Oh, how long the wifie waited,
For the mate that sang no more!
Dear boys, are you not sorry

For that birdie's heart so sore?

MARY D. BRINE.

REPRODUCTION XIV.

EASTER LILIES.

A little maid walked smiling on her way,
Bearing white lilies on an Easter day;
Herself a lily, pure and fair as they.

But, as she passed, they bore along the mart
A little child whom death had set apart,
His small hands lying empty on his heart.

Close to the bier the little maiden pressed,
And laid her lilies on the pulseless breast,
Saying, "Take these to light thee to thy rest.

"If to my Lord I bring no lily bell,
He is so near my heart He knows full well
I love Him more than any tongue can tell."

Altar and chancel shone with radiant bloom,
Breathing sweet odors through the minster's gloom,
Type of the life that triumphed o'er the tomb.

She heard the organ's solemn voice, that soared
As if in Heaven to seek the risen Lord
Crowned by His angels, by His saints adored.

While, out of sight, a woman sang alone,
With such a wondrous rapture in her tone,
She seemed a seraph singing by the throne.

The little maid knelt down with reverent grace,
And a great light fell on her upturned face,
Bringing a vision of the heavenly place;

Wherein she saw her Lord, with smiling eyes,
Amid the countless hosts of Paradise,
Bearing the little child, by death made wise.

Her very heart ran o'er with joy to see
Her lilies blooming by the Master's knee,
Grown fair as any deathless flowers might be.

While from the blessed child this message fell:
"Dear Lord, thy little maid, who loves Thee well,
Sends these, by me, her faithful love to tell."

Blessed are they whose prayers in deeds find wing,
Whose hands the gifts of humble service bring,
And in his lowly children serve their king.

Blessed are they who hear the Master plead,
In every cry of human woe or need;

Lo! in their hearts the Lord is risen indeed.

EMILY HUNTINGTON MILLER.

DEVELOPMENT XVIII.

THE WISH.

TOPICAL OUTLINE.

1. Little Jack and Nell sent on an errand.

2. On their way they pick the last rose on a bush by the roadside. 3. A fairy appears, who tells them that they have picked the enchanted rose, and that whatever they first wish for they shall receive.

4. They presently spy some berries high above their reach, and forgetful of the rose, wish they were tall enough to reach the berries. 5. They suddenly become tall as giants.

6. They search a long time for the fairy, that she may restore them to their proper size, but cannot find her.

7. Are obliged to return home sorrowful.

8. The fairy at last appears, and restores them to their natural size.

DEVELOPMENT XIX.

ABOU BEN ADHEM.

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head,
And with a look made all of sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheer❜ly still; and said, "I pray thee then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again with a great wakening light;

And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

LEIGH HUNT.

SUBJECTS FOR STORY.

Dispute between Mouth, Nose, and Eyes, concerning their respect

ive Usefulness to Man.

On the Death and Burial of a Bird.

Two Parent Birds on the Robbing of their Nest.

Meditations of a Church Mouse.

Two Dolls' Opinions of their Mistresses.

The Experience of a Silver Dollar.

The Crow and the Scarecrow.

The Flower and the Clouds.

The Tea-kettle's Song.

The Dance of the Leaves.

What the Masks in a Shop Window Did.

Little Bennie in the Hay-field.

Dollie's Christmas.

The Adventures of the Toy Soldiers.

Mrs. Jenkins' Poodle.

How Madge Learned to Skate.

The Cat and the Canary Bird.

The Snow Fort.

The Story of a Bear.

CHAPTER V.

LETTER-WRITING.

A pleasing and instructive exercise is the composition of letters. The pupil may write of actual occurrences, or may draw upon his imagination.

A letter consists of six parts:1. Heading.

2. Address.

3. Salutation.

4. Body.

5. Complimentary Close. 6. Signature.

THE HEADING.

EXAMPLES.

Ann Arbor, Jan. 9, 1879.

Box 234, Kalamazoo, Mich.,
May 5, 1865.

235 West Garfield Ave.,
Akron, Ohio,

Bec. 25, 1876.

The Heading should consist of: (1) The name of the place from which the letter is written, and should contain all the items necessary for your correspondent to know in directing his answer; as, town, county, state, number of