ees clinging to a vine,--
A speckled snake charmed _one_, then there were but NINE.

NINE little chick-a-dees,--one without a mate,--
A Sparrow-hawk caught _one_, then there were but EIGHT.

{77}

EIGHT little chick-a dees, by a 'possum driven,--
He caught _one_ and slaughtered it, then there were but SEVEN.

SEVEN little chick-a-dees hopping round the ricks,--
A Weasel came and captured _one_, then there were but six.

SIX little chick-a-dees watching Rover dive,--
He sprang ashore and seized _one_, then there were but FIVE.

{78}

FIVE little chick-a-dees pecking at the door,
Kitty-cat caught _one_, then there were but FOUR.

FOUR little chick-a-dees full of birdy glee,
_One_ was tangled in a net, then there were but THREE.

THREE little chick-a-dees dabbling in the dew,
A stone fell and crushed _one_, then there were but TWO.

{79}

TWO little chick-a-dees peeping just for fun,
A hungry Kite caught _one_, then there was but ONE.

ONE little chick-a-dee, mourning all alone,
Flew away to find a mate, and then there was NONE,

{80}

_HEIGH-HO, DAISIES AND BUTTER-CUPS_.

HEIGH-HO, daisies and butter-cups
Grow in the meadows for children to gather;
But cattle will shun them,
And farmers will burn them,
Because in their fields they are only a bother.

Heigh-ho, red-top and clover-bloom,
Filling the air with their sweetness and beauty,
Will yield without measure,
Their wealth of rich treasure,
Rewarding the farmer for doing his duty.

{81}

_THE PONY_.

Once 2 is 2,
Here's a pony for you;

Two 2s are 4,
But be careful the more,--

THREE 2s are 6,
For perhaps pony kicks;

FOUR 2s are 8,
And if so we must wait,

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FIVE 2s are 10,
Till he's trained by the men;--

Six 2s are 12,
Before trusting ourselves,

{83}

SEVEN 2s are 14,
To ride him out sporting;

EIGHT 2s are 16,
But we can be fixing

NINE 2s are 18,
His food while we're waiting;

TEN 2s are 20,
Oh, yes, give him plenty,--

ELEVEN 2s are 22,
For then he will be gentle to--

{84}

TWELVE 2s are 24,
Us who feed and pet him more.

{85}

{86}

_BABY'S RECKONING_.

One little head, Ah! but what does it hold?
No matter,--it's worth its whole weight in pure gold.

Two big brown eyes, soft with Heaven's own dew;
No diamonds so precious, so sparkling, so