One of the boys begged leave to give Gypsy an apple, and the teacher said he might. Gypsy took the apple in his mouth and made a little bow. The scholars laughed so long that the teacher had to close the door for fear Gypsy would do some other funny thing. KATY KYLE. [Illustration: {TWO LITTLE GIRLS.}] A LITTLE GIRL'S WEDDING GIFT. If I could choose a wedding gift, I'd climb for you the rainbow stairs And bring a star to bless This day of happiness. As I came down, a bird I'd lift From off his nest, that his sweet airs And songs might you delight From rosy morn till night. But rainbow stairs are hard to mount, The birds hide in the trees' green shade, And so I bring, dear friend, to you The flowers wet with dew. [Illustration: {TWO LITTLE GIRLS.}] Take them, and then take me; please count My eyes your stars; the little maid Who offers flowers, your bird, Whose heart with love is stirred. [Illustration: {A LITTLE GIRL IN A PATCH OF FLOWERS.}] May child love and the birds together Make all your life like summer weather; May flowers blossom in your sight, And golden stars bring peace at night. MRS. E. ANNETTE HILLS. DO RIGHT. "Well met, my little man! Now tell me, if you can, The very nicest way To spend this long, dull day." "Well, sir, my mother says, Of all the pretty ways To make a dark day bright The best is just do right!" M. J. T. DOG PRINCE. "Shake hands, Prince!" Black as a coal, and curly, too. Is the dog I introduce to you. He gives at once his right-hand paw, None a softer one ever saw. [Illustration: {PRINCE SHAKING HANDS WITH A LITTLE BOY.}] "Beg, Prince!" Up he rises on his hind legs, Flies both little fore-feet, and begs, Not for money, nor food, nor clothes, But merely to show how much he knows. "Speak, Prince!" You'd think from that first growling note, He'd a bumble-bee inside his throat; 'Tis not a bee, but only a bark; For answer, shrill and eager, hark! [Illustration: {PRINCE BEGGING.}] "Roll over, Prince!" He'll do all other things you ask; But this is a task, a dreadful task. He hates the dust on his silky hide And in the fringe of his ears beside. "Roll over, I say!" Such a struggle as he goes through; He wants to do it, and don't want to! He rubs one black ear on the floor, Rubs a little, and nothing more. "Ah, Prince! Ah, Prince!" Do you call that minding? Yet, I find Yours is a common way to mind: Willing to do what you like to best, And only half-way doing the rest. MRS. CLARA DOTY BATES. [Illustration: {THE CHILDREN BY THE LILY POND.}] WHERE THE PRETTY PATH LED.