But she tries to learn something, though little it be, Each day of her life,--something useful, you see: And in two or three years you will find she can spell, Read, cipher, and write, and do it all well. ELLEN SIMPSON. THE SNOW-COUNTRY. "WHAT a funny looking man!" cried Harry, running to me with his book open, to show me a picture. "Where does he live, aunty? and why does he wear such clothes?" "He is an Esquimau, and lives in the snow-country, and his clothes are made of fur." "Tell me about the snow-country, aunty." "Up in the far north, near the north pole, it is winter all the time. There the snow is always on the ground; and instead of having, as we do, many days and nights, they have only one day and one night in all the year. "You will wonder if the people sleep all through the long night, and if they do not get tired of the long day. No; for they go to bed and get up about as often as we do. "During the night they have the stars to light them, and bright flashing colors in the sky, such as we call the 'Northern Lights.' When the sun comes back, he makes them a long visit; but never gets so high in the sky as he does with us, and never makes the weather warm." [Illustration] "What are those things in the picture that look like bee-hives?" said Harry. "The picture shows you an Esquimaux village, and those are the houses. They are made of blocks of snow. Some of the houses have pieces of clear ice for windows. Others have no windows at all; only a small hole for a door, which is closed up with snow after the family have all gone in." "A snow-house with ice windows!" said Harry. "Why, how do they keep warm?" "They warm the houses with oil lamps, and get them very warm and very smoky too." "Well," said Harry, "the Esquimaux are a queer people. I should like to hear more about them." "I will tell you more some other time." G. D. Y. THE FROGGIE'S PARTY. [Illustration: Music] 1. The frog who would a-wooing go, Gave a party, you must know; And his bride dress'd all in green, Look'd as fine as any queen. Their reception number'd some Of the best in Froggiedom: Four gray froggies play'd the fiddle,-- Hands all round and down the middle; Oh! oh! oh! oh! away we go! Hopping and jumping away we go! 2. Some stern old croakers there did come, In white chokers to the room; While the belles with rush-leaf fans, Danc'd with beaux in green brogans, Flirted in the bowers there, Hidden from the ball-room's glare: Three old froggies tried a reel,-- Twist 'em, turn 'em, toe and heel, With a oh! oh! oh! away we go! Hopping and jumping away we go!