In the afternoon, as mamma, came up the orchard path, she was surprised to see a doll’s foot and leg sticking straight up out of the ground.
“Why did you leave her foot out in this way?” asked mamma.
“Well,” said Blanche, “I thought perhaps she could get to Heaven easier.”
THE CHICKADEE-DEE.
Little darling of the snow,
Careless how the winds may blow,
Happy as a bird can be,
Singing, oh, so cheerily,
Chickadee-dee! Chickadee-dee!
When the skies are cold and gray,
When he trills his happiest lay,
Through the clouds he seems to see
Hidden things to you and me.
Chickadee-dee! chickadee-dee!
Very likely little birds
Have their thoughts too deep for word,
But we know, and all agree,
That the world would dreary be
Without birds, dear chickadee!
THE CHILDREN’S PARTY.
What a merry, merry rout!
See the wee ones dance about!
Dickie’s leading off the ball;
There,—he almost had a fall.
Who’s his partner in the whirls,
—Rosiest of all the girls?
But a doll—a DOLL you say;
Dancing in that sprightly way?
Well I never! Oh, see there,
See—just see those horses tear!
Meg and Madge will sure be thrown.
What a vicious looking roan!
Not a real live horse you say,
Prancing in that frightful way?
Well, I never! Toys to-day
Surely seem more “real” than “play.”