DYING IN SPRING-TIME.

DYING IN SPRING-TIME.

“ 'Tis hard to die in Spring-time !"

Poor Ellen said and sighed, “ When all around is gladness,"

And then the poor child cried. “ For buds are coming on the tree, And soon the little busy bee Will all along the sunshine hours Gather sweet honey from the flowers.” « Tis hard to die in Spring-time,

When from the green grass sod
The lark springs up into the sky,

And sings a song to God.
When the blackbird, with its yellow bill,
Makes all the woods and valleys ring,
And all the birds that sing begin
To welcome happy spring-time in.
'Tis hard to die in Spring-time,

When the violets are here,
And the cowslips and primroses

In golden dress appear. I shall not see the summer flowers Made fresh and sweet by gentle showers ; I shall no more run out to play, For I am going far away !".

A THIEF! A THIEF!

A THIEF! A THIEF!

6 STOP that thief! Who is he? What is his name? What has he done ?"

I am not going to tell you all at once. But I will tell you some things he says, and then you may guess what his name is, and what he does.

“Where's my cap? I can't find my cap. I shall be too late for school! Where is it? Who knows where my cap

is ?” “ Where's my spelling-book ? I forgot to get my spelling last night. I can't spell those long words. I'm sure I shall be kept."

“Henry, lend me your slate-pencil. I've lost mine. I shan't get this sum done if you dont. Do lend it me.”

Now can you guess what his name is ? Do you give it up? Then I will tell you. His name is CARELESS. He is a thoughtless, cross, fretful fellow, always out of order, and always too late in all he has to do. Do you know any one like him ? I hope

you dont.

But how is it that he is a thief? What does he steal ? He steals one of the best things in the world, which, if you send a police-man, can never be got

THE SUNNY SIDE THE WAY.

back again, and which all the gold in the world cannot buy. And when he has stolen it he wastes it, and so it does no good to him or any one else. Is he not a sad thief?

Now guess what he steals. Do you give that up too. Then I will tell you again—he steals TIME. He steals it and wastes it in doing what he ought not to do, and then has none left to do what he ought to do. Do

you

know any one who, like CARELESS, steals TIME and wastes it? I hope you dont.

“ THE SUNNY SIDE THE WAY."

A SONG OF SUNSHINE.

COLDLY comes the March wind

Coldly from the north-
Yet the cottage little ones

Gaily venture forth :
Free from cloud above them,

Free from sorrow they,
The playful children choosing

The sunny side the way.