Far over the water so blue and so deep, The little Dutch babies are going to sleep; Bright yellow tulips are nodding their heads And fluffy young ducks are safe in their beds, While slowly the windmills go whirling around— Go whirling around—go whirling around. Far over the water the sails are furled And the stars peep out on a sleepy world; The moo cows moo softly beneath the trees And the white sheep drowse in the evening breeze, While slowly the windmills go whirling around— Go whirling around—go whirling around. Far over the water comes down the night, Fading and fading the silvery light, While storks on their nests stand white and tall, And over the tree-tops the shadows fall. While slowly the windmills go whirling around— Go whirling around—go whirling around. —_Ella Broes van Heekeren._ [Illustration] IF WE WORK UPON MARBLE. If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust! but if we work upon our immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles—with the just fear of God and our fellowmen—we engrave on those tablets something which will brighten to all eternity. —_Daniel Webster._ THE DUEL. [Illustration] The gingham dog and the calico cat Side by side on the table sat; ’Twas half-past twelve, and (what do you think!) Not one nor t’other had slept a wink! The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate Appeared to know as sure as fate There was going to be a terrible spat (_I wasn’t there; I simply state_ _What was told to me by the Chinese plate!_) The gingham dog went “bow-wow-wow!” And the calico cat replied “mee-ow!” The air was littered an hour or so, With bits of gingham and calico; While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place, Up with its hands before its face, For it always dreaded a family row! (_Now mind: I’m only telling you_ _What the old Dutch clock declares is true!_) The Chinese plate looked very blue, And wailed, “Oh, dear! what shall we do!” But the gingham dog and the calico cat Wallowed this way and tumbled that, Employing every tooth and claw In the awfullest way you ever saw— And, Oh! how the gingham and calico flew! (_Don’t fancy I exaggerate!_ _I got my views from the Chinese plate!_) Next morning where the two had sat They found no trace of dog or cat; And some folks think unto this day That burglars stole that pair away! But the truth about that cat and pup Is this: They ate each other up! Now what do you really think of that! (_The old Dutch clock it told me so,_ _And that is how I came to know._) —_Eugene Field._