Down went the slate on the floor, and away went cat, bird, and Dora.
There was a wild chase on the lawn. "In a minute" Dora came back
weeping, with the poor bird in her hand, but, oh! the life had all been
shaken out of him.

[Illustration: Dora and the bird.]

How Dora cried! Mamma was sorry for her, but said, "A great many things
may happen 'in a minute,' Dora. I hope the next time you are told to do
a thing, you will do it at once."

MARY ADDISON.




THE CHRISTMAS TREE

[Illustration: THE CHRISTMAS TREE]


Spring and Summer and russet Fall
Come and go with a varied cheer;
Each has something, and none has all,
Of the good things of the year.

Winter laughs, though the trees are bare,
With a kindly laugh that is good to see;
For of all the forest is none so rare
As his merry Christmas-tree.