spread,
And out in haste the hungry party sallies.

But when--the covers raised--
On empty plates they gazed,
Each on the other looked with dire intention;
Ma'am Duck sat last of all,
And Mr. Frog was small;--
She softly swallowed him, and made no mention!

This Mr. Fox perceives,
And saying, "By your leaves,
Some punishment is due for this transgression."
He gobbled her in haste,
Then much to his distaste,
By Mr. Lynx was taken in possession!

The Wolf without a pause,
In spite of teeth and claws,
Left nothing of the Lynx to tell the story;
The Leopard all irate
At his relation's fate,
Made mince meat of that wolfish monster hoary.

The Lion raised his head;
"Since I am king," he said,
"It ill befits the king to lack his dinner!"
Then on the Leopard sprang,
With might of claw and fang,
And made a meal upon that spotted sinner!--

Then saw in sudden fear
Sir Crocodile draw near,
And heard him speak, with feelings of distraction;
"Since all of you have dined
Well suited to your mind,
You surely cannot grudge _me_ satisfaction!"

And sooth, a deal of guile
Lurked in his ample smile,
As down his throat the roaring lion hasted;
"Economy with me,
Is chief of all," said he,
"And I am truly glad to see there's nothing wasted."

"TWO SOULS WITH BUT A SINGLE THOUGHT."

BY WILLIAM THOMSON.

"My soul is at the gate!"
The sighing lover said.
He wound his arms around her form
And kissed her golden head.

"My _sole_ is at the gate!"
The maiden's father said.
The lover rubbed the smitten part,
And from the garden fled.

A RISKY RIDE.

BY CAMPBELL RAE-BROWN.

"A risky ride," they called it.