"But there are no canaries in the village, except the schoolmaster's pair," said wise George; "and this little beauty is not one of them. I really think this bird must have come to look for a home." [Illustration] [Illustration: A] Stands over Apples, So rosy and round. [Illustration: B] Begins the word Berries, Which grow near the ground. [Illustration: C] Commences Cherries, They grow upon trees. [Illustration: D] Date-Palms or Desert, Spell which word you please. [Illustration] THE DUCKS. One little black duck, One little gray, Six little white ducks Running out to play. One white lady-duck, motherly and trim, Eight little baby-ducks bound for a swim. One little white duck Running from the water, One very fat duck-- Pretty little daughter; One very grave duck, swimming off alone, One little white duck, standing on a stone. One little white duck Holding up its wings, One little bobbing duck Making water-rings; One little black duck, turning round its head, One big black duck--see, he's gone to bed. One little lady-duck, motherly and trim, Eight little baby-ducks bound for a swim. One lazy black duck, taking quite a nap, One precious duck, here on mother's lap. [Illustration] IN TROUBLE. In terrible trouble is baby: Full loudly he screams and he cries; His breakfast is lost, and replace it He cannot,--however he tries. The cup of warm milk all so tempting, Stood safe but a moment ago; In his haste he leant over to grasp it, But instead threw it all down below. At once he burst forth into weeping, And heart-rending shrieks loud and shrill; He saw not a kind hand was near him The empty cup soon to refill. Dear baby! too often we elders, Like you, break our hearts without need, And see not the Hand that provides us Our food in sweet harvests and seed. If a check ever lessens our plenty, And wasted our crops ever lie, Then, forgetful of all our past blessings, How hastily rises our cry! Ah! dry we our blinding tears, baby, Look up to our Father above, And patiently wait till he fills us Our cups in His mercy and love. [Illustration] [Illustration: E] Twined by Evergreens. They never fade. [Illustration: F] Found in Fern-leaves, Which grow in the shade. [Illustration: G] Is a Grape-vine, Bearing some fruit. [Illustration: H] Holds a Holly bush Plucked by the root. [Illustration] DANCE, DOGGIE, DANCE. Now, Fido, I have dressed you up In cap, and coat, and cape; No, no, indeed my little friend, You cannot yet escape! Papa has seen a foreign dog Dressed up like you in France, And says that little poodle pup Was quickly taught to dance. Come, Fido, now you must be good, I will not hurt you there; Now stand upon your hinder-legs And lift them in the air. Listen--I will hum the tune And you must dance with me; I want both paws, sir, if you please. Come, Fido--one, two, three!