For a saucy crow has watched the fight, And laughs, "Haw, haw! It serves you right!" So he snatches the prize From before their eyes, And over the hills, and away, he flies! JOSEPHINE POLLARD. ROMEO THE SHIRK. SIXTY years ago, when grandpa was a boy, he had a dog called Romeo, who was made to do the work of churning butter. I never saw a churn that went by dog-power; but it must have been a clumsy affair. The task could not have been an agreeable one, and I do not wonder that Romeo did not like it. One morning, when the churn was taken out, and the cream was all ready to be made into butter, there was no Romeo to be found. Long and loud were the calls made for him; but he did not answer to his name. The churning was done that day without his help. Nothing was seen of him until just before dark, when he came into the house with the air of a prodigal son. He did not walk up like an honest dog to get his supper, but slunk under a table. [Illustration] The family had agreed to neither chide him nor caress him; but grandfather, who was then a little boy, slyly carried him some supper. Romeo ate it greedily, but looked unhappy all the time as though he knew he had done wrong. It was plain that his conscience was smiting him. The next week, when churning-time came, Romeo did not try to get away. He stood by watching while the cream was made ready; and, when his master whistled for him to take his place at the churn, he came forward, wagging his tail, as much as to say, "I am not going to be a shirk. I was not half so happy the day I ran away as I should have been if I had done my work cheerfully. I will never be caught shirking again." And he never was. DAISY'S MAMMA. [Illustration] MOTHER'S LAST LOOK. THEY'RE asleep, So I'll keep Very still, and peep: Not too bright, Candle-light Is for them to night. Saturday Makes them gay, And they've had their play: Sled and shout Have, no doubt, Tired them fairly out. Once in bed, Prayers were said By each curly-head: But, before Half was o'er, They saw slumber-shore. Darlings! may Angels stay, Bless and for you pray! May their love, Like a dove, Watch you from above! EMILY CARTER. TIED, NOT MATED. ONE fine summer day, Master Fritz took his mother's greyhound, Leda, and his father's spaniel, Neptune, out for a run. They were quite ready for a frolic, for they had been tied up in the barn all the forenoon, and had been longing for Fritz to come.