I have a doll, and it wears No. 1 baby's shoes and baby dresses. My sister has a canary that will sing just as loud as it can when she plays the music it likes. I had a little dog eight years old, and some one poisoned him. His name was Dick. I have a boy doll. He was dressed in a little black velvet suit when I got him; I named him George. I think Harper's Young People is the nicest little paper I ever had. My brother Willie has a wagon, and he takes me out riding every day; but the wagon is broken now, and he can not take me. I do wish Jimmy Brown would write some more funny pieces; I like to read them so much! I would like to get acquainted with him. We used to have three white rabbits, but a stray cat caught them.
Lena W.
Brother Willie must get the wagon mended.
The little sentence which inspired this graceful poem was written by Victor Hugo, the venerable poet of France, in the album of a young girl who had begged for his autograph. Victor Hugo is a lover of children, as our own Longfellow was. Shall we translate the French for those who do not read that beautiful language? It means "like glass to quiver," or answer back to the touch; "like brass to resist." The poem will help you to understand the meaning of this sentiment. "À vos pieds, mademoiselle," means "At your feet," or, as we would say, "Your most obedient, miss."
FROM YOUTH TO AGE.
BY AGNES M. ALDEN.
"De verre pour frémir, d'airain pour résister."
"À vos pieds, mademoiselle."
"Hugo Victor."
Maiden, with thine eyes of blue,
Flow'ret gemmed with morning dew,
Let thy stalk grow hard and strong,
That when fiends of hate and wrong
Bluster through thy youth's domain,
Thou mayst well thyself maintain:
Pour résister, sois l'airain.
When pure angels of delight
O'er thy garden wend their flight,
Show'ring magic gifts on thee,
Music, art, and poesie,
Then thy dewy heart lay bare
To the loving, vibrant air:
Alors, frémis comme le verre.
Maryville, Tennessee.