like a spindle
After his flying heels.

And, worse than that, he had a fashion
Of rearing in the air;
And what became of load or driver
He did not know nor care.

Yet, without least alarm, the children
Would laugh at him, and say,
"Do see dear, cunning, old Brown Billy:
How well he likes to play!"

And bits of apple, lumps of sugar,
From little hands were given,
With fond pet names, and soft caresses,
And sometimes kisses even.

Brown Billy, but for your wild frolics
We might have had you yet;
And then these three sweet doleful faces
With tears would not be wet.

MRS. CLARA DOTY BATES.

HOW TWO BOYS WERE MADE HAPPY.

MAY I tell the readers of "The Nursery" how happy two little boys were
made this evening by the arrival of a present from a kind friend? And
what do you think it was? A magazine with a green cover, on which Guy,
one of the boys, pointed out these letters, "N-U-R-S-E-R-Y."

Max, with his chubby hand, turned to the first page, and found the
Christmas-tree, with the baby and flag at the top. Then mamma had to
read the story, and, after it was finished, the same little hand turned
the leaf back; for the blue eyes wanted to see baby Arthur again.

Then how both pairs of eyes looked at Teddy with his new sled! and,
while mamma read to them the pretty verses of Teddy's mamma, they were
still as mice.

And how their eyes sparkled when they saw the picture of the
wheelbarrows and cart loaded with earth! for this was just the way they
used to play in the warm pleasant weather. They thought the three
little boys must have had lots of fun.

Then they wanted to hear about "Georgie's Pet Mouse," and "Bess and the
Kitten." They did not wonder that "Baby" felt cross at having his
picture taken; for Max had to sit still so long, and so many times for
his, that he knew how to pity the poor baby.

The "Rooster" pleased them very much; and mamma promised to take "The
Nursery" to the Kindergarten, and draw the rooster on the board for the
little children there.

When we came to "Bed-time," mamma thought it would be just the thing to
read last, before putting her little boys to bed. But they begged for
one more story, and _just_ one more, till we came to "By-lo-land," and
aft