re the king, and his story was told.

TOM THUMB--IV

The king grew very fond of Tom and his wise sayings. He took Tom with
him wherever he went.

If it began to rain, Tom would creep into the king's pocket and sleep
until the rain was over.

The king had a new suit made for Tom, and gave him a needle for a sword.

A mouse was trained for Tom to ride.

The king and queen never tired of seeing him ride his queer little horse
and bravely wave his sword.

One day, as they were going hunting, a cat jumped out and caught Tom's
mouse.

[Illustration]

Tom drew his sword and tried to drive the cat away.

The king ran to help poor Tom, but the little mouse was dead, and Tom
was scratched and bitten.

Tom was put to bed, but he did not die.

No indeed! he was soon well again, and fought many brave battles and did
many brave deeds to please the king.

_English Fairy Tale_

[Illustration]

SUPPOSE

wouldn't pouring earnest lady

Suppose, my little lady,
Your doll should break her head,
Could you make it whole by crying
Till your eyes and nose are red?
And wouldn't it be better far
To treat it as a joke,
And say you're glad 'twas Dolly's,
And not your head that broke?

Suppose you're dressed for walking,
And the rain comes pouring down,
Will it clear off any sooner
Because you scold and frown?
And wouldn't it be nicer
For you to smile than pout,
And so make sunshine in the house
When there is none without?

Suppose your task, my little man,
Is very hard to get,
Will it make it any easier
For you to sit and fret?
And wouldn't it be wiser
Than waiting like a dunce,
To go to work in earnest,
And learn the thing at once?

ALICE CARY

[Illustration]

CINDERELLA--I

Once upon a time there lived a maiden named Cinderella.

Her mother was dead, and she had to work very, very hard in the kitchen.

She had two older sisters, but they were cross to little Cinderella.

They made her stay among the pots and the kettles and do all the hard
work about the house.

Sometimes, to keep warm, she crept in among the cinders.

That is why she was called Cinderella.

One day the sisters came dancing into the house. "We have been invited
to the king's ball," they cried.

At length the day of the great ball came, and the two sisters rode away
in their fin