A BIT OF POTTERY. The potter stood at his daily work, Till my friend said low, in pitying voice, The potter never paused in his work, "No, marm, it isn't the foot that kicks- YE CHILDREN, BE GAY. Ye children, be gay, 'Tis right you should play When your life's just begun. But you should be kind, You will not go astray. Be good while you may, 'Tis a message from Heaven; Do good day by day, A commandment that's given. LUCY S. RUGGLES, DO YOUR BEST. A gentleman once said to a physician: "I think that at night you would feel so worried over the work of the day that you would not be able to sleep." "My head hardly touches the pillow till I fall asleep," replied the physician. "I made up my mind,” he continued, "at the commencement of my professional career to do my best under all circumstances, and so doing I am not troubled with any misgivings." to say, A good rule for us to follow. Too many are disposed "No matter how I do this work now; next time I'll do better." The practice is as bad as the reasoning. "No matter how I learn this lesson in the lower class⚫ when I get into a higher department then I'll study." As well might the mother in knitting stockings, say, "No matter how the tip is done; even if I do drop a stitch now and then, I'll do better when I get further along." What kind of a stocking would that be? As well might the builder say, "I don't care how I make the foundation of this house; anything will do here; wait till I get to the top, then I'll do good work." 66 Said Sir Joshua Reynolds once to Doctor Samuel Johnson: Pray tell me, sir, by what means have you attained such extraordinary accuracy and flow of language in the expression of your ideas?" "I laid it down as a fixed rule," replied the doctor, "to do my best on every occasion, and in every company, to impart what I know in the most forcible language I can put it. DOING NOTHING. Worthless, wicked boys I've seen And they grew up worthless men, Life to them a failure proved, OLD SPECKLED HEN. Have you e'er seen my speckled hen, And after, cackled long and loud, This dear old cackling, speckled hen, But soon she fluttered in and out, I wondered what 'twas all about, Now she would cluck and strut as fine When she came off her nest to dine, But silently she kept her house, As quiet as a churchyard mouse, And never raised her head. And when three weeks had rolled around, A chirping sound I heard, And, looking in the old keg, there I saw a yellow bird! It's little eyes were black and bright, It cuddled in the nest; And on its head were spots of brown, In softest down 'twas dressed. Chirp! chirp! I searched and saw some more, I counted them, one! two! three! four! The hen flew out with cluck and clack, The chicks were bright, the hen was proud LUCY S. RUGGLES. LITTLE FOXES. Among my tender vines I spy, Then set upon him, quick, I say, Around each tender vine I plant, Then fast as ever hunter ran, Chase him with brave and bold “1 Can.” "No Use in Trying!" lags and whines This fox among my tender vines. Then drive him low and drive him high, Among the vines in my small lot, Then hunt him out and to his den, A little fox is hidden there Among my vines, named "I Don't Care." Then let "I'm Sorry," hunter true, Chase him far from vines and you. HOW TO DEAL WITH NEW-LAID EGGS. [The little girl who recites this should have a basket of eggs in her hand.] Be gentle to the new-laid egg, 'Tis but a little while at best SUNBEAMS. Merry little sunbeams, Flitting here and there; Come they with the morning light, Kind words are little sunbeams, In sorrow's eye they dry the tear, |