"CHARLES WILLIAMSON."

So Johnny got his eyes again, and the doctor's bill was settled; and
Jessie had done it all.[1]

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTE:

[1] From Bed-Time Stories, by Louise Chandler Moulton, published by
Roberts Brothers, Boston.

THE ACORNS.

"TALL oaks from little acorns grow."
Yes, darling children, that is so:
Then plant your acorns; do not fear;
And fruit will by and by appear.
The line you learn to-day may be
The very seed of Wisdom's tree.

EMILY CARTER.

GRANDMOTHER'S BIRTHDAY.

GRANDMA'S birthday is to-day!
This we all have come to say,
Lest she should forget the time,
Wondering at this joyful rhyme.

Welcome, welcome, happy day!
Love shed brightness on her way!
And for her may many more
Just such birthdays be in store!

We have come with fruits and flowers,
Tokens of this love of ours;
But our love shall flourish bright
When these flowers are faded quite.

Take them, grandma, and be sure
We are rich, though we are poor,--
Rich in love, though poor in gold:
So to greet you we make bold.

Blessings be around your way!
Love surround you every day!
Pleasant thoughts be with you still,
Gently going down the hill!

And may your example bright
Keep us always in the right!
So, "Hurrah, hurrah!" we say:
"Grandma's birthday is to-day!"

DORA BURNSIDE.

[Illustration]

THE BALLOON.

[Illustration]

A BALLOON was going up from Boston Common, and two children were out
upon a hill in the country watching for it. "There it is!" said Willy,
as he pointed to a black speck right over the State House.

[Illustration]

The speck seemed to grow larger every moment. "The balloon is coming
this way," said Willy. "I can see a man in it waving a flag." By and by
it seemed to be coming down on a hill close by where the children stood.
They ran to meet it, shouting as they went; but it was a great deal
farther off than they thought it was.

[Illustration]

A good many other people were looking at the balloon at the same time;
and it came down in a pasture where some children were picking berries.