"I'm ugly too, aint I?"

* * * * *

CONTENTS.

I. JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE 5

II. TWO LITTLE TRAVELLERS 27

III. A JOLLY FOURTH 38

IV. SEVEN BLACK CATS 52

V. ROSA'S TALE 67

VI. LUNCH 89

VII. A BRIGHT IDEA 105

VIII. HOW THEY CAMPED OUT 119

IX. MY LITTLE SCHOOL-GIRL 141

X. WHAT A SHOVEL DID 154

XI. CLAMS 168

XII. KITTY'S CATTLE SHOW 182

XIII. WHAT BECOMES OF THE PINS 189

[Illustration: TOM TUCKER, MIDSHIPMITE.]

AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG.

I.

JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE.

HOW HE SHIPPED.

A boy sat on a door-step in a despondent attitude, with his eyes fixed
on a pair of very shabby shoes, and his elbows resting on his knees, as
if to hide the big patches there. But it was not the fact that his toes
were nearly out and his clothes dilapidated which brought the wrinkles
to his forehead and the tears to his eyes, for he was used to that
state of things, and bore it without complaint. The prospect was a dull
one for a lively lad full of the spring longings which sunny April
weather always brings. But it was not the narrow back-street where noisy
children played and two or three dusty trees tried to bud without
sunshine, that made him look so dismal. Nor was it the knowledge that a
pile of vests was nearly ready for him to trudge away with before he
could really rest after doing many errands to save mother's weary feet.

No, it was a burden that lay very heavily on his heart, and made it
impossible to even whistle as he waited. Above the sounds that filled
the street he heard a patient moan from the room within; and no matter
what object his eyes rested on, he saw with sorrowful distinctness a
small white face turned wistfully toward the window, as if weary of the
pillow where it had laid so long.

Merry little Kitty, who used to sing and dance from morning till night,
was now so feeble and wasted that he could carry her about like a bab