_Mr. Jones._--I never knew him to kick in my life; but, as you see, he is a little restive: he may step on your toes. _Mrs. Smith._--Oh, pray hold him in, Mr. Jones! Don't let him be so gay. _Mr. Jones._--Madam, my horse seems to be of the opinion that we have talked long enough: so I will wish you a very good-morning. _Mrs. Smith._--Good-morning, Mr. Jones. Pray don't run over any little boys in the street. _Mr. Jones._--Little boys must not come in my way. Good-by, Mrs. Smith! Good-by, Miss Aldabella! JAMIE'S LETTER TO A LITTLE UNCLE. _My dear little Uncle_,--You see I have not forgotten that long ago you wrote me a letter. My mamma told me to-night that she would answer it for me, because something happened yesterday that I want you to know. You remember it was May-day. Mamma said, "Jamie, you are too little a boy to go out in the fields and woods Maying." That made me feel badly, because the sun was shining so brightly, and the grass looked so green, that I was sure there were plenty of flowers hidden away in the fields. So I thought, "What can a little boy do? I am so little, I can't walk. I am so little, I can't talk much. I can creep, but when I get to a nice bit on the floor and put it into my mouth, mamma jumps, and takes it away, and says, 'No, no, baby!' What can I do? what can I do to please everybody?" At last I thought of something. I was sitting in mamma's lap, when, all at once, she called out, "Aunt Fanny, come here and put your thimble in the baby's mouth. I'm sure that's a tooth." And, sure enough, one little tooth had just peeped out. Then everybody said, "Baby has a tooth!" I didn't tell them that I went Maying all by myself, and found that little tooth; but I tell you as a secret, little uncle. Dear little uncle, I am growing very big. Next summer I can run on the beach with you, and dig in the sand. Now you must kiss my grandmamma for me; give her a kiss on her right eye, her left cheek, her nose, and her lips, and whisper in her ear that I love her very much; then pull my grandpapa's whiskers, and give him two kisses; then give a kiss to all my uncles and aunts, and take one for yourself from your little nephew, JAMIE. THE DISAPPOINTED KITTY. [Illustration] THE name of my kitten is Breezy. I gave her that name because she is never quiet. When she cannot frolic, she mews; but, as she is frolicking all the time when she is not asleep, she does not make much of an outcry, after all. It has been the height of Breezy's ambition to catch a mouse. The other day, I was sitting in my little arm-chair, studying my spelling-lesson, when what should come forth from under the cupboard but a wee mouse not much bigger than the bowl of a teaspoon. Breezy, for a wonder, was asleep on the rug. Mousie looked around, as if in search of some crumbs. I put down my book, and kept very still. Which did I favor in my heart,--Mousie, or Breezy?