know what he meant, and I guess he was about right."

UNCLE SAM.

[Illustration]

BUMBLE-BEE.

[Illustration]

BUMBLE-BEE superbly dressed,
In velvet, jet, and gold,
Sailed along in eager quest,
And hummed a ballad bold.

Morning-Glory clinging tight
To friendly spires of grass,
Blushing in the early light,
Looked out to see him pass.

Nectar pure as crystal lay
In her ruby cup;
Bee was very glad to stay,
Just to drink it up.

"Fairest of the flowers," said he,
"'Twas a precious boon;
May you still a Glory be,
Morning, night, and noon!"

M. A. C.

[Illustration]

BILLY AND TOM.

WHEN I was a little boy, six or seven years old, my father had two white
horses, named Billy and Tom. Billy had one black foot, and a little dark
spot on his face; but Tom did not have a black hair on his whole body.

Billy was the old family horse, kind, gentle, and loving. Anybody could
catch him, or lead him, or drive him. He liked to be petted, and in
return seemed to take pride in being kind to all in the family.

Tom was a good horse too; but we had not owned him so long, and he did
not care much to have any one pet him.

Billy was a little lame; and though he worked everywhere on the farm,
and in drawing loads on the road, yet he was generally excused from
going with the carriage, except when it was necessary for some of us
children to drive.

One day my father went to the village with Tom, leaving Billy at home
alone, in a field near the house. He missed his old friend Tom. They had
worked together so much, that they had become great friends; and either
one was very lonesome without the other.

Billy ran about here and there, neighing loudly whenever another horse
appeared in sight upon the road, hoping that it might be his friend Tom
coming back.

At last I went out to comfort him. I patted his head and his neck, and
leading him by the mane to the fence, climbed first upon the fence, and
then upon his back.

He seemed pleased, and started in a gentle walk along the farm-road
leading down into the field, away from the house. When he had gone as
far as I wished to ride, I called out, "Whoa!"

But he was a wise old horse. Instead of stopping in the m