out this bear. Part of him is a big dipper, and
I think you will find him out by that. If you can find the seven bright
stars in the shape of a dipper, you have found the bear's tail and a
part of his body.

And now I want to tell you how it happens that these stars are called
the Great Bear. If you look up in the sky some bright starlight night,
you will see there a good many different figures, in stars; and a long
time ago, people gave names to these figures. To one of them they gave
the name of the Great Bear; to another, the Little Bear; to another, the
Great Dog; and so on. These different star-figures are called
constellations. They really look very little like the things they are
named for: so I can't expect you to find them without help.

Now, it is very convenient to have the stars divided up in this way.
When I asked you to find the red star last winter, it would have been a
great help to you if I had told you what constellation it was in; but
you might not have known what I meant by a constellation.

I had so many pleasant letters about that red star, I am going to ask
you to write again when you find the Great Bear, although I suppose most
of you are abed and asleep before he comes out for the night. He will
appear earlier when the days are shorter, and I do not believe he can
escape all your bright eyes. But I should advise you to ask some one who
knows where he is to point him out to you.

M. E. R.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

TEDDY'S KITTEN.

TO let the kitten lie and sleep
Is something Teddy cannot do;
Like caterpillar in a heap,
She'd like to curl the whole day through,
If Teddy did but want her to.

I wonder if she understands,
How just the look of her soft fur
So tempts his little roguish hands
He cannot keep away from her:
He says he wants "to hear her purr!"

And, if he does, 'tis well enough;
But then, why does he rub the way
To make her silky coat look rough?--
That coat of shining silver-gray,
So washed and polished every day?

Why is it that he loves so much
To tickle the unconscious paws
With just a finger tip or touch,
Or open them to find the claws?
_His_ reason for it is, "Because!"