A YOUNG mouse lived in a cup-board where sweet-meats were kept. She dined every day upon biscuit, fruit, and fine sugar. Never did any little mouse live so well.

She had often dared to peep at the fam-i-ly while they sat at supper. Sometimes she even stole on the carpet, and picked up the crumbs. No one ever hurt her.

Well, one day she came to her mother in great joy, crying out, "Mother! the

good people of this fam-i-ly have built me a house to live in; it is in the cup-board. I am sure it is for me, for it is just the right size. The bottom is of wood, and it is covered all over with wires. There is a door, too, just big enough for me, so that puss cannot follow me. The good people have put in some toasted cheese, which smells so nicely, that I should have at once run in ; but I thought I would tell you first. Let us both go in, and lodge there to-night; for it will hold us both."

"My dear child," said the old mouse, "it is lucky you did not go in; for your fine house is nothing but a trap. You would never have come out again, except to have been killed. Though man has not so fierce a look as a cat, he is as full of guile, and is no friend of ours."

Script Exercise.

Write the names of all the colours that you know.

XVIII. THE SEASONS.

is sweet

Spring
When flowers are fair;

Summer's heat

Is hard to bear.

Autumn shows

Its fuit like gold; Winter's

Are

snows

very cold.

Summer, Spring, And Autumn gay, And Winter wing

Full fast away. While they flee,

They

seem to call,

How good is He Who gave them all!"

They live in a little house made of wood, and the little boy and girl to whom they

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