and clapping of hands, there was such an uproarious din of
delight in Goldenlands that I had to put my fingers in my ears and run
away! I am very glad, however, that I stayed long enough to pick up this
story for you; and I hope that my young friends will

"Never forget
Little Queen Pet,
Who was kind to all
The poor people she met!"

ROSA MULHOLLAND.

IN THE SNOW.

Brave little robins,
Cheerily singing,
Fear not the snow-storms
Winter is bringing.

Each to the other
Music is making,
Courage and comfort
Giving and taking.

"What," cries Cock Robin,
"Matters the weather,
Since we can always
Bear it together?"

"Sweet," his mate answers,
Ever brave-hearted,
"None need be pitied
Till they are parted."

On the other side of the Atlantic, the little boys used not to celebrate
Christmas by blowing unmelodious horns. They would assemble in gangs
before their elder friends, and sing such Christmas Carols as the
following, which seldom failed to bring the coveted Christmas gift:

"God save you, merry gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Christ Our Lord and Saviour
Was born on Christmas Day."

A LITTLE BOY'S GREETING.

Behold a very little boy
Who wishes to you here,
In simple words of heartfelt joy
A happy, bright New Year.

May heaven grant your days increase
With joys ne'er known before;
In simple words of heartfelt joy
To-day and ever more.

BOYS READ THIS.

Many people seem to forget that character grows; that it is not
something to put on ready made with womanhood or manhood; day by day,
here a little and there a little, grows with the growth, and strengthens
with the strength, until, good or bad, it becomes almost a coat of mail.
Look at a man of business--prompt, reliable, conscientious, yet
clear-headed and energetic. When do you suppose he developed all those
admirable qualities? When he was a boy. Let us see how a boy of ten
years gets up in the morning, works, plays, studies, and we will tell
you just what kind of a man he will make. The boy that is late at
breakfast, late at school, stands a poor chance of being a prompt man.
The boy who neglects his duties, be they ever so small, and then excuses
himself by saying, "I forgot; I didn't think!" will never be a reliable
man; and the boy who finds a pleasur