Sure enough,--just what Bayard has been wanting to see. Old Bruin comes out from the bushes and sniffs around. Bayard's heart beats fast, and he trembles; but not from fear. Oh, no! Perish the man who would suggest such a thing. Bruin sees Bayard and shows his teeth. Bayard picks up his gun. Bear growls, and stands upon his hind legs. Bayard raises his gun to his shoulder, his finger on the trigger. Bear comes nearer. Bayard aims. Bang! Has he killed it? Smoke clears away. No, the bear is still there; and he is thoroughly angry, too. Perhaps some of the shot has lodged in his side. Bear utters a loud growl, and springs forward. Bayard now thoroughly frightened; but too much excited to run. Bang! bang! Another shot. Bear nearer; and now he has Bayard in his claws. Tight,--tighter, the bear hugs him,--Oh, dear! Bayard can't get away! Can't breathe! Almost dead! Oh! Oh! Help! Help! "Bayard!" "Bayard!" What was that? Bayard starts up; rubs his eyes, yawns; stretches; yawns again. What! Has he been asleep? Yes, for there he is, safe and sound, his gun on the grass, no bear in sight; and his mother is calling him to dinner. And that is how Bayard shot the bear! Indeed, he couldn't have shot it otherwise with his gun, for, don't you see, it was only a toy gun which Cousin Guy had given him as a birthday present. [Illustration] We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. PHILIP JAMES BAILEY: "FESTUS." [Illustration] [Illustration] NEW YEAR'S EVE. ALFRED TENNYSON. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new; Ring, happy bells, across the snow; The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land; Ring in the Christ that is to be. [Illustration] [Illustration] EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON. P. C. ASBJORNSEN.