They fed it on berries and crumbs and it grew rapidly. It soon learned to perch on one of the boy's fingers and pick its food from his hand. When it had eaten enough it would fly to his shoulder and seem quite contented. In due time it became full grown, and though it seemed to know and appreciate the attention given it by the boys, yet it seemed to long for more freedom than the little cage afforded. The boys noticed this, and with sad hearts concluded it would be cruel to keep it confined and so gave it its freedom. For some time it lingered around the house, in branches of the trees, but finally it flew away to the woods. HAYMAKING. Many a long hard-working day Life brings us! And many an hour of play; But they never come now together, Playing at work, and working in play, As they came to us children among the hay, In the breath of the warm June weather. Oft, with our little rakes at play, Making believe at making hay. With grave and steadfast endeavor; Caught by an arm, and out of sight Hurled and hidden, and buried light In laughter and hay forever. Now pass the hours of work and play With a step more slow, and the summer's day Grows short, and more cold the weather. Calm is our work now, quiet our play, We take them apart as best we may, For they come no more together! DORA GREENWELL. [Illustration: {A COLLECTION OF LEAFY PLANTS.}] WINDOW GARDENING. Many a home, now dark and cheerless, might be made bright and cheery by a few plants in the window, or bunches of ferns and bright autumn leaves, fastened on the wall, or on the pictures. Homes cannot be made too bright and home-like for the husband and the children; and these little things cost little or nothing, and add much to the general appearance. A novel and pretty window ornament can be made in this way: Take a white sponge of large size, and sow it full of rice, oats and wheat. Then place it, for a week or ten days, in a shallow dish, in which a little water is constantly kept, and as the sponge will absorb the moisture, the seeds will begin to sprout before many days. When this has fairly taken place, the sponge may be suspended by means of cords from a hook in the top of the window where a little sun will enter. It will thus become a mass of green, and can be kept wet by merely immersing it in a bowl of water. "CHEER UP." BY ANNA ELIZABETH C. KELLY. "Oh, it is too bad; too bad! that mother should be so troubled for the want of a little money," said Mabel. "Cheer up! Cheer up!" rang out a voice close at hand, "pretty Poll; cheer up!" and a bright green parrot with a yellow breast began to beat against the bars of his cage as if he would like to get out.