"Why, Jamie," she cried, "are you playing for money?"

"No," replied Jamie, quite indignantly, "I'm playing for _you_."

"How lovely," answered Rosalie, "and how beautifully you play!"

Jamie's face became quite red when she said this, and he almost made a mistake in the music. But he kept on playing, and very soon there was quite a crowd around him. Just then an old gentleman said, "Look out, little Juliet--you may catch cold!"

"Why, it's Grandpapa," cried Rosalie, and in another minute he and Rosalie were pulling the little musician and his beloved violin into the house, where they all had a merry New Year's afternoon, with cake and ice cream.

FRIENDS OF OURS

[Ill.u.s.tration]

When did human beings first begin to love dogs? So long ago that we have forgotten just when it all started, but some of the oldest writers and artists whose works have been preserved up to the present time have left us words or pictures which show that the dog is a very ancient friend of man.

Little Egyptian boys and girls, playing on the banks of the Nile, probably loved their dogs as well as Brooklyn children love theirs. In that old country the dog was particularly well liked, and it is said that when a family dog died all the people of the household shaved themselves. This was an expression of mourning, and was a mark of respect for the dog.

Egyptians had a special reason for honoring the animal which has always been used as a symbol of faithfulness. In lower Egypt the prosperity of the people depended upon the Nile River. Every year it overflowed its banks, giving the dry land a much needed drink and making possible the raising of different crops. The people watched for the overflow with great anxiety, fearing that it would not take place. At the time of year when the overflow was due a certain star appeared in the sky, which we know as Sirius. When they saw that the Egyptians drove their cattle to high pastures and left the lowland to be watered by the river. In time the people began to a.s.sociate the constant appearance of the star with the overflow which meant so much to them, and they began to think that the star watched over them, as a good dog watches the home of its master. So they called the star the "Dog Star" and worshipped it, and also lavished a great deal of love on all.

LITTLE STORIES OF FAMOUS ANIMALS

How a Cow Set Fire to a Big City

It is said that Nero, when he was Emperor of Rome, set fire to the city, and watched the flames from a high tower, while he sang to his lyre verses on the burning of Troy. He then laid the blame on the Christians, whom he persecuted with great cruelty. Afterwards he rebuilt the ruined portion of Rome with great magnificence, erecting a beautiful palace for himself on the Palatine Hill, which was called Nero's golden house.

This was all very long ago, for he killed himself with a dagger in the year 68 when, after many cruel deeds, the Senate condemned him to death.

In 1871 there lived in Chicago, Illinois, a woman named Annie O'Leary who has since become known throughout the country as the owner of the cow that set fire to Chicago. One evening this cow, while being milked, became unruly, and kicked over a kerosene lamp. Soon the whole city of Chicago was in flames and Mrs. O'Leary's cow probably rang her cowbell quite as frantically as did the Emperor Nero complacently fiddle while his beautiful city was burning.

Though Chicago was destroyed by one of the most terrible fires in the world, the city was rebuilt in a year or two, even better than before.

Prior to the fire, it was one of the newest cities in the country, for in 1830 there were only a few families there besides the soldiers in the fort which Uncle Sam had built in 1804.

So you see the people were not discouraged, although Mrs. O'Leary's cow had burned up their beautiful city.

THE MILKY WAY

[Ill.u.s.tration]

When nursey bids me drink my milk It gurgles down my throat Just like the gurgle of the waves Beneath a sailing boat.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

COASTING

Hip-hurrah! away they go Gliding over the glittering snow, Down the hill at a furious rate, Over the lawn and out through the gate.

Jimmy in front is squeezed pretty tight, But what does he care,--he's safe all right!

Billy, the motorman, guides the wheel Which steers the sled on its runners of steel.

Flossie is cuddled up next to Bill, And last on the sled is Sister Jill.

Hip-hurrah! as on they glide, Isn't it lots of fun to slide?

Up again to the top of the hill Dragging the sled for Motorman Bill.

Then once more they get into place, All aboard! for another race.

What is more fun I'd like to know Than coasting over the glittering snow.

A LITTLE GIRL'S DIARY

Thursday

_I love her on a Thursday When she darns a gap that shows In the sombre socks of Father Or Brother's careless hose._

Thursday, Mother teaches me how to mend. She says that every little girl should know these things. Father gives me a penny for every hole I mend in his socks, and brother Jack gives me little presents; once he gave me a whole set of furniture which he had cut out with his fretsaw.

There is one nice thing about Dolly--she very seldom has a hole in her stocking. If she did, I hardly know what I would do, for Father and Jack keep me pretty busy--at least, Mother laughs and says they do. Learning all the accomplishments of a grown-up woman is pretty hard work, and, really, I often wonder how I'll ever get any time for play in the park.

Mother, however, finishes lots of my duties so that I shan't miss my regular hours in the open air with my friends.

LITTLE SIR CAT

Little Sir Cat and Mary in the Garden

"_Mistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow?"

Sang Little Sir Cat As he doffed his hat To the c.o.c.kle-sh.e.l.ls all in a row._

It was a lovely garden, full of flowers and shrubs, and in one corner was a little girl playing with pretty sh.e.l.ls on a pile of sand.

"Come in and play with me," she said. So he jumped over the garden wall, but he didn't stay very long, for he wished to find his fortune, you know.