that opened its petals white
To the wooing breeze and the golden light.
They flew around, then sat on the tree,
And sang, "You are sweet as sweet can be:
O dear Pond-lily! we do not jest:
Now, which of us all do you love best?"
Pond-lily spoke not, but, instead,
Dipped in the water her beautiful head,
As much as to say, "I'm well content
In this my own pure element."
The birds they sang in their very best style,
But got no answer, not even a smile;
For Pond-lily knew it was safest and best
To keep where she was, on the wave's cool breast,
And never to listen to flattering words
From idle suitors and wandering birds.

EMILY CARTER.

EDWIN'S DOVES.

[Illustration]

EDWIN has two doves. They were given to him by his uncle. He has a nice
little house for them. There are two doors in it, where they go in and
out. In front of the doors there is a shelf, on which they perch.

[Illustration]

The doves are free to go where they please; but they always come home at
night. They are quite tame. Sometimes they fly up to Edwin's window, and
light on the sill. They tap on the pane to let him know they are
hungry.

[Illustration]

Then he opens the window, and feeds them. He gives them corn, crumbs of
bread, and sometimes oats. They like the corn best. One of them is
rather apt to be greedy; and both get so much to eat that they are very
plump and fat.

Here are the doves looking at the turkeys. They do not know what to make
of such birds.

W. O. C.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

THE LITTLE FORTUNE-SEEKERS.

YOUNG as Alan was, he had heard from his uncle Paul many a story about
people seeking their fortune: so, one fine summer day, he set off with
his brother Owen and his sister Amy a-fortune-seeking. Alan carried a
stick; and Amy had a little basket on her arm.

Alan led the way, telling Owen and Amy to keep close to him, and to fear
nothing. As they passed by Lakin's pond, a duck gave a loud quack; when
they came to the great ash-tree, a bee buzzed by them: but neither the
quacking nor the buzzing frightened the bold Alan; and on he went,
holding up his stick.

They had almost reached the sawyer's cottage, when a black animal ran
out towards them. Alan asked if he