I hope his pupils will be more attentive the next time he tries to teach them how to draw. UNCLE CHARLES. [Illustration] [Illustration] LITTLE MOSQUITO. LITTLE Mosquito she sits on a sill,-- Whee, whee, whee! And longs for the time when the people are still, That she, in the darkness, may stab them at will,-- Whee, whee, whee! She whets up her dagger, and looks at the moon,-- Whee, whee, whee! She says to herself, "I'll begin pretty soon To look for my victims, and sing them a tune,"-- Whee, whee, whee! With a hum and a flutter, the way to prepare,-- Whee, whee, whee! She rises and circles about in the air; Then settles herself with a great deal of care,-- Whee, whee, whee! But one,--more awake than he seeks to appear,-- Whee, whee, whee! Slaps little Mosquito, alight on his ear, And thus puts an end to her hopeful career,-- Whee, whee, whee! FLETA F. [Illustration] LEARNING TO IRON. "NOW I've had my lesson in my 'Nursery Primer,'" said little five-year-old Ellen, "and I want to learn to iron clothes." "You are rather too young to be trusted with a flat-iron," said her mother: "you might burn your fingers." "I'll promise not to cry if I do," said Ellen. "Please let me go out and help Patience iron, mamma." Mamma at last gave her consent; and our picture of Ellen and Patience at work at the ironing-board gives about as good likenesses of the two as their reflections in a mirror could have given. Ellen saw how Patience used her flat-iron, and then used hers in the same way. She ironed a towel so well, that Patience praised her, and said she could not have done it better herself. But, as she was trying to put a flat-iron on the stove, Ellen burnt her fingers so as to make her hop. She did not cry; for she remembered her promise. Patience wet a cloth with cold water, and put it on the burn; then she remembered that common brown soap was the best thing for a burn, so she spread some soap on a cotton rag and put that on. Soon the pain was gone, and Ellen ran and told her mother what had happened. "You should not have tried to put the flat-iron on the stove," said her mother. "If your clothes had caught fire, you might have had a bad time." "Would my dress have blazed up?" asked Ellen. "I take care to dip your clothes in a weak solution of nitre before they are worn; for that prevents their blazing, even if they should catch fire," said mamma. "But you must not let that keep you from taking great care." "Next Tuesday may I take another lesson in ironing?" asked Ellen.