THIS little maiden is out for a walk, A fair little maiden is she; And I really believe she is having a talk With a bird flying down from a tree. She asks him to tell of his home in the woods; He sings of the summer so gay; While a very tall maiden sits by on the grass, And hears every word that they say. F. E. D. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] "IF I WERE ONLY A KING." ONE fine, warm, summer day, four children were playing together in the garden. "Oh!" said one of them, "if I were only a king, I would live in a beautiful castle that should reach up to the clouds." "And I," said another, "would wear nothing but gold and silver clothes." "If I were one," cried a little boy, "I would do nothing but eat cake and pudding all day long." "And I," said a little girl, blushing, "would give money to all the poor children I saw, so that they might buy food and clothes." Which of these children do you think would have made the best ruler? LEONORA, from the German. USE BEFORE BEAUTY. THE hens and turkeys were scratching for their breakfast in front of the barn-door; while the dog lay lazily looking on. The proud peacock stood on the fence near by, and spread his tail out, that the morning sun might shine on it, and make it still more beautiful. [Illustration] "Ah!" said the peacock to one of the hens, "do you not wish that you were as handsome as I am? Then you would never have to scratch for your food, but would be fed and taken care of and admired." "I wish nothing of the kind," said the hen. "There is something which men prize more than beauty, and that is usefulness. If I were as fine and gay as you are, men would miss the eggs I lay." "That is just my view of the case," said a goose. "If I were not a goose, I should like to be a hen. I would not be a lazy peacock." "She is quite right," said the dog. "You are very beautiful to look at, Master Peacock, but that is all you are good for. Take comfort in your fine feathers, but don't boast." LEONORA, from the German. SUMMER RAMBLES. BRING the children to the fields, Where the sheep are straying; With the birds and butterflies Let them now be playing,-- In the hollow on the hill, All the green lawn over, Through the yellow buttercups, Down among the clover. With the sunshine in their hearts, In their cheeks the roses, Let them breathe the balmy air, Let them gather posies. In the merry month of June, Summer's fairest weather, Let the children and the flowers Bud and bloom together. ANNA LIVINGSTON. [Illustration] TEN MINUTES WITH JOHNNY.