The fairest and noblest prayed for one,
Neither lover, nor brother, nor son.

A calm after hymn and psalm—
The preacher in silent thought is bowed
Ere he gives out the bidding prayer aloud.
Hark! what can that dull booming be
Swept by the east wind across the sea?

Boom boom! like the voice of doom.
The preacher has fought and knows full well
The message that booming has to tell!
And gives out his text, "Let God arise
And He shall scatter our enemies."

One night, in two memories bright; One golden hour unwatched at a ball, A kerchief taken-or given-was all. "Off to the war to-morrow-good-by; I'll carry it with me until I die."

"He's dead!

You have come," she said, "To bring me tidings of him I loved?

Your face has told me your tale-he proved

Worthy the name that I did not know,
The man I thought him a year ago."

"He died, with stern English pride;

But lived to fight the great battle through;
His last words were of England and you!

He died as an English gentleman should,

And sent you your handkerchief rich with his blood."

"Ah! me, life is sad," said she,

"When all the sun in its sky hath flown,"

OF THE CHILD WITH THE BIRD AT THE BUSH.

MY

JOHN BUNYAN.

Y little bird, how canst thou sit
And sing amidst so many thorns!

Let me but hold upon thee get;
My love with honor thee adorns.
Thou art at present little worth—
Five farthings none will give for thee;
But, prithee, little bird, come forth,
Thou of more value art to me.
"Tis true, it is sunshine to-day,
To-morrow birds will have a storm ;
My pretty one, come thou away,

My bosom then shall keep thee warm.
Thou subject art to cold o' nights,
When darkness is thy covering;

At days thy danger's great by kites,

How canst thou, then, sit there and sing? Thy food is scarce and scanty, too,

"Tis worms and trash which thou dost eat; Thy present state I pity do,

Come, I'll provide thee better meat.
I'll feed thee with white bread and milk,
And sugar-plums, if them thou crave;
I'll cover thee with finest silk,

That from the cold I may thee save.
My father's palace shall be thine;
Yea, in it thou shalt sit and sing:
My little bird if thou'lt be mine,

The whole year round shall be thy spring.
I'll teach thee all the notes at court;
Unthought of music thou shalt play ;

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Q

And all that thither do resort,
Shall praise thee for it ev'ry day.
I'll keep thee safe from cat and cur,

No manner o' harm shall come to thee;
Yea, I will be thy succorer,

My bosom shall thy cabin be.

But lo! behold the bird is gone;

These charmings would not make her yield;
The child's left at the bush alone,

The bird flies yonder o'er the field.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL.

UARTER TO NINE! Boys and girls, do you hear?" "One more buckwheat, then-be quick, mother dear!" "Where is my luncheon box?" "Under the shelf, Just in the place you left it yourself!"

"I can't say my table!" "Oh, find me my cap!"
"One kiss for mamma and sweet Sis in her lap."
"Be good, dear!" "I'll try!" "9 times 9's 81."

"Take your mittens!" "All right." "Hurry up, Bill; let's run!"
With a slam of the door, they are off, girls and boys,
And the mother draws breath in the lull of their noise.

"Don't wake up the baby! Come gently, my dear!"

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Oh, mother! I've torn my new dress, just look here!
I'm sorry, I only was climbing the wall."

"Oh, mother, my map was the nicest of all!"
"And Nelly, in spelling, went up to the head!”

"Oh, say! can I go on the hill with my sled ?"
"I've got such a toothache!" "The teacher's unfair!"
"Is dinner 'most ready? I'm just like a bear!"

Be patient, worn mother, they're growing up fast,
These nursery whirlwinds, not long do they last.
A still, lonely house would be far worse than the noise;
Rejoice and be glad in your brave girls and boys!

THE FAN BRIGADE.

ELLA STERLING CUMMINS.

EIGHT

IGHT little girls are necessary for this drill. First come the bows. The children stand, with their sides to the audience, in two rows, thus:

The tallest pair occupy the two middle places † †, and the other three pairs of children arranged behind them (as shown by the asterisks, ***) are ready to step forward, a pair at a time, and take the place of each preceding couple that leaves the line. When all are in position, one bar of music is played as a preliminary, each child counting four with the music; then the leaders at advance from their companions and toward each other four steps (counting four); then bow slowly to each other (counting four); then turning to their right and left respectively (toward the audience), step four steps; then facing and bowing again (counting four), each turns off, one to the right, the other to the left, circling back to place at the rear of their respective rows. Meantime, the second couple has followed, on the fourth bar of music, making their first bow in unison with the second bow of the first couple; the third and fourth couple following the same course, in turn, with perfect precision.

This figure can be fairly understood only by practical experiment and careful counting. When it is accomplished correctly, two couples will bow together till all are in line; they repeat the entire figure, the middle pair bowing whenever they come together, the last time facing the audience. The beginning is very stately and elegant if performed slowly and in perfect time,

and if the bows are of the old-fashioned minuet-courtesy kind. It is sometimes necessary to take the children by the shoulders and press them down, telling them to bow at the same time, the object being to have them droop toward the floor very low, rather than to curve their bodies.

The fans should be of paper (five-cent Chinese fans will do to practice with, as many are broken in the drill), the object being to make a considerable crackling noise.

All now stand in line with fans on shoulders; then count four; then down with fans to the side (hanging downward); all this with the right hand.

Now for the drill; this is difficult to explain, even when carefully written. To simplify, it may be said to have a rest after each movement in the following list (excepting those joined by a brace {). In the "rest," the fan is held downward at the side and closed with a sharp snap; for the fan must be constantly fluttered, excepting when otherwise employed. The movements may be performed in succession, with the drill-prompter concealed from the audience, and giving the word of command in a whisper. Or the drill-prompter may call out each command after the manner of a military captain: "Hold fans!""Unfurl fans!" etc.

1. HOLD FANS (counting four). Fan spread in front, held with both hands.

2. UNFURL (counting four). Each fan held against left shoulder by left hand, while right hand pulls it open outward at one, shut at two, open at three, shut at four.

3. GENTLE FLUTTER (counting four). Waving fan in the ordinary way, but with two flutters to a count making eight little flutters.

4. MAJESTIC WAVE (counting eight). In two waves, fan thrown out to right, head held up looking toward it, fan in large curve, counting 1, 2, as it is thrown out; 3, 4, as it tips over just in front of eyes.