w round, and at last lighted on the kitten's head. At this Muff
seemed much pleased; and Fair-Star herself was not disturbed by the
liberty the little bird took.

But all at once Muff sprang upon Cherry, and, seizing him in her mouth,
jumped up on the bureau. At last it would seem as if the old cat had
chosen her time to kill and eat my poor little bird.

[Illustration]

No such thing! Our good Muff was all right. A neighbor, who had come to
borrow our axe, had left the back-door open; and a hungry old stray cat
had suddenly made her appearance. Muff saw that Cherry was in danger,
and seized him so that the strange cat should not harm him.

Cherry was not only not hurt, but not frightened. Well do I remember how
my mother placed baby on the pillows, drove out the strange cat, and
then took up Muff, and petted and praised her till Muff's purr of
pleasure was loud as the noise of a spinning-wheel.

After that adventure, Cherry and Muff and Fair-Star were all better
friends than ever.

LUCY KORNER.

THE FAT LITTLE PIGGIES.

SAID a sow to her piggies so white,
"Oh! the chilly winds whistle around,
There is ice on the old miller's dam,
And there's snow on the hard frozen ground;
But a warm, sheltered stackyard have we,
Where all day you may play hide-and-seek:
So away, little piggies, my white little piggies,
For a gambol and scramble and squeak.

"You have all had your breakfasts, I know;
For your trough was full, up to the top,
Of the sweetest potatoes and milk;
And you've not left a bit or a drop;
But, though an old sow, I'll not grunt:
So begone round the barn for a freak,
And I'll watch you, dear piggies, fat, curly-tailed piggies,
As you hurry and scurry and squeak."

[Illustration]

So at once, 'mid the fresh-sprinkled straw,
The young pettitoes scampered away;
And they rooted and burrowed and hid,
Then all quiet a minute they lay:
Soon their pink-pointed, noses peeped out;
Then their bodies, so plump and so sleek.
Oh the glad little piggies, the mad little piggies--
How they snuffle and scuffle and squeak!

GEORGE BENNETT.

[Illustration]

A SONG OF NOSES.

[Illustration: D]U