Said Mr. Mouse,--"I know a place Where nice sweet grass is growing; Where corn-flowers blue, and buttercups And poppies red, are blowing." "Oh, deary me!" said Mrs. Mouse, "We'll build us there a house." So, of some sweet and tender grass They built their house together; And had a happy time, through all The pleasant summer weather. "Oh, deary me!" said Mrs. Mouse, "Who ever had so nice a house?" JOHNNY'S GARDEN. Johnny had a garden plot, And set it all in order, But let it run to grass and weeds, Which covered bed and border. Two stalking sun-flowers reared their heads, So firmly were they rooted, And Johnny, as he looked at them, Was any thing but suited. Two children small, looked up and said, Oh, Mister, beg your pardon! Or, if you will not answer that, Say, sonny, where's your garden? "What d'ye call those two large flowers? An' what'll ye take, an' sell em? You'd better put a ladder up, So folks our size can smell 'em. "We heard old Mrs. Grubber say, 'That spot ye needn't covet; He'd better turn it into hay, Or make a grass-plot of it.'" But Johnny never answered back, But went and dug it over, And soon again, his sprouting seeds, He plainly could discover. He said, "I'll have a garden yet. And make a little money; I never liked those Podger twins,-- They try to be so funny." BOY BILLY AND THE RABBIT. Billy, boy! Billy, boy! He was his mother's joy, But he couldn't shoot an arrow worth a cent; And a rabbit almost laughed As she watched the flying shaft, And the place upon the target where it went. The rabbit passing by, So very soft and sly, Took Billy for a hunter gaily dressed; But when she came anear, She said, "'Tis very clear It's safe enough to stay and take a rest." Said the rabbit, "Billy, boy, You never will annoy Anybody, by your shooting at a mark; With an arrow and a bow, I just would like to show, I can reach the bull's-eye nearer in the dark." Just then an arrow flew, That pierced it thro' and thro' Which made Miss Bunny start, and jump, sky high! She cried, "Oh, dear! Oh, dear! It's safer in the rear;" And scampered off and never said,--"Good-bye." You see the reason why, 'Tis always best to try, Tho' others laugh and slander all the same; For be it late or soon, They'll always change their tune, When they see your arrow doesn't miss its aim. A FISH STORY. HOPE LEDYARD. Six eager faces, all crowding around to "see the picture!" Four of the faces belong to girls--Edith and Mamie, Birdie and Jeanie, while Al and Dick, who are pretty big boys, "over ten," lean over the back of the chair. "_He's_ had a good catch," says Al.