Before grandma could reach the house, Lily-toes had been rubbed very dry and put into dry clothes; but her wrapper and petticoats and stockings and blue shoes, lying in a sopping heap on the floor, told the tale to grandma and grandpa and the hired man, who all agreed it was a burning shame to forget Lily-toes, even for five minutes; and the hired man went so far as to remark that, "If there had been a few more women-folks in the house, she'd most likely been drown-ded." And Lily-toes looked at him gratefully, as if he had spoken the very words she had longed to say. "THANKS TO YOU." BY MARY E. BRADLEY. [Illustration] Every day for a month of Sundays, Saturdays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Mondays, Jack had pondered the various means And methods pertaining to grinding machines, Until he was sure he could build a wheel That, given the sort of dam that's proper, Would only need some corn in the hopper To turn out very respectable meal. Jerry and Jane and Jo, and the others, Jack's incredulous sisters and brothers, Gave him credit for good intentions, But took no stock in the boy's inventions. In fact they laughed them quite to scorn; Instead of wasting his time, they said, He would be more likely to earn his bread Planting potatoes or hoeing corn! Bessie alone, when all the rest Crushed his spirit with gibe and jest, Whispered softly, "Whatever they say, I know you will build the wheel some day!" Chirping crickets and singing birds Were not so sweet as her heartsome words; Straight he answered, "If ever I do, I know it will only be thanks to you!" Many a time sore heart and brain Leap at a word, grown strong again. Thanks to her, as the story goes, Hope and courage in Jack arose; Till one bright day in the meadow-brook There was heard a sound as of water plashing, And Bessie watched with her happy look The little wheel in the sunlight flashing. By and by as the years were fraught With fruit of his earnest toil and thought, Brothers and sisters changed their tune,-- "Our Jack," they cried, "will be famous soon!" Which was nothing more than Bessie knew, She said, and had known it all the while! But Jack replied with a kiss and a smile, "If ever I am, it is thanks to you!" [Illustration] HOW BIRDS FLY. BY PROF. W.K. BROOKS. In our last talk about birds (in ST. NICHOLAS for July), I told you about birds and their nests. Now I wish to say, first, a few words about the different kinds of birds, and then we will see how birds manage to fly. Naturalists have divided the class, birds, into several smaller groups which are called orders. One of these includes the birds of prey, such as the hawks, eagles, and owls. In the picture of a bird of prey you can see the strong, hooked bill and powerful claws, which are well fitted for seizing and tearing its prey.