ore he was well aware of it, the cornfield lay far
behind him, and he found himself standing on a rock, and gazing forth
over the wide world.

The valley lay open before him. Dear me, what a world it seemed!--so
very vast! With fright and amazement Peterlin looked down on all the
magnificence till he felt himself growing giddy.

[Illustration]

He stood on the brink of an abyss; and far beneath him flowed a stream
through the blooming land; and over the waters moved proud vessels with
their white sails and their waving flags.

All at once Peterlin saw a bird in the air. "Oh, dear! what if it should
be a vulture?" thought he, trembling in every joint. "Oh, if I were only
once more under my good old mother's wing! Oh! how I wish I had minded
her warning!"

Off ran Peterlin back through the grass, back over the ploughed field,
along by the edge of the wood; and then he heard a noise,--"cluck,
cluck, cluck!" "Oh, joy, joy! That is my mother's voice!" thought he.

Yes, it was Biddy's voice, calling her runaway child. She approached him
at a quick run; and it was not till he was safe under her wing that the
quick beat of his heart slackened, and he felt once more at peace.
Peterlin then and there resolved that he would wait till he was older
before he started again on his travels.

FROM THE GERMAN.

ON THE GATE.

WHERE are you going? Have you got
Any thing good to eat
In that big basket? Let me peek!
Do you live on our street?
I'm six years old to-day; aren't you
Surprised? I wish you'd wait!
I'll tell you something, if you will,
And swing you on our gate.

This is my grandpa's house. I wish
He was your grandpa too!
I guess your mother'll let you come
And stay with me; don't you?
I'm making patchwork: it's to keep
The heathens warm. I hate
To keep in-doors. I wish I could
Swing all day on the gate!

Have you a doll? Yes? Mine got drowned:
Joe threw her down the well;
But pretty soon I'm going to buy
A new one; don't you tell!
My bank is almost full; I'll let
You shake it, if you'll wait:
Pa said he'd fill it if I would
Stop swinging on the gate.

[Illustration]

We've got some kittens in the barn;
They're way up in