-nuts, put in by the little boys, and Elizabeth
Eliza's book of poetry, and a change of boots for Mr. Peterkin; a small
foot-rug in case the ground should be damp; some paint-boxes of the
little boys'; a box of fish-hooks for Solomon John; an ink-bottle,
carefully done up in a great deal of newspaper, which was fortunate, as
the ink was oozing out; some old magazines, and a blacking-bottle;
and at the bottom, a sun-dial. It was all very entertaining, and there
seemed to be something for every occasion but the present. Old
Mr. Bromwick did not wonder the basket was so heavy. It was all so
interesting that nobody but the Tremletts went down to the carriages.

The sun was shining brighter than ever, and Ann Maria insisted on
setting up the sun-dial. Certainly there was no danger of a shower, and
they might as well go on with the picnic. But when Solomon John and Ann
Maria had arranged the sun-dial, they asked everybody to look at their
watches, so that they might see if it was right. And then came a great
exclamation at the hour: "It was time they were all going home!"

The lady from Philadelphia had been wrapping her shawl about her, as she
felt the sun was low. But nobody had any idea it was so late! Well, they
had left late, and went back a great many times, had stopped sometimes
to consult, and had been long on the road, and it had taken a long time
to fetch up the things, so it was no wonder it was time to go away. But
it had been a delightful picnic, after all.

THE PETERKINS' CHARADES.

EVER since the picnic the Peterkins had been wanting to have "something"
at their house in the way of entertainment. The little boys wanted to
get up a "great Exposition," to show to the people of the place. But Mr.
Peterkin thought it too great an effort to send to foreign countries for
"exhibits," and it was given up.

There was, however, a new water-trough needed on the town common,
and the ladies of the place thought it ought to be something
handsome,--something more than a common trough,--and they ought to work
for it.

Elizabeth Eliza had heard at Philadelphia how much women had done, and
she felt they ought to contribute to such a cause. She had an idea, but
she would not speak of it at first, not until after she had written to
the lady from Philadelphia. She had often thought, in many cases, if
they had asked her advice first, they might have saved trouble.

Still, how could they ask advice before they themselves