Rogers Street, there stands a little candy-shop which is doing a thriving business. Maggie's small head barely reaches above the counter, but her feet are just as brisk and willing as when I first made her acquaintance. The happiness that now exists in that humble home is all due to the childish perseverance and loving trustfulness of Little Pop-Corn.

We were crowded in the cabin,
Not a soul would dare to sleep;
It was midnight on the waters,
And a storm was on the deep.

'Tis a fearful thing in winter
To be shattered by the blast,
And to hear the rattling trumpet
Thunder, "Cut away the mast!"

So we shuddered there in silence,-
For the stoutest held his breath,-
While the hungry sea was roaring,
And the breakers talked of Death.

As thus we sat in darkness,

Each one busy with his prayers,
"We are lost!" the captain shouted,
As he staggered down the stairs.

But his little daughter whispered,
As she took his icy hand,
"Isn't God upon the ocean,

Just the same as on the land ?"

Then we kissed the little maiden,
And we spoke in better cheer,
And we anchored safe in harbor
When the morn was shining clear.

XI.-TWO BRAVE MOTHERS.

I.

A little wren made her nest in a shrub in my yard. She protected it from the cats by building it far out on a slender branch. She hid it from all prying eyes by selecting the side nearest the house and farthest from the path.

Searching one day for some honeysuckle bloom on the wall, I discovered the nest. It had three tiny eggs in it. The mother bird had been sitting on the nest; but flew away at my approach. Day after day I watched her sitting patiently upon that nest. Finally her patience was rewarded. Three baby wrens nestled under her sheltering wings.

One day a sudden storm arose. The wind blew violently. The little shrub was bent and tossed in the wind. The rain came down in torrents. I went to the window to see how the little baby wrens fared in the storm.

On the nest, as it swayed and trembled in the storm, sat the mother bird, carefully covering her brood. A sudden gust of wind bent the branch. until the water from the rain-spout poured a flood over the mother bird. She did not move. The nest was flooded with water; but that mother calmly endured the storm and safely sheltered her brood.

Tears came to my eyes. Such devotion is worthy a memorial. I could not help thinking, "How seldom in this world do we put ourselves in the place of suffering, that we may save others."

II.

A gentleman was walking up his garden path on his return from hunting. His dog ran on before

him. Suddenly the dog went slower, and crept carefully forward as if he scented game.

Just before him in the path was a young sparrow, with downy head and yellow bill. The wind, blowing hard through the young birch trees beside the path, had shaken the nest and thrown the young bird out. It was fluttering helpless on the ground.

The dog crept softly up to it, when suddenly the mother bird threw herself down from a neighboring tree. She fell like a stone directly in front of the dog's nose; and, with ruffled feathers, sprang with a terrified twitter against his open, threatening mouth.

She had come to protect her young at the risk of her life. Her little body trembled all over; her cry was fierce; she was frightened almost to death; but she was moved by a power stronger than fear.

The dog stopped, drew back, and seemed to show respect to the heroic bird. The gentleman called his dog away. He reverently walked away saying,

"She is a little heroine. even the fear of death.

Love is mightier than fear,
Love alone inspires and is

the life of all."

NOTES FOR STUDY.

I.

PRO TECTED, kept from harm or SE LECT'ING, choosing.

evil.

PRY'ING, looking slyly.

HONEY SUCK LE, a climbing shrub

with fragrant flowers.

scent or smell.

BROOD, all the birds hatched at (SCENT'ED, hunted or followed by one time in one nest. ME MO'RI AL, something to keep in mind noble deeds, a monument.

TWITTER, rapid chirping.
REV'ER ENT LY, with great re-
spect.

II.

Compare the bravery of the wren with that of the sparrow.

Give an example of bravery that you have witnessed.

Why did the wren sit on the nest in the storm? Why did the sparrow fly at the dog? Do birds think?

Does courage depend upon size of body?

XII.-LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE.

WILLIAM COWPER.

Toll for the brave!

The brave that are no more!
All sunk beneath the wave

Fast by their native shore.

Eight hundred of the brave,
Whose courage well was tried,

Had made the vessel heel,

And laid her on her side.

A land breeze shook the shrouds,
And she was overset;

Down went the Royal George,

With all her crew complete.