12. "There! was there ever any thing more beautiful? Now, we will set the wine-glass in this little saucer, and place some sweetscented geranium leaves around the edge, with a few snowdrops distributed tastefully among them.

13. "Mother will admire it, she loves flowers so much. Now, little one, do you not think there is a bright side to this affair? I am not sure but pussy did us a favor, by giving us so much pleasure from quite an unexpected source."

14. "I think you have found the bright side, Alice, though I am sure I never should. I almost wanted the old cat killed."

15. "Never be angry at a poor, unreasoning animal, my child. Cultivate a more noble disposition, and learn to control yourself, even in the smallest matters that might disturb the quiet of your mind.

16. "It is only by such self-control that you can ever arrive at true womanhood. Look for the bright side even of your disappointments and troubles. By such a course you will make for yourself a welcome every where, and your own happiness will be increased a thousand-fold.".

1. I can fold up my claws
In my soft velvet paws,
And purr in the sun

Till the short day is done-
For I am the family cat.

I can doze by the hour

In the vine-covered bower,

Winking and blinking

Through sunshine and shower—
For I am the family cat.

2. From the gooseberry bush,
Or where bright currants blush,
I may suddenly spring

For a bird on the wing;

Or dart up a tree,

If a brown nest I see,

And select a choice morsel

For dinner or tea;

And no one to blame me,

3. In the cold winter night,
When the ground is all white,
And the icicles shine

In a long silver line,
I stay not to shiver

In the moonbeam's pale quiver,
But curl up in the house

As

snug as a mouse,

And play Jacky Horner

In the cosiest corner;
Breaking nobody's laws,

With my chin on my paws,

Asleep with one eye, and awake with the other,
For pats from the children, kind words from the

1. The cold wind was blowing and the big drops of rain were falling fast.

2. "My children," said mamma, "you need not go to school this morning; but if you wish,

you may have a room all to yourselves, and play school at home."

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3. "O, thank you, mamma," said Arthur and Herbert and Irving, all at once; "that will be so nice.” "And after the school is fairly begun, won't you come and see us?" said little Herbert. And he went up to mamma and kissed her.

4. "Do you want me to come, Berty?" said mamma. They always called little Herbert Berty.

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5. "O, yes," said Berty, "we always like to have visitors. Our teacher says it does the scholars good to have visitors.'

6. "Well, I will come and see you by-andby. Who shall be the teacher?" said mamma.

7. "I want Arthur to teach me," said little Irving. "Sometimes he teaches me at the big school, and the teacher says he is a good little teacher. I want Arthur to teach me," he said again.

8. "I'm agreed," said Herbert; "for Arthur is the oldest and knows the most. So Arthur is elected teacher."

9. "Now," said Arthur, " as I am to be the teacher and you the scholars, I must have a

big seat up at a desk, and you must have little seats on the floor.

10. "This table will make a good desk, if we move it out from the wall a little way, and raise the back leaf.

11. “The chair shall sit behind the table. desk is ready.

There! my

12. "Now, Irving, you may get the little bell and put it on the desk. I shall want the bell to call the school to order, and to let you know when to recite. What shall we get for you to sit on? Oh! I know now-if mamma will let us have them: two little stools in the parlor."

13. "I will ask her," said Berty; and away

he ran.

"Yes, we can have them, and here

they are. How soft they are! 14. " Now," said Arthur, "it is time for school to begin. You may get your little books and slates, and put them on my desk. When I tap the bell you must take your seats and sit up straight." And Arthur went to the desk and gave the bell a tap.