THE HOOK AND LADDER.

The frosts in the door-yard maple Had lighted a fine red blaze, And one of the golden twilights That come September days: The neighborhood lads had gathered To play their usual plays.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {A BOY UP A TREE.}]

Frankie was good at planning, And seeing the glowing tree, "Let's have a fire department And play 'tis a house!" said he.

"Oh, yes, a hook and ladder,"

Cried all; "what fun 'twill be!"

So they put the hose on the hydrant.

Searched everywhere about Until they found a ladder, And then, with yell and shout Of "fire" and clang of "ding-dong,"

They rushed to put it out.

The hos.e.m.e.n pulled their jackets Hastily from their backs; One climbed the tree like a squirrel, With a ball-bat for an axe And he hewed at the beautiful branches With frantic hacks and whacks.

Some one turned on the water, And the boy in the foremost place Got the full force from the nozzle Square in his little face; And he cried for half a minute With the funniest grimace.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {ONE BOY IS SOAKED BY ANOTHER BOY WITH A HOSE.}]

The stream flew this way, that way, And up to the tree's bright top, And back came the water splashing With reckless slosh and slop, And with it showers of red leaves And twigs began to drop.

This small boys' Hook and Ladder Was a very good company, And they squirted till the sidewalk Was like a mimic sea; But they didn't put out the fire In the old red maple-tree.

MRS. CLARA DOTY BATES.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {JOE, HIS UNCLE AND THE HORSE.}]

LITTLE JOE'S RIDE.

"Good Billy! nice Billy!" said little Joe, as he patted the nose of the old black horse. "Say, Uncle John, can't I ride him to water?"

"I am afraid you cannot hang on to him," replied his uncle. "Did you ever ride a horse?"

"No, uncle; but I am sure I can," answered Joe. "Please let me try.

I'll take hold of his mane with both hands, and hang on as hard as ever I can."

"Well, you may try it. There is the trough, against that fence, the other side of the barn. Look out that old Billy does not give you a ducking."

"Never fear for me," cried Joe, riding away in great glee.

He was a little city boy, and had come out to the farm to make his uncle a visit. He thought it great fun to take a ride on horseback.

It did not take him long to find the trough, for old Billy knew the way right well. Then, how it happened, Joe never could tell: Billy put his head down quite suddenly, and right over it slid the little boy with a great splash, head first into the water.

Of course he was not hurt. He caught hold of the fence and came out, dripping from head to foot.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {JOE IN THE WATER TROUGH.}]

Old Billy looked on rather surprised, but got his drink. He let Joe lead him back to the barn, and how Uncle John did laugh at him. Joe laughed too, as he went off to get on some dry clothes. Though he took a good many rides after that, he never forgot his first one on old Billy's back.

MRS. M. E. SANDFORD.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {GYPSY PULLING A SMALL TWO WHEELED CART.}]

GYPSY AND HIS TRICKS.

When Harry was six years old his grandfather sent him a very nice present from the farm. You cannot guess what it was, so I will tell you.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {GYPSY STANDING ON HIS HEAD.}]

A goat, with a harness and cart, for Harry to drive him. Harry named him Gypsy, because he was so black.

Gypsy and Harry had a great many good times together. He would draw Harry to school and then wait very patiently under the shade of a tree until school was out. All the school-children were very fond of him and would bring him sweet apples and cake.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {GYPSY BOWING.}]

The teacher was fond of Gypsy, too, and would often bring sugar to him; but she never let Gypsy have it until he had performed one of the tricks the boys had taught him. He must either stand on his head, bow, or dance. Gypsy could do all these.

One day Gypsy did something very funny. It was a very hot day, and Harry thought he would unharness him and let him roam around the school-yard.

What do you think Gypsy did? He walked into the school-house, straight up to the teacher, and stood on his head. He was begging for sugar.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {GYPSY STANDING ON HIS HIND LEGS.}]

The teacher laughed with the scholars, and said, "Gypsy, you have learned your lesson well; now I'll excuse you, and let you go out to play." And then she drove him out.

One of the boys begged leave to give Gypsy an apple, and the teacher said he might. Gypsy took the apple in his mouth and made a little bow.

The scholars laughed so long that the teacher had to close the door for fear Gypsy would do some other funny thing.

KATY KYLE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: {TWO LITTLE GIRLS.}]

A LITTLE GIRL'S WEDDING GIFT.