your birthday, and
we have come to call on you.

[Illustration: Nurse, Baby, & Cat]

But here is Jane, the nurse. Has she come to take you away from us? We
are not ready to part with you.

You want to go with her? Well, that is too bad! You like her better
than you do me. I must see what she does that makes you so fond of her.

She takes you to the barn, and shows you the horse and the cow. Then she
lets you look out of the barn-window. There you spy the kitten.

The kitten sees you, and jumps up on the basket, and looks in your face.
You put out your little hand, and try to reach her.

Jane has the pig and the chickens to show you yet. But I cannot stay any
longer. I must leave you playing with the kitten.

A. B. C.

[Illustration: My Dog]

MY DOG.

I have a dog, and his name is Don. He is nine years old. His master is
in Boston, and I call Don my dog, because I like to have him here. He is
a black-and-white dog, and measures six feet in length, and about two
feet in height.

When I go on errands, Don takes the basket or pail, and trots away to
the store; and sometimes I have to pull him, or he will go the wrong
way.

He is a lazy old fellow, and he likes to sleep almost all the time,
except when he is asked if he wants to go anywhere; and then he frisks
around, and seems as if he had never been asleep.

When he wants a drink, he goes around to the store-room door, and asks
for it by looking up in our faces; and I dare say he would say, if he
could speak, "Please give me a drink?"

I have a little brother, and he sits on my dog a good deal. And I have a
cousin of whom the dog is very fond and when she is at the table, he
will put his paw on her lap, and want her to take it.

My little baby-brother tumbles over the dog, and sits on him; and
sometimes when I am tired, I lie down and take a nap with my head on
Don's back. He likes to have me do it, and he always keeps watch while I
am asleep.

LYNN, MASS. WILLIE B. MARSHALL.

MAY.

Pretty little violets, waking from your sleep,
Fragrant little blossoms, just about to peep,
Would you know the reason all the world is gay?
Listen to the bobolinks, telling you 'tis May!

Little ferns and grasses, all so green and bright,
Purple clover nodding, daisies fresh and white,
Would you know the reason all the world is gay?
Listen to the bobolinks, telling you 'tis May!

Darling little warblers, coming i