THE NURSERY _A Monthly Magazine_ FOR YOUNGEST READERS. VOLUME XXX.--No. 2. BOSTON: THE NURSERY PUBLISHING COMPANY, NO. 36 BROMFIELD STREET. 1881. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1881, by THE NURSERY PUBLISHING COMPANY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. [Illustration: JOHN WILSON & SON UNIVERSITY PRESS] [Illustration: Contents.] IN PROSE. PAGE The Young Fisherman 225 A slight Mistake 227 Two Games 231 More about "Zip Coon" 232 Sam and his Goats 234 Mary's Squirrel 240 Drawing-Lesson 241 The Chimney-sweep 244 Billy and Bruiser 246 "If I were only a King" 248 Use before Beauty 249 Ten Minutes with Johnny 251 A Cat Story 252 Tom's Apple 254 IN VERSE. The Hen-Yard Door 228 Toy-Land 238 A Turtle Show 242 Two Little Maidens 247 Summer Rambles 250 See-Saw (_with music_) 256 [Illustration] THE YOUNG FISHERMAN. WHEN Charley was eight years old, his father gave him, for a birthday present, a nice fishing-line. The little boy was greatly pleased. He had fished often in a tub of water with a pin-hook; but now, for the first time, he had a real fishing-line and pole, and was able to go a-fishing in earnest. The very first pleasant day, he got leave from his father to go to the pond and try his luck. "Be sure to bring home a good mess of fish, Charley," said his father. "Oh, yes! papa," said Charley, and with his fishing-pole on his shoulder out he went. What fun it was! First he dug some worms for bait; then he baited his hook nicely; then he took his stand on a little platform, made on purpose for the use of fishermen, and threw out his hook. There he stood, in the shade of the old willow-tree, and waited for the fish to bite. As he looked down into the calm, clear water, he saw a boy, just about his own size, looking up at him. He had no other company. He kept close watch of the pretty painted cork, expecting every moment to see it go under water. But for a long, long time it floated almost without motion. Charley's patience began to give out. "I don't believe there are any fish here," thought he. Just then the cork dipped a little on one side. Then it stopped. Then it dipped again.