k cheerfully. I will never be caught shirking again." And he
never was.

DAISY'S MAMMA.

[Illustration]

MOTHER'S LAST LOOK.

THEY'RE asleep,
So I'll keep
Very still, and peep:
Not too bright,
Candle-light
Is for them to night.

Saturday
Makes them gay,
And they've had their play:
Sled and shout
Have, no doubt,
Tired them fairly out.

Once in bed,
Prayers were said
By each curly-head:
But, before
Half was o'er,
They saw slumber-shore.

Darlings! may
Angels stay,
Bless and for you pray!
May their love,
Like a dove,
Watch you from above!

EMILY CARTER.

TIED, NOT MATED.

ONE fine summer day, Master Fritz took his mother's greyhound, Leda, and
his father's spaniel, Neptune, out for a run. They were quite ready for
a frolic, for they had been tied up in the barn all the forenoon, and
had been longing for Fritz to come.

So off they went; and, after they had gone some distance, Fritz thought
it would be fine fun, as he had in his pocket a piece of string, to tie
the two dogs together, and play they were a span of horses.

No sooner had he got them well tied than some one called him, and off he
ran, leaving the two dogs tied, but not mated. They roamed about a while
over the fields and meadows, till they came to the pond.

Now, the dogs could not talk in our language; but they made certain
noises, which meant, I think, just this: "Here's a chance for a fine
swim!" cried Neptune. "Come, Leda, the water is nice and cool."

"I'd rather not go in," said Leda. "I'm not a very good swimmer, and I
easily take cold. Pray don't drag me in. Come back and have a race in
the meadow."

[Illustration]

"Oh, it's too fine, too fine!" barked Neptune; and he began to lap up
water with his tongue.

Leda pulled back, and cried, "Oh, don't!"

But the temptation was too great for Neptune. In he pulled poor Leda,
and swam about with her till she was chilled through.

Fritz's father, Mr. Pitman, passing that way, saw the dogs, and called
them out. Glad enough was Leda to get on dry land. She shivered; but
Neptune shook himself till