Very soon the children were busy popping the corn, while their mother
went out to buy the paper bags. When she came back, she brought Bernard
with her.

In a short time, he started out on his new business, and, much sooner
than could be expected, returned with an empty basket.

Tucked into one of his mittens were ten nickels. He had never earned so
much money before in his life. When he found that it was all to be his,
he was so delighted he could hardly speak, but his bright smiling face
spoke for him. After he had run home to take the money to his mother,
John said:

"We have corn enough left to send Bernard out ever so many times. May we
do it again?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Meredith, "you may send him every Saturday morning, if
you will pop the corn for him yourselves. John, will you agree to take
charge of the work?"

"Indeed I will," replied John, and he kept his word. For many weeks,
every Saturday morning, no matter what plan was on foot, no matter how
good the coasting or skating, he saw that the corn was all popped, the
paper bags filled, and arranged in the basket when Bernard arrived.

People began to watch for the "little pop-corn boy," and every week he
had at least fifty cents to take home, and often more. And all this was
because of John's bright idea, and the way he carried it out.

A SAD THANKSGIVING PARTY.

Four hungry-looking animals
All seated in a row;
Why does not some one speak to them?
That's what I want to know.

They all of them were bidden to
A fine Thanksgiving feast,
And now, it seems to me, their host
Might welcome them, at least.

'Twas Master Pug invited them,
Why does he not appear?
'Tis plain they think his absence looks
Extremely rude and queer.

Alas! poor Pug's in trouble sore,
The host he cannot play;
No feast for self or friends has he
On this Thanksgiving Day.

He saw a turkey, large and fat,
Upon the kitchen shelf.
"That's just the very thing I want,"
Said he unto himself.

He caught the turkey, but the cook
Caught him with firmer grasp,
And shook him till he could not bark
But only choke and gasp.

Meanwhile, those hungry animals,
Who'd waited there in vain,
Declared they never would be guest
Of Mr. Pug again.

GUY AND THE BEE

One day a jolly bumble-bee,
In coat of black and yellow,