We heard as we wer passing by the forge: “’Er’s dead,” said he. “’Tis Providence’s doing,” so said George. “He’s allus doing summat,” so I said, “You see this pig; we kept un aal the year Fatting un up and priding in un, see, And spent a yup o’ money--food so dear! I wish ’twer ’e; I’d liefer our fat pig had died than she.” 5. A RIVER, A PIG, AND BRAINS Last fall, to sell his oldest perry, Old Willum Fry did cross the ferry, And thur inside of an old sty ’A seed a leanish pig did lie: A rakish, active beast ’a was As ever rooted up the grass: Eager as bees on making honey To stuff his self. Bill did decide To buy un with the cider money And fat un up for Easter-tide. He bought un, but no net ’ad got To kip thic pig inside the boat. “The’ll drown wi’ pig and all at ferry!” Cried one. Said Fry, “Go, bring some perry, And this old drinking-horn you got, Lying inside the piggery cot!” He poured a goodish swig and soon --As lazy as a day o’ June-- Piggy lay boozed, and so did bide Snoring, while him and Fry were taken ’Cross Severn: and ’a didn’t waken Until the boat lay safely tied Up to a tree on t’other side. 6. MARTHA BAZIN ON MARRIAGE This is the fourth ’un, Miss, and if so be As he do die out like the t’other three, I’ll take another man (if one do ask). Woman and man apart be like a cask Without a bung, letting Life’s cider out, The Almighty made to drink withouten doubt. I never could abode the thought o’ waste Whether of Life or cider, fit for taste. But love him, Miss, you ask?--why, that I can, And thank the Lord I could love any man. _CHILDREN_ 1. LITTLE ABEL GOES TO CHURCH And this is what he heard And saw at church: Oh, a great yellow bird Upon a perch-- Quite still upon a perch. And then a man in white Got up and walked to it, And talked to it For a long while (he said); But the yellow bird (Although it must have heard!) Never turned its head, Or did anything at all But look straight at the wall! (_A true tale._) 2. DELIGHTS Small Marjorie In an apple-tree Looks down upon the world with glee. Her brother Ted, So he has said, Loves best to see the chickens fed. And little Charlie likes to see The Thresher working hard, when he Hums like a dreadful bumble-bee. But Ann and Martha sit together Reading, however gold the weather. 3. THE BOY WITH LITTLE BARE TOES He ran all down the meadow, that he did, The boy with the little bare toes. The flowers they smelt so sweet, so sweet, And the grass it felt so funny and wet And the birds sang just like this--“chereep!” And the willow-trees stood in rows. “Ho! ho!” Laughed the boy with the little bare toes.