t. And, if the
truth were known, this was found to be a very good thing for all. The
fisherman prospered, the mother of the children got well at once; and
all were happier than ever before, including Blue-eyes, who now was the
jolliest seal that ever played with children."

EMILY CARTER.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

FUN IN WINTER.

THE ground was white with snow. The sky looked black as though another
storm were coming. The day was very cold; but the tough boys and girls
did not mind the cold weather. They were out to have some fun.

Their rubber boots, and thick coats and mittens, kept them dry and warm.
One of the boys, though, had come out bare-headed. He was the boy who
never _could_ find his cap when he wanted it. His name was Tom.

"Now look here, Tom," said his brother Sam, a sturdy little chap, who
was always trying to keep Tom in order; "this won't do. You go into the
house and get your cap. Go quick, or you'll get this snowball right in
your face."

"Fire away!" said Tom, dancing around, and putting up his arm to keep
off the snowball.

"I'm going to have a hand in this game," said Joe, aiming a snowball at
Sam. "Look out for yourself, old fellow."

"Clear the track!" cried Bill and Ned, rolling a huge snowball down the
hill.

Mrs. O'Sullivan, who was just going up the back-steps to ask for cold
victuals, looked around to see what was going on; while Charles had his
own fun in dragging his little sister up the hill on her sled.

All this time, a little boy named Jim, who had been having a private
coast in the field near the house, was peeping over the fence, and
wishing he were old enough to play with the other boys. He didn't
venture to join them, for he was bashful, and rather timid: but he saw
all that took place, and he will remember all about it when he sees this
picture.

UNCLE SAM.

OLD WHITEY.

I AM a great boy six years old, and I take "The Nursery." Some of the
stories I spell out myself; but the most of them mamma reads aloud to my
little brother Albert and me.

Last summer, we all went to visit an uncle who lives on a large farm. We
had just the best kind of a time. There was a big dog, named Rover, that
would play with us for hours. He would run after and bring back a ball
or stick, or any thing that we would throw for him. He would "speak,"
"roll over," "s