My dreams are light and happy,
As I innocently lie,

For my mother's kiss is on my cheek
And my father's step is nigh.

A MAIDEN'S PSALM OF LIFE

PHOEBE CARY.

[To be recited by a little girl.]

Tell me not, in idle jingle,

แ

Marriage is an empty dream!" For the girl is dead that's single,

And girls are not what they seem.

Life is real-life is earnest-
Single blessedness a fib!

"Man thou art, to man returnest!"
Has been spoken of the rib.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way.
But to act, that each to-morrow
Finds us nearer marriage day!

Life is long and youth is fleeting,
And our hearts, though light and gay
Still, like pleasant drums, are beating
Wedding marches on the way.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,

Be not like dumb driven cattle,
Be a heroine-a wife!

Trust no future, howe'er pleasant,
Let the dead past bury its dead!
Act-act in the living present;

Heart within and hope ahead.

Lives of married folks remind us
We can live our lives as well,
And, departing, leave behind us
Such examples as shall "tell."

Such examples that another,
Wasting time in idle sport,
A forlorn, unmarried brother,
Seeing, shall take heart and court!

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart on triumph set;

Still contriving, still pursuing,

And each one a husband get!

PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE.

ANON.

[Recite the two following pieces with simplicity and naturalness.]

Up this world and down this world,
And over this world and through,
Though drifted about

And tossed without,

Why, "paddle your own canoe."

What though the sky is heavy with clouds,

Or shining, a field of blue,

If the bleak wind blows,

Or the sunshine glows,

Still "paddle your own canoe."

What if breakers rise up ahead,
With dark waves rushing through,
Move steadily by,

With downcast eye,

And "paddle your own canoe,"

1

There are daisies springing along the shores,
Blooming and sweet for you;

There are rose-hued dyes

In the autumn skies-
Then "paddle your own canoe."

A TALE OF A MOUSE.

ANON.

Last night as I tumbled and toss'd in my bed,
Half roasted, half toasted, and nearly quite dead,
I heard a slight wriggle, and then a loud rap,
And I said to myself, "There's a mouse in the trap!"
So I jump'd up and lighted my small chamber lamp,
And quickly discover'd the precious young scamp.
I held up the box, and a pair of bright eyes
Look'd hard in my face with a midnight surprise,
And a brief little tail was coiled up there so snug,
I thought that the mouse was a common sized bug

There sat the young sinner, exceedingly slim,
He wondering at me, and I wondering at him!
"And don't you consider yourself a great rogue ?"
I said, imitating the mouse people's brogue;
"And very great villain, not honest at all?"

Said the mouse, with a whine, "I'm exceedingly small
Just look at my figure, examine my face,

I am young, my dear sir, to be caught in this case,
And if you'll but let me get out of this 'fix,'
With the best of good mice, sir, in future I'll mix."

"Not so," I replied, "you have troubled me sore-
In short, Mister Mouse, you're a terrible bore,
You've nibbled my closet, you've nibbled my nose,
You've eaten away all the ends of my toes,
And if on my cheese, sir, unharm'd you should sup,
You'd grow to a giant, and then eat me up."

The mouse gave a sigh, as I took up the box,
But he felt like a culprit just put in the stocks;

Then I went to the window and look'd on the night-
The heat was terrific, the stars were all bright.

I look'd down the court and espied a tall cat,
Who was fanning her whiskers while cooking a rat,
So said I, "Mistress Pussy, allow me to add

A bit to your meal in shape of a sad

But, I hope, very tender and delicate mouse-
The last of his tribe, so I trust, in the house."

The cat mew'd her thanks and uplifted her paws,
So I shook out the plague just over her claws.
Then rose a faint struggle, and then a short scream-
No harm to the mouse, though- -'twas all like a dream,
For I saw him run off as the cat raised her wail,

And the moon dropped a beam on the tip of his tail,

DARE AND DO!

J. W. SANBORN.

[Boldly and forcibly.]

Onward go, forward go,

Like a soldier true!
Manfully perform the work
That is yours to do!

Never fear, never faint,

In the world's highway;
Earnestly declare the right,
For it work and pray!

Nobly think, nobly act,
In life's endeavor;
Show a will to dare and do-
Be a coward never!

Onward go, forward go;

Be master of your plan:
Let your golden watchword read:
"I'll be a working man!”

THE MAGIC OF SILENCE.

ANON.

[Give in a natural, conversational style.]

You have often heard "It takes two to make a quarrel." Da you believe it? I'll tell you how one of my little friends managed. Dolly never came to see Marjorie that there was not a quarrel. Marjorie tried to speak gently, but no matter how hard she tried, Dolly finally made her so angry that she would soon speak sharp words, too.

แ 'O, what shall I do?" cried poor little Marjorie. "Suppose you try this plan," said her mamma,

"The next time