t?" "I will try," said Hans. It was rather
hard work for Cowslip, but at last she made a big enough hole and Hans
leaped out.

He knocked off his hat in doing so, but then Hans didn't care about a
little thing like that.

He jumped on her back, and away they went, over fallen trees, stones,
ditches, hedges, everything. They came in sight of the cottage at last,
and the sound of their approach caused Mrs. Stockchen to look out of the
window. When she saw who it was she fairly jumped for joy and she rushed
out at once to meet them.

Hans fell into his mother's arms. And they all lived happily ever
afterward.

A REAL LITTLE BOY BLUE

BY CAROLINE S. ALLEN

Once there were four little brothers. The oldest had black eyes. He was
called Little Boy Black. But I haven't time to tell about him just now.
The second little brother had brown eyes. He was called Little Boy
Brown. But I cannot tell you about him either. The third little brother
had gray eyes, and was called Little Boy Gray. There is a very nice
story I could tell you about him, but I am sure you would rather hear
about the fourth little brother.

[Illustration: "'YES, PLEASE,' SAID LITTLE BOY BLUE."]

For the youngest little brother had blue eyes; and his father and
mother, his grandfather and grandmother, and every one else, called him
Little Boy Blue. His eyes were very blue--as blue as the flowers you
find down by the brook. You love the blue flowers, I know. And so I will
tell you about Little Boy Blue.

His jacket was blue, his trousers were blue, his stockings were blue,
and even his little shoes were blue.

One day Little Boy Blue's mother said to him: "Do you want to go and
visit Aunt Polly?" "Who is Aunt Polly?" asked Little Boy Blue. "Aunt
Polly lives on a farm, on a high hill. She has horses, and cows, and
pigs, and hens, and ducks, and geese--" "And elephants?" asked Little
Boy Blue. "No, not any elephants. But she has a woolly white lamb." "Oh,
then I will go," cried Little Boy Blue. So his mother went up-stairs and
found a little blue traveling-bag. And in the little blue bag she packed
some of Little Boy Blue's clothes. Then Little Boy Blue and his mother
went to visit Aunt Polly, who lived on a farm on a high hill.

Little Boy Blue's mother stayed two days, and Little Boy Blue stayed ten
days. When his mother was going home, she said to Aunt Polly: "Little
Boy Blue likes to play, but he likes to work, too. So be sure to give
him some