Madeline Leslie

“ I think you would say, as Aunt Hatty did, that there never were brighter, happier faces than surrounded that little table; and there never were friends more sympathizing than those who witnessed the joy of the merry party.
"Sarah," called out Russell at last, "Rose has eaten all her cake. May I give her some of mine?"
"There is plenty more. Why don't you eat your own? Here, Rose, pass me your plate. Helen, what are you and Ida laughing about? Don't you want another piece of cake, Lily?" ”

“ Aunt Mary hurried to array her young charge for the ride, Helen and Frank helping to find hats, furs, and gloves.
Lily, as directed by mamma, sent her thanks to Aunt Josephine for letting her cousins come, and for the present of cake, and then the good-by kisses were given, Russell shouting after them as they went downstairs,—
"Haven't we had nice fun?"
"And not one word of unkindness or quarrelling. That is the reason you have all enjoyed yourselves so thoroughly," suggested Aunt Hatty, kissing the merry boy. ”

“ The bracing air will do you good."
While she was absent, the children had various games. Sometimes they dressed up, and played they were visitors from the country. Helen was the lady of the house, and Frank and Russell made her a call; while Lily sat in a low chair, and rocked her dolly; and then they brought in the rocking-horse, and played go a journey.
By and by they grew tired, and were contented to sit quietly on the sofa, while Aunt Hatty told them a story. She had only just finished, when mamma returned, not refreshed, but pale and weary.
"What has happened?" asked Sarah, eagerly. ”

“ Oh, I wish he had sat at the table with us!"
"I rather think he would have wanted all the cups," said mamma, smiling. "You know he has never been into society, and would not understand how to conduct with propriety at dinner-parties."
"Isn't he a darling?" asked Helen, as baby shouted, and cooed his delight at having her near him.
"I think babies are splendid," rejoined Frankie, coming forward for a share of notice from the pet.
"They are household angels," murmured Aunt Hatty, softly.
Presently there was a great shout of laughter, in the midst of which Russell walked into the room, bowing. ”

“ Now she had a short lesson in geography, history, and French; and Ida recited with her.
Forrest recited, too, to his mamma; but his delight was to get a new book, when he would seat himself in the midst of the children and devour it. They might talk, and laugh, and sing, and shout; but he heard nothing.
Forrest was a manly boy, rather grave and reserved, quite unlike his Cousin Russell, who was always ready for any kind of fun.
THE AUGUST TREE.
I wish my little readers could see Lily and Rose, and how merrily the days passed with them ”

“ Baby jumped, and cooed, and laughed such funny little laughs, drawing in his breath, and then stopping to catch Helen's curls, as she pressed closer to him.
"Come, Frankie," cried Russell at last, "let's go and set the table now."
"I think real, live babies are better than all the tea-parties in the world," answered Frank, warmly. "Oh, I love to hear them laugh!"
There was a low table in the nursery, on which the little folks used to take their supper before they were old enough to dine with papa and mamma. This was now covered with wooden horses and sheep ”

“ Uncle George, his papa, thought him too old to spend all his summer in play, so he bought a working-cart for Star, and sent the boy out occasionally to labor with the hired men.
There was also a pony carriage, in which four of the cousins rode regularly to church.
I suppose some little girls and boys will inquire whether Helen, Ida, and Forrest studied any in those bright days. To be sure they did, though the lessons were short. When the trunks were packed, Sarah put in Helen's books, "just so that she sha'n't forget all she knows," mamma said. ”

“ In the summer they went a long way into the country, down near the sea-side, where the children could fill their lungs with nice, fresh air, and where the father and mother could gain new strength for the performance of their arduous duties. ”

“ It was evident Mrs. Varney was used to the business, and didn't mind a little spitting and spluttering when the soap got into the eyes and mouth. She rubbed on the soap wherever there was need of it, and then scrubbed with a vengeance.
"When his head and face and neck and ears were finished, Billy began to like it. It was a new and delightful feeling to sit there, and have the tepid water all around him. He thought Sunday school a tip-top thing, and wondered he had not heard of it before.
"Mrs. Varney generally talked all the time she was at work. ”

“ In a few minutes the room was all quiet; for mamma, who was still weak from her recent illness, had gone back to bed, and papa was trying to obey the doctor's directions, and get all the rest he could. The children were very happy when baby so far forgot his trouble that he could play again. Helen let him pull her curls, exclaiming, "So you shall, darling; you shall pull Helen as much as you want to." ”

“ But presently we heard a great outcry and shouting behind us.
"'Stop them! Oh, stop them!'
"I looked from the window, and saw everybody running; then they all began to press to the sides of the street, and drivers urged their horses forward at their utmost speed. ”