WHAT DOES LITTLE BIRDIE SAY?

HAT does little birdie say

W

In her nest at peep of day?
Let me fly, says little birdie,
Mother, let me fly away.

Birdie, rest a little longer,
Till the little wings are stronger.
So she rests a little longer,
Then she flies away.

What does little baby say,
In her bed at peep of day?
Baby says, like little birdie,
Let me rise and fly away.
Baby, sleep a little longer,
Till the little limbs are stronger.
If she sleeps a little longer,
Baby too shall fly away.

ALFRED TENNYSON.

'One of us here would not be felt,

One of us here would quickly melt,

But I'll help you, and you help me,

And then what a big white drift we'll see."

"Help one another," the maple spray
Said to its fellow leaves one day;
"The sun would wither me here alone,
Long enough ere the day is gone,
But I'll help you, and you help me,

And then what a splendid shade there'll be."

"We're only little folks, but you know
Little folks sometimes make a show,
Ten of us, if we're good and pure,
Equal a big round dollar, sure."
And so the snowflakes grew to drifts,
The grains of sand to mountains,
The leaves became a pleasant shade,
And dew-drops fed the fountains;
The pennies grew to silver dimes,

The dimes to dollars, brother!
And children bring this Christmas gift
By helping one another.

GEORGE E. HUNTING.

TEACHING PUBLIC SCHOOL.

ORTY little urchins,

Coming through the door,

Pushing, crowding, making
A tremendous roar.

Why don't you keep quiet?

Can't you keep the rule?-
Bless me, this is pleasant,
Teaching public school!

Forty little pilgrims.

On the road to fame;
If they fail to reach it,

Who will be to blame?
High and lowly stations-
Birds of every feather-
On a common level

Here are brought together.

Dirty little faces,

Loving little hearts,
Eyes brimful of mischief,
Skilled in all its arts.
That's a precious darling!
What are you about?
"May I pass the water?"

"Please, may I go out ?"

Boots and shoes are shuffling,
Slates and books are rattling,
And in a corner yonder

Two pugilists are battling:
Others cutting didos-
What a botheration!
No wonder we grow crusty
From such association!
Anxious parent drops in,

Merely to inquire
Why his olive branches

Do not shoot up higher;
Says he wants his children

To mind their p's and q's,
And hopes their brilliant talents
Will not be abused.