but did not sting
her; and gentle Jessie did not try to harm it. Then the wasp flew to the
flowers on her hat; but, not finding the food it wanted, at last it flew
away.

"Well done, Jessie," said I, lifting her from the ground, and giving her
a kiss.

EMILY CARTER.

[Illustration]

GRETCHEN.

GRETCHEN'S old; she's neat and good:
See her coming from the wood!
She bears fagots on her back,
Lest her darlings fire may lack.

[Illustration]

Here you see her far from town,
With her darlings sitting down:
Gretchen, Emma, Fritz, and Paul,--
They are happy, happy all.

M. A. C.

FRIENDS IN NEED.

ONCE a poor crippled sparrow fell to the ground, and fluttered about in
a vain attempt to regain a place of safety. Some of its mates gathered
around it, and seemed eager to help it; but they did not know what to
do. Their chirping drew together a good many of the sparrow tribe.

One thought this thing ought to be done, and another thought that. Some
tried to lift the helpless bird by catching its wings in their beaks;
but this failed, and such a chattering and scolding as took place!

"I told you that wasn't the way to do it."--"How stupid!"--"You should
have taken my advice." Perhaps such were the speeches which were uttered
in bird-language; for all the little creature seemed much excited.

[Illustration]

Presently two of the birds flew away, but soon came back with a twig six
or seven inches long and an eighth of an inch thick. This was dropped
before the poor little cripple, and at each end was picked up by a
sparrow, and held so that the lame bird was able to catch the middle of
the twig in its beak.

Then the crippled bird, with the aid of the other two, flew off, till
they came to the wall covered with ivy, where it had its home. There it
chirped to show how glad it was. All the other sparrows followed, as if
to share in the pleasure of the rescue. This is a true story.

IDA FAY.

A NOONDAY LULLABY.

[Illustration]

"TIC, tac! Tic, tac!"
Says the clock on the wall:
"Sleep now, my darling, for 'tis time, 'tis time;
Soon I will wake you with my merry chime,--
Tic, tac! Tic, tac!"

"Purr-r-r! Purr-r-r!"
Tabby sings on the sill:
"Shut your eyes, deary, and sleep in a trice,