d robin. "That is Boston State
House, and right down there is our old nest!" and down they flew into
the Public Gardens. The Boston little men and women can see them there
any day, busy about their nests, and merry as birds can be.

Part of the birds flew to the northwest, to the hills and woods and
fields. They built their nests in the trees and on the ground. They
built them in barns and in chimneys. They hid them in the grass and in
the reeds by the brooks; and the little country children know where to
find them.

[Illustration: A NEST.]

FIRST REWARD OF MERIT.

With bounding step and merry laugh
My little girl--five and a half--
Held in her hand a picture-card:
"See! mamma, see! I've tried so hard;
Look and see what the letters spell;
'Tis a reward for doing well.
I have been good a whole long week;
Not once, mamma, did teacher speak,
Or say from recess I must stay,
Because in school I'd tried to play.
Last week, you know, my card I lost
For giving Charlie's book a 'tost,'
And speaking out aloud in school;
I did not know 'twas 'gainst the rule.
Then teacher said, 'Edith come here.'
I went right to her, mamma dear,
And 'cause I hop-skipped down the aisle,
The scholars all began to smile.
That week I was so very good,
'Most got a card, and think I should
If I'd not hop-skipped down the aisle,
And made the other scholars smile.
But if I get one once in four,
School keeps so long, I'll get lots more."

[Illustration: EDITH AT HOME.]

[Illustration: SUCH MISCHIEF AS HE MADE.
{FROM "THE TRICK THEY PLAYED ON JOCKO."}]

FOUR LITTLE MICE.

Four little mice lived all alone
Where cats had been so long unknown;
They ate and slept without a fear
That any danger could be near.
One sunny day with brush and broom
They cleaned their pantry, swept their room,
Then made themselves as neat and fine
As if invited out to dine.
And then not knowing what to do,
They looked their cedar closet through
And found their gray coats growing thin:
So sat them down some yarn to spin,
Soon, through a chink to their surprise,
A cat looked in with hungry eyes--
"Shall I come in and cut your thread?"
"Oh, thank you, no!" they trembling said.

[Illustration: {A CAT LOOKS INTO THE MOUSE HOUSE.}]

FINNETTE.

"Bow-wow-wow!" was the first