SAID TULIP, "THAT IS SO."

NE Christmas time some roots and bulbs,

ONE

That lived far under ground,

Began to talk so softly that

Above was heard no sound.
Said Hyacinth, “It seems a shame
That we should have no share
In all the fun that's going on;
It really is not fair.

We hear the merry, jingling bells,
As sleighs fly o'er the snow,
But cannot see a single thing."
Said Tulip, "That is so."

Said Crocus, "I would like my dress
Of shining gold to don."

Said Scilla, "O, I wish I could

My bright blue gown put on."

"And much I long to join the dance,
For none can rival me

In grace, the wind has oft declared,"
Said fair Anemone.

"And would," Narcissus said, "I might

My silver trumpet blow;

'Twould glad, I'm sure, the Christmas green."

Said Tulip, "That is so.”

Then spoke the Snowdrop, "Cease to wish,

For wishes are in vain;

Here must we stay until we're called

Above the ground again.

The blessing of a perfect rest
At Christmas time is ours,

That we may gather strength to deck
The earth, in spring, with flowers;
So sleep again, my sisters, dear,

Till it is time to grow,

And all your dreams shall pleasant be."
Said Tulip, "That is so."

- Madge Elliot.

WINTER APPLES.

'HAT cheer is there that is half so good,
In the end is there that is

WHA

In the snowy waste of a winter night,

As a dancing fire of hickory wood,

And an easy-chair in its mellow light,
And a pearmain apple, ruddy and sleek,
Or a jenetting with a freckled cheek?

A russet apple is fair to view,

With a tanny tint like an autumn leaf,
The warmth of a ripen'd corn-field's hue,
Or golden hint of a harvest sheaf;

And the wholesome breath of the finished year
Is held in a winecup's blooming sphere.

They bring you a thought of the orchard trees,
In blossomy April and leafy June,

And the sleeepy droning of bumble-bees
In the lazy light of the afternoon,
And tangled clover and bobolinks,
Tiger-lilies and garden pinks.

If you've somewhere left, with its gable wide,
A farm-house set in an orchard old,
You'll see it all in the winter-tide,
At sight of a pippin's green and gold,
Or a pearmain apple, ruddy and sleek,
Or a jenetting with a freckled cheek.

- Hattie Whitney - St. Nicholas.

THE

DANCE OF THE MONTHS.

HE New Year comes in with shout and laughter,
And see, twelve months are following after!

First January all in white,

And February short and bright;

See breezy March go tearing round;
But tearful April makes no sound.
May brings a pole with flowers crowned,
And June strews roses on the ground.
A pop! A bang! July comes in ;
Says August, "What a dreadful din!"
September brings her golden sheaves;
October waves her pretty leaves,
While pale November waits to see
December bring the Christmas tree.
They join their hands to make a ring,
And as they dance they merrily sing,
"Twelve months we are, you see us here,
We make the circle of the year.
We dance and sing, and children hear,
We wish you all a glad New Year."

- Selected.

Laugh in scornful pride.

Broad their leaves and fair to see;
Worthless needles cover me.

'Ah, could I have chosen,

Then, instead of these,

Shining leaves should crown me,

Shaming all the trees. Broad as theirs and brighter,

Dazzling to behold;

All of gleaming silver

Aye, of burnished gold.

Then the rest would weep and sigh;

None would be so fine as I."

Slept the little Pine-tree

When the night came down,

While the leaves he wished for

Budded on his crown.

All the forest wondered

At the dawn, to see

What a golden fortune

Decked this little tree.

Then he sang and laughed aloud;
Glad was he and very proud.

Foolish little Pine-tree!

At the close of day,
Thro' the gloomy twilight
Came a thief that way.
Soon the treasure vanished;
Sighed the Pine, "Alas!
Would that I had chosen
Leaves of crystal glass."
Long and bitterly he wept,
But with night again he slept.

Gladly in the dawning,
Did he wake to find
That the gentle fairies
Had again been kind.
How his blazing crystals
Lit the morning air!

Never had the forest

Seen a sight so fair.

Then a driving storm did pass;
All his leaves were shattered glass.

Humbly said the Pine-tree,

"I have learned 'tis best Not to wish for fortunes

Fairer than the rest. Glad were I, and thankful,

If I might be seen