o; and away, away, straight ahead of us,
two white specks, which Captain Charley told us were the vessels he was
going out for.

A look through the glass proved that the "specks" were _really_ vessels,
and huge ones too. While we were looking and talking, what do you
suppose one of the men brought forward for Ralph's amusement?--A dog?
No. A kitty? No. A parrot? No. I think you will have to give it up. A
bear! Just the cunningest little bear any one ever saw.

He was just about the size of a tan-terrier, and so full of play, that
he got himself into all sorts of shapes, and performed all the antics
imaginable. But the most laughable thing was to see him as a tight-rope
performer. I am sure he outdid any circus actor who ever travelled.

Ralph thought it jolly to play with a live bear. As one would suppose,
the bear was a great pet with all on board the tug. He had always been
handled with kindness; and the captain told us he had never yet bitten
any one.

All this time, we are nearing the vessels we are to tow back. See what a
huge cable is thrown out to join the vessels to the tug. Here we go,
homeward bound.

We must not forget to tell of the nice race we had with the steam barge
"Reitz," and how Ralph shouted when we came out ahead; nor about Ralph's
getting hungry, and going down into the cabin, and making friends with
the cook, and coming up with his pockets full of crackers and cookies,
which were so much better than any he ever ate before.

Don't you think just as we do, that we had a jolly time? Ralph says he
should like to live on board the tug; but I think he would want to come
home every night.

AUNT NELLIE.

[Illustration]

TIT, TAT, TOE!

Tit, tat, toe!
Three in a row!
The heavy schoolroom clock strikes loud and slow.
"Now every little one
May go and take his fun,"
The gentle teacher cries, "for the school is done."

Tit, tat, toe!
All in a row!
Out through the open door the merry children go,
Leaving only three,
Sad as sad can be,--
Wretched little culprits with their Spellers, as you see!

Tit, tat, toe!
Three in a row!--
Billy Bumble, Benny Bell, and little Kitty Coe.
Little Kitty sighs;
Little Benny cries;
And little Billy Bumble pokes his fingers in his eyes.