ing the surgeon and hear his verdict that
"Young bones don't mind much being broken, and she will soon be about
again, as well as ever."

[Illustration: "BUT THEN, IT'S ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WOODS, YOU
KNOW."]

"But I don't see how you happened to have a chair so handy," said her
father to the boys. And when they explained that they were using it
for a sled, he said, with a significant nod of his head,--"Your sled,
was it? Well, I shall be surprised if my shop does not turn you out a
better sled than that, just by way of thanks for your kindness."

"_But then_, wasn't it good that it was only the old chair that we
had to-day?" asked Little But Then, as she told the story to Aunt
Barbara at home. "Oh Auntie, I had the nicest kind of a time!"

"I believe you had," answered Aunt Barbara, smiling; "for a brave,
sunny spirit, that never frets over what it has not, but always makes
the best of what it has where it is, is sure to have a good time. It
does not need to wait for it to come--it has a factory for making it."

[Illustration: {A LITTLE GIRL AND BOY.}]

--The following is an Arabic proverb taken from the mouth of an
Oriental: "Men are four. 1. He who knows not, and knows not he knows
not. He is a fool; shun him. 2. He who knows not, and knows he knows
not. He is simple; teach him. 3. He who knows, and knows not he knows.
He is asleep; wake him. 4. He who knows, and knows he knows. He is
wise; follow him."

WHAT THE SNAIL SAID.

"You little chicks, tho' you peck at my dress,
I will not get angry at that;
I know you would gobble me up if you could,
As quick as a worm or a gnat."

"Say, little snail, you had better go on,
They may try the same trick upon you."
"No, no," said the snail, with his hard coat of mail,
"I don't care a rush if they do.

"Little girl, there's no harm to cause me alarm,
I'll sit here and watch them a spell,
But as soon as they pounce, I'll cheat them at once,
By getting right into my shell."

"But listen, wise snail, the old hen in the coop
Has her eye very closely on you;
And if she gets out, it may put you about,
Now mind, what I tell you is true."

"But dear little girl, she is fast in her house;
No, no, she can't touch me, no, no.
But if that respectable fowl should get out,
Oho!" said the snail. "Oho!"

ONLY NOW AND THEN.

Think it no excuse,