Across the green fields those ducks would go, Widdle, waddle, wuddle, all in a row;

But the one with a feather curled up on his back Was always ahead, with his

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

Here a fat bug, and there a small toad, They snapped up quickly while on the road; But the one with the feather his broad bill would smack

As he ate the biggest with his

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

Into the brook they went with a dash,

They swam through the water with many a splash;

But the one with a feather curled up on his back He swam the fastest, with his

Some dove to the bottom, pink feet in air, And grubbed in the mud for fat worms rare. But the one with a feather of worms had no lack; For he stayed the longest, with his

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

If I told you all that these ducks did, What nice times they had in the meadow hid, The one with a feather curled up on his back Would fill half the story with his "Quack! Quack! Quack!"

An-gel-like,while earth is sleep-ing, Stars a-bove their Slumber sweet-ly till the morn-ing, Till the sun, the

watch are keep-ing, As the star of Beth-lehem world adorn - ing, Rise in all his glorious

bright. Good night!.. Good night!.. Good night!
might! Good night!.. Good night!.. Good night!

TALES OUT OF SCHOOL. II.

"This was our lesson to-day, mamma," said Vio. "We wrote on this ruled yellow paper, and Miss Hill said those who wrote well might keep The others will have to use slates

their papers.

till they make the loops all just alike."

hook fill ball hill book hill buff full

66

You see, mamma," she added, "they have to be exactly the same height, and to cross at the height of the low letters,-i, o, a, and u; and the line mustn't bend the least bit where it crosses. Miss Hill says it will not do to have crookedbacked letters.

There were only a few that had their papers to keep. She told one of the boys that his f looked as if he was thinking of his bow and arrow when he made it.

"I am very glad now that you were so particular with me. I should not like to write worse than the others."

X. WE THANK THEE.

For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,-

Father in heaven, we thank thee!

For blue of stream and blue of sky; For pleasant shade of branches high; For fragrant air and cooling breeze; For beauty of the blooming trees,Father in heaven, we thank thee!

For mother-love and father-care,
For brothers strong and sisters fair;
For love at home and school each day;
For guidance, lest we go astray,-
Father in heaven, we thank thee!

For thy dear, everlasting arms,
That bear us o'er all ills and harms;
For blessed words of long ago,

That help us now thy will to know,

Father in heaven, we thank thee!