Well, by and by the sap in the little kettle had boiled into sirup. Then the children brought some clean snow in their cups, and carefully dipped a spoonful of hot sirup into each cup. The snow cooled it at once, and turned it into clear, hard candy. I wish you could have had some of it to eat! I know they thought it was delicious. Soon after they had eaten their candy, they put out the fire with snow, and went home, having had a very happy time; and they did not forget to take candy enough with them for mother and little sister, and all the rest of the family. ANNA HOLYOKE. [Illustration] WHERE IS THE BABY? OH! who has seen my baby? Does anybody know Where I can find my darling, My precious little Joe? The house is very lonesome; No baby do I see: Oh! if my missing treasure Would but come back to me! Ah! here is a young lady, Just four years old to-day, Who tells me that my darling Is not so far away. What! this great girl my baby? Well, well, it must be so; But, really, it's amazing To see how babies grow. KATE CAMERON. [Illustration] THE BIRD'S RETURN. "WHERE have you been, little birdie,-- Where have you been so long?" "Warbling in glee Far o'er the sea, And learning for you a new song, My sweet,-- Learning for you a new song." "Why did you go, little birdie,-- Why did you go from me?" "Winter was here, Leafless and drear; And so I flew over the sea, My sweet,-- So I flew over the sea." "What did you see, little birdie,-- What did you see each day?" "Sunshine and flowers, Blossoms and bowers, And pretty white lambkins at play, My sweet,-- Pretty white lambkins at play." "Who kept you safe, little birdie,-- Who kept you safe from harm?" "The Father of all, Of great and of small: He sheltered me under his arm, My sweet,-- Under his dear, loving arm." GEORGE COOPER. [Illustration] [Illustration: THE DUCKS AND GEESE.] [Illustration: Music] THE DUCKS AND GEESE. Words from "The Nursery." Music by T. CRAMPTON. _Lively. mf_