Various

“ Albert is a bright little fellow. He is not three years old; but he can read ten words in "The Nursery." These words are, cat, dog, cow, horse, bird, mother, father, brother, sister, apple.
One day, John the gardener left a basket of apples at the top of the garden-steps. Albert saw it, and knew it was meant for the house. "I will take it in," said he. "I am strong." ”

“ I went up and asked the boy with the broom if he knew the children. "I never saw them before in my life," said he; "but such little ones can't get across without help."
"You are a good boy," said I. "I think you must have a good father." ”

“ For we bear the sweetest story
That the glad year ever tells:
How He loved the little children,—
He who brought the Christmas bells!
Ding, dong! ding, dong, Christmas bells!"
GEORGE COOPER.
[19]
JACK THE MAGPIE.
NE day last summer, a man in Colorado found a magpie by the roadside. Its wings had been clipped, so that it could not fly. The man gave it to a little boy named Ernest Hart.
He lived with his parents in a neat cottage near by a mountain stream. He ran home, and showed the bird to his sister Edith. They named it Jack.
Jack was quite a large bird. His body was black as coal ”

“ On they rowed, and at last came up with the boat. Still no Walter was to be seen. The poor father was in despair, when all at once Walter started up from under the great blanket, where he had been hiding. He cried out, "Here I am, papa, safe and sound!"
[16]
"Oh, you little rogue! Come here and let me pull your ears!" They all got back to their home in time for a late tea, which mother had kept warm for them. Walter was kissed and then cuffed; but the cuffs were so tender, that they made him laugh even more than the kisses.
ALFRED STETSON.
"FLUTTER, FLUTTER!" ”

“ The children had got up early to look in their stockings. John's were not quite large enough to hold all of his gifts. It is rather hard to crowd a sword, a gun, and a rocking-horse all into one stocking. ”