at her call.

Sometimes her father and the rest of the family would get into a boat,
and he would row across the lake to the opposite side, where some
families lived who employed Elsie's mother to wash clothes for them.

[Illustration]

At these times, the three ducks would follow the boat. Perhaps they did
not like to trust their dear Elsie on the water, unless they were by to
help her in case of need.

Sometimes old and young would join in a song; and then far over the lake
would be heard the words:

"Come to the sunset tree, the day is past and gone,
The woodman's axe lies free, and the reaper's task is done."

It was a very pretty sight, on a summer evening, when the bright clouds
over the setting sun threw their tints on the water, to see the ducks
swimming by the side of the little boat which contained Elsie and the
rest of the family. It was so pretty a sight, that a good artist made a
picture of the scene. We give you a copy of it here.

IDA FAY.

[Illustration]