LESSON LXI.

LITTLE GUSTAVA.

1. Little Gustava sits in the sun,

Safe in the porch, and the little drops run
From the icicles under the eaves so fast,
For the bright spring sun shines warm at last,
And glad is little Gustava.

2. She wears a quaint little scarlet cap,

And a little green bowl she holds in her lap,
Filled with bread and milk to the brim,
And a wreath of marigolds round the rim:
"Ha! ha!" laughs little Gustava.

3. Up comes her little gray, coaxing cat,

With her little pink nose, and she mews, "What's

that?"

Gustava feeds her, she begs for more,

And a little brown hen walks in at the door: "Good day!" cries little Gustava.

4. She scatters crumbs for the little brown hen, There comes a rush and a flutter, and then Down fly her little white doves so sweet, With their snowy wings and their crimson feet: "Welcome!" cries little Gustava.

5. So dainty and eager they pick up the crumbs. But who is this through the doorway comes?

Little Scotch terrier, little dog Rags,

Looks in her face, and his funny tail wags: "Ha! ha!" laughs little Gustava.

6. "You want some breakfast, too?" and down She sets her bowl on the brick floor brown, And little dog Rags drinks up her milk, While she strokes his shaggy locks, like silk: "Dear Rags!" says little Gustava.

7. Waiting without stood sparrow and crow, Cooling their feet in the melting snow.

"Won't you come in, good folk?" she cried, But they were too bashful, and staid outside,

Though "Pray come in!" cried Gustava.

8. So the last she threw them, and knelt on the mat, With doves, and biddy, and dog, and cat. And her mother came to the open house door: "Dear little daughter, I bring you some more, My merry little Gustava."

9. Kitty and terrier, biddy and doves,
All things harmless Gustava loves,

The shy, kind creatures 't is joy to feed,
And, oh! her breakfast is sweet indeed
To happy little Gustava!

Celia Thaxter.

DEFINITIONS.-1. Gus tä'vå, a girl's name. I'çi eleş, water frozen in long, needle-like shapes. Eaves (evz), the lower edges of a roof. 2. Quaint, odd. Măr'i gold, a yellow flower. 8. Knělt, bent on her knees. Bid'dy, chicken.

LESSON LXII.

THE INSOLENT BOY.

1. James Selton was one of the most insolent boys in the village where he lived. He would rarely pass people in the street without being guilty, of some sort of abuse.

2. If a person were well dressed he would cry out, "Dandy!" If a person's clothes were dirty or torn, he would throw stones at him, and annoy him in every way.

3. One afternoon, just as the school was dismissed, a stranger passed through the vil lage. His dress was plain and somewhat old, but neat and clean. He carried a cane in his hand, on the end of which was a bundle, and he wore a broad-brimmed hat.

4. No sooner did James see the stranger, than he winked to his playmates, and said, "Now for some fun!" He then silently went toward the stranger from behind, and, knocking off his hat, ran away.

5. The man turned and saw him, but James was out of hearing before he could speak. The stranger put on his hat, and went on his way. Again did James approach; but this time, the man caught him by the arm, and held him fast.

6. However, he contented himself with looking James a moment in the face, and then pushed him from him. No sooner did the naughty boy find himself free again, than he began to pelt the stranger with dirt and stones.

7. But he was much frightened when the "rowdy," as he foolishly called the man, was struck on the head by a brick, and badly hurt. All the boys now ran away, and James skulked across the fields to his home.

8. As he drew near the house, his sister Caroline came out to meet him, holding up