When the hills are white with snow, And only the frostflowers dare to blow; When sleigh-bells chime from far and near,-- Winter's the best time of all the year. When the wild brooks begin to leap, And out of the earth the mosses creep; When swallows twitter, and robins call,-- Spring is the very best time of all. MARY N. PRESCOTT. [Illustration] THE BROOK. FROM a fountain In a mountain, Drops of water ran, Trickling through the grasses So our brook began. Slow it started; Soon it darted, Cool and clear and free, Rippling over pebbles, Hurrying to the sea. [Illustration] Children straying Came a-playing On its pretty banks: Glad, our little brooklet Sparkled up its thanks. Blossoms floating, Mimic boating, Fishes darting past,-- Swift and strong and happy, Widening very fast, Bubbling, singing, Rushing, ringing, Flecked with shade and sun, Soon our pretty brooklet To the sea has run. ELLEN SOULE CARHART. [Illustration] TWO PETS. [Illustration] ANN has a large black cat, of which she is very fond. See how she clasps it in her arms! She pets it and hugs it from morning till night. I think the cat loves Ann too; for it does not even try to scratch her. [Illustration] But here is a better pet than a cat. It is a dear little babe in its nurse's arms. The nurse is taking it out for a walk. She loves it dearly, and see how lovingly it clings to her! Love wins love, you know. I. H. G. [Illustration] BLUEBERRYING. THE grass is scorching in the sun; 'Tis summer's hottest weather; But Dick and Tom start bravely forth For blueberries together. Their tin pails glitter in the light, The dippers in them rattle, As up the long green lane they go, Among the browsing cattle. Close underneath the pasture fence They find some scattered bushes: "There is some better place beyond," Says Dick, and on he pushes, Through tangled brake, o'er stumbling stones, And up some steep black ledges, Where thick the blueberry-bushes grow Along the rocky edges. "But these are very dry and small," Says Tommy: "I would rather Look round and find some better place, And larger berries gather." Down the sharp rocks, across the brook, And through a bog, they ramble: They find some berries, big and blue, Outpeering from a bramble.