"Then I'll tell you. It is old Cape Cod.--We are in sight of home, ladies and gentlemen," said the captain addressing his passengers. "We shall make Boston Light to-night, if this wind holds good." This speech brought great applause. Then the captain sang out,-- "Cheer up, my lively lads, spite of wind and weather! Cheer up, my lively lads, and we'll go home together!" "Hold me up," said little Ellen, "and let me see." Then the captain held her up too; and when the children's mother, who had a fine voice, started the song,-- "Home again, home again, From a foreign shore," all the passengers, not even excepting the sick lady, took part in the chorus. ANNA LIVINGSTON. [Illustration] NELLIE AND KITTY. SEE little Nellie playing with her kitten. She had waked up early; but nurse was not ready to dress her. She was just going to cry, when the kitten jumped up on the bed, and stood there with such a comical look, that, instead of crying, Nellie could not help laughing. Then she got a string and began to play with kitty; so that when the nurse came in she found them both quite happy. One day, Nellie was playing with her doll, and put it down in her lap. Kitty, who had been watching her all the time, jumped up in Nellie's lap, pushed the doll out, and lay down, looking at her mistress, as if to say,-- "What did you take her up for? I am the only one that has any right here." L. E. H. [Illustration] THE PRISONER. THE old hawk has been caught at last, and has been put in a cage, from which he cannot escape to do any more mischief. The fowls all come from the barnyard to see him. They dare go near him now, for they know he cannot harm them. The sparrow looks saucily at him, saying, "Ah, ha, Sir Hawk! You have scared me many a time with your sharp claws and hooked beak; but now I am a match for you. It was fine fun for you to kill little chickens. Now you see what comes of it." "Yes indeed," cries the turkey, "he killed seven dear little chickens. How glad I am that he is caught at last! I'll give him a piece of my mind now, but he can't have any more chickens." "Ah!" says the hawk, "you talk very bravely; but, if I were let out of this cage, you would not stare at me much longer." The fowls walk slowly away without saying more. But the pert young sparrow bristles up, and dares the hawk to come out and fight him. It is very easy to be brave when there is no danger. LEONORA, from the German. CONTENTMENT. WHEN the roses bloom sweet and red, And the daisy has lifted her shining head; When birds are still in the brooding nest,-- Of all the seasons summer is best. When the golden-rod's torches shine,-- And the purple grapes drop ripe from the vine; When the reddening maples light up the way, There is nothing so good as an autumn day.