any of the other servants. His old mother lived in a little cottage with his younger brother and sister, and he used to take me round there sometimes, and they had always something new to show me.

THE YOUNG MONKEY.

A little Monkey chanced to find A walnut in its outward rind; He snatched the prize with eager haste, And bit it, but its bitter taste Soon made him throw the fruit away. "I've heard," he cried, "my mother say (But she was wrong), the fruit was good; Preserve me from such bitter food!" A monkey by experience taught, The falling prize with pleasure caught; Took off the husk and broke the shell, The kernel peeled, and liked it well. "Walnuts," said he, "are good and sweet, But must be opened ere you eat." And thus in life you'll always find Labor comes first,--reward behind.

DON'T YOU LIKE MY CAT?

I like my cat, I like him well, As all the house may see I like him for himself, and not Because the cat likes me.

He counts his only work in life, To flourish and be fat; And this he does with all his might;-- Of course, I like my cat.

His eyes shine out beneath his brows, As eyes have rarely shone; His beauty is the grandest thing That ever cat put on.

He wears a paw of wondrous bulk, With secret claws to match, And puts a charm in all its play, The pat, the box, the scratch.

I have not heard how cats are made Within their furry veil, But rather fancy Tippo's thoughts Lie chiefly in his tail.

For while in every other part His portly person sleeps, That bushy tail, with steady wave, A ceaseless vigil keeps.

A LARK IN A CRICKET-GROUND.

A few days ago I was passing through Sonning, an old English village on the Thames, when I was attracted to a field near the road by hearing the merry sounds of the village school at a game of cricket. I could not resist the pleasure of pausing to watch the boys at play. Before long my curiosity was aroused by shouts of "Look out!" "Take care!" "Mind where you're going!" whenever any boy approached a certain spot, which seemed to be within a few yards of one of the wickets. I asked one of the party what such outcries meant. He replied--"Oh, that's our lark, sir!" On inquiry I found that some weeks before, the boys discovered a titlark's nest in the ground close to their cricket-piece. One of the boys seems to have made the suggestion that the school should take the lark under their special patronage. The proposal was adopted, and it became a daily business to see, before settling to their play, that all was right with the lark.

HELPING MOTHER.

I shall help mother when I am grown big; When I am old enough, oh! wont I dig, Plough with the horses, and call out "Gee-ho!" Plant the potatoes, fell timber, and mow?

Then I shall fetch the cows home to the byre, Carry such fagots to make mother's fire, Reap and make hay--Hush! who calls? I shant go! Its only to play with the baby, I know.

A boy who is seven is too big to do that, Can't mother nurse her, or give her the cat? Oh, what a bother! She's calling me still-- "Come and take the baby off my hands, Bill."

"I _must_ get your father's socks finished to-night, And I can't while the little girl pulls the thread tight; There--lift him up, play at ball or Peep-bo-- You will help mother then very greatly you know."

Bill waited a moment. Then into his mind Came a thought,--"Little boy, if you don't feel inclined To help mother now, when you easily can, I'm afraid you won't do it when you are a man."

So he brightened his face till the baby smiled too; Hid himself in the cupboard and called out "Cuckoo." And on his knee fed her with delicious cream, And helping mother was not so bad it would seem.

A FOUR-FOOTED THIEF.

The Paris _Figaro_ says:--"On Friday a new kind of robber was arrested not far from a hatter's, and holding a hat between his teeth. When efforts were made to take the hat away he stood on the defensive, and there was a fight, which ended very badly for the hat. The thief was a dog. His master, who has not yet been found, had taught him to bring home goods to him for sale, and the hatter accuses him of having carried off no less than six hats within a week."

THE PERFORMING MONKEYS.

Amusing creatures! I can look at the picture with pleasure, because they are evidently well treated, and have not the miserably cowed expression we see upon many of the monkeys that go about our streets. Sometimes when I have given a monkey a piece of cake or fruit, I have made a bargain with the master to let him sit still and eat it, and much amused I have been watching the little animal's extreme enjoyment of the treat and the holiday. The monkeys at the Zoological Gardens have tolerably large cages. I wish the parrots were as well off: they sadly need more space, and would be glad of bits of stick to play with.

"BEG, DOGGIE, BEG!"

Beg, doggie, beg: Come, come, sit up,-- No, not that way, you silly pup; Upon your hind legs sit, And I will tell you how to ask For bread--it is an easy task; And then you'll get a bit.

Now there--that's right--keep up your paw! A better dog I never saw. Oh dear! you're down once more: I cannot let you off: Now try, Oh, Jack, I really fear that I Have got a "treat" in store;

Look at this cake. Now, sit upright And stare at me with all you're might, And then I'll place the food: That's well: Now, doggie,--quite still-- You must not stir an inch until I tell you,--come, that's good!

One trial more, and you shall eat This great round cake, just for a treat: Now sit up, Jacky--so, Ask for it, sir--just say "bow-wow"-- And louder still! There make your bow-- Good dog! now you may go.