She went to the cobbler's

To buy him some shoes;
But when she came back,
He was reading the news.

She went to the seamptress'
To buy him some linen;
But when she came back,
The dog was a-spinning.

She went to the hosier's

To buy him some hose;

But when she came back,

He was dressed in his clothes.

The dame made a courtsey,

The dog made a bow;

The dame said, "Your servant," The dog said, "Bow, wow."

This wonderful dog

Was Dame Hubbard's delight; He could sing, he could dance, He could read, he could write.

She gave him rich dainties,
Whenever he fed;

And erected a monument

When he was dead.

WH

THE BABY

GEORGE MACDONALD

HERE did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into the here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin? Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high? A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose? Something better than any one knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get that pearly ear?
God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?
Love made itself into hooks and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things? From the same box as the cherub's wings.

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought about you, and so I am here.

POLITENESS

ELIZABETH TURNER

OOD girls and boys will never say,
"I will," and "Give me these ";

Ah, no; that never is the way,

But "Mother, if you please."

And "If you please," to sister Ann,
Good boys to say are ready;
And "Yes, sir," to a gentleman,
And "Yes, ma'am," to a lady.

FAULT FINDING

HERE is so much bad in the best of us,

"THE

And so much good in the worst of us,
That it scarcely behooves the most of us,
To talk about the rest of us."

Who'll carry him to the grave?

"I," said the Kite,

"If 'tis not in the night;

I'll carry him to the grave."

Who'll carry the link?

"I," said the Linnet,

"I'll fetch it in a minute;

I'll carry the link."