I am very sorry for Fido's misfortune.
CHERRIES.
Under the tree the farmer said,
Smiling, and shaking his wise old head:
"Cherries are ripe! but then, you know,
There's the grass to cut and the corn to hoe;
We can gather the cherries any day.
But when the sun shines we must make our hay.
To-night, when the work has all been done,
We'll muster the boys, for fruit and fun."
Up in the tree a robin said,
Perking and cocking his saucy head:
"Cherries are ripe! and so to-day
We'll gather them while you make the hay;
For we are the boys with no corn to hoe,
No cows to milk, and no grass to mow."
At night the farmer said: "Here's a trick!
Those roguish robins have had their pick."
Peoli, Ohio.
I live in the country, and we have many kinds of birds, but I want you to tell me why they change so. A few years ago there were lots of peewees and wrens. Now there are none of them at all, and the birds that used to be so shy are building close by, the redbird in the bushes near the front door, the winter king in a hole in an old peach-tree by the back door. There is going to be a picnic just a few rods from our house. I am ten years old, and have no little brothers or sisters. I have two brothers. One is married; the other is older than I. He can draw nice pictures of our house and barn, and lots of other things. We have two canaries, and they go to setting as soon as they lay one egg. We have had lots of pets. One was a crow, which could do the most mischievous things, and was very funny. We have only a dog named Bran, some kittens, and a pet lamb. Bran will stand with his mouth open for Fred to milk in it, and sit before us on a horse to ride. I have a cousin Nelly coming to spend vacation with me. We shall have bathing-dresses, and will play in the brook. There is not enough water to swim in. I wish there was.
Robba M.
The new birds must have driven the wrens and peewees away to find other homes. Perhaps you may be able to coax them back again.