Every little grape, dear, that clings unto the vine, Expects some day to ripen its little drops of wine. Every little girl, I think, expects in time to be Exactly like her own mamma--as sweet and good as she. Every little boy who has a pocket of his own, Expects to be the biggest man the world has ever known. Every little lambkin, too, that frisks upon the green, Expects to be the finest sheep that ever yet was seen. Every little baby colt expects to be a horse; Every little puppy hopes to be a dog, of course. Every little kitten pet, so tender and so nice, Expects to be a grown-up cat and live on rats and mice. Every little fluffy chick, in downy yellow dressed, Expects some day to crow and strut or cackle at his best. Every little baby bird that peeps from out its nest, Expects some day to cross the sky from glowing east to west. Now every hope I've mentioned here will bring its sure event, Provided nothing happens, dear, to hinder or prevent. "WHERE'S SOPHIE?" Sophie climbed the garden trellis, Plucked the finest grapes in view; How they shone with red and amber, As the sun came glinting through. She was taking painting lessons, And she paused and gazed at them; "Oh," she said, "a pretty picture, Grapes and green leaves on a stem. "I will leave them here, unbroken, Close beside the garden walk; Look!" she said, to Cousin Mary, "Just anear this broken stalk." Off they went through pleasant pathways; Staying longer than they knew, By a russet, leaf-strewn border, With its asters, pink and blue. Then their friendly gossip over, Homeward as they turned to go; "Oh, the grapes!" said Sophie, quickly, "We must go for those, you know." When they reached the precious cluster, Five bold sparrows pertly stood, Pecking at the grapes beside them, Chattering in a wanton mood. "Look! Oh, look!" said cousin Mary, "Sparrows at your luscious store!" "Shoo!" said Sophie, "was there ever Such a piece of work before?" Pilfering sparrows, you have taught me, By this loss, a lesson true; When a bunch of grapes I gather, Just to keep them safe from you. "IF I CAN, I WILL." I knew a boy who was preparing to enter the junior class of the New York University. He was studying trigonometry, and I gave him three examples for his next lesson. The following day he came into my room to demonstrate his problems. Two of them he understood; but the third--a very difficult one--he had not performed. I said to him,--"Shall I help you?" "No, sir! I can and will do it, if you give me time." I said: "I will give you all the time you wish." The next day he came into my room to recite another lesson in the same study. "Well, Simon, have you worked that example?"