have no little girls to play with; but there is a little boy who comes
to see me sometimes: his name is Percy, and we go fishing down at the
brook, and we catch little bits of fish with pin hooks.

I went to school last summer, and read in my "Nursery," and Nan said I
learned nicely. There were only four scholars,--one for each corner of
the room; and we had a little rocking-chair to sit in.

Nan thinks I have told you enough about my pets this time, and I will
bid you good-by.

MAMIE.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

DRILLING THE TROOPS.

HERE is Corporal Hans drilling a squad under the eye of his superior
officer, Captain Ernest. The corporal is a brave soldier. Anybody could
tell that by his looks. But he does not give his orders quite sternly
enough to suit the captain, who is teaching him how to do it.

It makes a man of peace shudder to see the corporal stand so calmly
right at the mouth of a cannon. What if the cannon should go off! But
these military men get used to such things. I don't suppose now that one
of that whole squad could be frightened into running away. They will not
move till they hear the word of command.

UNCLE SAM.

THE PICTURE-BOOK.

IN the book that Mary likes so much to look at, there is a nice picture
of a horse. Here it is.

[Illustration]

The horse has a very long tail and also a long thick mane. He stands
very quietly in his stall, turning his head around, as if he were in
want of some more hay. If he should ask for it, what would he say?
Little Mary says he would say, "Neigh!"

The next picture shows us two donkeys,--an old one and a young one. They
have very long ears, and look as if they might hear all that we say.

[Illustration]

The worst we can say of them or their race is that they are homely, and
not so fleet as the horse. But they are very tough and strong and
patient.

If the donkey should hear this, perhaps he would open his mouth and say,
"Bray!"

A. B. C.

[Illustration]

A BLACKSMITH'S SONG.

CLANG, cling, clang, cling!
Bellows, you must roar, and anvil, you must ring;
Hammer, you and I must work--for ding, dong, ding
Must dress my Kate and baby, and bread for us must bring.
So dong, ding, dong, ding!
Anvil, to my hammer make musi