replied with a blush.

After which, one may be sure, the mother's fingers went to work quickly
upon the ball. But that is a way mothers have, of ever standing ready to
give help and encouragement to their boys and girls.




SWINGING.

BY ELIZABETH LINCOLN GOULD.


Swing, swing, under the apple tree,
Down in the orchard when apples are red;
Catch the rope tightly then up and away you go,
Up to the green, spreading boughs overhead.

Swing, swing under the apple tree,
Up till you see the sky through the green;
Down till your feet sweep the grass growing under you,
Up, up again to the wide, leafy screen.

--_Youth's Companion._




[Entered at the Post Office at Elgin, Ill., as Second Class Mail