Chapter L: E. H

THE PRISONER.

THE old hawk has been caught at last, and has been put in a cage, from which he cannot escape to do any more mischief. The fowls all come from the barnyard to see him. They dare go near him now, for they know he cannot harm them.

The sparrow looks saucily at him, saying, "Ah, ha, Sir Hawk! You have scared me many a time with your sharp claws and hooked beak; but now I am a match for you. It was fine fun for you to kill little chickens. Now you see what comes of it."

"Yes indeed," cries the turkey, "he killed seven dear little chickens. How glad I am that he is caught at last! I'll give him a piece of my mind now, but he can't have any more chickens."

"Ah!" says the hawk, "you talk very bravely; but, if I were let out of this cage, you would not stare at me much longer."

The fowls walk slowly away without saying more. But the pert young sparrow bristles up, and dares the hawk to come out and fight him. It is very easy to be brave when there is no danger.

LEONORA, from the German.

CONTENTMENT.

WHEN the roses bloom sweet and red,
And the daisy has lifted her shining head;
When birds are still in the brooding nest,--
Of all the seasons summer is best.

When the golden-rod's torches shine,--
And the purple grapes drop ripe from the vine;
When the reddening maples light up the way,
There is nothing so good as an autumn day.

When the hills are white with snow,
And only the frostflowers dare to blow;
When sleigh-bells chime from far and near,--
Winter's the best time of all the year.

When the wild brooks begin to leap,
And out of the earth the mosses creep;
When swallows twitter, and robins call,--
Spring is the very best time of all.

MARY N. PRESCOTT.

THE BROOK.

FROM a fountain
In a mountain,
Drops of water ran,
Trickling through the grasses
So our brook began.

Slow it started;
Soon it darted,
Cool and clear and free,
Rippling over pebbles,
Hurrying to the sea.

Children straying
Came a-playing
On its pretty banks:
Glad, our little brooklet
Sparkled up its thanks.

Blossoms floating,
Mimic boating,
Fishes darting past,--
Swift and strong and happy,
Widening very fast,

Bubbling, singing,
Rushing, ringing,
Flecked with shade and sun,
Soon our pretty brooklet
To the sea has run.

ELLEN SOULE CARHART.

TWO PETS.

ANN has a large black cat, of which she is very fond. See how she clasps it in her arms! She pets it and hugs it from morning till night. I think the cat loves Ann too; for it does not even try to scratch her.

But here is a better pet than a cat. It is a dear little babe in its nurse's arms. The nurse is taking it out for a walk. She loves it dearly, and see how lovingly it clings to her! Love wins love, you know.