with carpet, and
Spitfire used to sit up on it, and then Cuddle and Miss Tittens would
try to climb up the sides. Then Spitfire would say, "_Sptss!_" and pat
them on the heads with her little paws until they rolled down again.
Sometimes, when she was busy driving one off, another would get up
behind her, and drive her off too; but she always worked hard until she
was up again.

Do you not think she was a funny kitty? She always went first, and took
the lead, and used to box the ears of Cuddle and Tittens when they did
not mind her. Now she is a big black cat, with a red collar around her
neck, and she catches rats and mice, and is very good and useful. She
only says, "_Sptss!_" when strange cats come into her yard; but we still
call her Spitfire.

E. F.

[Illustration]

THE COSSET-CALF.

WHEN I was quite a little girl
I had a cosset-calf,
And, when it ran about the fields,
It always made me laugh.

It seemed as gentle as a lamb,
And from my hand was fed;
And how I grieved when first I felt
The horns upon its head!

It always answered to my call,
And thrust its wet nose through
The bars, and tried its very best
To say, "How do you do?"

I left it in the early fall,
And kissed my pet with tears;
For to a little child the months
Stretch out as long as years.

And when the summer came again,
I never shall forget
With what dismay I gazed upon
My former little pet.

I was afraid of those great horns,
So crooked on its brow,
Nor would believe my little calf
Was that enormous cow!

But soon I learned to know its face
And conquered my alarm,
And thought there was no nicer cow
On any other farm.

And oh the rich sweet milk she gave!
Why, just to make me laugh,
My mother used to call me then
Her little cosset-calf!

JOSEPHINE POLLARD.

PRIMER AND SLATE.

PRIMER and slate, primer and slate!
Hurry up, mother! I fear I am late.
A, B, C, D, and 1, 2, 3, 4,
Must be studied, so I can recite them once more.