a mouse in a meal-bag!"

Then old Tiger began to frisk round them, and to jump up as if to kiss
them. "Down, old fellow!" said Mr. Burns: "you told us where they were;
didn't you, old Tiger?"

Tiger barked loudly, as much as to say, "Yes, I told you where they
were; and I think I am the smartest dog that ever lived. Bow-wow! Of all
the dogs ever told about in 'The Nursery,' I am the wisest, the bravest,
the handsomest, and the best. Bow-wow!"

MARY ELMORE.

[Illustration]

LITTLE MAY.

THERE were pigs and chickens and cows and a good old gray pony on the
farm where little May lived.

May loved them all; and they all seemed to love her.

The cows, as they lay chewing their cud, would let the little girl pat
them as much as she pleased. They never shrank from the touch of her
soft little hands. Sometimes papa would let May stand beside him when he
milked. Then she would be sure to get a good saucer of milk to feed the
kittens with. She was a great friend of all the cats.

She took great delight in feeding the chickens; and she even liked to
throw bits to the pigs. It made her laugh to see piggy, with one foot in
the trough, champing his food with such a relish.

Once she saw her papa scratch piggy's back with an old broom. So, a few
days after, she thought she would try it; but, instead of getting an
_old_ broom, she took a nice new one, and, reaching over the side of the
pen, managed to touch the pig's back with it.

Now, what do you think that ungrateful animal did? He caught the broom
in his mouth, and began to chew it.

Off went May to her mother as fast as her little feet could carry her.
"Mamma, mamma!" said she, "come quick. Oh, dear, dear! piggy is eating
the broom."

To be sure, there was mamma's best carpet-broom all chewed down to a
stub; and the pig was still eating away.

May cried then; but it was so very funny, that mamma only laughed, and
by and by May laughed too. When papa got home, he was told the story,
and it made him laugh.

May was almost ready to cry again; for she felt sorry, and she did not
like to be laughed at. "There's nothing to cry about, darling," said her
papa; "but don't try to scratch the pig's back again until I show you
how to do it."

AUNTY MAY.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

AN IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE.

"I WANT to tell you something, T