Mrs. George Cupples

“ All day he has been very busy laying up a store of acorns in a hollow of a tree; for God has taught him to know that "winter, dreary winter, is coming, and that he must be active in the autumn, else he will starve when the snow comes. ”

“ She sometimes tires of being in the garden, though she likes the pretty flowers, and is allowed to wander by herself through the wood out to the edge of the common where the shepherd has his sheep feeding. ”

“ I am glad to say there are no slaves in America now; and the overseer dare not use that great long whip to force them to work, as he did only a very few years ago. These men have been sent to tie up and whip one of the women, because she did not do as much work as the overseer thought she ought to have done. How glad the negroes must be now to think they cannot be whipped, or sold away from their children and homes ”

“ They are out in the woods in their native state, and how they do screech and chatter. One has a green breast, with a mottled green and black back, with lovely blue feathers in its wings, and two long red ones in its tail; the other has a red breast and a red head, and, though very different, is quite as pretty. Of course, when they are at home in the woods, they cannot say, "Pretty Polly," or speak at all; it is only when they are caught and tamed that they become so clever. Only, I think they like being wild best. They can search for the food they like, and are free as the air. ”

“ She seems to have no shoes on her feet; but she has been careful to provide herself with a very fine head-dress. You must read all about this beautiful island when you grow bigger, and about its brave inhabitants. You will be very much amused, too, to hear about the strange pillow they lay their heads on when they go to sleep. ”

“ We can hardly believe that there are men who can trust themselves to cross from one side of a ravine to the other by such a slender-looking rope. How sore their hands and feet must be! and how glad they must be when they get to the other side in safety! It is a good thing there are such hardy, brave men in the world ”

“ In this time of dear coals, and dear provisions of every kind, I hope you remember the poor. I know of an old woman in London, who comes twice a week for the old tea-leaves a little boy saves for her. ”

“ Original This must be a garden in France, I think. The people there are very fond of the open air, and sometimes take their food in the tea-gardens. They are certainly very merry; but I rather think we, who are accustomed to home comforts, would soon get tired of this noisy out-of-door life. The climate there is so much warmer than ours, that it must be pleasant to have such a nice garden to go to; and the children cannot but enjoy it much.
OUT FOR A RAMBLE.
Original I think these must be very nice children, because of one thing,—their dog seems to be very fond of them. ”

“ We like to see this, don't we? Little Kate and Maggie love each other dearly. They know that the "birds in their little nests agree," and of course that it would be quite shameful if they were not even more loving than the birds. ”

“ Though I can't say I like rats, I do hope this one will escape, it seems so brave. I rather fear it will never be able to get away, for if it escape from the strong bill of the bird, puss is ready with her paw to pounce upon it. ”

“ See how busy the reapers are mowing down the sweet hay. I hope the little boy under the tree has been helping, and that he is resting after his labours rather than being lazy. It is so nice to toss up the hay when it is dry,—its smell is so sweet. ”

“ They like to flutter from one to another; indeed, they need not go to any other, for here they are sure to find all they could wish. But then a butterfly is so idle and likes to roam, and flits away from Mary's garden out into the common and the fields, and here, there, and everywhere. The busy bees are more sensible: they keep to the roses and the honeysuckle; and as for the sweet-peas, there never were such sweet-peas as little Mary's.
AT THE FAIR.
Original Oh, do look at this picture in my Scrap-Book—such fun! ”

“ It is a pity he can't turn his head round to let us see if he has a long queue, or pig-tail, as the long plaited hair behind is called. And isn't it strange to see the woman carrying her baby in a sack on her back, and smoking a pipe like a man—with a staff in her hand, too? ”

“ Oh, do look at the dove taking a peep at her! and the squirrels know they need not scamper off, for she is too good to hurt them.
HELPING MOTHER
Original Who is this diligent little girl, I wonder? See how she is polishing the table! This is little Mary Tom, the gardener's daughter; and, as her mother is helping in the garden, she is keeping house with her sister Jane. Jane is just setting out to the village to buy something nice for her father's tea; and she is telling Mary to be careful, and not scrub the paint off,—as if Mary would be so foolish! ”

“ If she is wrecked, I hope they will get off in time in their boats, with a good compass and plenty of food and water to serve till they reach some safe haven, or some land. What dark clouds, and what an angry sea! It is no wonder people are fond of sailors, and like to see them walking about the streets. When we think of the dangers they have to endure, they must enjoy getting back to land again, especially to their own homes, where their wives and children are ready to give them, oh how hearty a welcome!
A PRACTICAL JOKE. ”

“ She is looking round at the other children, and longing to be allowed to join them in their sports; but her mother is so sad that she can think of nothing else but her sorrow. Poor little orphan girl. ”

“ Perhaps she is asking him not to touch any of her pet birds; because she has ever so many robins and wrens and finches she likes to feed every morning; and she is asking the falcon not to do them any harm. I don't think she has much to fear; he seems to be such a good-natured bird. I only hope the boys in the village will be half as kind. ”

“ Two poor men have been wrecked on a desert island. They have managed, however, to put up a tent, and to hoist an old tattered flag for a signal to passing vessels. They have certainly been making the most of it, and trying to be as content as possible ”

“ The moment she appears, Help, the shepherd's dog, bounds off to greet her. He likes to be patted by her; and to show that it is only for affection he comes, he always refuses to take any cake or bits of biscuit. He keeps a sharp look-out, too, upon the flock, and if he sees one straying he bounds away back to his duty.
GRANDPAPA'S PRESENT.
Original Here are two sisters sitting on one of the garden seats. ”

“ On their heights snow is always to be found.
But where they approach the open, level country, which is much warmer, they are often crowned with large forests. Vast masses of ice and snow often separate from the mountains, and rolling down, overturn everything in their course, and sometimes cause great loss of life. ”

“ Oh, what a sly fellow! when we know what a coward he really is. The doll, who is the master of the doll-house, seems to be listening most attentively, and is glad to hear that the king has made such a lucky escape.
A HIGHLAND SOLDIER.
Original Here is the picture of a Highland soldier. He is bidding farewell to his wife and little baby, because he is going away to the wars. No wonder his wife is sorry, for she may never see him again.
A POOR LITTLE ORPHAN.
Original Here is a picture of a little girl whose mother is a widow. ”

“ These young folk are carrying them away to make wine of them. It is rather a pity to think the great presses will squeeze them into a mash; but then we couldn't get any wine to drink if they weren't squeezed. ”

“ When he gets a piece of sugar, or a bit of the yolk of an egg, he is so pleased, and makes a sound like giving you a kiss, to show his thanks. I hope the little girl who is holding up her finger is not teazing him, because he may lose his temper in a moment, and give her a severe bite.
NAUGHTY MARY.
Original Really, Miss Mary, this is a very strange way to use your doll, holding her up by her poor hand, and letting her curls almost sweep the floor. ”

“ If so, you will like to see this picture in my Scrap-Book. See how very industrious the little girl and boy are; and how attentive they are to the wants of the flowers, watering them after the sun is down.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
Original Oh dear! what is this? A poor man has been bathing, and here is a great shark trying to swallow him. Oh, what a good thing his companions were close at hand, and that they are so brave! See! one of them is striking his long spear right into the shark's back; while another has got hold of their poor ship-mate, and is dragging him out of the shark's very mouth! ”

“ Original You will be thinking already that I have a variety of pictures in my Scrap-Book; and so I have. Here is one of a ship in the Bay of Biscay. It is a fine ship, and it is doing its best to make its way through the heavy sea. I fear there has been a wreck, for you see there is a piece of a mast standing out of the water, and a barrel and a hen-coop floating beside it. If the people see it from the ship, it must make them shudder.
A FRIGHTENED KING.
Original Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross. ”

“ They are too poor to buy coals, so they go out and gather the broken branches. The farmer does not object to them taking them, because he knows such thrifty, diligent people never destroy the trees; and he often tells the forester to order the workmen to leave as many of the small branches as possible. ”

“ The girl must be lame, for you can see she has a crutch with her. That must be her brother; and I feel sure she loves him very much indeed, for see how she is laying her hand on his head. I am certain he helps her very tenderly over the rough and wet places; very likely he carries her on his back. I do hope they notice that the tide is rising, because it would be a sad thing for them to be caught by the water. They do look rather sleepy about it, and are too intent upon watching a funny crab.
"UP IN A BALLOON, BOYS."
Original Up in a balloon, boys, up in a balloon!" ”

“ The stout old lady is too angry with the gentleman opposite her to think of anything, and scarcely feels the motion of the vessel. She thinks he is very rude because he keeps staring at her granddaughter, who is so sad about leaving her mamma and papa, that she can think of nothing else. ”

“ He has tried to make himself as ugly as possible; but he thinks himself very beautiful. New Zealanders used to be cannibals; but they are not so now. Many of them are Christians; and some of them keep the Sabbath even more strictly than we do in some parts of Great Britain, putting away their pretty flaxen mats and bags, and all their week-day work, till the Monday. ”

“ Original Here is a picture of a fine ship on its way home round Cape Horn. It is a very cold part of the sea, and ships often pass great icebergs floating about, and the sailors are very much afraid of them. The birds you see flying about are the great albatrosses. When their wings are spread out, they measure fourteen feet sometimes. You may see the width by measuring that out on the nursery floor.
THE HAPPY SHEPHERD-BOY. ”

“ His dog, too, looks rather sly; though, poor beast, it is trying to do its duty to its master, and is holding out the tin dish very carefully. The man is roaring so loud, that he is frightening the ladies who are passing ”

“ The lady is feeling rather hungry, and so she has brought out her dish of rice. She has no spoon, but uses a little stick instead.
DAME HUBBARD.
Original This must be Dame Hubbard; and though she has got her cloak and hat off, and is in her own room, she does not look particularly at rest or happy. What can the naughty dog be doing now? Really it is too bad of him to give his kind mistress no peace. See how she seems to be straining her ears to listen if he is quiet and asleep in his cozy basket.
TURNING THE SPINNING-WHEEL.
Original Ah! ”

“ The rain coming down very fast; and the clouds are so black, they are afraid there may be thunder. I rather think they must have heard one distant peal already, they look so frightened—especially the boy. ”

“ Original Here are some very jolly-looking sailors. They are on their homeward voyage, and are bringing a gay bird of paradise. They seem to be very fond of it, and pleased that it has become so tame.
DR. BLACK'S PATIENT.
Original Oh! isn't this comical? Here is a long, thin fellow, who is so annoyed because he is so much taller than his friends, that he goes to Dr. Black to see if he can give him anything to fill up his very long legs, and make him grow shorter. "Oh yes," says Dr. Black, putting his hands behind his back ”

“ Original Here is a little boat, or a canoe rather, shooting the rapids. The people don't seem to be the least afraid; for, see! there is a man in the front waving his handkerchief to some of their friends on the shore. The men behind are looking a little anxious, I think,—and well they may.
FUNCHAL.
Original This place is called Funchal, in the island of Madeira. ”

“ He has taught her to walk very neatly, and so she is pointing out her toe as prettily as she can. Her father is a very polite man, and is carrying her bag, and even her parasol, which is rather a comical one. ”

“ I wonder what she is thinking about. She looks rather grave, doesn't she? And this surprises us, because we often think that people who live in grand houses, and wear fine clothes, ought never to be anything but happy. But when we grow older, we find that even the very richest people are sad sometimes, and that they are tempted to envy the happy, contented life of some poor people.
THE LITTLE INVALID.
Original This is a very rich little girl. ”

“ Original Here is a scene in our own country,—a little girl gleaning. It is a very warm day, too; but no doubt her parents are poor, and she is forced to work, no matter how warm it is. She must be well known to the reapers; for few people are allowed to glean till after the corn has been all housed.
CAUGHT IN THE RAIN.
Original No wonder they are in a hurry. ”