They had golden dots on every shell; And they stood so still, and "dressed" so well, You might think they were called up to spell; And a "master" turtle, big and brown, On the top of the rock sat looking down In a learned way, as you might say To "put out words,"--and perhaps 'twas so, Though I heard no word,--but this, I know, The five little heads looked so very wise With their little bead eyes, they must have heard If ever the master pronounced a word. [Illustration] In school or not, it was getting hot; And by and by, as the sun rose high, With the June-like drowsiness it sheds, They could not keep from going to sleep; And what do you think they did with their heads? Swallowed them! Oh, then, laugh, if you will; But true it is, still: Into their necks, as a sailor would slide His spy-glass into its leathern hide, They slid their five little heads away From the sight of man and the light of day. While I stood watching them, still as a mouse, Pleased at their comical way to keep house, I heard a terrible splash and croak, As a great bull-frog leapt up on the log, In a way to frighten such simple folk. Five little turtles, quick as a wink, Into the water slip and sink; And one big turtle, just as quick, Off from the log goes down like a brick. Ah, well! my turtles are not like boys, They can live in the pond, and they do hate noise! GEORGE S. BURLEIGH. THE CHIMNEY-SWEEP. LITTLE Mary in the picture is afraid of Jacob, the chimney-sweep. He does look black and ugly; but he is a good boy, for all that, and Mary ought not to be afraid of him. His parents died when he was very small, and he was bound out to a master, who taught him how to clean chimneys. Jacob did not like the work at first, and was afraid to go up the chimney; but now that he has got used to it, he likes it quite well. He sometimes sings a merry song while he is at work. [Illustration] Mary's mother has sent for him to come and clean out her chimney; for it is choked up with soot, and she cannot make her fire burn. LEONORA, from the German. [Illustration] BILLY AND BRUISER. BILLY is a small boy: Bruiser is a big dog. They are great friends. Billy gets on Bruiser's back, and treats him as if he were a horse. Bruiser takes this as a good joke. He likes to have Billy play with him in this way. But it would not be safe for anybody else to do it. Bruiser is a grand watch-dog. One day the old dog gave a fierce growl to keep off a butterfly. He thought the butterfly was going to attack Billy. Billy had a good laugh at this; for, small as he is, he thinks he is a match for a butterfly. UNCLE CHARLES. TWO LITTLE MAIDENS.