ee him in his boat," cried Tim.
"Hurrah, hurrah! I'll be the first one at the landing."

Mamma was by this time satisfied that her husband, Mr. Payson, was
indeed in sight. He was a fisherman, and had been absent, on a trip to
the Banks of Newfoundland, more than six weeks. There had been many
storms during that time, and she had passed some anxious moments.

But now there he was before her eyes, safe and sound. "Come, Bella," she
said, "let us see if we can't get the first kiss."

"No, no, I'll get it!" cried Tim, starting on the run for the
landing-place.

Sure enough, Tim got the first kiss; but mother's and baby's and
Bella's soon followed; and so there was no complaint.

[Illustration]

Mr. Payson had made a prosperous trip. His schooner lay off the point,
and he had sold his fish at a good profit.

How glad he was to get home, and find his family well! Tim brought him
his primer, and proudly pointed to the pages he could read. Bella showed
her first attempts at sewing; and, as for baby, she showed how well she
could crow and frolic.

"I've found the first violet, papa," cried Bella.

"But I saw it first," said Tim.

"And I smelt of it first," said mother.

"And baby pulled it to pieces first," added Bella.

It was a happy meeting; and father and mother agreed that to come home
and find all the little ones well and happy was better even than to sell
his fish at a good price.

UNCLE CHARLES.

THE PUPPY AND THE WASP.

[Illustration]

AS asleep I was lying,
My ear on the ground,
A queer thing came flying
And humming around.
Humming and coming
Close to my ear:
Shall I never be quiet?
O dear, and O dear!

[Illustration]

You bold little teaser,
Now take yourself off;
Of your buzzing and fussing
I've had quite enough.
You will not? Tormentor,
I mean to rest here,
So mind how you vex me,
And come not too near.

[Illustration]

You dare to defy me?
You come all the bolder?
I'll punish you, rash one,
Ere I'm a breath older.
With my big paw uplifted
I'll crush you to dust:
Shoo! What a dodger!
Leave me--you must!

[Illustration]

I'll bite you, I'll kill you,