Now, how many persons have I told you about? FANNIE. [Illustration: THE JOHNNY CAKE.] THIS is the seed, So yellow and round, That little John Homer hid in the ground. These are the leaves, So graceful and tall, That grew from the seed so yellow and small. This is the stalk, That came up between The leaves so pretty and graceful and green. These are the tassels, So flowery, that crowned The stalk, so smooth, so strong, and so round. These are the husks, With satin inlaid, That grew 'neath the tassels that drooped and swayed. This is the silk, In shining threads spun: A treasure it hides from the frost and the sun. This is the treasure,-- Corn yellow as gold,-- That satin and silk so softly unfold. This is the cake, For Johnny to eat, Made from the corn so yellow and sweet. [Illustration] [Illustration] STOPPING THE EXPRESS. [Illustration] CHARLES had a small flag which his father gave him. It was fine fun for a while to march about and wave it; but it did not seem to be of much use. So at last Charles hit upon a plan of making his flag do some good. This was the plan: When his father had any bundles to send to Boston, Charles ran down to the street, and put his flag in the fence. [Illustration] This was a signal for the expressman to stop. When the man saw the flag in the fence, he knew that he was to stop and take a bundle. [Illustration] Here he is, waiting while Charles brings out the bundle. He knows that Charles is on the watch for him, and that there is no need of driving through the gate. Charles likes to do errands for his father. [Illustration] Here is Charles, carrying out the bundle. He is running fast, because the man cannot wait long. "Hurry up, little boy!" says the man (who is fond of a joke); "there's no time to play marbles. This wagon must get to the station by nine o'clock." W. O. C. [Illustration] WHAT THE SHIP BROUGHT. OH, a happy new year to you all, Good children, a happy new year! To your fathers and mothers, Your sisters and brothers, To your grandpas and grandmas so dear. It's a long way good wishes to send,-- Three thousand miles over the sea; When the wild winds are roaring, The rainstorms are pouring, And the waves are like mountains to see. May the good ship speed safe on its way, Though the moon and the stars be unseen! May the compass be steady, The helmsman be ready, And the captain all watchful and keen!