d bind the cask:
Bread for children and wife is all I ask;
And glad will they be at night, I'll be bound,
That, with cheerful sound,
Father all day went a-hammering round,
And round and round.

FROM THE GERMAN.

"GOOD-MORNING, SIR!"

THERE was once a little robin that grew to be so tame, that it would
come to my sister Helen's door every morning for a few crumbs. Sometimes
it would perch on the table.

What a power there is in kindness! It is very pleasant to form these
friendships with birds; so that they learn to trust you and to love you.
The sound of the human voice often seems to have a strange effect on
animals, as if they almost understood your words.

My sister would say, "Good-morning, sir! Come in! Don't make yourself a
stranger. Hard times these; but you will find plenty of crumbs on the
table. Don't be bashful. You don't rob us. Try as you may, you can't eat
us out of house and home. You have a great appetite, have you? Oh, well,
eat away! No cat is prowling round."

[Illustration]

The little bird, as if he knew that my sister was talking to him, would
chirp away, and seem quite happy. As soon as the warm weather came, his
visits were not so frequent; but, every now and then, he would make his
appearance, as if to say, "Don't forget me, Helen. I may want some more
crumbs when the cold weather comes."

IDA FAY.

PLAYING APRIL-FOOL.

IT was the last evening in March, and raining drearily out of doors; but
in mamma's sitting-room all was bright, warm, and cosey. Jim and his big
brother Rob were stretched out on the rug, feet in the air, watching the
blazing fire, and talking of the tricks they meant to play next day.

"No, sir," said Rob, "you can't fool me! I know about every way there is
of fooling; and I'd just like to see anybody try it on me!" And Rob
rolled over on his back, and studied the ceiling with a very defiant
air.

Poor little Jim looked very much troubled; for, if Rob said he could not
be fooled, of course he couldn't be; and he did want to play a trick on
Rob so badly! At last he sprang up, saying, "I'm going to ask mamma;"
and ran out of the room. Rob waited a while; but Jim did not come back:
so he yawned, stretched, and went to bed.

Next morning, bright and early, up jumped Jim, pulled on his cloth