n and lighting the other. The penguin's body serves as an
oil-vessel, and the moss as a wick.

W. A. ATKINSON.

CUTTING IT DOWN.

Those who follow their friends' advice in everything soon find that they
have to obey a good many different masters. A man was once setting up in
business as a hatter, and he consulted all his acquaintances as to what
he should set up as a sign outside his shop. He proposed 'John Thomson,
hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money,' with the sign of a hat.
But the first friend he asked suggested that the word 'hatter' was not
wanted, because the rest of the sentence showed that Thomson was a
hatter. So 'hatter' was struck out.

The next remarked that 'for ready money' was unnecessary; few people
desired credit for articles such as hats, and, in any case, the hatter
would know best whether credit could be given. Another omission was
therefore made.

The third friend declared that nobody cared to know who _made_ the hats,
so long as they could be bought. Accordingly, the sentence was cut down
to 'John Thomson sells hats,' with the sign.

But the last friend who was consulted objected to the words 'sells
hats.' 'The sign of the hat,' he said, 'will show your business; and
nobody expects you to give the hats away.'

Thus, by following the advice of all his friends, the hatter cut down
his announcement simply to 'John Thomson,' with the sign of a hat.

'A WILL OF HER OWN.'

Rosa was a Swedish girl. She had so often heard people say, 'Rosa has a
will of her own,' that she began to think it rather a fine thing, and
when people think it is rather a fine thing to be naughty, trouble is
sure to follow.

One beautiful summer day Rosa's mother said to her: 'Put on your Sunday
frock, Rosa, and take these eggs to your grandmother. You may stay to
tea, and play a little; but you must be back by seven o'clock.'

This pleased Rosa, for she was not often sent alone to her
grandmother's, although she lived quite near. Soon she was ready. She
looked very smart in her scarlet petticoat, bright apron, and white
blouse, and started off proudly with her little basket of eggs.

Her grandmother was a beautiful old lady with gold spectacles and
enormous white cap. She thanked Rosa for the eggs, gave her delicious
tea with strawberries, cream, and cakes, and then said, 'You can play in
the garden until the bell rings. Only do not go near the river.'

'Thank you,' said Rosa, meekly, and