[Illustration] A TUG EXCURSION. It was just after dinner when papa said, "Put on your hats quickly, and we will go down to the dock, and perhaps we shall find a tug going out." Ralph had something beside his hat to put on; for, contrary to mamma's orders, he had taken off his shoes and stockings. But, with good Maggie's help, that wrong was speedily righted, and we were soon on our way to the dock. There we found the stanch tug "Williams" just ready to leave. We jumped on board. The ropes were cast off; and a few turns of the wheel took us out on the broad expanse of Lake Michigan. How delighted we all were with the beautiful picture there spread out before us!--the broad blue waters, dotted here and there with white sails; far away to the right, the smoke arising from a huge steamer on her way from Chicago to Buffalo; and away, away, straight ahead of us, two white specks, which Captain Charley told us were the vessels he was going out for. A look through the glass proved that the "specks" were _really_ vessels, and huge ones too. While we were looking and talking, what do you suppose one of the men brought forward for Ralph's amusement?--A dog? No. A kitty? No. A parrot? No. I think you will have to give it up. A bear! Just the cunningest little bear any one ever saw. He was just about the size of a tan-terrier, and so full of play, that he got himself into all sorts of shapes, and performed all the antics imaginable. But the most laughable thing was to see him as a tight-rope performer. I am sure he outdid any circus actor who ever travelled. Ralph thought it jolly to play with a live bear. As one would suppose, the bear was a great pet with all on board the tug. He had always been handled with kindness; and the captain told us he had never yet bitten any one. All this time, we are nearing the vessels we are to tow back. See what a huge cable is thrown out to join the vessels to the tug. Here we go, homeward bound. We must not forget to tell of the nice race we had with the steam barge "Reitz," and how Ralph shouted when we came out ahead; nor about Ralph's getting hungry, and going down into the cabin, and making friends with the cook, and coming up with his pockets full of crackers and cookies, which were so much better than any he ever ate before. Don't you think just as we do, that we had a jolly time? Ralph says he should like to live on board the tug; but I think he would want to come home every night. AUNT NELLIE. [Illustration] TIT, TAT, TOE! Tit, tat, toe! Three in a row! The heavy schoolroom clock strikes loud and slow. "Now every little one May go and take his fun," The gentle teacher cries, "for the school is done."