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"A LETTER, SIR."

A messenger has just brought the student a letter. The dog is looking at the man rather suspiciously.

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MUSING.

Little Hester is leaning on the palings this afternoon, with her head on her hand, as if in a deep study. I wonder what she is musing about. I dare say if the little bird above her could speak he would ask her the subject of her thoughts. I hope they are good, hopeful, cheerful thoughts, and I think they are, judging from her serene and happy countenance.

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THE WINGED LETTER-CARRIER.

The pigeon is a pretty creature, and is sometimes useful in carrying letters very long distances. Little Susan is quite overjoyed this morning to find one of papa's pigeons dropping at her feet a letter which it must have carried very many weary miles.

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WATCHING p.u.s.s.y.

p.u.s.s.y is very sly in her movements, and little John is watching from the window, to see whether she is up to any mischief. The dog seems, from his look, as if he half suspected her also. The little birds on the bough just above her had better take care of themselves, for p.u.s.s.y would soon be after them if she once saw them. But she is not likely to catch them, for p.u.s.s.y has no wings to follow them when they fly away.

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THE SLEDGE.

It is a cold winter morning, and the children are amusing themselves by riding in a sledge over the frozen snow. The birds are huddling together on the bare branches, as if they felt the cold very keenly. It is pleasant, no doubt, for the riders, but whether it is for our little friend who is drawing the sledge, I am not sure. At all events, it will warm him this cold morning, and that will no doubt do him good.

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A, B, C.

A, B, C, are, as you know, the first three letters of the alphabet, and the children in the picture are just beginning to learn them. It seems hard to them at first, but it will be easy presently. They will soon learn the name and shape of all the letters, and then will go on to learn what letters make a word, and then what meaning the word has. Thus they will soon be able to read and spell every word, and sit down and read the nice books in papa's library.

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LITTLE ALFRED'S PRAYER.

My heavenly Father, I thank Thee for all Thy care and kindness, for all Thy mercy and love. I thank Thee for my home and friends, for my comforts and blessings. I commit myself to Thy continued care and kind keeping. I pray that Thou wilt keep all evil from me. And bless my dear friends, and all who are about me. Help me to be sorry for my sins, to please Thee in all things, and to grow in all virtue and G.o.dliness. Hear me, my Father, for my dear Saviour's sake. Amen.

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"WHICH IS THE WAY, PLEASE?"

Edwin has had a long walk in the country, but in returning home has wandered out of the way, and lost himself. He is just now standing on an eminence in the road, and, seeing some travellers, is shouting to them, and asking them to direct him.

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"CAN'T GO OUT YET."

It is pouring heavily, though the boy with the basket does not seem to mind it. Annie is impatient, but she must wait till the rain is over.

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THE SCHOOLMASTER.

The old schoolmaster is busy with his pupils this afternoon, and is reading something which they are writing out. Some of the words puzzle little Joseph, and he does not know how to spell them. His tiny brother, who sits at his side, is making straight strokes.