Then I will stay here, and scare off the mice,--
Purr-r-r! Purr-r-r!"

"Coo-oo! Coo-oo!"
Says the dove on the roof:
"Go to sleep, pet, while I strut here and coo,
As for my own pretty nestlings I do,--
Coo-oo! Coo-oo!"

[Illustration]

"Cut, cut, ca-dah-cut!"
Cackles kind biddy-hen:
"Listen, my little one: if you'll not weep,
I'll lay an egg for you while you are asleep,--
Cut, cut, ca-dah-cut!"

"Moo-oo! Moo-oo!"
Says the good moolly-cow:
"Sleep, my wee man, and I'll make it fair,
For I'll give you milk from bossy's own share,--
Moo-oo! Moo-oo!"

"Hum, hum! Buz, buz!"
Drones the bee on the wing:
"Fret not, my baby, but croon in your bed,
I'll bring you honey to eat on your bread,--
Hum, hum! Buz, buz!"

"Hush-sh-sh! Hush-sh-sh!"
Whisper leaves on the tree:
"As through our shadow soft sunlight streams,
See how the angels send smiles in his dreams!
Hush-sh-sh! Hush-sh-sh!"

M. A. C.

[Illustration]

THE BEAR THAT PUT ON AIRS.

THERE was once a bear that had been tamed and made to dance by a man who
beat him when he did not mind. This bear was called Dandy, and he had
been taught many queer tricks. He could shoulder a pole as if it were a
gun, and could balance it on his nose, or stand on his hind-legs and
hold it by his fore-paws behind his back.

He did all these things at his master's bidding because he stood in
great fear of his master's whip. His master made a show of him; and,
though Dandy did not like it, he was forced to submit.

[Illustration]

But one day, when he had been left alone, the chain, that held him by a
ring in his nose, got loose from the ring; and Dandy was soon a free
bear. Taking his pole, he made his way, as fast as he could, to a
mountain where the woods were high and thick.

Here he found a number of fellow-bears. Instead of treating them as
equals, he put on fine airs, told them what a rare life he had led among
men, how many nice tricks he had learned, and how much wiser he was than
all the bears that had ever lived.

For a time the other bears were simple enough to take him at his word.
They thought, because he said so, that he must be a very great bear
indeed