nto the yard, turned back the house with
one hand, with the other picked out from the heap of legs all the white
ones, and dragged us from the wreck of our residence. It was quickly
done, but not too soon, for a little flame, which was hiding under the
close mass of ruins, now hopped merrily up on the tarletan skirts of
Alice Isabella, the prettiest of the dolls.

While we were being taken to grandma to be cried over and comforted, and
the poor old house lay on its side forgotten, that flame finished off
poor dolly, ran up to the roof, ate up the red-striped curtain in the
twinkling of an eye, and, in fact, made short work of the whole thing.
We knew nothing of this that night, but were so honored and indulged as
to make us think everything else had turned a new leaf as well as the
house.

The next morning, grandma, coming into the breakfast-room, was called to
the window by Uncle John, who was looking at something in the yard.
There was a forlorn little figure sitting on a log among the charred
embers of the burnt house. It was I, sobbing as if my heart would break,
and beside me was Katy, who stood sadly by, trying with a corner of her
apron to dry my tears. But her eyes were wet, too, and in the fat arms
were squeezed a leg and shoe, which was all that was left of Alice
Isabella.

What wicked eye had watched the festivities through the window, or what
cruel heart had yielded to the temptation to turn over the house upon it
all, we never knew. I heard that Billy Quinn was punished that night for
coming home late to supper, and now, looking impartially at the matter
over all these years, I am inclined to think it was that very Billy
Quinn, and no other, who put out the tea-party.

THE FOX, THE MONKEY, AND THE PIG.

BY HOWARD PYLE.

[Illustration]

The fox, the monkey, and the pig were once inseparable companions. As
they were nearly always together, the fox's thefts so far reflected upon
his innocent associates, that they were all three held to be wicked
animals.

At length, the enemies of these three laid a snare, in a path they were
known to use.

The first that came to the trap was the pig. He viewed it with contempt,
and, to show his disdain of his enemies and his disregard for their
snare, he tried to walk through it with a lofty tread. He found he had
undervalued it, however, when, in spite of his struggles, he was caught
and strangled.

The next that came was the monkey. He inspected the