OH, if I only had a pair Of Indian snow-shoes I could wear, The storms might beat, the winds might blow, Across the drifts I'd northward go, And see the Northland's splendid sights,-- The red, and green, and yellow lights, That up the sky at night-time stream, The icebergs on the sea that gleam, And, peering from his hut of snow, In walrus-coat, the Esquimau; And with my loud hurrah I'd scare From out his den the grizzly bear. [Illustration] BERTHA. And, if I only had a boat, I'd spread my sail, and eastward float, And see the far-off Eastern lands, The palm-trees, and the desert sands, The camels and the caravans; Tall shining towers, and curious towns, And men with turbans on, and gowns; And bring home, lovely to behold, A charming dress of cloth-of-gold. [Illustration] DICK. And, if I only had a horse, I'd westward, westward take my course; With flying feet and floating mane He'd gallop with me o'er the plain; As lightly as the wind we'd pass Across the waving prairie-grass, And strange, tall blossoms, blue and red, Would nod about my horse's head. ELSIE. And, if I had some wings to fly, I'd southward soar along the sky, And see the Southland all aglow With roses, when with us there's snow; And flutter down to rest me, where The starry myrtle scents the air, And humming-birds dart out and in The blossoms of the jessamine; Where his green mate the parrot calls, And oranges, like golden balls, Hang on the boughs, I'd spend the hours In gathering figs, and plucking flowers. LITTLE SUSY. Oh, if you want to, and you can, I'm willing you should roam; But I'm dear mother's little girl, I'll stay with her at home. MARIAN DOUGLAS. [Illustration] [Illustration] "ONE-OLD-CAT." GRANDMA sat at the window one fine afternoon, knitting. In a group, on the ground below, sat three little boys dressed in blue sailor suits, red stockings, and polo caps. "What nice-looking little boys!" thought grandma. Presently up jumped one boy, and said, "Come on, fellows, let's play something."--"All right," said another boy, "One-old-cat." Then they all ran into the house. "Dear me!" said grandma, "I thought they were good boys; but they seem to be going to tease pussy." In a few minutes the boys came back. One of them carried a large club, while another had something which grandma, who could not see very well, took to be a stone. "Oh, what cruel boys!" thought the old lady. "It's bad enough to tie things to a cat's tail; but to beat her with a club and to throw stones at her is still worse." "I'll be pitcher," shouted one of the boys. "There!" said grandma, "he says he'll pitch her. Who would believe that boys in red stockings and blue suits could be so cruel?" "I'll be inner," cried another boy.