[Illustration] MR. PRIM sat on the bank from twelve o'clock till four: He caught one fish--he caught a cold--and then--caught nothing more. KITTY AND THE BEE. [Illustration] THERE were no mice for kitty, and what could she do? She could not sit still. She saw the little soft white chickens running about in the grass, and she thought she would try to catch one. So she crouched down, and, without making a bit of noise, was getting ready for a spring. [Illustration] But the chickens had a dear mother who loved them. When she saw kitty creeping along, she knew that they were in danger: so she flew at kitty, and made a dreadful noise that scared her away. [Illustration] Then kitty saw a great butterfly flying along in the air. By and by it flew down upon a flower. Kitty sprang and caught it in her mouth. [Illustration] Then she saw a pretty bird on a bush, singing as hard as he could sing. Kitty crept along under the bush, like a sly little rogue. But the bird saw her coming, and flew away. [Illustration] One day a bee was coming home with honey. Kitty saw the bee, and caught it in her mouth. I think she will not try to catch any more bees. Can you guess why? W. O. C. MINDING BABY. NURSE. ROCK the cradle Just a minute; Rock it gently, Baby's in it. If he's sleeping, Do not wake him; If he rouses, Nurse will take him. Sing him now Some little ditty, Sweet and bird-like, Low and pretty. He will hear it In his slumbers, And will feel Its soothing numbers. Sound and sounder He'll be sleeping In the angels' Holy keeping; For they always, Darling Carrie, Near to infants Watch and tarry. CARRIE. Baby, baby, Stop your play now, And to sleep-land Go away now. As the bee's rocked In the lily, I will rock you, Little Willy. As the May-bough Rocks the nest-bird, I will rock you, Mother's best bird. Boys, at play there, Hush your clatter! Don't wake baby With your chatter! In the garden Do not play now: Go and frolic On the hay-mow. I am minding Baby-brother; For, you see, I'm Little mother. GEORGE BENNET. [Illustration: MINDING BABY.] [Illustration] LITTLE MISCHIEF. VIII. BESSIE went into the parlor one day, and noticed that the clock did not tick. "I must wind it up," thought she. "It must be very easy, for you only have to turn the key round and round."