d, sturdy woman asked for the hat
off her head.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

TRAVELLERS' TALES.

They say there is a country where the snow never falls,
And sliding is a game they never knew:
They never saw a lake
Paved with ice that wouldn't break.
I would rather stay in England,
wouldn't you?

They say there is a country where the sun never sets.
But goes on shining all night through.
And you needn't go to bed,
For there's always light oerhead.
That's a country I should like,
wouldn't you?

They say there is a country where they all talk French.
I can't imagine what they ever do!
For who for all their chatter,
Can understand such patter?
I should answer "speak in English"
wouldn't you?

They say there is a country where the clergymen are black
And the language sounds like "choke-a-cockatoo."
And the niggers sit in rows
With hardly any clothes
I should like to go and look,
wouldn't you?

They say there is a country where the women cannot walk,
And everything is made of bam-boo
And the people's eyes are wee,
They live on rice and tea.
I should like to go and see them,
wouldn't you?

They say there is a country where the elephants are wild,
And never even heard of our Zoo.
And through the woods they roam
Like gentlemen at home.
I should like to go and peep,
wouldn't you?

F. W. HOME

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

THE PRIZE OF HONOR.

"I wonder if I could trust you children to go out alone this morning,"
said Mrs. Ferrars. "I don't want to deprive nurse of her holiday, and I
must see Cousin Lily: she is not so well to-day."

"Oh! yes, mother," cried Dolly and Ralph together. "May we go on the
ice?"

"Well, it is just because I said you might, that I feel a little
anxious," said Mrs. Ferrars, stroking Dolly's fair hair. "My Dolly
sometimes forgets mother's wishes for her own; still, as it is the last
day at home, I feel inclined to trust you."

"Of course, mother," said Ralph confidently, "I'll take care of Dolly;
all the boys will be there, and heaps of people we know."

"You won't skate beyond the point?" said mother; "never mind if the
others do or not; remember