nd, by attaching joint after joint,
thrusts it farther and farther up the chimney.

[Illustration: THE MODERN CHIMNEY-SWEEPER.]

[Illustration]

TOM-TIT.

WHAT is it? What is it?
Only a feather
Blown by the wind
In this cold stormy weather,
Hunted and hurried so
Hither and thither?
Leaf or a feather,
I know not if either.
There, hark now, and see!
'Tis alight on a tree,
And sings, "Chick-a-dee-dee,
Chick-a-dee-dee!"
I know it! you know it!
'Tis little Tom-tit.

Look at it! Look at it
Flutter and hover!
Only a tuft of down
On it for cover!
Only a bare bough
To shelter it over!
Poor little rover,
Snow-fields for clover
Are all that you see!
Yet listen the glee
Of its "chick-a-dee-dee,
Chick a-dee-dee!"
Hark to it! look at it!
Little Tom-tit!

How is it? Why is it?
Like a snow-flurry,
With swish of wings,
And a swoop and a scurry,
Comes a whole flock of them
Now in a hurry!
Busy and merry
The little things, very;
Watch them, and see
How blithe they can be
With their "Chick-a-dee-dee,
Chick-a-dee-dee!"
Each one such a bit
Of a little Tom-tit!

MRS. CLARA DOTY BATES.

[Illustration]

NELLY'S FIRST LESSON IN DANCING.

GRANDPA MASON has not quite forgotten his dancing days. So one day, when
little Nelly said, "I wish I knew how to dance like Emma Drake!" grandpa
replied, "I'll teach you, Nelly, if you will bring me my accordion."

So Nelly brought the accordion; and grandpa seated himself in his old
wooden arm-chair. First he taught her the steps, and then said, "Now,
Nelly, you must try to move round just as you saw Emma do; and be sure
and keep time to the music."

Nelly made a courtesy, and began to dance; and, as grandpa looked on,
his heart seemed to dance with her; for he felt young once more, and
went back, in thought, to the times when he was about as old as she.

That was a long while ago--more than seventy years. He sighed as he
thought of his little brothers and sis