n, and it's very queer
To see how sometimes when the man
Is raking and scraping all he can,
The wife spends, every year,
Enough you would think for a score of wifes
To keep them in luxury all their lives!
The town is a perfect Babylon
To a quiet chat," said Farmer John.
"You see, old Bay,
You see, old Gray,
I'm wiser than when I went away.

"I've found this out," said Farmer John,
"That happiness is not bought and sold,
And clutched in a life of waste and hurry,
In nights of pleasure and days of worry,
And wealth isn't all in gold,
Mortgages, stocks and ten per cent,
But in simple ways and sweet content,
Few wants, pure hopes and noble ends,
Some land to till and a few good friends,
Like you, old Bay,
And you, old Gray,
That's what I've learned by going away."

And a happy man is Farmer John--
Oh, a rich and happy man is he!
He sees the peas and pumpkins growing,
The corn in tassel, the buckwheat blowing,
And fruit on vine and tree;
The large, kind oxen look their thanks
As he rubs their foreheads and pats their flanks;
The doves light round him and strut and coo;
Says Farmer John, "I'll take you, too;
And you, old Bay,
And you, old Gray,
Next time I travel so far away."

--_Trowbridge._

[Illustration: THIS PICTURE REPRESENTS FIRST GRADE CHILDREN ENJOYING
THE BEST OF SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES.]

[Illustration: A SCHOOL EXHIBIT.]

BIRD STUDY.

W. H. WISMAN, NEW PARIS, OHIO.

In order to carry on the work of bird study with any degree of success,
experience has taught me that the subject must continually be kept
before the pupils in all of its phases. This means actual work among
the birds, with eyes sharpened for every movement and ears tuned to
every sound.

The first essential, I think, is for the pupil to know the bird by
sight--that is, at close range--and to be able to give a minute
description, paying attention to details in markings, especially in
cases where distinctive markings determine the species.

Our work in autumn consists in a sharp lookout for the warblers that
are returning toward the Southland at the beginning of the school term.
This requires careful observation, and pupils are encouraged to be
watchful at this time and report any small bird they may be able to
find on their way