heat. A sly old cat who had hidden under a burdock which grew
beside the gate, suddenly sprang up, and seized my dear mother with her
sharp claws.

[Illustration]

My mother was a very wise bird: so, instead of struggling to get away,
she remained so quiet, that Mrs. Pussy soon thought she must be dead.
Before long she put her down upon the grass, that she might admire at
her leisure the nice fat sparrow she had caught for her dinner. All at
once up flew my mother, and in an instant was far beyond the reach of
the cat.

Now I thought I was old enough to have a family of my own. So I chose me
a little sparrow-wife; but I had to fight several battles before I could
conquer all my rivals. My bravery won her heart; and I think she has
been well content with her choice. We built our nest, and soon I had the
pleasure of seeing in it five bluish-white, brown-and-gray-dotted eggs,
and, fourteen days after, five pretty sparrows,--three sons, and two
daughters.

[Illustration]

One saucy rogue, with a golden bill, we lost. Like me, he was caught;
but he never regained his liberty. A friendly little maiden was his
mistress, who made him so tame, that he would eat from her hand. She
gave him so many dainties, that he became too fat, and died. I saw how
the little maiden dug him a grave in her garden. Bitterly weeping, she
placed him therein, covered him with earth, and planted a cross of
flowers on the little mound.

[Illustration]

Our other children, one after the other, founded homes of their own, and
all lived good and useful sparrow-lives. The multitude of my
grandchildren I am no longer able to count.

FROM THE GERMAN.

"THE seed that springs, and the bird that sings,
And the shining summer sun,
The tiny bee, and the mighty sea,
God made them, every one."

LITTLE MISCHIEF.

XIII.

WHAT mischief was there for Bessie to-day? The fish in her mother's
aquarium had not been benefited by the hot bath which Bessie had given
them; but that was no reason, thought she, why a bath would not be a
good thing for her new doll Felicia.

[Illustration]

She had a little doll bath-tub made of tin. So she put it on a little
table, and filled it from a jug of hot water which happened to be on the
hearth. Then she undressed Felicia, and, holding her up, said, "Now,
little lady, you are going to have a nice warm bath: so be good."