JACK FROST. THE Frost looked forth on a still, clear night, In silence I'll take my way. I will not go on like that blustering train, So he flew to the mountain, and powdered its crest. A coat of mail, that it need not fear Which he hung on its margin, far and near, He went to the window of those who slept, By the morning light were seen Most beautiful things! there were flowers and trees, But he did one thing that was hardly fair He peeped in the cupboard and finding there : I'll bite this basket of fruit," said he, KITTY. Hannah F. Gould. ALAS! little Kitty do give her your pity! Had lived seven years, and was never called pretty! They looked like the speckled Wild-lilies, which down in the meadow-lands grew Her cousins around her, they pouted and fretted, Not sharing their beauty, Was always neglected and never caressed. All in vain, so she thought, was she loving and true, But one day, alone 'mid the clover-blooms sitting, She heard a strange sound, as of wings round her flitting; A light not of sunbeams, a fragrance more sweet Than the wind's, blowing over The red-blossomed clover, Made her thrill with delight from her head to her feet; And a voice, sweet and rare, whispered low in the air, "See that beautiful, beautiful child sitting there!” Thrice blessed little Kitty! She almost looked pretty! O juvenile charmers! with shoulders of snow, Forms made for caresses, There's one thing, my beauties! 'tis well you should know : Though the world is in love with bright eyes and soft hair, It is only good children the angels call fair.- Marian Douglas. WHAT? WHAT was it that Charlie saw, to-day, The fly and the fish were there, indeed ; But as for the puzzle, Who knows but a bee had fallen down? You have not read me the riddle yet. Now answer, you who have grown so wise, - Kate Putnam Osgood. ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST. LITTLE Ellie sits alone Mid the beeches of the meadow, She has thrown her bonnet by Little Ellie sits alone, And the smile she softly uses, Fills the silence like a speech; While she thinks what shall be done, And the sweetest pleasure chooses, For her future within reach. Little Ellie in her smile Chooseth . . . . . “I will have a lover, He shall love me without guile : That swan's nest among the reeds. "And the steed it shall be red-roan, And the lover shall be noble, With an eye that takes the breath; As his sword strikes men to death! "And the steed it shall be shod All in silver, housed in azure, And the mane shall swim the wind: And the hoofs, along the sod, Shall flash onward and keep measure, Till the shepherds look behind. 66 But my lover will not prize 66 Then, ay, then - he shall kneel low, With the red-roan steed anear him, Which shall seem to understand - "Then he will arise so pale, I will utter and dissemble "Then he'll ride among the hills Which the wicked bear along. |