"Why not, Bessie?" said Mr. Lee.

"O, papa, the man will let her to some of the rough boys, and they will hurt her back."

Mr. Lee was pleased to see his little daughter's kindness to the poor dumb donkey; but he wished to know if Bessie would deny herself for Kate.

"Well, Bessie," said her father, "if you have any money, give it to the man when he comes for the donkey. Tell him you wish to keep Kate all day."

"I have the money you gave me for ice-cream," said Bessie. "Will that pay the man?"

It was enough, and was given to the man. Bessie kept the donkey all day. She led Kate to the greenest places in the yard, and let her eat the gra.s.s. She divided her apples with Kate, and carried her a little pail of water.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {BESSIE FEEDS AN APPLE TO KATE.}]

At night Bessie told her father she had been happy all day. He made her still happier by telling her she could keep Kate every day while she was in the mountains.

Bessie kissed her father and was soon fast asleep. She dreamed of riding in a little carriage drawn by six white donkeys.

AUNT NELL.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {A SPRAY OF FLOWERS.}]

PAULINE'S STRANGE PETS.

Pauline had no little brothers or sisters, and no little playmates.

Her father's home was away out in the country, far away from any neighbors. Being so much alone, Pauline thought of all sorts of queer ways to amuse herself. One day she invited her papa and mamma to go down to see her "Nursery," as she called it. It was a little, square piece of ground, enclosed by a neat low fence, made of narrow slats, placed close together. All kinds of flowers were planted around it.

Besides, there were some little, flat buildings all along one side.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {TOADS.}]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PAULINE'S STRANGE PETS.]

What do you think they saw there? Toads of all sorts and sizes, from the wee baby toads to the great big grandfathers. Then such a strange array of garments!--for they were all dressed. Pauline had made for her pets all kinds of clothes. There they were, hopping around, some in bright calico dresses, and some in the funniest red flannel pants and coats you ever saw.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {TOADS IN COSTUME.}]

Day after day Pauline went to her "Nursery" to feed and play with her strange little pets. But one morning she ran down as usual, after breakfast, to find all of the toad family had disappeared. The fence that enclosed her "Nursery" was completely broken down. Not a single toad was left of the funny creatures who had lived there.

Pauline felt very sorry to lose them. She told her mamma she was sure they would all die of shame when they found other toads did not wear any clothes at all.

H. C. LARNED.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {LARGE MUSHROOMS.}]

"GO HALVES!"

Little Fred Mason's father took him to an exhibition of wild animals.

After they had looked at the elephants, lions, tigers and bears, they went to see the monkeys. On the way, Mr. Mason bought two large oranges and gave them to Fred.

There were six cages of small animals. One of them was for the "happy family." Fred thought the creatures in it must be called the "happy family" because the dogs, cats and monkeys were all the time teasing and plaguing one another. One monkey had a rat in his lap. He tended it as a mother does her baby. The monkey was happy, but Mr. Mason did not think the rat liked it very well.

Fred put one orange in his side pocket. He could not wait until he got home to eat the other. As he walked along among the cages he seemed to care more for the fruit than for the animals. He sucked the orange with all his might till he came to a cage with three monkeys in it.

One of them looked very sober and solemn. One opened his mouth and seemed to be laughing. All of them looked at Fred and held out their hands.

They could not talk; if they could they would have said, "Go halves!"

The orange was nice and sweet; Fred did not wish to "go halves." He turned away, for he did not like to be asked for that which he was not willing to give. The monkeys put their hands out for some of the oranges, but Fred looked the other way.

Fred should have looked at the monkeys, for the one nearest to him put out his long arm and s.n.a.t.c.hed the orange from his hand. Fred tried to get it again. While he was doing so, the solemn monkey reached down and took the orange from his pocket. Fred did not think how near he was to the cage.

Fred began to cry. The laughing monkey had no orange. He was afraid of the solemn monkey, but he chased the one that had stolen the orange Fred was eating all over the cage. He got it at last.

Fred's father bought two more oranges for him, and he did not go near the cages again.

MARY BLOOM.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "GO HALVES!"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: {CHILDREN PLAY RING-AROUND-A-ROSY.}]

LITTLE GAMES.

"Ring--a--round--a--rosy!"

Cheeks just like a posy; Eyes that twinkle with delight,-- Could there be a fairer sight?

Little feet that dance in glee; Voices singing merrily.

Won't you stop a little while?

At my question you will smile: "Rosy I have never seen,-- Tell me, is she some fair queen?

Have your lily hands now crowned her, While you formed a ring around her?

"Why 'draw buckets of water For my lady's daughter'?

Has she spoiled her pretty dress?

Ah! to wash her face, I guess!

Very hard 'tis to unravel What is meant, dears, by 'green gravel.'

Then, you say, 'How barley grows You, nor I, nor n.o.body knows;'

Oats, peas, beans, too, you include: If the question be not rude, Darlings, tell why this is done."

"Ha! ha!" laugh they; "it's such fun!"