nd struck
it so rudely that it nearly upset; but at that moment the soldier in the
bow leaned over, and caught the baby by his little gown. Away whirled
the tree on the swift tide, and the cradle, detached by the shock,
drifted apart, overturned.

How the people ran about and talked! How the women cried, and caressed
the little stranger thus safely brought to shore! The King saw it all,
and approached.

"He shall be my child, and I will adopt him," he said.

"May he grow up to serve you, sire!" said one of the councillors, who
wore a glittering star on his breast.

Then the "King's Baby," saved in a little wooden cradle from the perils
of the night, crowed and smiled.

[Illustration: ME AND MY LITTLE WIFE.]

[Illustration]

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

He was black as the ace of spades, you see,
And scarcely as high as a tall man's knee;
He wore a hat that was minus a brim,
But that, of course, mattered nothing to him;
His jacket--or what there was left of it--
_Scorned_ his little black shoulders to fit;
And as for stockings and shoes, dear me!
Nothing about such things knew he.

He sat on the curb-stone one pleasant day,
Placidly passing the hours away;
His hands in the _holes_ which for pockets were meant,
His thoughts on the clouds overhead were intent;
When down the street suddenly, marching along,
Came soldiers and horses, and such a great throng
Of boys and of men, as they crowded the street,
With a "Hip, hip, hurrah!" the lad sprang to his feet,

And joined the procession, his face in a grin,
For here was a good time that "_dis chile_ is in!"
How he stretched out his legs to the beat of the drum,
Thinking surely at last 'twas the _jubilee_ come!
Then suddenly wondering what 'twas about--
The soldiers, the music, and all--with a shout
He hailed a small comrade, "Hi, Caesar, _you_ know
What all dis purcession's a marchin' fur so?"

"Go 'long, you George Washington," Caesar replied,
"In dis yere great kentry _you_ ain't got no pride!
Dis is Washington's Birfday; you oughter know dat,
Wid yer head growed so big, burst de brim off yer hat."
For a moment George Washington stood in surprise,
While plainer to view grew the whites of his eyes;
Then swift to the front of the ranks scampered he,
This mite of a chap hardly high as your knee.

The soldiers looked stern, and an officer said,
As he rapped with his sword on the black