THE STORY OF JOHNNY DAWDLE.

HERE, little folks, listen, I'll tell you a tale-
Though to shock and surprise you I fear it won't fail;
Of Master John Dawdle my story must be,
Who, I'm sorry to say, is related to me.

And yet, after all, he's a nice little fellow

His eyes are dark brown, and his hair is pale yellow;
And, though not very clever, or tall, it is true,
He is better than many, if worse than a few!

But he dawdles at breakfast, he dawdles at tea,
He's the greatest small dawdle that ever could be ;
And when in his bed-room, it is his delight,
To dawdle in dressing at morning and night.

And, oh! if you saw him sit over a sum,

You'd much wish to pinch him with finger and thumb ;
And then if you scold him, he looks up so meek ;
Dear me ! one would think that he hardly could speak.

Each morning the same he comes tumbling down,
And often enough is received with a frown,
And a terrible warning of something severe,
Unless on the morrow he sooner appear.

But where does he live? that I'd rather not say,
Though, if truth must be told, I have met him to-day;
I meant just to pass him with merely a bow,
But he stopped and conversed for a minute or so.
"Well, where are you going?" politely said I,
To which he replied, with a groan and a sigh,
"I've been doing my Latin from breakfast till dinner,
And pretty hard work that is for a beginner."

"But now I suppose you are going to play,
And have pleasure and fun for the rest of the day."
"Indeed but I'm not, there's that bothering sum;
And then there's a tiresome old copy to come."

"Dear me !" I replied, and I thought it quite sad
There should be such hard work for one poor little lad;
But just at that moment a lady passed by,

And her words soon made clear that mistaken was I.

"Now then, Mr. Dawdle, get out of my way,

I suppose you intended to stop here all day;
The bell has done ringing, and yet, I declare,

Your hands are not washed, nor yet brushed is your hair.”

"Ho, ho!" I exclaimed, " Mr. Dawdle, indeed,"
And I took myself off with all possible speed;
Quite distressed that I should for a moment be seen,
With one who so lazy and careless had been.

So now, if you please, we will wish him good-bye;
And if you should meet him by chance, as did I,
Just bid him good-morning, and say that a friend
(Only don't mention names) hopes he soon may amend.
M. H. F. D.

ADVICE FOR ALL.

COMMIT thou all thy griefs

And ways into His hands,

To His sure truth and tender care,
Who earth and heaven commands.

Put thou thy trust in God,

In duty's path go on;

Fix on His word thy steadfast eye,
So shall thy work be done.

Through waves, and clouds, and storms,

He gently clears thy way :

Wait thou His time-thy darkest night
Shall end in brightest day.