already full of tears, ready for a violent outbreak, when, to his great joy, in came Master Tim, cautiously looking all about for the dog, and laid Master Sparrow at Johnny's feet.

Johnny thought the bird was dead, and put out his hand to take him up, when Master Sparrow, as if to bring matters to a close, gave him a sharp peck with his beak, and made him smart.

Johnny was too glad to feel his little friend alive to take any offence at this salute, and on trying again, Master Sparrow settled on his hand, and was caressed with much affection.

Master Tim, seeing his master bestow so much love on the sparrow, seemed to feel jealous, and purred round his legs, and rubbed himself against him, as much as to say, "Have you no love for me, who have saved his life!"

Master Johnny, however, when his surprise had passed away at this extraordinary adventure, took up Master Tim and caressed him as he deserved. It was a pleasing picture to behold. There was Master Johnny first and foremost, who seemed puzzled how to divide his attachment between his quadruped and

biped friend; then there was Master Tim on his knee, with an erect and undulating tail, singing, in his way, a subdued and soft song of love: and on Master Johnny's shoulder (I wonder the impudent fellow did not get on the top of his head) sat Master Sparrow, perking and twitching his tail, and turning his head first to one side then to the other, as if the approbation of all beholders was upon him. But we must forgive his weakness-he was a rare fellow, and if there can be any excuse for conceit, it is the possession of extraordinary merit.

And now, my little readers, it occurs to me that you may think this all untrue-that it is what is called a fable-but I am very desirous of giving you truth instead of fiction, and I must tell you that the facts are facts, and if there be any fiction, it is only in the kindly feelings I have attributed to all the party; and who shall say I am wrong? The boy could, if he had liked, have ill used the cat; the cat, if she had liked,

could have killed the bird; they were all unrestrained in this power; but they did not use it,—and why? I leave you all to answer the question by the dictates your own hearts.

of

MY GRANDMOTHER.

BY MRS. ABDY.

H! let me, dear Grandmother, stand by your

knee :

How calm and how happy you look,

One hand on your crutch is reclining, I see,

And the other is laid on a book;

That book is the Bible-you trust in its truth,
You fervently dwell on its page;

It always, I know, was the guide of your youth,
And now 'tis the staff of your age.

To train my dear mother you early began
In the path that she afterwards trod;
She learned from the Bible her duty to man,
And also her duty to God;

It ever seems ready her spirit to soothe,
Ever able her thoughts to engage ;

I trust that I also may love it in youth,
And continue to love it in age.

You are always, dear Grandmother, pleased and content,

And never severe or unkind;

You are thankful to God for the good he has sent,
And in grief you are meek and resigned:

Your peace is obtained from that volume of truth-
May it ever your trials assuage!

And, oh! may the hopes that it gave you in youth, Grow brighter and brighter in age!

THE CLEVER BOY.

ONE OF RANDY THE WOODCUTTER'S FABLES.

BY MRS. S. C. HALL.

66

"WELL, but grandmamma!” expostulated Ed

win, "everybody says I am very clever;— now do not laugh, everybody says so, and what everybody says must be true."

"First," replied his grandmother, "I do not think that what everybody says must of necessity be true; and, secondly, in what consists your 'everybody?" "Why, there is nurse."

"Capital authority! an old woman who nursed your mother, and, consequently, loves you dearly; go on."

"And the doctor;-he said I was so clever, the other morning, when I swallowed the pill without one crooked face."