"Before the spring was over, Allie was so tame, that he would follow Flossie up to the house, where the children would feed him with fish or meat.
"The alligator kept growing and growing, until he was too large for the pen; and as he grew old, he grew so cross, that Flossie's papa sold him to a circus-man for a twenty-dollar gold-piece, and the children never saw their pet again."
AUNT MEG.
"THE NURSERY" TO ITS READERS.
Fifteen years ago, in my green cover
Faintly colored like the leaves in spring,
High and low, of every child the lover,
First I came my welcome words to bring.
And from then till now I have not rested;
I have still kept busy every day;
When the cowslips bloomed, and, crimson-breasted,
Sang the robins in the golden May,
When the silver daisies starred the mowing,
When the nestling swallows fluttered forth,
When the maple-woods like flame were glowing,
Or the wild wind piped from out the north;
All the time I used to look and listen:
"Something for the children I must find,
Merry tales to make their bright eyes glisten,
Useful lessons they should keep in mind."
Fifteen years—how brief they were and pleasant!
When these little golden heads are gray,
Looking back on what is now the present,
Who can tell? There may be one will say,—
"These few words that once my mother taught me
From 'The Nursery,' ere I could read,
Lingering in my memory, have brought me
Helpful counsel in life's hours of need."
Everywhere, of every child the lover,
Willing doer of my best was I;
For the last time, in my pale green cover,
I have come to say to you "Good-by!"
MARIAN DOUGLAS.
