"Industrious, ma'am! Well, yes: they've got the _work_ in them, that's true; and, if they begin any thing, they'll see it through. They don't sit down discouraged, and give up; but they keep right on, even when there's no hope. Oh, they're brave little fellows!" And the honest old farmer beamed in admiration upon the stiff, little unconscious specimen before us in the case. "It is very interesting," I said, "to know of such patience in a little animal like this." "Yes, ma'am," he responded: "you would think so if you could see one. Why, _working_ is their _life_. If they couldn't work, they'd die. I know, 'cause I've proved it. Once, we caught one, and I put him in a box, and my boys and I threw in some sand. The box was considerably big, and the little fellow went right to work. He dug, and threw it all back of him over to the other side; then back of him again, till he went through that sand I don't know how many times. Well, he was as lively as a cricket, and, to try what he would do, I took away the sand, and 'twas but a few hours before he was dead. Yes, dead, ma'am! just as dead as this one, here!" pointing with his finger to our friend in the case, who preserved a stolid indifference to the fate of his gopher-cousin. I stopped to take a further look at "little gopher," with whom I felt pretty well acquainted by this time. H. M. S. [Illustration] BYE-LO-LAND. BABY is going to Bye-lo-land, Going to see the sights so grand: Out of the sky the wee stars peep, Watching to see her fast asleep. Swing so, Bye-lo! Over the hills to Bye-lo-land. Oh the bright dreams in Bye-lo-land, All by the loving angels planned! Soft little lashes downward close, Just like the petals of a rose. Swing so, Bye-lo! Prettiest eyes in Bye-lo-land! [Illustration] Sweet is the way to Bye-lo-land, Guided by mother's gentle hand. Little lambs now are in the fold, Little birds nestle from the cold. Swing so, Bye-lo! Baby is safe in Bye-lo-land! GEORGE COOPER. [Illustration] THE ENCOUNTER. _Mr. Jones._--Good-morning, madam. It is a fine day. Are you going out for a walk? _Mrs. Smith._--I was just taking my little Aldabella out for an airing. Poor child! She has been kept in the house so long by the bad weather, that she has lost all her color. _Mr. Jones._--Be careful, and don't let her catch the whooping-cough. _Mrs. Smith._--O sir! you alarm me. Is it much about? _Mr. Jones._--Yes, ma'am: so is the measles. I know two gentlemen who were kept away from their base-ball last Saturday afternoon by the measles. _Mrs. Smith._--What an affliction! Is that horse of yours safe? Does he ever kick?