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m m g N , j -lip i -- - l 3K SIR !z'VI. "~~~ A .-- Ton The Baldnm Library mn | ev ol97 ;A~ A4PAc A121 71 t4 f Mt J% 9o5 Kt I HI ii ____ *' ' Imx xn'kBnerr ~n ------- -- ----i-- GOLDEN DAYS OF CHILDHOOD. "BY E. C. C. ILLUSTRATIONS IN HPfO-AO COLOURFS. EE TV YOM Y RK: E. P. DUTTON and COMPANY, Publishers. 18s 1. Golden Days of Childhood. GOOD NIGHT TO MAMMA. The merry wee Birdies are all fast asleep, And the sun has gone off to his bed; The bright twinkling stars are just taking a peep, To whisper, "Good Night, Little Fred." Freddie is sleepy, and tired with play, He can hardly keep open his eyes, As "Good Night" he says to mamma and sis' May- Baby May, who now sound asleep lies. "Good Night, darling Fred" with a kiss, says mamma; "You have been a good boy all the day. To-morrow, my Freddie shall go with papa, [hay. To the meadow, to help to make But kiss Baby May, and wish her 'Good Night,' By-and-bye you shall teach her to talk; To say A B C, and to read and to write; But then, first, we must teach her to walk. ,, t\ f/ , V. .. 3 , 9. ".A. 1.5v, /Mena I . .. 5 "Don't wake sister May, or perhaps she will cry If you waken her up in a fright; If she were awake, I am sure she would try To say, 'Dear brother Freddie, Good Night.' The best of good boys! is my dear little Fred; He's obedient and loving and gay: So now, Good Night, darling, go off to your bed, [the day." Sleep and dream till you wake with PEEP-BO. Oh, ho! Peep-Bo! here is dear little Flo', Laughing and playing behind the curtain: t- 6 If you must know, the pet wants to go Into mamma's lap, that is certain. Oh, ho! so, so! we will play at Peep- Bo, To amuse our dear little Baby pet: Her eyes shine bright with joyous delight, And out of Jane's arms she tries to get. "Nonsense! Peep-Bo!" laughs her big brother Joe, Looking as grave as learned judge; He thinks Peep-Bo is silly, you know, Babyish, foolish: pooh, only fudge. "Don't like Peep-Bo!" says young MWaster Joe, Building his house of some nice red bricks. 7 Oh! did you ask me how old may he beP Well, Joe, you must know, is nearly six. When Flo' is done with Peep-Bo for fun, [saw; Then she shall have a game at see- Or laugh at Poll, or she'll dance with her doll, Or talk to Tee-Taw, the funny jack- daw. Then by-and-bye Flo', with mamma and Joe, To meet her papa in the fields will go: Her old pony, Snow, will ride soft and slow, To carry Flo' safe and gently, you know. A SILLY LITTLE BOY. Oh! what a sulky, sulky face has Georgie! what is the matterP why, nothing at all; only he is jealous of his new baby brother, little Charlie. What a silly boy he must be! He has snapped off the head of his horse in a rage. Is he not a silly, stupid boy? He wants to be the baby, when he is a boy three years old. But by- and-bye, when Charlie gets bigger, Georgie will love him very dearly, and play with him, and then he will be ashamed, when he thinks how silly he was to be angry at seeing mamma pet the new baby. Look at poor old Punch on the floor. j ipc .iiP .. .r. Y' l l ..I Ok : t: "_,". 'r 1...: i --:% i - i - .~ .- .tg, -_ ,? ~ ~ ~ ~ -..:: ',. ...~ ,,- -f - ... ', .5 ,- 8- 9 Georgie says he is fond of Punch, and laughs and jokes with him; but to-day the naughty boy is all in the sulks. Throw the ball at Georgie, and make him laugh, and feel ashamed to be so silly. Take Georgie away, and let him play by himself. He is too cross to be allowed to stay in the room with Baby Charlie. LITTLE TODDLES. Would you like to know.how Little Toddles learnt to walk ? Well, I will tell you all about it. Tricksy, the doggie, taught him. Tricksy was a good dog, and had a little black nose, IO0 and bright laughing black eyes, and a droll little tail, and dear little sharp ears, which he used to twitch about in fun, and a funny little red tongue, which he always popped out when he wanted very much to laugh. Tricksy could do anything: jump over a stick, or through a hoop, or swim in the water, or fetch and carry, and knew every thing that every body said. Tricksy was very fond of Little Toddles, and Little Toddles was very fond of Tricksy. Tricksy thought Little Toddles ought to know how to walk; and so he used to stand quite still, and wait till Little Toddles would try to go to him. Then, when Little Toddles would come quite near, . ."- - A 'I? I V. "7' Ir . ' 44- -- -_ -.'- _, ... 1%1 / -, '-'e -bf ;zlf **- I-'S .'lr "I ** -.t~l'~tP~~ Tricksy would run away laughing and frisking, and wagging his tail, and sit down again a little further off. It was such fun for mamma and papa, and dear old grandpapa, and Auntie Nell, and sister Lucy, and all Little Toddles' cousins, who clapped their hands, and laughed to see Tricksy teaching Little Toddles to walk. THE BATH. Little Baby Dot has wakened up from sleep, And now we must pop her in the water. Just now from her cot so slily she did creep! Minnie cried out "Stop her!" then we caught her. Naughty little Dot keeps laughing wild with glee, But quick in the water we must dip her; - e an-dGlean wel'l washher, Min- nie, you and me, And soon into her clothes we will slip her. Little laughing Dot is making such a splash, [eels. Just like minnows, porpoises, and See how she has got on the floor with a dash; Such wet marks she has made with toes and heels. When she's had her breakfast, she will want to play With Noah's Ark, Mliss Dolly, or Old Punch: She'll run about with Puss, or ride on Dog Tray, Or give the pony biscuits for his Little Baby Dot's as pretty as a rose, But in her bath is very hard to hold; She is fat and dimpled, with funny pinky toes, Blue eyes like twinkling stars, and hair like gold. Crowing, full of glee, brisk, glowing, gay, and free, Baby Dot is making such a plunge! 14 Now, Dottie, quick, jump out, and climb on nurse's knee, That we may rub you dry with this big sponge. PRAYERS AT BED-TIME. The sun has sunk to peaceful rest --~Inhis wcrmc~loud-bed in the wieit; The moon now shines with silver light, For day has gone, and it is night. Kate kneels and bows her gentle head, And prays before she goes to bed; And asks that Jesus, meek and mild, Will watch a helpless, little child. "Make me a better girl each day; More loving too, 0 Lord, I pray. j ~~- __________-;O '~~~c-- ------ --- ______ __ "~~~~,r . , ,'.' : ", ." .o . .1- i.1S~ I~~ ,,. ""i .C1` F *-s - / - "/ : I'Gp - /' / - I ,, u.- ,, , , ''i-;FI? '' ~ /i i l ~~:i, ''::": iCr .. . :' ; :. I" k -- ., "2"!,, "' :: ` r b-_-, ,- ..- 11 9~1 ~ -, ,,::::},,,,li IL ,- 5' ;, : . S: ,. Help me, dear Lord, that I may be Fit when I die to live with Thee. 0, watch and guard my dear mamma, Help, keep, and guard my kind papa; My sisters, brothers, cousins dear, My friends and neighbours, shield from fear. "Lord, let me love to give Thee praise; 0 guide my thoughts and watch my ways; May I each day more grateful be For all the mercies sent by Thee. Despise not, Lord, my prayer and song; Grant that I do no soul a wrong. May I be gentle as a dove; May I, 0 Lord, gain Thy dear love." Then Kate lies softly down in bed, And on the pillow lays her head; And with a kiss, a sweet "Good Night," Falls safely into slumbers light. But when the morning sun doth rise, Katie will open her blue eyes. May she grow better every day, And walk in gentle Jesu's way. _ I .. .. ~ ~- n'. j ..- .}, I'I 'IC 'k~B~ Oil, r . .. Lrnpv. Emrik& Biu gnHk aw *. 4. 1 --------------------- THE ADVENTURES OF Little Dog Tray. LT HOU G H little Dog Tray was a very foolish little dog, he fancied he was very much wiser than any of the rest of the dogs. Silly dog, he liked to be flattered, and told how clever he was, and how he might make his fortune if he pleased. He liked to hear of all the wonderful things that were going on in the great world, and longed to see all the places and people he heard of. There were some dogs living in a street near his mother's house, and they used to laugh at him, while they pretended to be quite fond of his company, and talked ridiculous nonsense to him. "You would make your fortune if you went off on your travels," Carlo would say; "you are so clever, and know so many things." "Oh, nonsense," Tray would answer, trying to blush, though he couldn't-because he didn't really feel ashamed of listening to such flattery; I'm sure I should do nothing of the kind. How could I make my fortune ?" "Why, I intend to go off some of these days," said 4 Dandy. "Yet I am not half so clever as you, Tray. Why, I never knew a dog with such a lovely bark, and so clever at tricks as you." Tray's tail wagged with pleasure, and his eyes sparkled like diamonds, though he hardly said one civil word to his two friends, who would have liked to be flattered a little bit, too. But Tray thought no other dog could do anything like himself ; and one day, puffed up with conceit, he made up his mind to start off and see the great world, which he imagined was something like a big fair. He told his mother he wanted to go, and that he felt sure he never could do anything in his native village, where there was nobody to admire him, and nothing for him to do. Mrs. Tray, his mother, was grieved to hear him speak so foolishly. My dear," said she, "think well before you run away from a comfortable home, where you have a fond mother and loving sisters to care for you." I'm not going to run away," said Dog Tray, shaking his ears. I'm going to seek my fortune; and I'm not going to hurry myself. "I'm going for a time- Excuse my laughing rhyme- I only want to see the world so rare. And when my fortune's won, You'll see your loving son Coming home in a splendid coach and pair." Mrs. Tray smiled sadly to see her son so full of nonsense JI 5 and gaiety, when he was going to leave home, without any idea of what might happen to him. Mrs. Tray knew what the world was like. But she did not wish to make him miserable; so she let him go. "Very well, my dear son Tray, 1 will let you go away; You shall not say that I am cruel-hearted. But don't forget your home, As through places strange you roam, When from your loving mother you've departed." "Well, good-bye, dear mammy," said Tray. "Think of me often, as I shall think of you, and give my love and kisses to my sisters when they come home from school." "You are a very foolish dog," said his mother, "but I hope you will be wiser before you come home from your travels." So with a cheerful laugh and prance, With a merry skip and dance, Tray went his head full of wild romance. Tray walked a great many miles, and for several days, but did not see anything that seemed different to what he had always seen in his own native village. "Everything seems always the same," said he to himself. It seemed stupid to be obliged to talk to himself; but there was nobody else to listen to him. There were trees, and hedges, and fields, and cows and sheep; but Tray didn't care about trees, or cows, or sheep. Everything seemed so quiet that at last 6 he stood still, and barked as loud as he could. Then he put his head on one side. "Bow, wow, wow, wow!" said he again, as loud as before. "Bow, wow, wow, wow!" said a voice. "Oh, ho! there is another dog somewhere about," said Tray. Perhaps he'll be company for me." So he barked again, and heard the same answer. But when he looked about he could not find a dog, and he at last dis- covered that it was only an old Echo making fun of him. This is dreadfully dull," said Tray, yawning. I wish something would happen." Then he came to a town. That was better; for there were people, and shops, and coaches: so, there was at all events something to look at. But the people pushed Tray about, and some said, Oh dear, here is a stupid country dog! How he gets in one's way!" However, he looked in at the shop windows, and settled what he would buy when he made his big fortune. He went into a cake shop and bought a tart and ate it; for he felt hungry and tired, and wanted some shady place to sit down in, where he would be able to think. There was a pretty young lady-dog behind the counter, making some kind of knitting, or netting, or crochet, or tatting, or lace, or some- thing of that sort. Please, Miss," said Tray, very politely, "could you tell me where the world is ?" "I don't know," said the young lady-dog. There were some older dogs eating strawberry ices, and when they heard Tray's question, they all began to laugh. 7 Tray felt vexed, and as they went on laughing more and more, he walked off in a huff. When he went a little way down the street, he looked in at a window, and saw a great map. It looked like a picture of two round plates; but Tray saw printed at the top Map of the World." For Tray could read, and he found it useful now to be able to make out what printed words meant. Tray trotted into the shop, thinking he would like to buy this map. A very grumpy old dog was bustling about, sorting books and pictures. Please," said Tray, "how much do you want for that big map in the window ?" Five guineas," said the old dog, Canis, snappishly. "Oh dear, I couldn't afford so much. Please sir, where- abouts is the world ?" asked Tray; "I want to go there to make my fortune." "Get out," cried Mr. Canis. "How dare you come in here with your impertinent questions ? Get away!" For he thought Tray was making fun of him. Tray went off, feeling uncomfortable. He then walked on until he came to more fields, and lay down to sleep in a barn, very tired. He was wakened up by a curious kind of bustling and hurry-scurrying, and opened his eyes just in time to see two dogs running off as fast as they could. "Why, surely it's Carlo and Dandy," said Tray. How strange! I wonder why they are running like that ?" But on looking about, he found they had stolen his bag, 8 which contained all his money and all his stores. So the next day he was obliged to sit by the wayside and beg. He was ashamed to go home, and could not keep on begging. Having gained a few pence, he wandered sadly, till he met Dog Toby. Toby pitied him, and advised him to go on the stage. "You will be so admired and praised," said Toby, "and get so much money." And he told Dog Tray won- derful tales of the delightful life of a showman's dog. So Tray resolved at once to become a performing dog to a Punch and Judy showman. Toby, who was a good- natured dog, soon found a master for him; and Tray began to jump, and dance, and bark for joy, thinking now he was about to make the big fortune he coveted so much. "Now I'm going to see some fun! Of wealth I soon shall have my share; I've done with sorrow, fear, and care." So sang Tray, in a little piping voice which he thought was sweet to hear. But before long he found that his new way of life was not at all to his liking. His new master, Mr. Codlins, pinched him, and teased him, to make him learn his new business, and to teach him to cry, or to sit still, or bark, in the right place, when Punch banged him, or talked to him, or worried him. Then Mr. Codlins took away his clothes, and dressed him in some old stage finery. Tray very soon slunk into a corner, and thought until he felt weary, saying at last to himself in a whisper, for he was afraid Mr. Codlins might hear him,- I .______________- ^ _ . -e. - 'II '-J"- ,,,. ,,, .~ .. 8-_~ -'m ___.-i~ '- -=, , 1 ... .. ,. . i., * O A-Z I'I 1 ~1 I I y r A9, o-Pw Iq, I .{ .y,\.- `t 4&4 '' Y /1' -I~~~B~R~~"L--~cs~~r~ A C ~~5~- ~ r~-~~pd~~~*j\~I. I~~~~~ ~ -- 1-- --s~ : Lr 9 "Oh dear, I feel so very sad! This treatment is so very bad. As sure as my name is young Dog Tray, I'll make up my mind to run away." So he took to his heels and rushed away as fast as he could race along. He looked so absurd in his Toby ruff, and seemed so wild and excited, that some boys called out- "Mad dog! mad dog !" and began to run after him. They were naughty boys, because good boys do not try to worry and howl after poor strange dogs. However, Tray was frightened; and so anxious was he to get away, that he ran as if he were going along by telegraph, or on a flash of lightning, or an express train. He went by with a whizz; and as he had four legs, and each of the boys only had two, he of course go away. Poor fellow! he was at last tired out, and sank on a door- step; when a pony-carriage came up, with a lady and a little girl sitting in it. "Poor little doggie!" said the lady. He looks as if he were lost." I am lost, madam," said Tray, weeping more bitterly. "I came away from home to see the world and make my for- tune, and I have not been able to find my way to the world, and I don't know where it is, and I can't find out the way to make my fortune." Poor fellow!" cried the lady. "Well, you are not a very ugly dog, and I will take you in to play with my little IO girl and her dolls. I hope you are amiable? Perhaps you will look more respectable when you are washed and combed." Tray left off crying when he found the lady was going to give him a home, but he nearly cried again when he heard her speak of him with contempt instead of admiring him. But he was washed, and dressed in a velvet suit, with bright ribbons; and then the little girl, Miss Lily Lightheart, took him for a walk round the garden. After that, he was taken out very often in the carriage, when the lady and Miss Lily were going to pay visits. He was pleased at this kind of amusement, though he could not help feeling a little vexed that he had not yet found out where the world was, and that he had not begun to make his fortune. One day he said to Miss Lily, "Where is the world ? I came away from home to see the world and make my fortune. Do you know where the world is, and what it is like ?" "I never heard of it," said the little lady. Tray felt sur- prised, but he said to himself- I am a happy doggie here, Free from sorrow, free from fear; Think that here 'll alA stay, --- It is a happy home for Tray." So Dog Tray lived very quietly and happily for some months. But something happened to him at last. In the next house to the one where Miss Lily Lightheart lived, there lived another young lady, named Miss Rose Ruby. Miss Rose had the loveliest little dog that ever was seen: her name was Pearlinette; she was such a little darling, all snow white and fluffy, with the most beautiful black eyes and little black nose. She could do all kinds of clever things, and was not stupid like Tray; she could do almost anything, and even play on the piano, and always composed her own music. It was not very long before Tray saw her, and he fell in love with her the very first instant he looked at her. He wrote a great many verses about her; but he did not write very well, so of course they were sad rubbish. But his paw-writing (of course he could not do handwriting, as he had no hands) was so very bad that nobody could read it. When he had forgotten what he had written down, he never could read what he had done himself. One day he wrote- "Sweet Pearlinette is fair to see; O Pearlinette, pray do love me! Could you not, O dearest Pearly-say- O, could you not, just a little bit, love Tray ?" He was so pleased with this that he wanted to write it on a sheet of pink note paper edged with gold, and put it in a pink envelope with a gold monogram. His mistress's name was Tansy; she was Miss Lily's aunt. She had the letter T on her envelopes, and Tray thought that would do very well for him. He had been so petted that he imagined he could take any liberties he pleased; and he marched up to the lady's desk, and began writing on her lovely pink paper. Just as he had copied out his verse, and was going to sign Tray, he felt such a bang on the side of his head, and 12 jumping up, saw the cook, who was very angry. He scam- pered off, forgetting to take his letter, and ran into the garden. The cook told her mistress, who was also very angry. Toby, in talking to Tray one day, had told him that it was proper to play music under the window of one's lady-love; so in the evening he got a guitar, and climbed up on a big water-butt. He felt so happy to hear himself sing, for he thought he had a charming voice. But Pearlinette thought it was the old owl at the end of the garden; and she said to herself, The owl makes an uglier noise than ever, to-night." In about half an hour, Tray began to feel rather tired; when he heard a cat make a loud mewling noise. Tray hated cats. He flung down his guitar, and made such an awkward jump that he whisked the lid off the water-butt, and went in with a souse! Cook rushed out and pulled Tray up out of the water, and shook him until he was nearly dry; and was scolding him when her mistress came out. "Go away, foolish, ungrateful dog," said Mrs. Tansy. "I will not have you in this house any longer." So he was turned out of doors. Toby, who was performing in the next street, met him, and advised him to write a book of his adventures, and sell it. Tray was charmed with this idea:- "A book," said he, with great delight; "A large, thick book, at once I'11 write. This is the way, without mistake, My wished-for fortune now to make." Tray lost no time, but went and bought a great quantity A -. u., ; i, 1-r:- .. ..4 , kr i4 :iiii;kibaaars------ ----- -I N~ ~r ..v.- ..= ." * :2' .... .. +. .: -,- ('." . . *~ 444l, IllL * **fr I. ft.; -I-. Wam It N* K. t .. I N Fi. . \[ .T I ME .. .- "..... USES NO OTHER FE E -- -------- )"- a .. ". ....1[,,. ' 13 of paper, some pens and pencils, a knife, and some india- rubber. He felt very much elated, and when he sat down to write his book, and make some pictures for it, he was in such high spirits that every five minutes he was obliged to jump up and waltz round the room. He had taken lodgings with Toby, who was now a master, and had a Punch and Judy of his own, and a man to carry it about for him. Instead of letting Punch hit him, Toby now hit Punch; for Toby was not very amiable, and he did not know exactly how to forget old injuries. But as Punch was only made of wood, Toby did not hurt him much. Tray wrote so fast that he soon finished his book, and then he went to a printer. He asked the printer to get a great many copies of his book ready, and showed him his papers, all written over. But the printer could not read it, as Tray's writing was so bad. "Well," said Tray, "never mind; I'll read it to you, and you can print it as I read." "Very well," said the printer. When his book was ready, Tray borrowed a basket from Toby, and went all about the streets showing his book, and asking people to buy it, singing :- "Look, look! oh look, look, look! Who'll buy my funny book ? Here are pictures-quite a score- Drollest stories! who wants more ? "Look, look! pray madam, look! No one else has such a book. 14 All other things I quite forsook To write my book. Who'll buy my book? "Look, look, master! missy, look! Buy a copy of my book! Your money won't be thrown away On the adventures of clever Tray. "You'd like two copies of my book? I thought you would, sir,--only look, A score of pictures done by me- More clever ones there could not be. "Who'll buy! who'll buy! who'll buy my book? Pictures and stories, only look! All quite true, and all quite new; They'll all please you, many or few. "Who'll buy my book? Let no one say They've never seen the book by Tray. I've worked so hard to get it done. Buy my book, you who like good fun. Buy, buy, pray, madam, buy! My pages you will not find dry Pictures and stories, all are pretty, Funny, true, surprising, witty." People came running in crowds to buy Tray's book, and he was obliged to borrow another basket from Toby to put all the money in. At last he had found out the way to make his fortune; and when he had emptied his book basket, and ''-. ;4 +- o' "-'" ;--. iP, ,b mm -" 41 ...- 'Al *, -. c Ni -i- 4P I\,/~; 'Il Is, .,/l IF '1' ' f; w. I5 filled his money basket, he felt very pleased and proud. Then he thought he would go back and pay Miss Lily a visit. Miss Lily had been very sorry because he had got in- to trouble, and had cried; so her aunt was sorry for having been so cross with Tray. When Tray came back, and took off his hat and made a low bow, and said he was ashamed of having been naughty, the old lady forgave him, Miss Lily cuddled him up, and just scolded him a little bit, not much. After a few days, Tray asked if he might visit his dear mother. So the old lady sent him home in a grand coach. When Mrs. Tray saw him coming along, looking out of the coach window, she stared; she took off her spectacles and rubbed them, and then put them on again. But when the coach stopped, Tray jumped out and ran in and cuddled up his dear mother, and told her all about what had happened, and showed her his fine book, and all his money, and cried out gaily,- "Dearest mother, won't you say, You are pleased with your Dog Tray? Did you ever-no, you never Saw a dog one half so clever." "You are as foolish as ever," said Mrs. Tray. Tray skipped about, and laughed, and said,- "I know you are mightily pleased To see your dear sonny once more. You know he's been worried and teased Since last he went out from your door. i6 But still, of riches he's made a store, And he's wiser, too, than he was before." Well, my dear sonny," said Mrs. Tray, "Discretion, we know, doesn't come in a day. Don't throw your mother's advice away- At home now, my dear, I'd like you to stay." Tray thought it would be the best thing to do; so he sent back the coach, but told Nero, the coachman, to ask if the ladies would kindly come and see him some day. When his sisters came home from school in the afternoon, they were quite surprised to see him at home again, and were delighted to hear of all his adventures; and you may be sure they laughed over his droll book. Tray then asked what had become of Carlo and Dandy; and heard that they had run away, and nobody knew what had become of them or where they had gone to. So Tray resolved to stay at home, and try to improve himself; and also to learn to write better. He is still trying, and will soon be very much improved. i_ 'A ~*. j z, -r - :I .i-. "4* -. . .. .. ... ... .... .. .. .. --------------------- FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. ( OME here, Florence, Charley, and Arty, And help me to send off a. line To our friends for a grand supper party, And the Fancy-dress Ball so divine. I've sent off twelve letters already, Invitations to friends that we know; I've asked little Constance and Freddy, And Mabel, and Charlotte, and Flo'. We won't have that horrid girl, Mary, With her awful red hair and blue ties; For she says that I'm not like a fairy, With great scarlet cheeks and blue eyes. She says that I flirt with young Granby; But I know very well by her tone, She's as jealous as jealousy can be, For she hasn't a beau of her own. 4 THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. Invitations are sent out, and the Party have assembled. The ball-room it looks, oh, so pretty, With mottoes and draperies decked; We've a very good band from the City, And some costumes from Paris direct. For the supper, we've exquisite ices, And crackers, and bon-bons, for all; And jellies, and custards, and spices, For our guests at the Fancy-dress Ball. My costume is a choice of Papa's, I tstof the Queen oT eNight Dotted over with small silver stars, You'd think they were real spots of light. Now, Charley, be candid and tell us The truth of the costume you see. Don't you think that the moon will be jealous When she peeps through the window at me? You know you're to be my attendants, To wait on the Queen of the Night; With bracelets of silver, and pendants Of stars, all ablaze in the light. In the dance you must all form a ring, dears, And mind you keep time in the bars: For there never was seen such a thing, dears, As the moon getting cross with her stars. 1 - 1S"Uc--7 '. ": "? c I b r I : I I I `I\ Ie I is i I!z;-,.i. .s; ia I, i --- :;. .. rs- I \ 'r ' LClld pt artrqlt, B r. iil :Ig p . j, ' r'' u,n- '1! B.aaBPi \lal sP-. ipla;';tibi8S.i:-: ` .n 6EY-_ IPeC -UEL41_;1L- iL na.. i I I . 5 Q .I'l *-I- B L -BBBCWI: .i .I r .:zis311b;lWB'i;/ ''" ' r. . *'t ;r: L, t L-;c '''''* .*. : i " rl ''' 'i '1 L '" jr1 . ;,I P J ''r YLPL c, ':13 Ibl r I -'i fZ i'E':Ti'::I;,PBPrJF- T--- IRaPI: r ? '"IL*7"-"'e,"S"1WrWIAILa;ll ikrrsL :'YIJjurrr- Mi. -mill 4-? , ,44 ~ ui "Mi m i iI$, ," ,. -,-, 'i.j e t i , I, I~ t' i~ -----1 I .?. ,. 7' ,"~; --" I' " ,--"i - ;C_] --= ,,.s_ tl # 2 . . . ,It \ .~-... -',- . THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. 5 The table shines brightly with glasses, And silver, and flowers, so fair, And jellies and custards in masses, And fruit from the hot-house so rare. There are custards mixed up with whipped cream, So sweet it invites you to sip it; They call it whipped cream, but I think It so good, its a scandal to whip it. Such a sight, I shall never forget it, Such a glitter of silver and gold; I'm sure I should never regret it, If I lived here until I grew old. There are princes and kings in each corner, And there, I declare, close by, Is the image of Little Jack Horner, Devouring his nice Christmas pie. There's Johnny dressed up, with his fiddle, Like a cat, looking awfully sly; And he sings about "Hey-diddle-diddle," And a little dog's laughing close by. There's little Bo-peep with her crook, And Flora, as bright as the day; And there, in that snug little nook, Is standing the Queen of the May. 6 THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. I wonder what friends I shall dance with? Young Granby is always quite ready; And I know I am certain to prance with That foolish young fellow, Lord Freddy. But as dear Lady Constance's brother, Of him I some notice must take; For though they're not like one another, I want to be friends for her sake." There's Harry dressed up like a knight, And looking so nice, I declare; I hope I look handsome and bright, For I think we shall make a nice pair, When we go through the figure so steady, Cheered on by full many a kind glance, Half tempted to laugh at Lord Freddy, When he loses his place in the dance. The fiddles are scraping and squeaking, And setting to work with a will; And each gallant his lady is seeking For a turn in the merry quadrille. Jack Horner has finished his pie, And is waltzing with small Cinderella; And Blue Beard, so savage and sly, Is dancing with Queen Isabella. I I - ij t ,.. s-I . "J .. . 2',* !t4$"r' t ;h#" 0~~ r -( I I'9~B bt ' P o ,, * N, .4/ ' 'I i ,i i, r, ,* t , . tl J ... b i h i r 1 ,!~~ -,- I iI S;:il L THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. 7 And then, we must have a cotillon, When ladies their partners may choose, I'm sure there's not one in a million Would to dance with a lady refuse. And when we are wearied of dancing, To the bright supper table we go, And move, in a body advancing, Where the bon-bons await us below. My knight sits beside me of course, And he talks of a house and his grounds, And how he rides out on a horse, And how he goes after the hounds. But he's rather confused his ideas, Or perhaps its the sweet ginger wine, For at home he rides out with a man, On a pony no bigger than mine. There's that foolish young fellow, Lord Freddy, Drinking wine, -though I think it quite wrong; To be sure its not very heady, And is rather insipid than strong. I'm to give him a dance after supper, Though he's not the sublimest of dancers, When we change the ground floor for the upper, And take a last turn in the lancers. 8 THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. But the lancers are not as amusing As Sir Roger, my favourite dance; The figures are somewhat confusing, One never knows when to advance. And when you take hands in the last, It seems so like saying 'good-bye;' And shows that the evening is past, That the time of our parting is nigh. But when all the galops are ended, And waltz and mazurka are done, We'll have what I. think the most splendid, Most jolly, most capital fun. 'Tis Sir Roger de Coverley-more I like it than aught, save the Rink, Though Polly declares it a bore,- She deems it too childish, I think. Adventures at Close of Evening. Now the guests hasten home,--what a bustle, What crowding there is in the hall! How the silks and the tarlatans rustle, And the weaker are pushed to the wall. My beautiful star-spangled dress Is ruined for ever, I fear; Being caught up and torn in the press By the heels of a gay cavalier. 2 t f " .: ",.' .. .;-. ..... -_- ___ 7k "'c ' '4 .:i',..i..:..".",A ".''.;,' " II ;--i m.. THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. 9 He is dressed as the monarch so merry, As Charles, second king of the name; But has had, I suspect, too much sherry, And has torn my poor dress,-what a shame! I'm sure that the real Charles the Second, Would never have done such a thing; Whatever his faults, he was reckoned So polished and courteous a king. Dear me, what astonishing people In these sort of parties one sees! There's Rose, with a hat like a steeple, Who thinks she's a real Tyrolese. But something doth stop and doth hold her, Her head-dress is carried away, Torn off by a tag on the shoulder Of a footman who carries a tray. There's George, thinks he's drest like Othello; Did ever you see such a guy? I'm sure for that comical fellow No fair Desdemona would sigh. He's just a banjo-playing nigger, With face and with hands blackened o'er: How could that ridiculous figure Be like Shakespeare's magnificent Moor? ______^_________________________ i 1o THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. There's Mabel, (a gipsy's her choice), Has torn her red cloak in the crowd. Her brother, the Turk, has a voice, I never heard speech much more loud. The dear little bear-boy, so shaggy, Is sleepy, the poor little lad, And leans his tired head against Maggie, As Little Red Riding Hood clad. Poor Charlotte is bitterly weeping, She's broken her Japanese fan. I shall dream of her, surely, when sleeping! Do folks dress like that in Japan? With that strange blue thing on each shoulder, And high crimson cap on her head. But I fear that her mother will scold her, The fan had been lent her, she said. And Agatha, dressed like Ophelia, Has a coffee-cup spilt on her gown; How vexed her dear, good old aunt Celia Will be at the patches of brown. No doubt the old lady will rate her For being so careless to-night; But how reckless it was of the waiter, He's made that sweet dress quite a fright. THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. II There's Gertrude, who thinks she's a pattern, In simple French housemaid's array; But no bonne who was so like a slattern, In any nice household would stay. Her costume has done duty, I know, On many occasions before; That cap with the faded blue bow Jane White at the Sotherby's wore. Polly's in a most dreadful quandary, She's lost both her lamb and her crook; For dressed as Bo-peep was Miss Mary, Like the print in the nursery book. So large was the lamb, that scarce able Was Polly to drag it along, But 'twas laid on the supper-room table, Knocked down and then crushed by the throng. Her crook she gave Eustace to hold, While she let off a cracker with Hugh, Who was dressed in all diamonds and gold, Like the Shah at the Woolwich review. Poor Eustace has fallen asleep, He's still a small boy, you may say; And some one the crook of Bo-peep For a walking-stick carried away. 12 THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. But where all this time is Lord Freddy? His sister is wanting to know. I wish that that boy were more steady, Alone Lady Constance can't go. That young lad is horribly greedy, (The supper-room's close to the door), To-morrow he's sure to be seedy, He's got to the ices once more. At the door all are jumbled together, They say 'tis beginning to rain; Sad looks are cast up at the weather, For some have to go by the train. Their dresses seem hidden by magic, 'Neath waterproof, ulster, or shawl; To a chrysalis (really 'tis tragic), Turns each butterfly-sylph of the ball. Turk, Shepherdess, Chief from the Highlands, Bear, Crusoe, and tall Tyrolese, The King of the Cannibal Islands, Jack Horner, and Lap, and Chinese. The stupid no less than the clever, The handsome alike with the plain, Are urged by one common endeavour,- And that is, escaping the rain. 7,1 I O Or LhI THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. 13 He's really an absolute Raleigh, That excellent fellow, Jack Hughes, He threw down his top-coat that Grace Harley Might not soil her fine elegant shoes. She'd down steps to go to her carriage, And the rain it was falling like fun; No doubt it will end in a marriage,- She's sixteen, he a rich only son. But think what a dreadful mishap Might have happened to Lucy to-night; She had on a Normandy cap, And managed to set it alight. It was high, and she thought not of danger, n zn-- -- ----- -u- -.)1 But stood neathh a low chandelier: But young Bancroft, till then quite a stranger, Put it out with a rug that lay near. How grateful her parents will be, And wouldd really be quite a romance If two happy weddings we see Result from this juvenile dance. Young Bancroft is somewhat romantic, And fair is our sweet Lucy James. Poor youth! he looked really quite frantic, At sight of her head-dress in flames. 17 g l~ ....- r.. . .. 14 THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. Such a buzz amongst gay masqueraders, Such laughter, and teasing, and jokes. There are princes, and kings and crusaders, All crowding to put on their cloaks. There's Robinson Crusoe in furs, Escorting a small Cinderella, And leading her down the broad stairs Underneath his palm-tree umbrella. There's the Cat, who sang-Hey-diddle-diddle, Escorting Bo-peep in a veil; He is rather too sleepy to fiddle, And some one has cut off his tail. There's a Turk laid asleep on a chair, With a Knight in a corslet of mail; For the daylight is peeping in there, And the stars are beginning to pale. I'm sure we have had some fine fun, With each gallant knight and gay rover. 'And I'm sure we are sorry its done, And can hardly believe it is over. But the carriages loom into sight, And the Queen of the Night ends her rule, And bids all her planets Good-night," In a cloud of blue satin and tulle. THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. 15 But now the grand evening is ended, (I'm sorry I've injured my train); I'm sure the whole thing has been splendid, I wish wouldd come over again. I draw back my pink cretonne curtain, And wearily sink into bed, Of one thing at least feeling certain, I shan't dream to-night of Lord Fred. But I'm sure I shall dream of the fiddles, And my Knight, in his beautiful dress, Who asked me such wonderful riddles, Which I wouldn't be told, but would guess Dear me, with a feeling of sorrow, I think that it's over and gone, That there's nothing before us to-morrow To look forward to, waking at morn. No matter!-I've got invitations, And Christmas new pleasures will bring, The pantomime's grand transformations, And skating-that exquisite thing. Perhaps we shall soon have another, A ball, e'en more brilliant than this, So indulgent are father and mother, They're always providing fresh bliss. 16 THE FANCY-DRESS COSTUME BALL. But the moon now retires to her slumbers, The sun will have ris'n before long; 'Tis time I had ended my numbers, And finished my wearisome song. I'm a tired little maiden at present, No sovereign with star-spangles bright; May your dreams be tranquil and pleasant, Good-night! kindly, reader, good-night! Is it real, or am I in a dream? I feel in a terrible fright: To glide through the air do I seem, As if really the Queen of the Night. Turk, Shah, Bear, and Bo-peep follow after, And my friends as stars dance o'er my head; I wake between terror and laughter, And find that I'm still in my bed. _ ___________________________ _____________ ___________________ ___________________________;___ ,,r I, --------------------- THE STORY OF THE White Cats of York: By AUNT ANNIE. O my dear little pets, both boys and girls, I write to tell you all about THE HISTORY OF THE WHITE CATS OF YORK," who are now to be seen in Tottingham Hall, sitting on the back of old Trotter, who is said to be the fastest horse in the county of York, and who graciously permits them, when they conduct themselves properly and do not quarrel with each other (as some naughty cats are very fond of doing), to rest. There is old Beppo, the father, as white as milk, Juno his wife, even whiter still; Poppet, Daisy, and Flirt, their children, as white as their parents, with not a black hair to be seen on them, all stretched out fast asleep, and no doubt dreaming of the little mice they would like to have for their dinner; and everything in the stable is so quiet and still, you would scarcely believe that there are four more horses in their stalls, and three black kittens- orphans, whose father and mother were drowned in the horse-pond for poaching, and going into the pigeon-house and destroying the dear little tame white pigeons, which were the property of darling little Rose May, 4 whose kind uncle George gave them to her on her last birth- day when she was five years of age, and who, when the black cats killed her pigeons, grieved so much that her uncle, when she is six years old, is going to purchase her a lovely peacock, who will scream and spread out his beautiful tail the moment a black cat comes near him. Now, I told you that Poppet, Daisy and Flirt were fast asleep on old Trotter's back, and Beppo and Juno, their father and mother, were sleeping also, when who should open the stable door and walk in very gently but old Peggy, the donkey. It was the first time she had ever seen a stable, being always kept in the fields, and not even allowed to go into the stable yard, although she was very handsome; and little Rose May used to be in the habit of feeding her every morning with apples and bread, and then get on her back and gallop round the meadow. But if Rose's brother, or any other little boy attempted to ride her, she would allow them to mount and be seated comfortably, and then she would toss up her hind legs and kick until she threw them off, and she never would allow any little boy to ride her; but to Rosa she was always obedient and very docile. Well, as you may suppose, Peggy was very much as- tonished to see the horses all looking so clean and so com- fortable in their stalls, and she walked about and went into an empty one and helped herself to some hay, all the time looking round the stables and thinking how very pleasant it would be for her to remain there all night and all day, with plenty of food to eat and no work to do; for I must tell you, 71 . - .. , .--7 -- 5 Peggy was a very lazy donkey, and liked idleness; when, all at once, as she was looking about, she espied a basket of apples which were placed on a shelf, near the head of Trotter's stall. Peggy was very naughty just then, and thought if she could only get at those apples what a delicious dinner she should have: so she watched and watched, waiting for Trotter to move, when she thought she would quietly crawl up to his side and seize them; but Trotter was very still, and the cats were all fast asleep, so Peggy had to wait a long time; but the longer she waited the more tempting the apples looked; at last, old Beppo having had a refreshing sleep began to move, and as he did so Trotter turned round in his stall, with the other cats fast asleep on his back. Peggy was wide awake though, and determined to have the apples, so she went close by the wall past Trotter, and put her head into the basket to get them. At that moment Trotter gave a cough, which so frightened guilty Peggy (she knew she was doing wrong) that she gave the basket a jerk, and down fell all its contents-the apples-on poor Trotter's head and nose, who gave such a start and kick that he threw Beppo, Juno, Daisy, Flirt, and Poppet up into the air to their immense astonishment; and when they came down again, Poppet and Flirt alighted on the back of naughty Peggy, and they were so alarmed and terror-stricken that they fastened their talons very tightly into Peggy, which caused her such dreadful pain that she began to He-haw! he-haw!" and kicking up her heels, ran galloping out of the stable with Flirt and Poppet still on her back. 6 I am sorry to tell you she was so angry and so blinded with the pain she was suffering that she never saw where she was going, and ran against John the milkman, who was just returning from milking the cows, and actually knocked him down over Judy the old sow, who was fattening for Christ- mas, and who was following him with her ten little pigs, all waiting for their milk. Poor John the milkman was so frightened that he gave a dreadful howl, then all the ten little pigs began to squeak, and ran over him, and ran here, and ran there, and ran every- where, until some of them found their way into the fowl-house, and woke up all the cocks and hens, who were having a quiet roost; and there was such a noise and such a cackle that the servants all rushed out and raised the alarm that the Russians or Turks were come, which so excited and alarmed dear little Rose May that she ran into the nursery and caught up her little baby brother, and carried him all herself to her dear mamma, and then fell down crying and sobbing, hiding her face in her mamma's lap; and it was a very long time before she could be pacified, the various noises had so terrified her. But when she was a little calmer, and could listen to her mamma's story about old Peggy galloping across the meadow, with Flirt and Poppet riding on her back, she laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks at the fun, and also at the idea of Peggy the donkey being mistaken for the Russians. Poor Peggy was in trouble all this time, for Flirt and Poppet having been accustomed to sleep on old Trotter's -: -.1 I I .. - - '\k - -~~r .--- V':r 'n~" 7 back kept a firm hold on Peggy, and it was only when George the groom came in sight with dear little Rose, that she consented to stand still, and permitted Rose, with the assistance of the groom, to remove Flirt and Poppet from her back, who were carried to the stable and restored to their father and mother; in fact, old Beppo and Juno were so delighted to see their dear children safely brought home, that Beppo as soon as it was dark went out on a foraging expedi- tion, and succeeded in picking up and bringing home in time for supper a very fine old Rat, who was going to be married in three weeks to Miss Mouse, who was very lovely and had mnyadmirs but Mr. Rat was very vain, and every night when the moon was shining brightly on the lake--a beautiful piece of ornamental water situated near the house-he used to get out of his hole and peep quietly about; if all was still and hushed, he would steal very gently over to the side of the water and look into the lake, which reflected his face when the moon was shining. He was very proud of his whiskers, and used to say to himself-" Miss Mouse, when she is married to me will have the loveliest whiskers in all Mouseland; and I hope she will prize my beautiful eyes, which are brighter than any of the stars above." As he looked up at them, thinking of his handsome face and for- getting all about danger, old Beppo suddenly gave a spring and caught him in his mouth, and succeeded in carrying him off in triumph for supper that evening. Juno was also fortunate enough to get a delicious fish cutlet from the cook's pantry, and a snipe; so they all supped in great style,-fish for first course, with flesh after, and a little game to follow. -0" 8 It was whispered about that poor Miss Mouse was so disconsolate at the mysterious disappearance of her handsome lover, that she refused all food and would not be comforted, and in less than a fortnight died of a broken heart. This circumstance so affected her cousins that they held a family gathering and decided on spending the Christmas in the strictest retirement, positively declining to accept any invita- tion for evening parties from any rats or mice. I can inform you this was the dullest time the Misses Mice ever experienced; for they were very lively and very fond of dancing, and waltzed beautifully when they had good partners. But they grew so melancholy and miserable that their great aunt, the queen of the mice, strongly advised them to emigrate; and after another long family council, to which King Rat was most courteously invited, it was definitely settled that they should do so, America being de- cided on as their future destination, to which place King Rat gave his assenting voice, promising to come and see them during the summer holidays, when travelling was more agreeable than in the winter season, as he was then suffering from rheumatics, which had settled in the first joint of his right leg, just above the ancle, and caused him extreme pain. The kind promise of King Rat greatly comforted the Misses Mice on the day of their emigration, and they left England with a large escort of female friends via the Atlantic cable; and it was reported that so many friends went with them that when they first planted their foot on American ground the last mouse was then leaving England. 9 The rats were so disconsolate after the mice had gone away, that they took it into their heads to emigrate also; but being too fat to go through the cable, they went over by one of the fastest steamers. Great were the rejoicings on their arrival; and every evening some festivity was held at Mouse Row, Cat Place, New York, to the great annoyance of old Tom the great American Cat, who lived opposite, and who was always on the watch and had never yet been able to catch a Britisher. I have not yet told you of poor little Daisy's misfortune, which occurred at the time naughty Peggy created so much mischief in the stable, when old Trotter coughed, and throwing up his legs as the apples fell on his nose, tossed all the cats in the air, Beppo and Juno alone alighting on his back again. It appears that the stud groom, James. who was often in attendance on dear little Rose, had at her request given the painter orders to paint the stable door a bright green; and when Trotter tossed the cats into the air, poor little Daisy was thrown head foremost into the can of paint, which the painter had left on the ground. Poor thing! she was nearly suffocated. Her piteous cries of Me-ew! me-ew !" attracted the notice of her father, Beppo, who was just going to her assistance when Sailor, the favourite dog of the family, happened to put in his head at the stable door, and seeing Daisy a very bright green did not recognize her; he thought she was the queerest little animal he had ever seen, and had no right to be there. So he gave a growl and ran up to Daisy to bite her; but Daisy was so frightened ranup a ais tobie hr;burDaiy us o figtend IO0 that she gave a spring out of the paint-can and jumped over Sailor's head, covering him with paint, which so enraged him that he dashed into the river to try to wash the spots of green off his back; for I must tell you Sailor was a very handsome dog and a great favourite in the drawing-room. Very proud was he of his beautiful coat; so he dived again and again under the water, and shook himself well each time, and then rolled himself on the grass. But the green paint looked fresher and brighter than ever on him, and when he went into the drawing-room after dinner with the children to dessert, and to shake hands with his master, as he was early trained to do, his appearance created so much merriment that his dignity was quite offended, and he went under the sofa and sulked the whole evening, until his master spoke kindly and coaxed him out with some ginger-nuts. There was a time when Sailor loved sugar better than anything else; but one day he jumped on the table when the tea was set and no one in the room, and ate a whole sugar basinful, for which he was punished by being made to swallow a dose of castor oil poured on lumps of sugar, which as you may suppose he never forgot; and to this hour, if you say to him "Oh! Sailor, Sailor! who ate the sugar ?" he will drop his ears and his tail, and look quite ashamed of himself, as though he perfectly remembered all about it, and knew what you were saying. Well! poor Sailor, when he found his master was taking notice of him, looked up with tears in his great brown eyes; and when his master patted him on the head, shook hands t .. V `--- ;- ------ I"aY"bh .eLL4s-ft9. -F -a - ' r i r.: - -- 'Sy- '' I 116: I, !I 1 r-,7 '1 r c 9 I-*j [ illrpL; -I .t :1.9 r I. !r. tl, i i 3braas I paai"OJ1I1 hl?lllllll;iIl:-L;r PPq$gl6?PljBLaj;L-:: 3 . b r . 1 Lh. ii f E' -r iF8ehr .alillEr, : .-.. ,: - L ...'i-- :j..: ;, I '" : *i ':311Fr*-,'LL LTAZuf'RrJ ,. I 1 LIP ia. ...hqI`hPrr;-lPI! L: ' UL arrrr - IIE' -PFP I -ICr *-- I 3. 1 ; j., ' .P P ;,s I 1:I c -i' '. 'riL.* 1LLp, . -IaLX r; .LCJ.r,. c; "` I-- 'Lisr - 'C* - i: - nr --; c ,-e "'; 't .n ' ;1: -P- _^ with him, and wished him good night, he went to his kennel quite happy, and forgot all about his green coat. But Dandy, little Rose May's favourite terrier, came past the kennel and growled at him, thinking he was a strange dog, which made Sailor so very angry that he growled in return, and I am sorry to say they snarled and growled, and growled and snarled at each other, Sailor showed his teeth, and Dandy showed his; and then they had another snarl and another growl, and at last grew so angry with each other that Sailor, who being the biggest of the two ought to have known better, caught up little Dandy by the back of his neck, and gave him such a shaking, that Dandy ran shrieking and howling to his young mistress, thinking he was about to die. Dear little Rose took him in her arms and hugged him, and made him so happy by petting him that he soon forgot his fright; and when nurse went into the room, she found Rose and Dandy both cuddled together and fast asleep on the hearth-rug. Don't you all think Rose May was a good little giri to be so kind to her dog ? All this time poor Daisy the kitten was trying to find her way back to the stables, which she at last succeeded in doing; but she was so sore and weary, and very stiff from the effects of the paint, that she could scarcely enjoy the nice supper which had been provided for her. When it was time to go to sleep on old Trotter's back, she was so exhausted that she was unable to spring up; but Beppo, her father, kindly told her to hold on by his tail, and he would help her up, which he did; but she was very sick 12 all night from the smell of the paint, and was the only one of the family who did not really relish the nice and dainty supper which their kind parents had provided for them. I have told you there was a beautiful fish-pond in the grounds, where the gold and silver fish used to sport about. Well, dear little Rose May, every morning, after she had said her prayers to nurse, and learnt a verse of scripture to repeat to her mamma, and had finished her breakfast, would take a piece of bread and run down to the pond, which was in the centre of the flower-garden and facing the drawing- room windows, to feed the darling fish. Now there was an old fish in the pond, a great favourite, whom she named Noah, who knew the sound of her voice so well that he would come up to be fed directly she called him, and would eat double as much as any other fish, on account of his being so tame; for when Rose rolled up the pieces of bread into little balls, he would allow her to drop them into his mouth; but all the other gold and silver fish would dart away, and sometimes make such a splash that Rose would be delighted, and laugh heartily. Well, dears, one lovely morning last week the sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing sweetly, and little Rose May was so very happy, for it was her sixth birthday. The first thing, when she opened her eyes in the morning was to see, as she thought, a dear little baby sister laying by her side. At first she felt rather frightened, and then so delighted that she called for dear nurse to come; but to her great joy the baby sister turned out to be a beautiful ta-T ". .'.'. .. . . . . . ..... Y r r~~' ' " "C - .. 'Yr71 *~~ jl* 'C 13 baby doll, with the loveliest blue eyes that would open and shut, and long flaxen ringlets; it was just the very doll that Rose had been wishing and wishing for, and dear aunt Annie had sent it as a birthday gift. Oh! how delighted Rose was, she hugged and kissed it ever so many times, and her mamma was so indulgent that she allowed Rose to have the doll sitting by her side all the time she was having her breakfast. And only imagine Rose's scream of delight when on looking out of window she saw a magnificent peacock, the very peacock that dear uncle George, who was then in India, had promised to send her. The Peacock, whom she laughingly named Peter the Great, seemed to understand that it was expected of him to show his beauties off to the best advantage; so he shook out his feathers and spread out his tail, then he strutted up and down before the window in great pride and state, as much as to say-" You see fine feathers make fine birds!" But in the midst of his strut he was very much alarmed at seeing a figure coming up the avenue, and he gave a shrill scream which nearly made Rose jump off her chair. It was the postman, who came with a tremendous rat-tat at the hall door; and Rose felt her heart quite beat with excitement when a letter was brought in, addressed-" Miss Rose May, Tottingham Hall, Yorkshire." She was almost wild with delight on opening it to find a five pound note, all for herself, from dear grandmamma, who hoped she would always re- member the poor; and Rose told her mamma she hoped she should do so; at all events she would try her very best. 14 Then there was another letter from her cousin Minnie, enclosing a blue enamel locket in the shape of a heart, with her likeness on one side, and on the other side was engraven in gold letters-" My heart is all with thee !"-which senti- ment Rose thought lovely. Another letter also came, and that was from Minnie's sister, cousin Annie, which contained a little bag. Rose felt so overjoyed she could scarcely give herself time to open it; but when she did so, in it there was a very handsome gold necklet, to wear with the locket. Oh! Rose did feel so grand; but she was not at all proud or vain. I have also to inform you that there was another letter, and that was from dear cousin Charles, who was a midshipman on board Her Majesty's Ship "Emerald," stationed at Plymouth. Even he had remembered her birthday, and sent her a pincushion, with a view of his ship on one side, and an anchor and the words Forget me not." On the other side of the pincushion were two doves and "Remember me" written at the bottom. Rose thought it was a very hand- some birthday present. Oh! they were all so happy that morning, Rose ate such a hearty breakfast, that mamma said she feared she would not be able to eat any roast beef or plum pudding at dinner; for it was always the custom at Tottingham Hall on a birthday to have it; and cook was always so kind, and sent up for for the nursery dinner a splendid plum pudding, ornamented with the handsomest rose she could procure, and a piece of may, as a compliment to her young lady, it spelling her name--" Rose May." -~~~~~~~~~ ...-.;.-I_1-.. liI- . ,' ;( ,,- r', -. ) IF 1 ". j ,:l '' ij, 6 C+-. I I .. V i ----:- -, 2-c,'-. . "-~~~ -'tYiP~B~~. ;~ 0. -. i i 1*,'. -. 1 .- - i;~ -~~ 4* - -- r -.~~i I _____ 1. I . For a long time past Flirt and Poppet had been observed putting their heads together in a very mysterious manner, and sometimes they would go out very early in the morning and come home with their feet wet and dirty, so much so that when they jumped on old Trotter's back, he would give a stamp and a snort, as though he didn't like it. After Rose had really finished her breakfast, she repeated her verse for the day to her mamma, and then ran out of the room full of life and glee, to feed old Noah and the other fish. Oh! she was so happy, and went tripping along singing so gaily until she arrived at the fish-pond, and there to her great astonishment she observed Flirt and Poppet close to the edge of the pond; then to her dismay she saw Flirt put her paw into the water and drag out old Noah and drop him at the feet of Poppet, who caught him in her mouth and was about to devour him; but, with a bound and a scream, she ran forward to rescue him from naughty Poppet, and throw him back into the pond, when her foot slipped and she fell headlong into the water, dragging Poppet with old Noah still in her mouth, in with her. The cold and icy water soon made Poppet drop old Noah, whose life was thus saved; but dear darling Rose only gave one little shriek for mamma before the cold waters closed over her, and she was sinking! sinking!! sinking!!! to the bottom of the pond, when there was a tremendous plunge, and in dashed old Sailor and rescued her from a watery grave. Brave old dog! dear old Sailor! he brought her wet and i i , ,, l , ifii1 16 dripping as she was, and quite senseless, into the breakfast- room, (which a short time before she had left full of life and happiness), and laid her at the feet of her heart-stricken mamma. It was many hours before she was sufficiently was able restored to consciousness, and tell her mamma. how all her misfortunes had occurred. Poppet, I am sorry to say, was really drowned, but Flirt was saved and ran back to the stables in a terrible fright; and now, as I write, is sleeping safely with Daisy in the arms of Beppo and Juno, on old Trotter's back. Dear little Rose, I am grieved to tell you, is still confined to her bed; but she has her doll, whom she has named 'Rosabelle' by her side as a companion, and the gold chain with her cousin's locket attached is round her throat; and she finds cousin Charley's pincushion very useful, as she occasionally wants a pin to fix Rosabelle to her side, fearing she may fall out of bed. Sailor is also permitted each day to come in the bed-room for a short time to see his young mistress. Dear little Rose has just awoke from a sound sleep; and as it is very near Christmas, she sends her kind love to all dear aunt Annie's little pets, and wishes them all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. L L,- 4 41, P.A |