We watched until it was out of sight, and were very glad to think that the parents had recovered their little one, about which they had shown such anxiety.

The Showman's Dog. "Poor little chap!" the showman said,
"Your day at last is done,
No more you'll fly at Punch's head,
Or cause the Clown to run,
Poor little chap! you're weak, too weak
To join the Peepshow fun!"
"Out of the road I picked you up,
'Tis years and years ago,
Your leg was badly injured, pup,
Run over as you know.
I bound the limb, and took you home,
And soon you join'd the Show."
"Many a mile we've tramped, old dog,
And many a place we've seen,
And you where'er our feet might jog,
Have faithful ever been.
And rarely a rough or angry word
Has come our lives between."
"Toby I wish that you could speak,
One word in answer say,
No! e'en to bark you are too weak,
Or you would still obey.
I know not what the show will do
When you have passed away!"
Lovingly then poor Toby crept
Towards his master's side
And licked his hand—the Showman wept!
For less things men have cried!
And there full grateful to the last
His old companion died. E. Oxenford.

[LINK TO ILLUSTRATED PAGE]

TIDYING.

The children had played all through the long afternoon, and the room was turned topsy-turvy.

Toys were strewn all over the floor; furniture was pulled out of place; and the legs of the chairs were entangled with a long kite-tail that they had begun to make.

Presently Raymond said with a start, "Didn't you hear mother say, 'Put the room tidy'?"

"No," answered Ralph; "nobody spoke; it was only because you saw what a state the room was in that you thought you heard her; and it is very untidy; we had better put it straight."