Part 4

To bed they all went, but there was 110 Rover to watch over them. The first thing in the morning the children heard him barking in the with a dear little pussy cat which he had killed. He had brought it to the place where the woodchuck lay the day before. Captain Minot scolded Rover, you may be sure, the cruel dog that he was! And then they buried poor kitty. But that night Rover was gone again, and in the morning he brought another dead pussy. And so he did for three or four nights. Then he stopped, for there were no more cats near by.

You see, poor Rover loved to march after Captain Minot. He knew no better way to make Captain Minot march than to bring home something to bury. This was very bright of Rover; but it was cruel, and a very bad example for other dogs.

--C. BELL.

HOW THE TEAKETTLE WENT TO PARIS.

|The children had been playing house out in the back shed. Joe and Susie were Mr. and Mrs. Primrose, Nellie was Aunt Daisy, and Pink and Ducky were the little Primroses.

Susie had a real cooking-stove, and a teakettle. She saved all the burnt matches for firewood. They had hot water and sugar for tea. Toasted crackers did duty for beefsteak, hot rolls, and potatoes. The very brown ones were chocolate cake.

They had a merry feast' until Mrs. Primrose's health failed. Then Mr.

Primrose thought they had better take a trip to Paris.

There was a brook at the bottom of the garden, with two boards across it for the children to walk over. On the other side was Paris.

Mrs. Primrose said they ought to take the furniture, but she left it all behind except the teakettle. She was sure to want some tea on the voyage.

Ducky had fallen asleep, and they concluded to leave him at home. He was only three years old, and could not enjoy the sights. Joe put him in the hammock, and the rest started on their journey. Aunt Daisy was to take care of Pink, who was four years old, and as playful as a kitten.

The family reached the other side in safety, except poor Mrs. Primrose and her teakettle. When she was about half way across, Ponto, the great house-dog, came rushing down the hill to go with them. He struck against Mrs. Primrose, and over she went into the brook; but her beloved teakettle flew over to the other side of the stream.

Just then there was a dreadful clap of thunder. It frightened the children so, that they ran up to the house as fast as they could. Susie did not remember until the next day what became of the teakettle, but it had reached Paris in safety.

--ANNIE D. BELL.

THE CAPTIVE BUMBLE-BEE.

````In a milk-white prison, with only one

````Round window opening to the sun,

````Raving and raging in vain despair

````Like a wounded lion in his lair,

````I have a captive. He can't get out,

````For I hold the door with my fingers stout.=

`````"But how can you hold this captive wild,

````You, who are only a little child?"

````Ay, that's the riddle, how can I, say?

````And I had another yesterday..

````You'll never guess, I'll have to tell;

````You don't read riddles very well.=

````By the garden-walk I chanced to see

````In a foxglove flower a bumble-bee;

````And when he was fairly sipping the honey,

````I fastened him into this prison funny.

````It's long and hollow and flat, you see,

````The very jail for a bumble-bee!=

````Yes, it is a pity to shut him up,

````Though his jail is a lovely foxglove cup!

````So I 'll toss the flower that I picked, away,

````And I won't catch another bee to-day;

````For he beats so fiercely his prison-wall,

````I know that he doesn't like it at all!

--MRS. KATE UPSON CARLSON

LONDON TOWN.

```Which is the way to London Town?

```'Over the hills, across the down;

`````Over the ridges,

`````Over the bridges,

```Over the hills, across the down,

```That is the way to London Town."=

```And what shall I see in London Town?

```"O, many a building, old and brown,

`````Many a neat

`````Old-fashioned street,

```And many a building, old and brown,

```You 'll be sure to see in London Town."=

```What else shall I see in London Town?

```"Many a maiden in silken gown;

`````Pretty pink faces

`````Tied up in laces,

```Many a maiden in silken gown,

```You'll certainly see in London Town."=

```Then onward I hurried to London Town;

```Over the hills, across the down,

`````Over the ridges,

`````Over the bridges,

```Over the ills, across the down,

```Until I found me in London Town.

--ALBERT H. HARDY.

LOOK AT BOTH SIDES.

|Two horsemen met near the statue of a knight with a shield. One side of the shield was of gold, the other of silver. One said the shield was gold; the other that it was silver. They got angry about it and fought till both were badly hurt. An old priest came along and told them they should have looked on both sides of the shield. We should always look on both sides of the question.

ABOUT A QUEER MAN.

Many hundreds of years ago lived a very strange man whoso name was Diogenes. His home was in the city of Athens, in Greece. The people of Athens were very polite; but this strange man took pride in being very impolite. He made himself very disagreeable.

People stared at him and laughed at him. This was just what pleased Diogenes. Many people called him a great man. This pleased him more yet. He was so odd, and behaved so strangely, that after a while a good many tried to imitate him and to act as strangely as he did. This pleased him, perhaps, most of all.

Sometimes Diogenes slept in the sand, and sometimes on the verandas of houses or in doorways. Sometimes he used to take a tub around with him. When night came he would curl himself up like a kitten and go to sleep in the tub.

One bright sunny day, when the city was full of people, he took a lighted lantern and walked down the street. He looked as if he were hunting for something. "What are you looking for, with your lantern in this bright daylight?" the people asked. "I am looking for an honest man," growled Diogenes.

At this time there lived a great warrior and emperor who had made himself more famous than any one else in the world. Great crowds followed him, and threw up their hats, and cheered. His name was Alexander. Perhaps he was really the greatest man in the world. So he was called Alexander the Great.

One day Alexander marched by where Diogenes sat sunning himself in the sand. The people were cheering as usual and making a great noise. But Diogenes sat quite still, caring nothing about the emperor. When Alexander passed before Diogenes he noticed this. He wondered why this poorly clothed man paid him no attention.

Then he turned to Diogenes with a frown, and said in a very haughty manner, "Do you know that I am Alexander?"

Everybody thought that Diogenes would turn pale and be very much confused. But he only looked up and answered with as much pride as if he were an emperor himself, "Do you know that I am Diogenes?"

Perhaps we may all admire his independence as much as Alexander is said to have done. Diogenes always lived this queer sort of a life. He was an old, old man when he died.

CHARLES T. JEROME.

TRADE.

````In the village sell your hay;

```Then for food and clothing pay.=

BETTY AND BRINDLE.

|Betty was a nice little girl about six years old. She lived in the country on a pleasant farm. She went out to the barn every day and helped her brother scatter com to the hens and turkeys. She liked to give handfuls of hay to the horses when her father was close by her, but she did not dare to go near them when she was alone.

One day Betty was in the orchard picking up apples.

Below the orchard there was a field where the cows were feeding. One of the cows was named Brindle. She stood with her head over the fence as if she wanted something to eat Betty saw her, and she thought, "Poor old Brindle is tired of grass; she wants me to bring her some of my apples."

So she filled her apron with sweet apples and went up to the fence. Brindle took the apples from her hand and seemed to think they were very good. The fence was low and broken where she was standing, and she pushed against it hard because she was so glad to get the apples. She wanted more and more, and pushed against the fence till it was almost thrown down.

When Betty saw the fence falling she felt frightened a little, and stepped away. Brindle had not got apples enough, so she jumped right over the fence and came towards Betty. Then Betty was frightened a good deal, and she started to run as fast as she could.

When Brindle saw her going off she began to run after her. She did not wish to hurt or frighten Betty, she only wanted to get what she carried in her apron.

Betty was very much afraid, so she ran faster and faster. By and by she let go of her apron and the apples rolled down to the ground. Then Brindle stopped and went to eating them. She was quite satisfied now, and did not go any farther.

So Betty got away and was not harmed at all. She found her father and told him about it, and he drove Brindle back to her pasture. Then he put up the fence so that she could not get out again.

--M. E. N. HATHEWAY.

JACK AND JIMMY.

|Almost every morning last winter, unless it was very cold indeed, I looked out of my window hoping to see Jack and Jimmy. I wanted to find out, if I could, what they were doing.

If I saw them first at one end of the garden, on a fence, this was the very reason for thinking they would soon be at the other end. Their little legs were seldom at rest, and carried them about very fast.

They did n't get up very early. After their breakfast, when the sun began to get warm, and they were once out in the fresh air with the warm gray coats that covered them all up, they were wide-awake enough. They never went to school, and they were such funny little fellows I am sure I don't know what they would have done with themselves if they had gone.

But they knew things that not even the brightest little boys know. Though they did run about so much they were not idle, but worked hard sometimes. I know they must have done so last autumn. And what do you think they did? They picked up nuts, and hid away enough to last all through the long, cold winter.

Have you guessed who my little friends were? Did you think they were boys? Why, no! They were two gray squirrels with great bushy tails. As I have n't any little boys to have a good time with them, I was glad to have such bright, frisky, graceful creatures to watch and talk to every sunny day.

--MARY L. HALL.

BESSIE IN THE MOUNTAINS.

|Bessie Lee was six years old when she went to the mountains of North Carolina with her father.

What Bessie liked best of all were the nice donkey rides every morning.

The poor donkeys didn't get much rest, for the little folks kept them busy all day. Bessie was kind to them, but some of the children were not. Bessie liked a donkey named Kate best of all One day Bessie's father put her in the saddle, and Kate kicked up. When Bessie was lifted off, and the saddle removed, a great bleeding sore was found on the poor donkey's back.

Bessie felt very sorry for poor Kate, and said, "Papa, I don't want to ride to-day, but please do not send Kate back to the stables."

"Why not, Bessie?" said Mr. Leo.

"O, papa, the man will let her to some of the rough boys, and they will hurt her back."

Mr. Leo was pleased to see his little daughter's kindness to the poor dumb donkey; but he wished to know if Bessie would deny herself for Kate.

"Well, Bessie," said her father, "if you have any money, give it to the man when he comes for the donkey. Tell him you wish to keep Kate all day."

"I have the money you gave mo for ice-cream," said Bessie. "Will that pay the man?"

It was enough, and was given to the man. Bessie kept the donkey all day. She led Kate to the greenest places in the yard, and let her eat the grass. She divided her apples with Kate, and carried her a little pail of water.

At night Bessie told her father she had been happy all day. He made her still happier by telling her she could keep Kate every day while she was in the mountains.

Bessie kissed her father and was soon fast asleep. She dreamed of riding in a little carriage drawn by six white donkeys.

--AUNT NELL.

SCAMP'S RIDE WITH BUTTERCUP.

|I was sitting at the window one day.

My master had gone out He told me to be a good pug-dog while he was gone, so I was trying to mind him. I was good at first, for when I saw two cats cross the street I only barked at them, master's married sister drove up to her carriage.

When Buttercup saw me she called out, "Scamp!"

I ran out to the door to see her. Buttercup' mother sent for me, and the waiter, Wyatt, carried me out and put me in the carriage. I sat on the seat next to Buttercup. I was so proud, I curled my tail twice as tight as usual It has a double curl anyhow.

As we drove down street everybody looked at me.

When the carriage stopped,

Buttercup's mother got out open. I was next to it, so I jumped out after her.

But I did not follow her. O no! I ran up the street I had on a new collar with big bells, and it made a noise. Buttercup's mother heard it and turned around.

She saw me running away, so she ran after me.

I ran as fast as I could; so did she, up one street, down another. At last I came to a butcher's shop. I saw some meat inside and ran in. A nasty big dog was sitting at the back of the shop. He scared me, and I ran behind the counter.

The big dog started to follow me. He would have eaten me up, I know. Just then Buttercup's mother came in. She left the door called to the butcher to stop his dog. The butcher caught him just in time to save me. Then Buttercup's mother took me from under the counter, where I lay trembling. She carried me in her arms to the carriage. Buttercup was crying, for she thought I was lost.

When we got home my master talked to me. He spoke so kindly that it made me ashamed of my wicked deeds; so I have come into this dark room to think over my bad ways and to try and be good.

--JOHN S. SHRIVER.

THE BOY AND THE BIRD.

```Boy.--Dicky-bird, dicky-bird,

`````whither away?

```Why do you fly when I wish you to

`````stay?

```I never would harm you if you would

`````come

```And sing me a song while you

`````perch on my thumb.=

```Bird.--Boy, I will sing to you

`````here in the tree,

```But pray do not come any

`````nearer to me;

``For your open mouth and eyes big and bright

```So fill my poor heart with

`````the wildest affright.=

``Boy.--I love you, dear dicky, why should you fear!

```If you'll come with me, my sweet pretty dear,

```You shall live in a house of silver so gay,

````And feed on a lump of white sugar each day.=

```I love the fresh air, the sunshine so free,

```My swing in the rose-bush, my home in the tree.

```My birdies are calling me, so I must fly,

```And sing as I leave you, Good-by, good-by.=

--NELLIE M. GARABRANT.

SCAMP'S SURPRISE.

|I had a surprise to-day. When I got up I was surprised too. It is Christmas, so my master tells me. I expect Christmas means having a good time. Don't it mean that?

The first thing I saw when I came into the parlor was a big tree all full of pretty things. It's funny to see a tree all fixed up like that. Then my master said, "Scamp, come here, I have got a surprise for you." What do you think it was? Why, a big box. It was marked, "To Mr. Scamp." My master told me it came from New York. Now my cousin Amy lives in New York. Of course, she is not my cousin, only my master's; but it is all the same. I knew she sent me the surprise.

My master opened the box and took out the surprise. What do you think it was? Why, a blanket for me. It was all trimmed with ribbons, and inside it was all fur. My master put the surprise on my back and tied the ribbons. The fur tickled me, and I laughed. They all thought I barked, but I did not; I was laughing.

My master said I looked so fine he would let me go out on the sidewalk.

When we got out of the house, a boy came along the street, with a tin horn. He blew it right in my ear, and it scared me so I fell off the pavement into the snow-drift. I rolled over and over. I felt myself going down, down, down, and I barked. My master whistled to me, but I could not get out.

At last he came and lifted me from the snow-bank. You should have seen "the Surprise." It was all wet, and the fur was spoiled. My master, as he took me into the house, was saying something about "Pride getting a fall." My name is not Pride, but Scamp.

--JOHN S. SHRIVER.

CHARLIE'S RIDE IN THE PARK.

A TRUE STORY.

|Charlie visited a park with his mother and younger brothers. It was a pleasant place. There was a high tower, and stands, and pavilions, and it was well shaded.

It was just as he was ready to leave the park that he saw a deer. The deer came towards him.

He seemed very tame. He licked Charlie's hand and the hands of the others. He seemed delighted at being caressed.

But somehow he really seemed to be most pleased with Charlie's attentions.

He rubbed his head against Charlie, as if he wanted to say, "I love you." Sometimes his manner was a little too earnest to be quite agreeable. There was, perhaps, just the least hint in the world of bunting; but Charlie thought it only the deer's way of showing his love. "O mamma," he cried, "he loves me better than any of you!"

Then mamma and the children walked slowly towards the gateway. Charlie followed, still playing with the deer. She was startled by a sudden sharp cry of distress: "Mamma, mamma, help me!" All looked. There was the deer bounding off at full speed with Charlie on his back. And Charlie could not even held on to the deer's neck, for he was riding backwards.

The deer was frightened, and was making his best jumps. He went like the wind. No one laughed, for it was a very dangerous ride. In a few seconds Charlie was thrown. Over and over he went, and struck on the edge of a muddy pond.

Luckily he was not badly hurt; but he was very much surprised at his ride, for he had not expected it at all.

The deer had suddenly "bunted" under him while he stood facing him. As he threw up his head Charlie was thrown on the deer's back, facing backwards. And then the ride. The deer was frightened. Charlie was frightened. Mamma and the children were frightened. But what a laugh, all at Charlie's expense, after it was over! A laugh that broke out again and again for hours after. And how many times Charlie's words were repeated with laughter.--"Mamma, he loves me better thar any of you!"

--CHARLES T. JEROME,

PAWS AND MILK.

````The dogs Fern and Fan

````Are a lovely young span,

```With their ears just as soft as silk.

````But queer little Fem,

````O, when will she learn

`````To eat as a puppy ought,

`````And not

```Put her paws in the basin of milk?=

````Fan growls her advice,

````And declares "You're not nice!"

```Goes back and sits down in disgust;

````Yet of all things to eat,

````Paws and milk are a treat

````To her sister, Fern by name;

`````For shame!

```Shall we send her to bed with a crust?=

--LAVINIA S. GOODWIN.

A PIG CAUGHT IN A SLY TRICK.

|My story is about a potato field in "Old Virginia." It had around it "a stake and rider fence." The potatoes grew and grew, in sunshine, dew, and rain. They were now as big as liens' eggs.

The owner of the field saw that there was something wrong with his potato patch.

The vines were tom up, and the potatoes were gone. But who was the thief? By watching, maybe, the robber might be found out.

The farmer hid himself among some bushes. But he saw nothing, except one of his own little pigs. Piggy was coming slowly, slowly along the big road. He was rooting all the way, and grunting at every step. Did the pig know where he was going?

One corner of the rail fence rested on a large hollow log. That log was just like the elbow of a stove-pipe. One of its ends was outside and one was inside of the potato field.

The sly pig went straight to that log! With a grunt, he crawled in at one end of it, and, with another grunt, he crawled out at the other end, into the field. There he began, at once, to root up the nice potatoes, and to eat them.

The farmer jumped over the fence. In a trice the bars were put down. There was a loud call, "Here, Rover, Rover, seek him! seek him, sir!" And the dog chased the thieving rascal squealing from the field.

The farmer said to himself, "I 'll fix things all right." Then he turned the log so that the elbow was in the field, and both of its ends were on the outside.

Then the farmer hid and watched again. Mr. Pig came along a second time. He thought everything was right. He crawled into the log once more. He crawled through it. But he was still on the outside of the fence!

The pig grunted. He lifted up his head. He looked all around in great surprise. He wondered what was wrong. Then he grunted louder, and tried once more. Again he failed. And he failed as often as he grunted and tried.

The merry farmer laughed loudly at the wicked and astonished pig.

Thieves are sometimes caught in their slyest tricks!

--UNCLE LEE.

WHAT HAPPENED TO BETTY'S DOG.

My cousin Betty had a shepherd dog whose name was Scott. He was a beauty. He followed Betty in all her walks and rides.

He would chase her about until she ran into the tallest tree in the yard; and there she would stay until Scott went home.

One day Scott was out in the street having a frolic with two other dogs. He was run over by a wagon, and one of his legs was broken. Betty and her brother and Bridget all cried when he went limping into the house.

Bridget hid her face in her apron and said, "Sure, the poor beast will be a cripple for life."

Betty soon wiped away her tears, and said she was going after the doctor. The doctor came home with Betty. After looking at the broken bone he said he could set it He thought in a few weeks his leg would be all right again.

Scott whined and looked very pitiful while the doctor was at work on the leg; but it was very soon bound up, and he was put on the lounge, with his head on a pillow. Betty made a johnny-cake and some porridge for him every day.

Sometimes Betty thought he was going to have a fever. But her brother told her as long as his nose was cold there was no danger of a fever.

Betty took such good care of Scott that he was able to walk out with her very soon. It was some time before he could have much fun frolicking with dogs or chasing cats.

THE LIGHT-HOUSE

```Where the solemn waves the whole day long

```Seem saying, "Never! Never!"

```As they creep to the feet of the hollow cliffs,

```Fall back, roll in, forever,

```There stands a light-house, white and tall,

```That like the house in parable

```Stands "on a rock," and braves the shock

```When tempests beat and torrents fall.

```Ghost-like at early dawn it looms

```Above the gray cold ocean;

```And, dull and chill, stands gloomy still

```When wakes all else to motion.

```But when the evening shadows sink,

```And all the lonesome stony coast

```Is lost to sight, while through the night

```Drives in the storm-clouds black as ink,

```'T is then that from that silent pile

```Darts far a ruddy dawning,

```Lighting the gloom, where the breakers boom,

```In priceless, ceaseless warning!=

--F. H. COSTELLOW.