That each content in his place should dwell, And envy not his brother; For any part that is acted well, For we all have our proper sphere below, You will come to grief if you try to go Phabe Cary. * 14 * CHOOSING A BUILDING SPOT. "Chirp! chipper! twitter! trill!” All on a morn of May, Lord and Lady Robin were out, So brave in their scarlet and gray, "Chirp! chipper! twitter! trill!" White blossoms, and red, red fruit 66 There, Oh, there in yon Maple high; 66 Chirp! chipper! twitter! trill! ” Loud and fast and long; Sweetest wrangle ever heard, For it was all in song. And the spot Lord and Lady Robin liked best You will know by and by when you see the nest. Emily A. Braddock. * 15* THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL. The Mountain and the Squirrel Had a quarrel And the former called the latter "Little Prig." "You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together To make up a year, And a sphere; And I think it no disgrace I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track, Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut." * 16 * Ralph Waldo Emerson. AUTUMN SONG OF A LITTLE GIRL. The Autumn has filled me with wonder to-day, The sky is so blue while the fields are so brown; While bright leaves and brown leaves drift all through the town ; I wish I could tell why the world changes so;— But I am a little girl,-I cannot know! The sun rises late, and then down goes so soon I think it is evening before it is noon! Of the birds and the flowers hardly one can be found Though the little brown sparrows stay all the year round;I wish I could tell you where all the birds go; But I am a little girl,—I cannot know! Oh, Autumn! why banish such bright things as they? * 17 * ADVICE. There was once a pretty chicken; "And I wish, my old Aunt Dorking," "That you wouldn't sit all summer Won't you come out to the meadow H. C. B. "Then my eggs would get all chilled." Eggs are really good for nothing; "What's an egg?" said Mrs. Dorking, And if kind wings had not warmed you, Telling hens, and geese, and turkeys But when young folks talk to old folks, *18* SUPPOSE. Suppose, my little lady, Your doll should break her head; And say you're glad 'twas dolly's, Suppose you're dressed for walking, Because you scold and frown? For you to smile than pout, Anonymous. Suppose your task, my little man, For you to sit and fret? And learn the thing at once? Suppose that some boys have a horse, And wouldn't it be nobler To keep your temper sweet, Suppose the world don't please you, Whatever comes, or doesn't come, To do the best you can ? * 19 * THE CROW'S CHILDREN. A huntsman, bearing his gun a-field, Went whistling merrily, Phœbe Cary. When he heard the blackest of black crows "You are going to kill the thievish birds, But you must not touch my family, |