were high-bush blackberries
finer or riper; but the largest and ripest seemed always the hardest to
get at. The boys cut hooked sticks, with which they pulled down the
branches; and their mouths were soon black with the juice of the
berries. Then the girls began filling their baskets.

The sun was low in the west when Nelly remembered her promise to Martin,
and said, "Now for home!" to which the rest cried, "Agreed!"

But the girls had not gone far before they began eating the berries from
their baskets, and offering them to one another,--all but Nelly Ray. She
did not eat any of her blackberries, nor did she give any away; and yet
she had the best basketful of all.

She had, besides, a branch of a bush, with berries on it, which she was
carrying very carefully; so that she kept a few steps behind the other
girls.

When Nelly reached home, she looked in at the open door, and saw Martin
down stairs for the first time since his accident. He was wrapped in
shawls; and Nelly said, as she put the full basket on his knees, and
waved the branch before his eyes, "Why, brother, they have wrapped you
up so, and your face is so pale, that you look like a girl."

"Looks are nothing: behavior is all," said Martin, laughing. "Why,
Nelly, what a splendid feast we shall have! What big ones! Thank you,
dear, dear sister."

As she heard those words, and saw his pleased looks, Nelly felt she was
well repaid for all her trouble.

IDA FAY.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: Music]

LITTLE JACK HORNER.

Words by AUNT CLARA. Music by T. CRAMPTON, W. London.

1. Little Jack Horner,
He sat in the corner,
Crying for something to eat;
In came Mother Hubbard,
And went to the cupboard,
And bro't him a nice plate of meat.
Then little Jack Horner
Came out of the corner,
And threw his nice meat on the floor:
"I want some mince pie!"
Was the naughty boy's cry,
As he clung to the drawing-room door.

2 "I don't like cold lamb;
Give me raspberry-jam:"
But old Mother Hubbard said, "No!
If a boy cannot eat
Such nice, wholesome meat,
To bed without food he must go."

3 So little Jack Horner,
Who cried in the corner,
Was washed clean, and put into bed: