ing cold,
To think I had caused so much needless pain;
And I tried to relieve him, but all in vain:
O never, as long as I live, again
May I such a sight behold!

But, what would I give, once more to see
The brisk little swimmer alive and free,
And darting about as he used to be,
Unhurt, in his native brook!
'Tis strange that people can love to play,
By taking innocent lives away!
I wish I had stayed at home to-day
With sister, and read my book.

=The Stove and the Grate-Setter=

Old Winter is coming, to play off his tricks--
To make your ears tingle--your fingers to numb!
So I, with my trowel, new mortar and bricks,
To guard you against him, already am come.

An ounce of prevention in time, I have found,
Is worth pounds of remedy taken too late!
And proof that the sense of my maxim is sound,
Will shine where I fasten stove, furnace or grate.

The Summer leaves now whirling fast from the trees,
By Autumn's chill blast are tossed yellow and sere;
And soon, with the breath of his nostrils to freeze
Each thing he can puff at, will Winter be here!

But hardly he'll dare to steal in at the door,
Your elbows to bite with his keen cutting air,
And give you an ague, where I've been before,
To set the defence I to-day can prepare.

And when he comes blustering on from the north,
To give you blue faces, and shakes by the chin,
You'll find what the craft of the mason was worth,
As you from abroad to your parlor step in!

For all will around be so pleasant and warm,--
Your hearth bright and cheering--your coal in a glow;
You'll not heed the winds whistling up the rough storm
To sift o'er your dwellings its clouds full of snow!

You'll then think of me;--how I handled to-day
The cold stone and iron--the brick and the lime:
And all, but the surer foundation to lay
For comfort to give in the drear winter time.

I lay you, against this old Winter, a charm.
To make him, at least, keep himself out of doors!
'Twould melt--should he enter--his hard hand and arm.
When loud for admission he threatens and roars.

If gratitude then should come, warming your _heart_,
As peaceful you sit by your warm _fireside_;
Perhaps it may teach you some good to impart
To those, where the gifts you enjoy are denied.

For He in whose favor all blessedness is;
And out of whose kingdom no treasure is sure,
Was poor when on earth;--and the poor still are his:
His charge to his friends