Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 11374-h.htm or 11374-h.zip: (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/3/7/11374/11374-h/11374-h.htm) or (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/3/7/11374/11374-h.zip) FUN AND FROLIC PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. EDITED BY E. T. ROE [Illustration] [Illustration] GRANDMOTHER'S CHAIR. Grandmother sits in her easy chair Softly humming some old-time air; And as she sings, her needles keep pace With the smiles that flit o'er her wrinkled face; While the fire-light flickers, and fades away, And comes again like the breaking day. From morning till evening she knits and sings, While ever the pendulum tireless swings The moments around, with its tick and stroke, Nor hastes for the festal, nor lags for the yoke. And grandmother never repines at her fate Of being the last at the "Crystal Gate." Husband, and daughters, and sons all there, Wearing the "crown and the garments fair" Singing the songs that will never tire, And swelling the chorus of heaven's choir; But patiently, hopefully, bides the time That shall bring her at last to a fairer clime. Grandmother's chair will be vacant soon, For the rays of life slant far past noon; But yonder in heaven she'll sing again, Joining the evermore glad refrain, Wearing the "crown" and the "garments fair," While we mournfully stand by her vacant chair. HOW GRANDMA SURPRISED ELSIE. Elsie Dean was four years old when she was invited to her first party. It was Dollie Blossom's fifth birthday, and Dollie's mamma had arranged for a little party in honor of the event. Of course Elsie's mamma was perfectly willing she should go to the party, for the Blossoms were very nice people, and Mrs. Dean was always glad for an occasion of enjoyment for her little daughter. But alas, on the day before the party was to occur, Elsie went to a picnic, and was so unfortunate as to tear her dress--the only one she had which her mamma thought was suitable for her to wear to the party. "I am afraid you cannot go to the party, my dear, for now you have nothing fit to wear," said Mrs. Dean to Elsie. The little girl's eyes filled with tears, and her Grandmamma seemed to feel almost as bad about it as Elsie. But she did not wish to make the little girl feel any worse over her disappointment, so she made light of it and told her that there would probably be another birthday party soon, and by that time she would surely have a suitable dress to wear. Elsie was finally comforted, and went to bed in good spirits after kissing mamma and grandmamma good night.