ficulties.

NO HARM MEANT.

Two puppies with good-natured hearts, but clumsy little toes,
Were feeling rather sleepy, so they settled for a doze;
But underneath the very ledge on which they chanced to be,
A large and stately pussy cat was basking dreamily.

A short half-hour had hardly passed, when one pup made a stir,
And stretching out a lazy paw, just touched the tabby's fur;
'Twas nothing but an accident, yet, oh! the angry wail!
The flashing in the tabby's eye, the lashing of her tail!

'Who's that that dares to serve me so?' she cried with arching back.
'I'll teach you puppies how to make an unprovoked attack!'
One puppy started to his feet with terror in his eyes,
The other said, as soon as pluck had overcome surprise:

'I'm really very sorry, ma'am, but honestly declare
I hadn't any notion that a pussy cat was there.'
But just like those who look for wrong in every one they see,
She left the spot, nor deigned to take the pup's apology.

HOW MANY?

The Spartan King Agis was asked shortly before a battle: 'How many
soldiers can you bring into the field?'

'As many as will suffice to rout the enemy!' was the Spartan's curt
reply.

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES.

By MRS. MULLIKEN.

CHAPTER I.

'You don't think they will come to any harm?' said the young governess.

When Miss Leigh spoke in that plaintive tone, Lady Coke knew that she
was tired out with the noise and wilfulness of her young pupils, and
that a 'row,' as Alan called it, was likely to follow.

'No,' said Lady Coke, smiling; 'they are accustomed to the management of
the boat, and Thomas shall go with them. He knows the coast well, and is
a first-class boatman.'

Her nephew, Colonel De Bohun, laughed. 'He is A.1. at his oar, but very
deficient as a gardener,' he said. 'Your kindness in keeping him, my
dear aunt, is a marvel to us all.'

'His mother is very poor,' returned Lady Coke, with a sigh. 'I wish he
were a better son to her. He is her great trouble, I fear.'

'And yet you are not afraid to trust the children with him,' murmured
Miss Leigh, in surprise.

'He is quite to be trusted on the water!' replied Lady Coke, with some
decision. 'Children must have something to do to carry off their extra
energy, and---- '

'"A boy is the most difficult to manage of all wild beasts!" So, at all
events, an old writer tells us,' said the Colonel, with a smile. 'I am
afraid, Miss